The Growing Appeal of Euthanasia
In considering Canada’s headlong rush toward national suicide, it is useful to recall the words of Clay Jones, who wrote a book titled “Why Does God Allow Evil?” Jones observes that demented psychopaths did not advance most genocidal activities. Instead, ordinary people committed genocide—mums, dads, and sweet old grandmothers—looking to improve the nation’s efficiency and apply a utilitarian calculus to society's health care needs. These are people who can be found at Tim Horton’s or a Krispy Kreme Donut shop.
Going Public
Three of the world’s largest companies are going public. SpaceX, the rocket company owned by Elon Musk, became the first of the three to complete the process last week. In doing so, SpaceX broke the record for the largest initial public offering in history, and Musk became the world’s first trillionaire (SpaceX’s market cap is still settling out but currently stands just shy of $2.7 trillion).
A Peace Deal and the G7
As leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States gather in France for the G7 Summit, the U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict. The deal is said to involve a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a 60-day period for resolving the issue of Iran’s enriched uranium.
Meanwhile, the three-day G7 Summit included a focus on both the U.S.-Iran war and the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The Beautiful Game
No matter where on the athletic spectrum you fall (from World Cup caliber to two left feet), allow this story that will play out over the next several weeks to continually remind you of your life’s work. It may be called “the beautiful game,” but you are to tell “The Greatest Story!”
War Powers
The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed by a vote of 215-208 a resolution instructing U.S. President Donald Trump to end the U.S. military operation in Iran. Four Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the measure, which would now need to pass the U.S. Senate to be considered by the president. The Senate is not expected to approve the measure, and the vote in the House is not sufficient to withstand a presidential veto.
$69.5 Billion
After a lengthy and contentious debate, Congress has approved $69.5 billion to fund operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) through the end of the current presidential term. The bill was considered through a process known as budget reconciliation, which allows for simple majority approval in the U.S. Senate rather than requiring 60 votes to overcome procedural hurdles.
Rocket Explodes
Can you imagine the day when you will have eternal access to the new heaven and the new earth (Is. 65:17, Rev, 21:1)? No, me either! But that day is coming, my friend! So as our human efforts to explore more of the universe experience ebbs and flows, remember you will soon know in full (1 Cor. 13:9-12)!
300 Gold Bars
A now-former CIA agent aptly named David Rush is believed to have stolen more than 300 gold bars from his workplace. The loot, worth more than $40 million, was recovered by authorities from his home, and the agent was charged with criminal theft of public money. According to authorities, the crime took place over several months and was conducted under the ruse of “work-related expenses.” Rush is also accused of exaggerating his education and job qualifications, and awaits prosecution.
Racing Legend Dies
Kyle Busch, the all-time leader in NASCAR wins, died at the age of 41 this week. Busch’s passing was caused by severe pneumonia that resulted in sepsis, according to his doctors. Busch is survived by his wife and two young children, and was honored by the racing community in Charlotte over the weekend.
Potential Deal in Iran
The U.S.-Iran war is both escalating and potentially deescalating. On the one hand, U.S. President Donald Trump says that negotiations toward a permanent peace deal are “proceeding nicely.” On the other hand, the U.S. this week launched a new wave of what it called “self-defense” strikes against Iran.
Castro Indicted
The U.S. Department of Justice indicted Raul Castro, former President of Cuba, on Wednesday. The charges in the indictment date back to 1996 and allege that then-President Castro ordered the shootdown of two small planes flown by Americans and conducting a humanitarian mission. Four were killed and this week’s developments demand that Castro appear in the U.S. to answer to the charges—an expectation most assume he will resist.
Mosque Shooting
That is our mandate this week—to help those around us fully grasp a soul-level knowledge of their intentional design! They, like you, are created, known, and loved by the very God who formed them! They, like you, were made on purpose and for a purpose! They, like you, have a need to know it full well!
ISIS Leader Killed
Nigerian Christians are living in some of the most intense persecution in the world. Mass killings of entire Christian villages have been horrifically common, much of it at the hands of ISIS and related terrorist groups. The U.S. has been leading the effort to hold accountable those responsible, and the participation of Nigerian forces in this week’s operation is a significant sign of the Nigerian government’s increased commitment to eradicating the religious-based violence.
Ebola
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after more than 500 illnesses and more than 100 deaths are believed to be linked to a rare strain of Ebola virus. Ebola outbreaks in the region are somewhat common, but this particular strain—known as Bundibugyo—has only been detected three times, and the current pace of the spread and intensity of its impact is significant.
UFOs
While we may not be able to conclusively answer the question about intelligent life on other planets, we can safely say that what we do know about God’s creation is beyond magnificent and breath-taking! Let us praise Him for what He has done (Ps. 150:2)!
Superpowers Summit
The world’s leading superpowers are meeting this week in Beijing, China as U.S. President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping are set to speak directly on matters ranging from trade to human rights to the war in Iran. The two leaders have divergent views on a number of issues and certainly enter this week’s talks as fierce economic competitors, but both also appear eager to find some public common ground on at least economic issues.
Cruise Outbreak
Be of good courage (Josh. 1:9)! It is easy to let the emotional scar tissue of recent years cause us to fear, but our God has called us to lifted minds and spirits! This is not a head-in-the-sand mindset, but rather one specifically informed by the truth that there is nothing in this world that can rob us of eternal life in Him (Matt. 6:19-21).
Mail Order Abortion
Mail order abortions are at the center of a legal spat once again this week after two notable court decisions. First, on Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana and restricted the dispensing of Mifepristone—the first of a two-part drug regime used for at-home abortions—to patients seen in-person. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court paused enforcement of that ruling until it could further consider whether to take up the case. This most recent order temporarily restores mail order access to the abortion drug, but the Court is expected to weigh in further after a May 11 deadline.
Redistricting Wars
It may soon be easier to list which states are not in a redistricting debate rather than those that are after a new avenue for re-drawing congressional district maps opened this week. The new branch in this debate stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that immediately enforces a narrower application of the Voting Rights Act and allows Louisiana to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. The ruling opens the way for several additional states to attempt to redraw their maps based on the new criteria for the Act.
Strait Clashes
War is ugly. The most obvious impact is on life and limb, but as this story underscores, it also makes its mark on the economy and the everyday life of people all around the world. Because of the global nature of today’s market, especially when it comes to oil and energy, the impact of the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is as close as your nearest gas station.