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U.S. NEWS

Hospital Shooting

A police officer was killed while responding to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania on Saturday morning. 

A man entered the intensive care unit armed with a pistol and zip ties. He took staff members hostage and was holding one at gunpoint when police engaged, fatally shooting the gunman. During the confrontation, 30-year-old officer Andrew Duarte was killed; a doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two other officers were also wounded by the shooter—all are in stable condition. 

Officials said the investigation is ongoing but reported that the 49-year-old gunman had contact with the ICU earlier in the week and intentionally targeted staff, but it’s unclear why.

Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) mourned the loss of Officer Duarte, praising the “true heroism” of law enforcement, first responders, and medical professionals.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Join us in prayer for hospital staff, the loved ones of Andrew Duarte, and the gunman’s family, that the “God of all comfort” would move in power in this time of incredible tragedy (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

“Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with all who love you.” 
Book of Common Prayer, page 264

WORLD NEWS

Elections in Deutschland

Germany’s weekend plans included an early trip to the polls, and now a new party leader is poised to take over as the country’s chancellor. 

Yesterday, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party beat out incumbent chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), making Friedrich Merz Germany’s presumptive new chancellor. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured the second most votes—the most support for a far-right party since the 1940s and nearly double its support since the last election. 

Snap elections were triggered in December when Scholz lost a vote of confidence after firing Germany’s finance minister, effectively dissolving Germany’s parliament.

Now, Merz and the CDU will look to rebuild the parliament, with Merz saying he’s hoping to put together a new parliamentary coalition “by Easter.” 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Just as many Americans view the outcomes of foreign elections with a certain level of detachment, Christians view earthly political outcomes as secondary to the campaign of our eternal home, where we hold our truest citizenship.

“From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.… in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us.” 
2 Corinthians 5:16, 19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

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POLITICS

Justify Your Job

“What did you do last week?”

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) emailed federal employees Saturday requesting five bullet points of what they accomplished last week; according to chief-cost-cutter Elon Musk, failure to respond by 11:59 p.m. today will be “taken as a resignation.” OPM says it’s part of President Trump’s “commitment to an efficient and accountable federal workforce.” Critics question the legality of firing those who don’t reply (or reply insufficiently).

Kash Patel, who was sworn in as FBI director on Friday following his narrow Senate confirmation, told his staff to “pause any responses” to the email, a directive echoed by several other agencies, including the IRS and Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. 

Reply or not, layoffs are hitting the Defense Department; it announced plans to cut ~50,000 civilian employees, starting with 5,400 probationary workers this week. 

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Verse to consider whether you’re making big decisions or your performance is under review… “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5–8 (CSB) (read full passage)

Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering serious breathing difficulties on Saturday. The 88-year-old Argentine received oxygen treatments and blood transfusions after “a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis,” a setback in his week-long hospitalization for pneumonia. The Pope’s tests also show mild, early kidney failure, but the Vatican says he’s “well-oriented” and attended Mass in the hospital.
 

Phase one of Hamas and Israel’s ceasefire is nearing its end… with some question marks. Hamas released six living hostages Saturday, but PM Netanyahu says Israel won’t release 600+ Palestinian prisoners until Hamas guarantees the handover of four hostages’ bodies without “humiliating ceremonies.” Phase two is due to begin next week, but the two sides haven’t met to negotiate details.
 

Judicial gavels are dropping on early Trump 2.0 actions. Last week, a judge allowed the Trump administration to proceed with a mass recall of USAID workers while another judge largely blocked efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the government. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked President Trump from firing the head of a government watchdog agency.
 

The White House shared an AI-generated image of President Trump as a king on social media, and then Trump publicly mused about pursuing a third term. Democrats swiftly criticized the moves, which elected Republicans have largely ignored or called jokes. The Constitution limits presidents to two terms, and there’s no indication of the significant Congressional support needed to make an amendment.
 

Beards are coming back to Yankee Stadium. The New York baseball dynasty is reversing its 49-year anti-scruff policy, allowing players to sport “well-groomed” beards on the yard. The team said the policy was “outdated” and the decision was “about winning,” but they’re “not trying to look like Duck Dynasty.” Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jack; MLB Spring Training started Thursday.

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Steph Juliot | Writer