POLITICS

Diesel and De-escalation Deals

Uncle Sam and Mother Russia shook hands on a diesel deal Friday.

In a Truth Social post, President Trump announced Russia had agreed to export 4.8M tons of diesel “to the American and global marketplace” in an effort to lower near-record prices (see how diesel prices have increased this year). Minutes later, the U.S. Treasury announced it would waive long-held sanctions on Russian diesel to unstopper the fuel.

The deal, which Trump said would “especially” benefit “farmers, ranchers, and truckers,” was met with bipartisan criticism. GOP lawmakers said lifting sanctions would “only fund the Kremlin’s war machine,” while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said, “gifts to Putin will not bring peace.”

Then, yesterday, Trump announced a Russia-Ukraine “energy ceasefire” without sharing details. Moscow hadn’t confirmed it, but Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “ready to refrain from striking Russian energy infrastructure” if Russia is.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Christians should be committed to praying for world leaders to be wise and to work towards helpful and peaceful resolutions, while simultaneously placing our hope in God, not government.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (CSB) (read full passage)

WEATHER

Weather Wallop

Three storms slammed North America over the weekend.

Four people died, and hundreds of thousands lost power after Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 hurricane late Friday (check outage statuses here). Isaias weakened after coming ashore, but still brought damaging winds, tornadoes, and heavy rain, downing trees and ripping off roofs (see the aftermath). Florida, Alabama, and Georgia declared states of emergency ahead of its arrival.

In the Pacific, Category 4 Hurricane Simon lashed Mexico’s Pacific coast yesterday, threatening flash flooding and mudslides, and Tropical Storm Rachel hit northwestern Mexico, then took a rare turn into the Southwest yesterday. It’ll bring much-needed rain but also dangerous conditions through today.

Meanwhile, Panama declared a state of emergency Saturday after 7.7- and 6.6-magnitude earthquakes damaged all ten provinces Friday. No deaths were reported.

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BE DOERS
God has not left us helpless in the face of disasters. He hears the prayers of His people, acting for our good and His glory. Lift up those impacted by these storms and earthquakes.

“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer… Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:12,15 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Fall Ball

MLB’s top teams are taking the field, but college football’s have taken some Ls.

The two-time defending champ Dodgers opened the NLCS in Milwaukee last night, falling to the Brewers in Game 1. In ALCS Game 1 tonight, the Rays, fresh off a Yankee sweep, will host the Guardians, who ousted the White Sox Saturday.

On the gridiron, unranked Oklahoma toppled #1 Texas with a walk-off field goal (see it). The Red River Rivalry result was one of five top-25 upsets:

• Kentucky stunned #10 LSU in OT (see the game-winning moment and watch Wildcat fans flood the field),
• UNC topped #25 Pittsburgh in the Tar Heels’ first win over a ranked opponent under Coach Belichick,
• South Carolina swamped #16 Florida,
• and #21 UCLA outlasted #13 Oregon.

The losses were the second of the season for the Gators and the Ducks, knocking both teams out of the top 25 (see who’s #1 now).

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Verse to consider whether your team wins, loses…or you’d really rather read a good book…
“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (CSB) (read full passage)

A gunman killed nine people at his Erie, Pennsylvania, home Friday before killing himself. Two women reportedly talked to the man outside after shots were heard inside; the 45-year-old shot them and went back inside. Eight of the victims, including two children, a pregnant woman, and her unborn baby, were related to the shooter, whose motive is under investigation. (Heartbroken? Pray with us.)


The Pentagon says it will livestream the Fort Hood gunman’s firing squad execution on December 3, which would be the U.S.’s first public execution in almost a century. Secretary Hegseth said people need to understand these things have “serious consequences,” but lawmakers on both sides condemn the plan as un-American. President Trump said he hasn’t decided whether to allow it.


Iran-backed Houthis struck Saudi Arabia’s capital airport yesterday, a day after another strike there killed at least 12, including a U.S. citizen, and injured over 300 in Saudi Arabia’s deadliest airport attack in a decade. President Trump says Washington is considering joining Saudi counterattacks, a move that could draw the U.S. into a second front in the Iran war.


Two former fraternity members accused in the Cornell sexual assault lawsuit moved to have New York AG Letitia James taken off the case. The defendants’ attorneys argue James, whom Gov. Hochul (D) appointed as special counsel, “demonstrated a bias” in social media comments signaling solidarity with Jane Doe. James’ office said it’s committed to reviewing “nothing but the facts.”


Mike Ditka, Hall of Fame tight end and coach for da Chicago Bears, died Friday at 86. During his 35 NFL seasons, Ditka led the Monsters of the Midway to an NFL title in a helmet (1963) and a Super Bowl in his iconic navy sweater vest (1985). After coaching, Ditka’s mustache graced screens as a broadcaster and actor (see Iron Mike through the years).

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Just a happy lil fella…

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