The Daily Briefing highlights the news of the day and research that reveals the spirit of the day.
The Daily Briefing is a newsletter sent straight to your inbox every morning that provides biblical insight on today's news.
Top News
6. King Charles toasts "indispensable" U.S.-U.K. alliance in state dinner hosted by Trump, after rare address to Congress (CBS News)
“King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the White House for a state dinner hosted by President Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The two heads of state enthusiastically toasted the U.S.-U.K. alliance at the start of the dinner, despite some areas of disagreement between their countries. The king called the alliance "indispensable," highlighting the U.S.'s role in helping Europe rebuild after World War II and later setting up NATO — bringing up a delicate subject for Mr. Trump, who has long felt that NATO member countries do not spend enough money on their own defense and are overly reliant on the alliance.
“Earlier Tuesday, the king addressed Congress, speaking about what he called the "truly unique" relationship between the U.K. and the U.S. and repeatedly stressing the importance of the alliance. He said the countries should "reaffirm…the basis on which our partnership has been built," in light of new challenges like shared foreign adversaries and the risks of new technologies… Charles' address to lawmakers is only the second time in history a British monarch has delivered a speech to Congress, following a 1991 address by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.”
The King Is Coming? He’s actually already here, Gaither Band, so prepare your trousers accordingly. Pres. Woodrow Wilson was the first sitting president to visit with the English royalty, meeting King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace in December of 1918. Wilson traveled to Europe to participate in the Paris Peace Conference, with crowds chanting "We want Wilson" in the streets while he worked in the palace. When he stepped out for a photo, in his haste, he forgot to properly situate the end of his trousers.
Hot dogs with the King? In June 1939, King George VI became the first reigning British monarch to set foot in the United States. In an effort to strengthen ties with the US as Hitler marched through Europe, King George visited with FDR at his family’s retreat, Top Cottage, near Hyde Park, NY. The king and his wife, Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), were served hot dogs, cranberry jelly, and strawberry shortcake. The NY Times wrote at the time: “It was ascertained that the King not only came back for more hot-dog sandwiches but drank beer with them.”
A ministry to the kings… From King Uzziah to King Hezekiah, Isaiah had a unique ministry in that he served a variety of kings with unrivaled access for roughly 50 years. But before his ministry started, he had an encounter with the King of Kings, seated on a high and exalted throne, with the train of His robe filling the Temple. Overwhelmed by the holiness of the Lord of Hosts, Isaiah declared himself "undone" due to his unclean lips. This instilled humility in the young prophet, preparing him not to be swayed by the earthly kings he would go before in years to come. Regarding humility, Martin Luther put it well: “God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him.” (Is. 6)
5. US gas prices hit highest level in 4 years amid Iran war. (USA Today)
“Average U.S. gas prices rose to their highest level since the start of the Iran war, amid fears of a protracted energy crisis as Washington and Tehran appeared deadlocked over a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the two-month war. Average gasoline prices rose to $4.18 a gallon on Tuesday, according to AAA data, reaching their highest level since the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
“The spike in gas prices comes as President Donald Trump says Iranian officials warned the country is in a state of collapse and want a U.S. blockade lifted, as the White House weighs a peace offer from Iran that seeks to end the two-month war. The White House confirmed that Iran submitted a proposal but did not say whether Trump would reject or accept the deal. The proposal would end Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ships and ports, the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press reported. The proposal would also postpone discussions on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump has ending Iran's nuclear program is vital to any deal.”
The Beach Boys may Get Around, but not without paying for it… In a recent paper, researchers found that the increases in state gas prices made people more pessimistic about the national economy, regardless of what else was happening economically at the state or national level.
Time is money… and we are richer today than yesterday. Instead of looking simply at the price points, a group of researchers analyzed how long you have to work to buy what you need… like gas. If you're an average private-sector worker, over the past 12-months, inflation rose 3.29 percent while your hourly earnings grew 3.52 percent. If you go back to March 2006, the Time Price has fallen 11.33 percent.
GK Chesterton noted that a paradox is often a truth standing on its head to get our attention. For Chesterton, money was a type of handstand… He observed that you have to be clever enough to get it, but unwise enough to want all of it. Seeing the snares that often accompanied large sums of money, Chesterton observed that you will never find a really generous man by accident – it’s hard to get it, and sometimes even harder to part with it. In this instance, higher prices at the pump is going to lead to tough choices for many Americans, but money has always required difficult decisions. As stewards for the King, we understand that he allows us to hold on to his money, and we are careful not to allow this money to take hold of us. (2 Cor. 9)
4. UAE to leave OPEC amid Hormuz oil crisis, a blow to Saudi Arabia (WaPo)
“The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday that it would exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, along with the wider group of partners known as OPEC+, effective May 1, in what could be a blow to control over prices by the group, long led in practice by Saudi Arabia. “We thank OPEC and its member countries for decades of constructive cooperation,” UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said in a post to social media. The UAE is the third largest oil producer in OPEC, after Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
“The move “reflects the UAE’s long-term strategic and economic vision and evolving energy profile” read an official statement carried by a UAE state news agency, as disruptions “in the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect supply dynamics.” The UAE is the second Persian Gulf country to leave the group after Qatar terminated its membership in 2019. It has been a member of OPEC since 1971. Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven states that make up the UAE, independently joined OPEC in 1967 before the founding of the country.”
Heeding Fleetwood Mac, the UAE has decided to Go Their Own Way… OPEC was formed in Baghdad in 1960 by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. It produces about 40 percent of the world’s crude oil and its members’ exports make up around 60 percent of global petroleum trade.
Breaking out of prison with Nash… The prisoner's dilemma is a game theory paradox in which individuals acting in their own self-interest fail to cooperate, resulting in a worse outcome for all. In this instance, if one country in OPEC violates its agreement while the others abide, prices stay low for all, and the country that violates the agreement benefits by selling more. With this move, the UAE is breaking the Nash Equilibrium, which refers to how each player is making the best possible decision they can, given the moves of their opponents. UAE believes breaking the equilibrium is now the best decision.
The UAE is leaving the caravan… In Genesis, we read about the Midianite and Ishmaelite caravans. These merchant caravans traveled in large, coordinated groups for safety and shared the burden of transporting spices from Gilead down to Egypt. For the sake of safety and sharing the burden, they forsook speed. The UAE has decided to leave the caravan, forsaking steady profits for new opportunities. As Adam Grant notes: “If all your bets are safe, it may be time to rebalance. In the long run, our biggest regrets are often the risks we didn't take.” (Gen. 37)
3. James Comey indicted over seashell photo that officials said threatened Trump (NBC News)
“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging former FBI Director James Comey over an Instagram photo he posted of seashells, which allies of President Donald Trump portrayed as a threat, two sources familiar with the matter tell NBC News. Justice Department attorneys sought the indictment in the Eastern District of North Carolina, where Comey has a beach house.
“Comey had deleted the post, saying it never occurred to him that it would be interpreted as being violent. "Eighty-six" is a term commonly used in restaurants when an item is sold out, and it's also informally used to mean "cancel" or "get rid of."
Should we give Mr. Comey the benefit of the doubt? Giving him such doubt illuminates Hanlon’s Razor and Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity. Hanlon asserts that the number of genuinely evil people in the world is tiny compared to the number of ignorant people, so you should never blame on malice what can be adequately explained by lack of wisdom. In this instance, this is truly more random shells than a secret message.
Then there is Bonhoeffer's Theory of Stupidity. While you can guard and prepare for evil, you can not do so for stupidity. An evil person plots strategically and thoughtfully, but this person is also in need of the help of stupid people to actually execute the plans. So, while evil is a threat, stupidity is a greater threat.
Be like Phineas? In Joshua 22, the Eastern tribes of Israel had finished fighting and were set to return back to their homes across the Jordan. Before they crossed, the 2.5 tribes decided to build an altar of remembrance. However, when the rest of the Israelites heard about this, they assumed these tribes had already forgotten the Lord. They sent Phineas and other leaders to investigate. After the tribes explained the situation, Phineas and his crew gave them the benefit of the doubt. They then collectively built an altar and called it: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God. Today, the same God who served as a witness among the tribes is the same God who serves as the ultimate witness to both our actions and motivations… including with seashells.
News You Can Use
2. Pawn Star Wars - Grievous Pawns his Saber Collection
Watch it here. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion…” (2 Cor. 9:7)
1. Woman gardening at 96 with help from dog takes over the internet
Watch it here. “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)
