The LOOP
The Friday Loop - March 27, 2026
ROUNDUP: IRAN WAR DAY 27
President Donald Trump yesterday announced a further delay of 10 days before he would order strikes on Iran’s energy hubs, saying his talks with Iran are “going very well.” Meanwhile, diplomats from mediating states in the Middle East reportedly believe Trump is “leaning” toward ordering a ground invasion of Iran, while the Iranians claim to have one million fighters prepared for such an event.
TOP OLYMPICS AUTHORITY PROTECTS FEMALE ATHLETES
Male athletes who identify as “transgender women" can no longer compete in female events at the Olympics thanks to a new International Olympic Committee policy announced yesterday. The historic move brings an end to years of controversy over the practice of letting men beat out women athletes on the world’s biggest stage.
NYTIMES REPORTS DRAMATIC IMMIGRATION SLOWDOWN UNDER TRUMP
Immigration rates dropped in every U.S. metropolitan area from July 2024 to July 2025 compared with the previous year, marking a nationwide slowdown after years of elevated immigration, according to an analysis published by The New York Times. Here are the numbers.
SENATE DEMS KILL MEASURE TO REQUIRE PHOTO ID TO VOTE
An amendment to require photo ID for voting in federal elections failed to clear a key procedural hurdle in the Senate yesterday. Not a single Democrat supported the amendment, even though Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has said his party supports photo ID requirements.
FINNISH POLITICIAN CONVICTED FOR CHRISTIAN VIEWS
The Finnish Supreme Court this week acquitted Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen for a 2019 tweet in which she expressed her views on marriage. The high court criminally convicted her, however, for co-publishing 20 years ago a pamphlet about her church’s teachings. Alliance Defending Freedom International President Kristen Waggoner responded by calling on European leaders to repeal "unjust ‘hate speech laws’ and commit to a free speech reset.”
MLB CONTRACT WITH POLYMARKET DRAWS BIPARTISAN OUTCRY
Major League Baseball named Polymarket its official prediction-market partner March 19. Negative reactions were swift – and unusually bipartisan. Here's how hating sports betting brought New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and conservative commentator Michael Knowles together.
TRUMP APPROVAL RATINGS ABYSMAL, FOX POLL FINDS
According to crosstabs from a Fox News poll released this week, Trump's net approval stands at -14 among men, -22 among women, -54 among black voters, -44 among Hispanic voters, and -50 among Independents. Many of the new numbers represent a drastic loss of support among groups who were key to Trump's 2024 reelection.
Advertisement
PALM SUNDAY SPECIAL: FAITH THAT LASTS
Honor Palm Sunday with lasting devotion. Our metal holy cards are beautifully crafted, durable, and made to travel with you daily. A meaningful gift or personal keepsake — order this weekend and carry your faith wherever you go.
POPE DIPLOMATIC BUT FIRM IN LETTER TO FEMALE ARCHBISHOP
After the Anglican Church appointed Sarah Mullay to the position of Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Leo sent a letter marking her new role with both openness to "dialogue" and firmness about differences. In the letter, the Holy Father cited his predecessor Pope Francis, who "acknowledged frankly that ‘new circumstances have presented new disagreements among us.’”
YOUNG RAPE VICTIM EUTHANIZED IN SPAIN
A 25-year-old woman who sought for years to end her life after she was separated from her family and survived gang rape was euthanized in Spain yesterday for “chronic pain and debilitating suffering” that followed a suicide attempt. Pro-life leaders widely lamented her death and called on followers to pray for her.
THE 'IDEAL' NUMBER OF KIDS
A personal reflection on family life rejects the idea of a “perfect” number of children, instead embracing openness to God’s will and the changing realities of each season of motherhood.
CATHOLIC 101
Ever wondered how to deal with a wandering mind during prayer? This might help!
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church honors the monk and bishop Saint Rupert, whose missionary labors built up the Church in two of its historic strongholds: Austria and Bavaria.
DAILY PSALM
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice." (Psalm 18)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
THE DEEP
AI is transforming everything — but what’s powering it? In this episode of, Erika Ahern uncovers the hidden costs of AI data centers: skyrocketing energy use, water consumption, rising utility bills, and growing local backlash. The cloud isn’t weightless — it’s industrial. And it might be coming to your backyard next.
