The Pour Over Today - Economy Shrinks, U.S.-Ukraine Mineral Deal, Columbia Student Released, & More | 05.02.25

Episode Date: May 2, 2025

TPO Handpicked Guide: ⁠https://thepourover.org/handpicked/⁠ Today we’re talking about the U.S. economy contracting in Q1; the U.S. and Ukraine signing a rare-mineral deal; a pro-Palestine Columbia student being released on bail; and other top news for Friday, May 2nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! Upside: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/Upside⁠ Cru: ⁠give.cru.org/pour⁠ LMNT: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast⁠ Student Life Application Study Bible: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/SLASB_Pod⁠ Stress Less: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/StressLess⁠ Platforms to Pillars: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/PlatformstoPillars⁠ Subsplash: ⁠subsplash.com/tpo⁠ CSB: ⁠https://links.thepourover.org/CSB_podcast⁠ Field of Greens: ⁠FieldofGreens.com

This is our final shout out for our staff's 18 hand-picked gift ideas for moms, dads, and grads. So, if you forget to get someone special a gift, well, it's now on you. Check out the link in the show notes. Hey, this is Zane at the pour-over. And this is Joe at the pour-over. Today, we're talking about the U.S. economy contracting in Q1, the U.S. and Ukraine signing a rare mineral deal, a pro-Palestine Columbia student being released on bail, and other top news for Friday, May 2nd.

Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pore Over today. Here's your quote of the day. You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself. St. Athanasius of Alexandria. Let's get started with some espresso shots. GDP took a tumble. The U.S. economy shrank 0.3% from January to March, its first contraction since 2022. The decline was largely driven by businesses scrambling to stock up ahead of tariffs. If you're wondering what that means, Uncle Sam buying more decreases net exports, which is a component of GDP. Though that wasn't the only

factor. Consumer spending dipped too. Trade activity is also feeling it. Cargo shipments from China to the U.S. have plunged 65% since the 145% tariff took effect just three weeks ago. Economists warn that Americans may begin crossing off empty shelves and higher prices from their 2025 bingo cards this month. If times are tough, no one told Metta or Microsoft. Both tech giants posted strong earnings on Wednesday. Microsoft's quarterly revenue was up 13 percent from a year ago. Metta's was up 16 percent. U.S. stocks rallied on the news.

Whether the economy rebounds, wobbles or collapses, God will remain in control. In the midst of uncertainty on earth, set your hope on the abundance we will enjoy with Christ when he comes. 1 Peter 1, 3-4 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a natural resources deal Wednesday. The deal, pursued by President Trump since his inauguration, sets up a joint investment fund that keeps Uncle Sam engaged in the war against Russia while providing a path for profit. Here's how it works. Ukraine contributes 50% of profits from mining government-owned rare earth minerals, oil, and gas to the fund.

The US contributes to the fund directly or with military aid. For the first 10 years, profits will be reinvested into Ukraine's reconstruction. Then, profits will be distributed between the partners. Notably absent from the deal, President Zelensky's desired security guarantees and Trump's desired repayment of the billions in military aid Washington already provided. The White House celebrated the win-win partnership.

Critics say it reduces Ukraine to a quote-unquote virtual colony. Join us in prayer for peace in Eastern Europe, confident that God hears and grants our prayers when we pray according to His will. Book of Common Prayer, page 654 says, Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed, kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom

those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A Columbia University student was released on bail Tuesday after being detained by immigration authorities at his citizenship interview. Moshe Medawie, a 34-year-old from the West Bank and permanent U.S. resident, was arrested in Vermont last month.

Midawi's lawyers say his arrest is, quote, the government's retaliation, end quote, against Midawi's free speech rights and his role in organizing pro-Palestinian protests on Columbia's campus. The State Department argues Midawi's actions speaking out against Israel compromise U.S. foreign policy interest. The judge overseeing his case said Medawi posed no public or flight risk and allowed him to remain in Vermont and attend Columbia while his case is ongoing. Uncle Sam's recent measures targeting on-campus pro-Palestine protests include revoking students'

visas and placing at least two students, including fellow Columbia Lion Mutmut Khalil, in ICE detention. Here's a verse to consider whether or not justice is served in American courts, your workplace, or the middle school hallways. This is my servant. I strengthen him. This is my chosen one. I delight in him. I have put. I strengthen him. This is my chosen one. I delight in him. I have put my spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations. He will not

grow weak or be discouraged until he has established justice on earth. The coasts and islands will wait for his instruction." Isaiah 42, 1 and 4. Hey, it's Emily from the pour over. Summer break is coming, which means endless ice cream trips, pool visits, and snacks, snacks, and somehow even more snacks. My wallet was starting to sweat until I remembered I have Upside. I love that Upside helps me conquer all these little costs just by claiming an offer and getting cash back.

Instead of playing how many popsicles can the budget handle, I'm actually saving on the things we're already buying. It's a game changer for my summer sanity. Download the free upside app and use promo code TPO to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. That's an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas. That's an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas using promo code TPO. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates.

A prank call is proving to be pricey. The NFL fined the Atlanta Falcons $250,000 and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 after Ulbrich's 21-year-old son used confidential info from dad's iPad to prank call Shador Sanders during the draft. The team accepted blame and promised better security going forward. Albrecht and his son have publicly apologized for the quote inexcusable call. SCOTUS appears poised to greenlight Lady Liberty's first religious charter school. In oral arguments Wednesday, a Catholic school in Oklahoma argued that

excluding it from publicly funded charter school systems violates the First Amendment's protection against religious discrimination. Oklahoma countered, saying including it would violate the First Amendment's separation of church and state. Expect a final decision this summer. A fan tumbled over a 21-foot wall plunging onto the right field warning track during the Pirates' home opener vs. the Cubs Wednesday night. Play stopped as players looked on in shock and first responders attended to the fan, who was rushed to the hospital and is in critical condition.

Officials say the fall appears accidental and investigation is ongoing. Take it down or head downtown. House Democrats and Republicans joined forces to pass the Take It Down Act 409-2. The bipartisan bill would make it a federal crime to knowingly post, or threaten to post, non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfakes, which are digitally altered videos or images of real people. First Lady Melania has championed the bill and her husband has promised to sign it. Apple's in a Sour Situation Wednesday, a judge ruled that Apple's Vice President of Finance Alex Roman, quote,

outright lied in court during the Tech Giants 2021 Epic Game Trial over in-app purchasing policies. According to the judge, neither Apple nor its counsel corrected the lies. Roman and Apple now face a potential criminal contempt investigation. Apple has promised to appeal. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPO fam. Apple has promised to appeal. The other day in the kitchen, I poured citrus element powder in my water bottle.

My wife looked at me and asked, when the last time was that I drank water without element? I looked at her and couldn't even remember. No sugar, no crashes, just a science-backed ratio of electrolytes we need to stay sharp. Honestly, it's the real MVP of the pour-over. Stay fresh and hydrated with us. The Pour-Over Today listeners get 8 single-serve packs free with any drink mix purchase. Just use the element link in the show notes.