The Pour Over Today - Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire, Stock Market Records, Fed Chair Standoff, & More

Episode Date: April 17, 2026

Today, we’re talking about a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon; the market’s response to a potential peace deal with Iran; President Trump threatening to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell in May; and other top news for Friday, April 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Wild Alaskan HelloFresh Christian Real Estate Network Quince Qualia Life QAVA CCCU Upside Mosh LMNT The Missing Messiah Compelled Podcast I Choose Love TPO Corrections Page

Hey there, this is Joe. And this is Catherine Ann. Today, we're talking about a U.S. brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, the market's response to a potential peace deal with Iran, President Trump threatening to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell in May, and other top news for Friday, April 17. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day.

If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, but the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. Alexander Soljjanitsyn. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Israel and Lebanon are hours into a 10-day ceasefire. President Trump announced the agreement yesterday, Sands Details, after U.S. brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, it was the neighboring nation's first direct diplomatic meeting since 1993.

The agreement follows more than a month of war between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon, which has reportedly caused over 2,100 deaths in Lebanon, 23 deaths in Israel, and displaced over 1 million Lebanese residents. Hezbollah was not a part of the ceasefire negotiations, but backed the agreement yesterday. This ceasefire could be key to broader U.S.-Israel-Iran peace. Though the conflicts are officially separate, Tehran has refused to negotiate a long-term deal with Washington

until the Israel-Hazbola conflict was also addressed. Give thanks to God for progress and trust him for long-term peace. Let's pray. Wonderful counselor, you are. are the one who winds down wars and teaches peace. May your peace rule in the hearts of Israelis, Palestinians, members of Hamas, diplomats, U.S. officials, and all members of Christ's body. Bring evil plans to nothing and promote the good of the vulnerable so that people from all nations would see your goodness and submit to the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Ceasefire momentum had stocks jumping for joy. The S&P 500, and NASDAQ closed above 7,000 and 24,000 respectively for the first time on Wednesday, riding an optimism wave for a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. Markets continue descending Thursday after Israel and Lebanon's battle pause. Uncle Sam's Hormuz blockade, fully implemented in under 36 hours, has cut off over 90% of Iran's seaborne trade, tightening the screws on Tehran to make a deal. Washington has also threatened further Iranian oil sanctions, calling it the, quote, financial equivalent of a bombing campaign. And Secretary Hegeseth said the U.S. was, quote, locked and loaded for continued combat.

State side, the House, 214 to 213, and Senate, 52 to 47, both narrowly rejected war powers resolutions this week in largely party line votes. The resolutions would have required President Trump to receive congressional approval before launching future military action on Iran. Here's a first to consider whether you're jumping with joy like the market or slogging through trials. May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace. Number 6. 24 through 26. President Trump is rethreatening to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Powell's term as chairman ends May 15th, but he could stay on as a regular old Federal Reserve Governor until 2028. Powell has said he has, quote, no intention of leaving until the Justice Department concludes its controversial criminal probe into his handling of costly central bank renovations. Senator Tillis has also criticized the investigation, and promised to block the confirmation of Trump's new pick for Fed share, Kevin Warsh,

until it is dropped. On Wednesday, number 47 told Fox Business that if Powell doesn't leave with his leadership title, quote, I'll have to fire him. Powell says the president has no authority to fire him, and the Supreme Court is currently considering whether Trump's attempt to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook was lawful. Politicians come and go, often disappointing supporters and opponents alike.

Put your hope in the Lord, who has no term limit, who rules with compassion, and who executes justice perfectly. Psalm 9, verses 7 through 10 says, But the Lord sits in throne forever. He has established his throne for judgment, and he judges the world with righteousness. He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted,

a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name, trust in you, because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord. Hey, it's Zan from the pourover. I love cooking, but in this busy season of life, I feel like I basically just make the same meals on repeat. And as nice as it is to just stick with what I know and what I like and what my kids will eat,

sometimes I want to just mix things up and try cooking something new. That's why I love Hello Fresh. I get to try fun new ingredients, that I normally wouldn't buy or cook with and try recipes from all over the world. With HelloFresh, I just pick my meals and everything I need shows up. No decision making, no wasted ingredients. It's a total game changer. With 50-plus chef-crafted meals every week, there's always something new to try.

And if life gets busy, you can skip a week or pause any time. Go to Hellofresh.com slash TPO 10 FM now to get 10 free meals plus a free Nutra Bullet Ultra plus two-and-one compact kitchen system, a $189.99-cent value on your third box. Free meals applied as a discount on the first box, new subscribers-only varies by plan. Disclaimer must order the third box by May 31, 26. In other bruce, here's a rapid round of updates. A New York federal jury ruled Live Nation illegally monopolized the ticketing market, saying the company's 2010 merger with Ticketmaster

enabled anti-competitive conduct leading to higher ticket prices and poor customer service. The judge will now determine damages, which could include forcing Live Nation and Ticketmaster to break up the band. Live Nation said the verdict isn't the final note on the matter. Tax Day delivered good news. No, really.

Americans are getting more money back this. year, with the average federal refund topping $3,400 up 11%. The IRS reported 53 million Americans claimed at least one new deduction provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, such as no tax on overtime or the enhanced deduction for seniors. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor publicly apologized to fellow Justice Kavanaugh over her, quote, inappropriate statements suggesting his upbringing prevents him from understanding day laborers targeted by ICE. Following September 6'3 decision to lift ICE restrictions, Kavanaugh stated that English

proficiency and day laborer employment should be considered, quote, common sense grounds for immigration questioning. Former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and his wife were found dead yesterday in an apparent murder suicide. Police are still investigating, but say Fairfax allegedly shot and killed his wife, who filed for divorce last July, then shot himself in their Annandale, Virginia home. The incident was initially reported by one of Fairfax's teenage sons who were both home during the shootings. What's that squeakin? It's sneaker company Allbirds pivoting to AI. The struggling, sustainable

shoe brand announced Wednesday it's lacing up to join the AI race, selling off its woolly wares, raising $50 million and changing its name to New Bird AI, pending shareholder approval. Albert's stock, down 99% from its peak in 2021, soared over 500% on Wednesday, despite the company's lack of prior AI experience. That's all the headlines we have for today. Here's some good news. Christ, who was sinless, became sin so that we could know the righteousness of God. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support and hope you have a great weekend. Catch you on Monday.

Fly to space? Check. Walk on the moon? Check. Give his life to Jesus? That took him a little longer. Astronaut Charlie Duke was the voice in mission control when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. He helped navigate the Apollo 13 crisis, and during Apollo 16, he became a moonwalker himself, spending three full days on the lunar surface. Today, he's one of only four living moonwalkers. But after reaching the heavens, life back on Earth felt empty. His marriage was crumbed. his kids were hurting, success hadn't fixed what mattered most. Then came a life-changing encounter with Jesus.

Hear Charlie's powerful story on the Compelled podcast. In the episode, My Journey to the Moon, listen wherever you get podcasts or at compelledpodcast.com.