The Pour Over Today - More Government Layoffs; Economy News; Greenland Elections, & More I 3.14.25

Starting point is 00:00:00 Today, we're talking about the last round of government layoffs, what's happening with the economy, the elections in Greenland, and other top news for Friday, March 14th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor over today. Here's the quote of the day, there is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future. Saint Augustine. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Federal workforce trims continue. Tuesday, the Department of Education laid off roughly a third of its around 3,500 employees, the first step towards shutting down the department, which would require Congress, and transferring

Starting point is 00:00:45 educational oversight to the states. Secretary McMahon said the overhaul wouldn't impact those benefiting from the department's outward-facing programs, like financial aid and special education, but critics have concerns over the effectiveness of a bare-bones staff and the lawsuits have begun rolling in. Meanwhile, more than a thousand layoffs are forecasted for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the nation's weather, ocean, and fisheries agency cuts 10% of its workforce.

Starting point is 00:01:15 The news comes as a federal district judge ruled yesterday that six federal agencies unjustly fired thousands of employees and must reinstate them. The decision will likely be appealed. When discussing divisive topics like layoffs, remember that both your position and your posture reflect on Christ. That means humbly loving and caring for those

Starting point is 00:01:40 who have lost jobs, government authorities, and people who passionately disagree with you on this topic. Luke 6, 32, and 35 says, If ye love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most high. While prices and unemployment show, trade tensions are staying heated.

Starting point is 00:02:22 February's inflation eased to 2.8% down from January's 3% beating economists' expectations. Egg prices continued their rise, up 59% over the past year due to avian flu and supply shortages and shelter costs rose 4.2%, their slowest pace since 2021. U.S. unemployment claims also dropped last week, indicating Uncle Sam's labor market is still hanging on. The S&P 500, still rattled by trade tensions, dipped into correction territory yesterday, down 10% from its peak on February 19. On the trade front, Canada slapped a 25% tariff on US Steel and the EU raised tariffs on American agricultural products.

Starting point is 00:03:00 President Trump has threatened a 200% tariff on European alcohol unless the EU lifts its 50% tariff on whiskey. Here is the verse to consider whether eggs cost more than a car or less than a pack of gum. but the righteous will flourish like foliage." Proverbs 1128. Santa's neighbors held elections Tuesday. Greenland, Denmark's self-governing not-so-green island, just 950 miles from the North Pole, has been trekking toward independence since 2009. President Trump recently expressed interest in owning the island

Starting point is 00:03:46 because of its strategic location, key for national security, and its wealth of rare earth minerals, key for all kinds of tech production. Four of the five main parties of the Arctic island want to give Copenhagen the cold shoulder, but they disagree on timelines. The Democratic Party, a center-right party that favors a more gradual approach to independence, emerged as the unexpected victor of Tuesday's vote. Greenland's Democratic Party leaders must now form a governing coalition, which may include a second-place Nelerak Party,

Starting point is 00:04:18 a group that favors fast-tracking independence and is warmer toward Trump. tracking independence and is warmer toward Trump. Just as many Americans view the outcomes of foreign elections with a certain level of detachment, Christians are called to hold earthly political outcomes loosely because our true citizenship is in heaven. When political news makes you angry or anxious, check your grip. 1 Peter 2, 11 and 12 says, Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.

Starting point is 00:05:02 glorify God on the day he visits. Hey, it's Zan from The Poor Over. I used to think cash back apps were more hassle than they were worth until I tried Upside. Now I use it all the time because honestly, who doesn't love getting paid for adulting? It's super easy. I just open the app, claim an offer, pay as usual, and boom, money back in my pocket. I don't have to worry about scanning receipts and there aren't any weird

Starting point is 00:05:30 hoops to jump through. Just easy peasy savings. I first started using it for gas, but now I use it on all the things. Last week I got cash back on my coffee run and my grocery haul. And the best part? Upside users earn an average of $280 a year. If you're ready to stop leaving money on the table, download the free Upside app and use promo code TPO to get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on the first tank of gas.

Starting point is 00:05:55 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 wrap around of updates. A government shutdown is seeming less likely. Yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he'll support the Republican spending bill saying he's worried a shutdown would allow President Trump to take much more power. Republicans need seven Democrats to join them to avoid a shutdown tonight. It's unclear where the votes will fall. Ceasefire almost? Yesterday, President Putin said Russia agrees in principle with the White House proposed 30-day

Starting point is 00:06:43 ceasefire, already backed by Ukraine, but insisted it must address the conflict's root causes and ensure enduring peace. He also stressed the need for monitoring potential violations of the deal. Putin's remarks came just hours after Trump's envoy arrived in Moscow for ceasefire talks. receives Far Talks. A Saudi-owned game company just made a rare catch. Niantic, maker of augmented reality mobile game Pokemon Go, just sold its game division to Saudi-owned Scopoli for $3.5 billion, one of the largest video game acquisitions ever. Critics accuse Niantic of gathering the location data of Go's 90 million monthly users to sell without consent. A Columbia University student remains in ICE custody after being detained for leading pro-Palestinian protests, which the State Department deemed adversarial to national security.

Starting point is 00:07:40 Lawyers for the Syrian-born Algerian citizen, who is in the US legally, argue he was exercising his First Amendment rights. He hasn't been formally charged with a crime, and a judge paused his deportation while his case is pending. To commemorate Pi Day, here's the first thousand digits of Pi. 3.141592653589793238462643383279502888 Just kidding. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening.

Starting point is 00:08:13 If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a 5 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 appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.

The Pour Over Today - More Government Layoffs; Economy News; Greenland Elections, & More I 3.14.25

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.