The Pour Over Today - New EPA Rule, Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady, & More | 03.22.24

Episode Date: March 22, 2024

Today we’re talking about new EPA regulation on tailpipe emissions, the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting, the latest “world happiness” rankings, and other top news for Friday, March 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! Operation Blessing: https://links.thepourover.org/OB__Podcast A Jew and a Gentile Discuss: https://links.thepourover.org/JewGentileDiscussPod Men's Daily Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/MensDailyBiblePod TUVU: https://www.tuvu.com/tpo 

Today, we're talking about new EPA regulation on tailpipe emissions, the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, the latest World Happiness Rankings, and other top news for Friday, March 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.

C.S. Lewis. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Biden administration is taking on tailpipes with new regulations, saying 56% of new cars should be electric by 2032. The EPA's new rule doesn't ban gas cars, but rather sets limits on emissions across automakers' entire fleet, meaning Nissan can still make a gas-guzzling truck, as long as they make enough all-electric or hybrid Nissan Leafs to average out. Automakers that exceed the limits would face significant penalties. The new limits begin with model year 2027 and become increasingly strict through 2032, two years later than originally proposed.

Automakers seem pleased with the additional time to bolster infrastructure and public sentiment surrounding electric vehicles. Republicans have promised to challenge the regulations, calling them unrealistic and saying they'll force the U.S. to rely more heavily on imported materials from China. Though we may not all agree on the best way to balance the health of the earth and the needs of humanity, we can pray for wisdom as we seek to balance the health of the earth and the needs of humanity, we can pray for wisdom as we seek to be thoughtful stewards of God's good creation. Genesis 2 verse 15 says,

The Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being. He took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Once again, the Federal Reserve held off on lowering interest rates, opting to give the economy more time to cool off after recent hot, or at least warm, inflation and job data. Chairman Powell still expects three rate cuts this year. Investors were pleased with that forecast. The stock market is at a record high. Reddit also caused some Wall Street excitement yesterday,

satisfying investor anticipation by debuting at $34 per share, the top of its expected price range. Shares of the now-public social media company were instantly upvoted, soaring as much as 70%. Finally, nearly 78,000 more borrowers can expect $5 billion in student loan relief through fixes to the public service loan forgiveness program.

Technical issues have long plagued the program, which has existed since 2007, hindering eligible public servants from claiming their benefits. No matter what happens to the U.S. economy, 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. There's good news and bad news from the health world this week. Bad news first, the CDC has issued a health advisory in response to an uptick in worldwide measles cases. The U.S.'s 58 confirmed cases so far this year,

mostly linked to unvaccinated people traveling internationally, already meet 2023's annual total. As for America's mental health, the U.S. fell out of the world's top 20 happiest countries for the first time. The rankings, released Wednesday, showed a significant drop in self-reported happiness among young Americans, under 30-somethings ranked 62nd globally. Good news, surgeons in Boston have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a 62-year-old in a first-of-its-kind procedure. Post-op patient improvement has doctors optimistic about the potential for genetically engineered pigs to give us gifts even better than bacon. patient improvement has doctors optimistic about the potential for genetically engineered pigs to give us gifts even better than bacon.

Here's a first to consider whether your health checkup leaves you optimistic or unsure. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4 verses 16 and 17. Water means life and health, but millions of people around the world regularly suffer without access to clean water. Some will miss work or school to gather water. Others will contract diseases, and far too many will even die. However, you have the opportunity to turn tears into smiles. Your generosity can change everything. Today is World Water Day, and all gifts are being matched

dollar for dollar up to $30,000. Join us in helping Operation Blessing reach their goal of providing a new clean water system to a hurting community in Mexico. Give at ob.org slash waterday24. That's ob.org slash waterday24. The link is also in our show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The U.S. has drafted a U.N. resolution calling for immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages in Gaza. While visiting the Middle East this week, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken announced the proposal, which marks a shift for the U.S., which has previously vetoed immediate ceasefires,

toward pressing Israel to prioritize humanitarian aid. The L.A. Dodgers have fired Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, a longtime friend, after he reportedly stole millions from Ohtani to pay for his gambling debts. The interpreter initially claimed Ohtani offered to pay his approximately $4.5 million gambling debts, but later said Ohtani had no knowledge of the payments, which were discovered as part of a federal bookmaker investigation. Lawmakers unveiled a $1.2 trillion funding package yesterday in the race against tonight's deadline for a partial government shutdown. Spanning more than 1,000 pages, the proposal includes six budget bills and features bright spots for both sides of the aisle.

Now, the bill is in the House's court, where it is expected to pass and head to the Senate. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed a bill Wednesday banning state funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI programs, in schools, public colleges, and state agencies. The law also requires public colleges to designate bathrooms for use based on biological sex. Supporters of the law say it'll prevent compelled speech and indoctrination, while critics say the law will undermine free speech. will undermine free speech. North Korea reported a successful hypersonic missile test on Wednesday, joining China and Russia's I-fielded hypersonic missile club. Despite mounting pressure, the U.S. has not yet deployed its own. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who previously vowed to develop weapons to cope with deepening U.S. hostility, attended the test, calling it a great success.

And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts 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 appreciate your support and hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.