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POLITICS

Travel Ban 2.0

President Trump signed a travel ban on Wednesday, blocking citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S. and partially restricting travel from seven more.

The ban, effective Monday, mainly includes countries in the Middle East and Africa, plus Haiti, and includes many of the majority-Muslim countries that were travel-banned during Trump’s first term. The White House cited national security and terrorism concerns, saying these countries often fail to adequately vet or share threat information on their citizens traveling to the U.S., and said travelers from these countries overstay their visas at high rates.

The ban results from a January 20 executive order requesting a report from government agencies regarding countries with “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S.

International aid groups condemned the proclamation, with Amnesty International calling it “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.”

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
When discussing divisive topics, such as immigration or travel bans, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. 

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Breakup

The “Big Beautiful Bill” has started a public feud between President Trump and former First Buddy Elon Musk.

On Wednesday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the 1,100-page tax-and-spending bill would add $2.4T to the deficit over the next decade by:

• Reducing revenue by $3.7T (making 2017 tax cuts permanent and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime)

• Cutting $1.3T in spending (mostly to Medicaid and clean energy)

Musk said the bill would bankrupt America, urging everyone to call their representatives and demand that they “kill the bill.” 

President Trump took notice, saying he was “very disappointed in Musk” and threatening to cut his companies’ government subsidies and contracts; Tesla stock fell 14%. Then Musk hit back, alleging that all the files related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein haven’t been released because they mention Trump. 

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on a political or economic outcome; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of what happens in D.C., everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” 
Colossians 3:2-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

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POLITICS

All “Ayes”

The Supreme Court made not one… not two… but three unanimous decisions yesterday. 

The High Court revived a so-called “reverse discrimination” lawsuit from a woman who says she was denied a promotion and then demoted for being heterosexual. The decision affects 20 states that, until now, had required majority-group plaintiffs (including people who are White or heterosexual) to meet stricter requirements to sue for discrimination. 

The Supremes also blocked Mexico’s $10B liability lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers, which claimed the companies were “aiding and abetting” cartels in trafficking guns across the border. The Court said Mexico didn’t provide “specific criminal transactions” to support its claims. 

The Catholic Charities Bureau also got a W when SCOTUS determined the organization’s “religious motivations” were enough to qualify for an exemption from Wisconsin state unemployment taxes. 

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Verse to consider as you strive to be a peacemaker in your home, community, workplace, or anywhere else you find yourself… “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:16-18 (CSB) (read full passage)

There’s a fungus amongus. Two Chinese researchers were charged with smuggling a crop-killing fungus—a potential “agroterrorism weapon”—into the U.S. in small baggies. The pair reportedly planned to research the fungus at a University of Michigan lab but hadn’t filled out proper paperwork. UMich said it “strongly condemns” any actions threatening national security and is cooperating with law enforcement. 
 

President Trump has ordered an investigation into then-President Biden’s use of an “autopen,” suggesting it was used to sign documents without his knowledge to cover his “cognitive decline.” Biden called the allegations “ridiculous and false.” Meanwhile, Biden’s former press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced she’d become an Independent and has written a memoir on Biden’s “broken” White House; former colleagues call it a money-grab.
 

Amazon found some prime real estate. The same-day shipping giant is investing $10 billion to build data centers in North Carolina—part of a plan to spend nearly $100B this year to keep up with the growing demand for AI infrastructure. Amazon expects the new campus to create roughly 500 high-skilled jobs and support thousands more through construction and supply chain roles.
 

Start practicing your Mario Kart victory dance… The Nintendo Switch 2 dropped yesterday. Gamers queued up outside of stores in the hopes of snagging the much-anticipated console after April’s pre-order lottery—which had 2.2 million applicants—left many fans with nothing but empty karts. Nintendo had pledged to keep up with orders, and analysts say the gaming giant is “better prepared.”
 

The White House and BBC are sparring over its reporting that Israeli soldiers killed 27 Palestinians near an aid center on Tuesday morning. The White House criticized the BBC for taking “the word of Hamas with total truth” and later retracting its story; the BBC rejected the criticism, saying, “We did not remove any story, and we stand by our journalism.”

(We covered the story in our last email prior to the scuffle over its reporting; see how we’d rewrite it today at thepourover.org/corrections.)

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Just a normal morning in Australia…

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How I’m Hyping Up My Liver
With Tea from Pique Life*

By day, I’m TPO’s Content Admin Assistant. By 5 pm, I’m a holistic health fanatic who considers researching liver health a fun Friday night. 

My latest obsession? Pique’s Matcha. It’s quadruple-screened for mold, pesticides, and heavy metals (aka liver bullies), and packed with detox-boosting antioxidants and chlorophyll. Translation: it helps my liver detox, rebuild healthy cells, and reduce inflammation. 

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Get yourself some green magic. They have a 30-day guarantee (but trust me, you won’t need it). 

Abby Stuart | Glowing Content Administrative Assistant