The Pour Over Today - Day 10 of Iran Conflict, February’s Bad Labor Report, Winter Paralympics, & More | 03.09.2026

Episode Date: March 9, 2026

Today, we’re talking about the U.S. calling for Iran’s "unconditional surrender"; unemployment ticking up as inflation pressure rises; opening ceremonies for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games; and other top news for Monday, March 9th. 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 Safe House Project QAVA CCCU Upside Mosh LMNT Bible Gateway Plus Life Application Study Bible Unto Compelled Podcast I Choose Love TPO Corrections Page

Hey, this is Joe at the poorover. And this is Peter at the porover. Today, we're talking about the U.S. calling for Iran's, quote, unconditional surrender, unemployment ticking up as inflation pressure rises, opening ceremonies for the 26th Paralympic Winter Games, and other top news for Monday, March 9th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day. give light and the darkness will disappear of itself.

Desiderius Erasmus. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Washington's conflict with Tehran is entering its second week. On Friday, President Trump called for Iran's, quote, unconditional surrender, which Iran's president, Massoud Pezekian, called, quote, a dream they should take to their grave. Pezachian struck a softer tone with neighbors. issuing a rare apology to Gulf countries for striking their territories.

But after backlash from Iranian hardliners, Pezashkian backtracked, re-promising to hit back hard against attacks from U.S. bases, regardless of what country they're in. U.S. Israeli strikes continued over the weekend, as Iran state media reported top clerics will announce a new Supreme Leader soon. Meanwhile, Pentagon investigators preliminating, findings suggest U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on an Iranian all-girls school that killed dozens of students. And yesterday, U.S. Central Command announced a seventh U.S. service

member has died in the conflict. We are largely helpless to interrupt violent cycles of retaliation across the world, but we can meaningfully disrupt spiraling conflict in our own homes and communities by choosing a gentle response instead of a harsh one. Resist the urge to have the last word, confident that God will bring perfect justice in the end. Romans 12, verse 17 through 21 says, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. If possible, as far as it depends on you,

live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves. Instead, leave room for God's wrath. Because it is written, vengeance belongs to me. I will repay, says the Lord. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

The U.S. economy defied expectations on Friday. In a bad way. The Labor Department reported Uncle Sam lost 92,000 jobs in February, and unemployment ticked up to 4.4%. Economists had expected a gain of 50,000 jobs and for unemployment to hold steady. Experts say declined. in health care and construction were impacted by hospital strikes and cold winter temps,

but are taking note that February marks the third month of losses in the past five. Past figures were also revised. January's gain was lowered from 130,000 to 126,000, and December flipped from a gain of 48,000 to a loss of 17,000 jobs. Despite the weak report, the Federal Reserve isn't expected to cut rates on March 18th. The U.S. Iran conflict has driven up gas prices, adding to inflation pressures, officials were already working to tame. Whether the economy booms 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 through 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 unfape, kept in heaven for you. The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games have left the ski lift. The torches were lit Friday in the 2000-year-old Arena di Verona, with a record 611 para-athletes from 55 delegations competing over the next fortnight.

It was Russia's return to the international sporting stage after bans for doping scandals and their invasion of Ukraine, prompting seven countries to boycott the opening ceremonies. Team USA started strong, earning gold and silver in para-biathlon women's sitting sprint and crushed Italy 14-1 in sled hockey. Also in the sports section, Formula One, whose season open Sunday in Australia,

hasn't decided whether to cancel its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, amid the Iran conflict, a call that could cost the sport over $100 million. And President Trump hosted 2025 MLS champion Inter-M Miami at the White House, saying Messi is greater than Pele. Here's a verse to consider when your big moment arrives, your plans are on hold, or it's just an average Monday.

The Lord of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46, verse 7. It's sand from the foreover. I love cooking and really love eating good food, but I don't love everything that comes before those two steps. Deciding what to cook, getting the groceries, and getting everything prepped.

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Hellofresh.com slash TPO 10 FM to get 10 free meals, plus a freeze-willing nice, a $144.99 value on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only varies by plan. In other bruise, here's a rapid round of updates. President Trump is forming a new crime-fighting alliance, the America's Counter-Cartel Coalition. Number 47 hosted the, quote, Shield of America's summit this weekend,

where 17 Latin American countries agreed to coordinate with the U.S. military to fight drug trafficking. Trump tapped former DHS Secretary Christy Noem as, quote, special envoy for the anti-cartel crew. Notably absent where Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Customs and Border Patrol will issue tariff refunds, but it needs more time. Wednesday, a federal judge told Uncle Sam's toll booth to get busy refunding businesses the $166 billion collected from President Trump's reciprocal tariffs, which SCOTUS struck down last month. Friday, CBP said it needed 45 days to deploy new tech.

that will save refund processors 4.4 million hours. Representative Tony Gonzalez from Texas is hanging up his campaign shoes. The father of six dropped his re-election bid Thursday after admitting an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide. Allegations he originally dismissed as, quote, blackmail. Republican leadership called him to step aside as the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation. Gonzalez will finish his current term. Tornadoes tore through Michigan and Oklahoma on Friday, killing six people. A supercell tornado with 150 mile per hour winds killed three near Union Lake Michigan

and a 12-year-old boy died outside Edwardsburg, Michigan. Two more were killed near Tulsa, Oklahoma. Millions remained under tornado watch into the weekend as the storm pushed eastward. A nightclub bombing in Peru on Saturday injured 33 people. including three minors. Authorities report the explosion went off in the pre-dawn hours at a club in the province of Trujillo, a northern coastal region recently plagued by violence. At least five of the injured were in serious condition.

A suspect and motive have yet to be identified. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. 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. notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support

and hope you have a great Monday. Catch you on Wednesday. Love is everywhere in our world. And it's often treated like a fickle feeling, but the Bible paints a different picture. Chip Ingram's book, I Choose Love, approaches this subject with biblical clarity and practical wisdom,

exploring how, quote, love is choosing to give another person what they need most, when they deserve at least at great personal cost. Get a copy of I Choose Love, how to love your neighbor as yourself, available at moodybooks.com

or wherever you get good books.