The Pour Over Today - Friday, July 14, 2023

Episode Date: July 14, 2023

Today, we’re talking about another Hollywood strike, cooling inflation, a high profile email hack, and other top news for Friday, July 14th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by LMNT

Today we're talking about another Hollywood strike, cooling inflation, a high-profile email hack, and other top news for Friday, July 14th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the quote of the day. All Christian life is to be measured by Scripture, by every word thereof. John Wycliffe Let's get started with some espresso shots. Thousands of actors may soon find their cue in the picket, cue, joining Hollywood writers who

have been on strike since May. Tinseltown's biggest unions are in the actor's corner, expressing solidarity in a joint statement saying every worker, on screen and off, should be valued for their talents. In the other corner sits Hollywood's Producers Union, which says its good faith offers are being ignored. How to handle revenue from streaming sites and the impact of AI have the unions at an impasse, pushing negotiations to break down Wednesday and leaving another La La Land strike on the horizon. September's Emmy Award nominees were also announced Wednesday. Succession and Ted Lasso got lots of love, and with HBO and Max's 127 total noms and Netflix's 103 streaming platforms are poised to steal the show, if it's not delayed by the strikes.

The world has different priorities than God does, and many eternally insignificant things are compelling for a season. These things may not be wrong to follow, but neither should they consume our attention. Colossians 3 verses 2-4 says, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ and God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. June's economic numbers are in. The good's a little better, the bad's a little less bad, and the ugly's a little prettier. Annual inflation hit 3%, the smallest increase since March 2021 and a big drop from last June's 40-year high of 9.1%, gas prices are down 16.7% from last year, when they were averaging $5 a gallon, and used cars and airfares are down.

Grocery prices are 5.7% higher than last year and eating out costs 7.7% more. Also, rent is up 8.3% over the last year. Inflation remains above the Fed's goal of 2%, so they'll likely raise rates to a fresh 22-year high this month. Rising stocks and falling bond yields indicate that investors believe this next hoist may be the last. Too often, we let eternally insignificant things, like the ups and downs of the economy, control our mood and behavior. Seeking to steward money well is a good thing, but our hope is ultimately in Christ. Philippians 4 verses 12-13 says, I know how to make do with a little, and I know how to make do with a lot.

In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content, whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Hold on to your keyboards. State-backed hackers from China recently pried open the email boxes of an unspecified number of U.S. officials through a now-patched vulnerability in the Microsoft cloud. The espionagepatched vulnerability in the Microsoft cloud. The espionage targeted specific individuals in the state and commerce departments, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, who was meeting with top Chinese officials to discuss economic issues like tariffs and export controls.

The hack began May 15th and was discovered on June 16th, just before the Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing. The trip, which had already been postponed, remember the spy balloon debacle, went ahead anyway with security precautions. Officials confirmed that no classified information was accessed and no data was stolen. China called the accusations false and urged the U.S. to share more information to prove its claims. Here's a verse to consider when despairing of any real online security. Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor

rust destroys and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6 verses 19-21. Today's episode is brought to you by Element. Rob Wolf, a biochemist, New York Times bestselling author, and member of Navy SEAL Resiliency Committee, started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Because, you know, he's clearly a slacker. When he told his trainers he felt depleted, they simultaneously said he needed electrolytes, and Element was born. Element is the tasty electrolyte drink

that gives you everything you need and nothing you don't, whether you're doing jiu-jitsu or just writing emails. That means a science-backed electrolyte ratio, 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, 60 mg magnesium, and no sugar. Element is giving the pour-over listeners 8 single-serve packs free with any order. This is a great way to try all 8 flavors or share Element with a friend.

Don't worry, they offer no questions asked refunds. It's truly risk-free, so find the link in our show notes and try it today. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Hopefully Christopher Wray remembered a fan. He faced some heat from the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. GOP members grilled the Trump-appointed FBI director over issues ranging from suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story to threats against school boards. issues ranging from suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story to threats against school boards. Wray acknowledged his bureau's mistakes, but defended the FBI's work as necessary and nonpartisan. Elon Musk launched his long-teased AI startup, XAI, on Wednesday,

hoping to build an alternative to ChatGPT and Google Bard. Musk has also called for greater regulation of AI, warning of its potential dangers. He says this new venture will seek to create a maximally curious AI, rather than explicitly programming morality into it. Chaos is winning Guatemala's presidential election. Guatemala's top electoral tribunal confirmed the results of June 25th's vote, solidifying anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arevalo's spot in the runoff. Except that the Attorney General's office announced that Arevalo has been suspended from the race for corruption. With both sides accusing the other of corruption and conflicting court rulings, it's unclear what happens next.

Ticketmaster is not yet a mastermind at selling tickets, at least not for Taylor Swift. Ticketmaster France blamed a third-party vendor for its site crashing after a million Swifties flooded the presale. Ticket sales were suspended, and Ticketmaster has told those with codes to sit tight for a new sale date. Oh, birth control pills are slated to be offered over the counter in early 2024. The FDA has approved O-Pill, also called the mini-pill, to be distributed without a provider's prescription. O-Pill contains one hormone, progestin, and is 93% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as directed. Perigo's HRA Pharma, the drug's maker, hasn't given a price tag yet.

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 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 we hope you have a great weekend. We'll see you on Monday.