The Pour Over Today - Monday, April 17, 2023

Episode Date: April 17, 2023

Today, we’re talking about the Pentagon’s leak, a war zone in Sudan, a bunch of new state legislation, and other top news for Monday, April 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by World Concern - We’re matching the first $5,000 given through this link.

Today, we're talking about the Pentagon's leak, a war zone in Sudan, a bunch of new state legislation, and other top news for Monday, April 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour-Over. Here's the quote of the day. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans chapter 1, verse 16. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The 21-year-old suspected of leaking classified documents has been charged with violating the

Espionage Act. He's accused of sharing Pentagon documents complete with top-secret stamps detailing Ukraine's military secrets online. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Officials at the five-sided building are investigating how the low-ranking Air National Guardsmen had sprawling access to classified info and are tightening restrictions to make secret info more secret. However, some critics feel the problem is too much security. That deeming huge volumes of harmless information as classified minimizes the designation and promotes sloppy behavior. Meanwhile, Russia is doing its best to poke holes in Ukraine's defense of Bakhmut,

sending in additional troops and ramping up supply line attacks. For its part, China has vowed that it won't sell arms to either side. For its part, China has vowed that it won't sell arms to either side. Here's a verse to consider when you're tempted to put your hope in passwords, security systems, and other human products. He changes the times and seasons. He removes kings and establishes kings. Daniel, chapter 2, verse 21. Sudan's capital city, Khartoum, devolved into a war zone over the weekend,

with the country's top two generals fighting for control over the presidential palace, state TV, and army headquarters. At least 59 civilians, including three UN workers and scores of combatants, have died. The sides are Sudan's National Army, led by General Burhan, and Sudan's Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, led by General Hamedi. In 2019, the two generals joined forces to oust Sudan's previous leader, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, but the tenuous alliance broke down over plans to integrate the RSF into Sudan's military and transition the country to civilian rule. Sudan's army seemed to have the upper hand yesterday, but both sides claim to control key sites including the airport. The UN, the US, China, Russia, and others have called for

a quick end to hostilities. It's easy to feel helpless in a situation like this, but the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective, that it causes things to happen that would not have happened otherwise. James chapter 5 verse 16 says, The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Coming to a state near you, some new laws. Montana is close to becoming the first state to ban TikTok statewide. Sort of.

The law would ban new downloads of the app starting in 2024 and would ban TikTok from operating in the state. It's unclear how the law would be enforced and critics have pointed out easy workarounds. would be enforced and critics have pointed out easy workarounds. Michigan is requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases, a response to a deadly shooting at Michigan State in February, and became the first state to repeal a right-to-work law, a win for unions. Colorado passed three laws aimed at ensuring Colorado residents and visitors from surrounding states have access to abortion and transgender medical treatments. Arkansas banned parole for those convicted of 18 particularly heinous crimes such as rape, murder, and human trafficking. Legislation is an important and powerful way

to create change, but as Christians, our hope is never contingent on the signature of a governor or president. Seek justice, defend the oppressed, and care for those in need regardless of what laws are passed. Isaiah chapter 1 verse 17 says, Learn to do right, seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. This episode is sponsored by World Concern. The drop-off happened in 2020. Plead the Case of the Widow. in 40 years. It's dried up water points and forced people and animals to migrate in search of water, but none can be found. Right now, there are around 22 million people in the region at risk of hunger. The United Nations says 5.6 million people are acutely food insecure in Somalia alone.

World Concern has boots on the ground, providing emergency water, food, and hygiene kits to help people survive this crisis. They are also helping construct water collection systems, restock herds, and plant crops for a more stable future. We're asking the Pour Over community to join us in partnering with World Concern to help get emergency nutrition packs, a peanut paste fortified with nutrients, water, and hygiene products to those in the most need. Every $12 feeds a child for a month. We're matching the first $5,000. Discover how you can help through the link in the show notes. James chapter 2 verses 15 through 16 say, If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, go in peace, stay warm,

and be well-fed, but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The abortion drug mifepristone is fully available again until Wednesday, after the Supreme Court temporarily blocked a lower court's ruling limiting its access. The Supreme's involvement, meant to provide time for legal responses to be filed, came in response to a Justice Department request for emergency relief after the drug was restricted. Friday, France's Constitutional Council, think SCOTUS but holding baguettes, approved President Macron's controversial pension reform law, raising the retirement age from 62 to 64. Protests have roiled the country in opposition to the law, which Macron says is necessary to ensure the long-term stability of the retirement system.

The law will go into effect in September. The Dominion v. Fox trial starts today. The voting machine company is seeking $1.6 billion from Fox News Networks over the network's coverage of false claims that Dominion helped rig the 2020 election. Dominion claims Fox acted with reckless disregard for the truth, while Fox says it was simply reporting on newsworthy allegations. Now it's up to a jury. According to an analysis of UN population projections, India took over the moniker of

Most Populous Country from China, which has held the title for over two centuries. Both countries have just under 1.5 billion residents, but India's population is young and rapidly growing, while China's birth rate is in decline, and its population is aging. The NBA playoffs tipped off Saturday, and fans in California's capital partied like it was 2006. The Sacramento Kings won their first playoff game in 17 years, beating intrastate powerhouse Golden State 126-123. Point guard to Aaron Fox's 38-point game earned him the honor of lighting the beam, smashing a big purple button to light a giant

purple laser outside the arena. 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 day. We'll see you on Wednesday.