The Pour Over Today - Oil Reserves Released, Updates in the Sporting World, British Parliament Abolishes Hereditary Members, & More | 03.13.26

Episode Date: March 13, 2026

Today, we’re talking about the International Energy Agency releasing 400 million barrels of oil; updates in the wide world of sports; British Parliament voting to abolish 92 hereditary members’ seats; and other top news for Friday, March 13. 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 pourover. And this is Catherine Ann at the poorover. Today, we're talking about the International Energy Agency, releasing 400 million barrels of oil, updates in the wide world of sports, British Parliament voting to abolish 92 hereditary members' seats, and other top news for Friday, March 13th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover.

Here's your quote of the day. Christ the Lord is risen, our joy that hath no end. St. John of Damascus. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The world's energy watchdog is breaking open the piggy bank. The International Energy Agency, a 32-nation coalition that includes the U.S., agreed Wednesday to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves. The move aims to cushion the blow from ongoing disruption. in the Strait of Hormuz,

after a series of attacks on commercial vessels stifled oil flow to less than 10% of pre-war levels, driving Uncle Sam's gas prices up around 20%. The U.S. reported attacking 16 Iranian mine-laying ships Tuesday, while Tehran claimed responsibility for at least one of three strikes in the Channel Wednesday. The 400 million barrels, about one-third of IEA's stockpile, equals about 20 days of normal straight traffic. It's over double the previous record release of 182.7 million barrels

after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Regardless of whether gas prices have felt like a tiny tap or a big blow to your budget, Christians should seek to give generously of our time, talents, and resources to those in greater need. If you feel called, reach out to your local church to see where help is needed. Hebrews 13, verse 16 says, Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. It's been an eventful week for sports on all kinds of playing surfaces.

On the snow, Team USA has cross-country skied its way to six gold medals in the 26 Winter Paralympics, including three from 22-time medalist, Oksana Masters. On the hardwood, Miami big man Bam Adebio made history with 83 points, the second most scored in an NBA game, in the heat's Barn Burner win 150 to 129 against Washington on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Iran's men's soccer team is stepping off the field after Iran prohibited its players from competing in the 2026 World Cup, saying the partially U.S. base tourney is being hosted by a, quote, corrupt regime. The news comes as its women's team returned home from a tournament in Australia this week, Sands six members, who accepted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia permanently.

Here's a verse to consider whether sports are a source of joy, disappointment, anxiety, indifference, or all of the above. I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord, the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord's greatness with me. Let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34 verses 1 through 3. Britain's saying cheerio to Parliament's last hereditary members.

The UK's legislator is made up of two houses, commons consisting of elected lawmakers, and lords, consisting of unelected, appointed, or entitled-inherited, law reviewers. On Tuesday, Parliament voted to abolish the 92 House of Lords' seats, still held simply by birthright, fulfilling the current government's promise that, quote, no one should sit in our parliament by way of an inherited title. The move finishes a 1995 reform, which evicted most hereditary, peers but left 92 as a temporary compromise. Some conservatives lamented the close of the 700-year-old

chapter, saying many hereditary nobles, quote, served their nation faithfully over the centuries. But not all hereditaries are out. Fifteen will be offered life peerages. Think same-seat, fresh paperwork, the sweetener that helped secure Tuesday's vote. Whether the goings on of foreign governments are intriguing or of little interest to you, Christian's ultimate allegiance is not to any earthly government. We are citizens of a heavenly kingdom with an always trustworthy heavenly king. Philippians 3, verse 20 through chapter 4 verse 1 says, our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body by the power that enables him to subject everything

to himself. So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner, stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. You wouldn't use dirty water to boil your pasta, right? But what if all you had was dirty water? Every day, women and children in places facing extreme water scarcity, walk one to two hours on average, oftentimes much longer, just to collect water for their families. They go despite dangerous terrain, extreme temperatures, and the risk of physical harm. To top it off, once they get their water, they have to carry that 40-pound filled container all the way back home. This is one of the greatest sources of suffering on earth, but here's the good news. You can do something about it. A gift to Untoo provides people in

developing countries with access to safe, clean water, and, most importantly, access to the living water of Jesus Christ. Any monthly gift of $25 or more will get you a TPO coffee mug as a reminder of the impact you're making. Text water to 71326, or visit unto.com slash give water to make a difference today. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. An armed man rammed a vehicle into a Detroit area synagogue yesterday. The driver crashed into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, with what authorities say appeared to be a large amount of explosives.

After the crash, security at the building, which has a child care center and a school, reportedly opened fire, fatally shooting the suspect. A motive has yet to be determined. No kids or staff were injured. Another severe weather outbreak killed at least two in the Midwest. Just days after a deadlier round left eight dead. The storm system, which put 18 million people under tornado watches, spawned tornadoes that tore through Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana on Tuesday.

Lake Village, Indiana, took a direct hit, seeing over 100 structures damaged or destroyed. Three brothers were arrested in connection with an explosion at the U.S. embassy in Norway. The brothers were Norwegian citizens of Iraqi origin, arrested on suspicion of quote, terrorist bombing. They were not previously known to police, and authorities are still investigating a motive. The bombing caused minor damage to the building, but did not result in any injuries. Forbes released its annual World's Billionaires list yesterday, and it's long. A record three-thousand- 2428 people made the cut, 400 more than last year, including three 22-year-old AI co-founders, the youngest on the 10-figure roster.

Tech and finance dominated the $20.1 trillion list, with Elon Musk holding down the number one spot for a second year. The Iran conflict has gone cyber. On Wednesday, an Iranian-linked hacking group claimed responsibility for a cyber attack on Michigan-based medical equipment company, Stryker, saying it was retaliation for the, quote, brutal attack on Iran's Minab School. The attack shut down Stryker's operations in 79 countries. The company said the breach has been contained and is working to restore systems and operations

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