The Pour Over Today - The Future of NYC’s Mayor; Another Airline Accident; U.S. and Russia Meet to Discuss Peace & More I 2.19.25

Episode Date: February 19, 2025

Today, we’re talking about Eric Adams’s future as New York City’s mayor, the latest on another airline accident, the U.S. and Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Russia/Ukraine war, and other top news for Wednesday, February 19th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! The Voice of the Martyrs: vom.org/TPO Parenting with Ginger Hubbard: https://links.thepourover.org/ParentingwithGingerHubbard The Bulletin: MoreCT.com/BulletinPodcast Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Cru: give.cru.org/pour LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast HelloFresh: hellofresh.com/tpo10fm One Year Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/OneYearBible_Pod The Chronological Life Application Study Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/LASB_0215 World Relief: https://links.thepourover.org/WorldRelief_Pod

Today, we're talking about Eric Adams' future as New York City's mayor, the latest on another airline accident, the US and Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war and other top news for Wednesday, February 19th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor of today. Here's the quote of the day, Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness. St. John Chrysostom. Let's get started with some espresso shots. New York City Mayor Eric Adams

future is up in the air. After four of his eight deputy mayors resigned, Governor Kathy Hockel spent yesterday weighing whether to remove Adams from his mayoral seat, citing serious questions about the administration's future. Hockel hasn't announced a decision yet. Adams was charged with bribery and fraud last year. He pleaded not guilty to all five counts, and the DOJ moved to dismiss the case last week,

but several federal prosecutors on the case cried foul and resigned. They allege Adams agreed to support President Trump's immigration policies in exchange for having the charges dropped. Adams and the DOJ deny a quid pro quo. Today, DOJ prosecutors will explain in court why they've moved to dismiss charges against Adams, which requires a judge's approval.

Christians should always root for justice and fairness, whether it's a government official or a random person on trial. Our job is to try to please Jesus who will judge everyone fairly and win in the end. 2 Corinthians 5, 9-11 says, Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your consciences."

Delta Flight 4819 from Minneapolis to Toronto had a traumatic touchdown Monday. Upon landing in windy conditions, the Bombardier CRJ-900 commercial aircraft lost the wing, burst into flame, and flipped upside down. All 76 passengers and four crew members survived after evacuating through the emergency exit doors. At least 18 people were transported to hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. It's not clear what caused the crash.

The aircraft was properly maintained and well within its two to three decade lifespan. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation with support from US agencies. It's been a turbulent few months for commercial aviation. A December crash in South Korea killed 179 people, from US agencies. It's been a turbulent few months for commercial aviation. A December crash in South Korea killed 179 people. A January crash in DC claimed 67 lives.

And a crash in Alaska took 10 lives earlier this month. Here's a verse to consider when it feels like circumstances of life are spinning out of control. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold. I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock.

My refuge is in God. Psalm 62, 5-7. The U.S. and Russia are rebooting their relationship. In the country's first official meeting since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterparti Lavrov met in Saudi Arabia yesterday. They aim to lay the groundwork for peace talks in the Russia-Ukraine war that's claimed more than a million lives by some estimates. Uncle Sam and Mother Russia agreed to pick peace negotiating teams and restore staffing levels at their embassies, also making plans for geopolitical and economic cooperation if the war ends.

A summit between Presidents Trump and Putin was discussed but not set. The Trump administration said Tuesday's talks were preliminary, promising Ukraine that it will be able to negotiate with Russia directly. Rubio said no one is being sidelined, but European allies are miffed that they weren't looped in. As nations fight over temporary borders, followers of Christ rejoice in our eternal inheritance. The entire world may completely new where we live and reign with our Savior forever.

Matthew 5, 5 says, Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. Hey, it's Emily from the pour over. Here's some girl math for you. If I get cash back on gas and use it for free, air quotes, coffee, it's like I never spent any money at all. That's why I love Upside. It's not a confusing point system.

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In other brews, here's a rep around of updates. The puck dropped and so did the gloves. Sold out Montreal crowds at a USA Canada hockey match booed the US National Anthem before three on ice fights broke out within the first 9 seconds. Team USA came out on top and the rivals will meet again in the Four Nations Faceoff Championship tomorrow. The neighbors rivalry has ramped up recently over tariff talk. Elon Musk is taking on the Social Security Administration. The acting SSA head stepped down over Doja's request for private taxpayer data

over the weekend, while the billionaire cost cutter raised questions about whether dead people are receiving payments. Critics worry Doja's social security intervention will interrupt benefits and endanger sensitive info. The White House promises to identify fraud while protecting benefits. South Korea has banned new downloads of China's DeepSeek AI chatbot over privacy concerns, following its rapid rise to over a million weekly users. Existing DeepSeekers can still access the app, but reinstatement depends on China's compliance with data laws. Meanwhile, Texas is investigating the app's ties to

the Chinese government and its alleged violations of state privacy laws. Captain America Brave New World opened over Valentine's weekend and critics weren't feeling the love. The newest MCU installment had an $88.5 million weekend in North America despite receiving the franchise's third lowest rating, a 49% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, 80% audience score. In TV news, Saturday Night Live's 3-hour 50th anniversary special garnered 14.8 million late-night viewers, 202% above its season average. 202% above its season average.

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since Friday, has developed pneumonia in both lungs. The Vatican said the 88-year-old Argentine's tests continue to present a complex picture, but that he remains in good spirits. Pope Francis, one of the oldest pontiffs in the church's history, had a partial lung removal at age 21, which makes him prone to lung infections. 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 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 Friday. The Biological Biological Study Bible guides you from Genesis to Revelation with daily readings in the order the events happened. Notes, articles, and reflection questions help you dive deeper. Plus, readings are marked by days, making it easy to stay on track all year long. Learn more at the link in our show notes.