The Pour Over Today - Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Episode Date: September 8, 2021

Pandemic-era unemployment benefits end, a coup in Guinea sends aluminum prices soaring, the Taliban forms a government, and other top news for September 8th. Stay informed, while remaining focused on Christ, with The Pour Over.

Happy Wednesday. It's September 8th and you're listening to The Pour Over. We aim to keep Christians informed on what's happening in the world while staying focused on Christ. Here's the quote of the day. Falling in love with God is the most important thing a person can do. John Eldredge Let's get started with some espresso shots. Nine million Americans aren't just mourning their now-unwearable white clothes after Labor Day. They're now mourning the loss of pandemic-era unemployment benefits.

The benefits were a contentious topic. 26 states ended the programs early, saying they disincentivized unemployed people from looking for work. But advocates for the benefits say they were keeping millions of people out of poverty in an economy that is still gripped by COVID. Speaking of economies, El Salvador seems to be taking advice from your friend of a friend who made millions on crypto. Yesterday, the Central American country became the first to make Bitcoin legal tender. The move could give the 71% of the population without a bank more financial power, or it could crash and take the economy with it. Bitcoin plummeted 10% on day one of the gamble. Regardless of what government programs exist, followers of Christ should be seeking to give generously to those in greater need. Reach out to your local church to see how you can get involved.

Hebrews 13.16 says, Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. This weekend, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya overthrew a government, and one of our writers ate an entire tub of Trader Joe's peanut butter cups. Who's to say which is more impressive? The coup d'etat happened in the West African nation of Guinea, which has been led by President Alpha Conde since 2010. The 83-year-old won a bitterly contested third term in 2020 after ramming through a referendum allowing him to ignore the two-term limit. The military, led by Dumbuya, took Kande into custody and dissolved the constitution, claiming he had been corrupt and failed to bring economic prosperity. The coup is widely condemned

by other nations, including the United States, and has metal prices soaring. Guinea holds the largest reserves of bauxite, a key raw material in aluminum. Our hope is never contingent on a political outcome, domestic or abroad. It's much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ. Psalm 121 verses 1 and 2 says, I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The Taliban has formed a new interim Afghan government. The

militant group had promised a more inclusive government and moderate rule than when they held power from 1996 to 2001. But hopes of that materializing are fading quickly. All government positions went to men, mostly from a single ethnic group, and every key position was given to a Taliban hardliner. The powerful role of interior minister went to a man who enjoys a position on the FBI's most wanted list and currently has a $5 million bounty on his head. The Taliban also appears to be walking back on a promise to allow evacuations to continue. Multiple planes chartered to fly hundreds of people, including 19 Americans, out of Afghanistan have been denied permission to leave the airstrip for almost a week. In other brews, we've got a rapid round of updates.

The death toll from Hurricane Ida rose to 60 over the weekend, with the majority of victims coming from the Northeast. President Biden approved major disaster declaration for parts of New York and New Jersey, which unlocked federal aid. Many Louisianans are still without power, and it is hot down there, like 105 degrees hot. down there, like 105 degrees hot. Daily COVID infections were up 316% from last Labor Day weekend, and COVID deaths were twice as high. The Delta variant remains number one, but health officials have started tracking the Mu variant,

which experts warn may be more vaccine resistant than its cousins. Uber and Lyft both announced they'd cover legal fees if any drivers are accused of quote, aiding and abetting an illegal abortion under Texas's new law, which bans most abortions after six weeks. Meanwhile, pro-choice TikTok activists flooded a website set up to find women who were violating the law with fake tip-offs. Labor Day weekend is historically bad for movie theaters, but of course that doesn't apply to the Disney-owned Marvel franchise. bad for movie theaters, but of course that doesn't apply to the Disney-owned Marvel franchise.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought in $75.5 million, smashing the weekend's box office record of $30.6 million set by the movie Halloween in 2007. The 26th Paralympics ended this weekend in Tokyo, and China was the decisive victor with 96 gold medals and an overall 207 total medals. The U.S. finished third behind Great Britain. Thank you so much for joining us today. We hope you have a great rest of your day, and we'll see you back on Friday.