The Pour Over Today - WNBA Transgender Controversy, Middle East Negotiations, Senate All-Nighter, & More

Episode Date: August 10, 2026

The Pour Over is a Christ-first, politically neutral news podcast. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we cover the day's biggest stories in ~10 minutes, and pair the biggest headlines with brief biblical reminders. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠here⁠. On today's episode: The Senate Holds Pre-Recess Session Tehran Releases Conditions for Reopening Strait Former NBA Players Declare for WNBA Draft U.S. Sheds 23k Jobs in July Abelardo de la Espriella Sworn in as Colombia’s President Court Blocks White House Ballroom Construction President Trump Signs New Birthright Citizenship Orders Pentagon Releases Fifth Batch of UAP Files Thanks to our sponsors: The Voice of the Martyrs: Give a Village Outreach Kit | vom.org/TPO Wild Alaskan: $35 off your first box | code: TPO Quince: Free shipping | quince.com/tpo AdelFi: Apply for the Harvest Bundle | https://adelfibanking.com/pourover Upside: extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas | code: TPO LMNT: free 8-pack with purchase | https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast Mosh: 25% off first variety pack + 20% off subscription | code: TPO25 Serving Orphans Worldwide: Give a gift to feed a child for a month | https://servingorphans.org/thepourover MORE FROM TPO: ⁠Free newsletter⁠ ⁠Watch TPO on YouTube⁠ ⁠Download the TPO App⁠ Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, this is Joe. Today, we're talking about what the Senate covered in its pre-recess session, Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hermuz, former NBA players declaring for the WNBA draft, and other top headlines for Monday, August 10th, stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day. God does not choose people because of their ability,

but because of their availability, brother Andrew. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Capital Hill has been burning the midnight oil. The Senate worked through Friday until 4.56 a.m. Saturday, crossing a few outstanding items off the to do list before heading into a five-day recess. The votes included confirming 50 to 49, Todd Blanche as Attorney General in a narrow party line vote, passing 90 to 6, a stopgap funding bill. to keep the government bankrolled through December 11th, avoiding a shutdown on September 30th, weeks before midterms, advancing 86 to 11, new sanctions and visa bans on top Russian officials,

plus tariffs of up to 500% on Russian exports and up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas. The bill was named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, its biggest backer. Still on the table? President Trump's save-a-move-a-move-exam. America Voter Reform Act, which senators promised to revisit after September 14th. Whether you're critical of your government or think it's unfairly criticized, the command for Christians is to love neighbors and enemies alike.

That requires speaking about others with dignity and respect, even when we feel like they haven't earned it. James 3, verses 9 through 10 and 13 says, With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the world. God's likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

Who among you is wise in understanding? By his good conduct, he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. It was a rocky weekend for Middle East negotiations. Last week, Oman and Iran were reportedly close to a deal that would open the strait of Hormuz. Then Saturday, Tehran released a big list of conditions. for reopening, Iran is demanding the U.S. to lift its naval blockade and withdraw forces in

Iran's neighborhood, end attacks on Iran and its allies, and pay war reparations, thaw frozen assets, and lift sanctions. Progress in Gaza is also stalled. On Sunday, Israel rejected President Trump's 15-point plan for Hamas disarmament, saying Israeli forces won't withdraw until Hamas is quote, genuinely disarmed. Uncle Sam's Sunni Muslim allies had more diplomatic success. On Friday, Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a pact modeled after NATO's Article 5. Here's a verse to consider whether your plans face an unexpected wrench or the day goes off without a hitch. Many plans are in a person's heart, but the Lord's decree will prevail. Proverd 19, verse,

21. Controversy keeps scoring in the WMBA. Following several WMBA players saying they would welcome transgender athletes, two former NBA players stated they now identify as women and declared for the 2027 WMBA draft, Enis Freedom, who played 11 seasons in the men's league, and Royce White, a current Republican Senate candidate in Minnesota. White says he'll withdraw if WMBA makes a quote, definitive statement forbidding biological males from the Women's League. The WMBA Players Association issued a statement saying, quote, we embrace justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, but we will not be used as political pawns. Meanwhile, fans of Indiana fever star Caitlin Clark say she's being unfairly targeted by opponents

and officials. The league quickly rescinded Clark's eighth technical foul, called after she made light contact with an official during Saturday's game. When discussing divisive topics, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. We are called to be patient and kind,

not arrogant or rude, when talking with people we believe are wrong. This is what it means to love your enemies. 1 Corinthians 13 versus 4 through 6 says, love is patient, love is kind, love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude,

is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. For many people around the world, sharing the gospel could cost them their life, but they still go. In the most dangerous places to follow Christ, frontline workers are arrested, interrogated, and beaten. Some are even killed simply for leading a church, showing a gospel film, or handing someone a Bible. These workers are advancing God's kingdom at great cost, and the Voice of the Martyrs is equipping them with tools to reach their villages with the gospel, tailored to their specific outreach needs. You can help strengthen them. A $75 gift sponsors a village outreach kit, equipping frontline workers with evangelism and discipleship tools. Plus, when you give, you'll receive a free book with the story of Voice of the Martyrs founders Richard and Sabina Wormbrand.

the Worm brand essentials. Right now, TPO is matching the first 4,000 given through the link in the show notes, or you can visit v-Om.org forward slash TPO. Hey there, TPO fam. What do you say we make this official? If you've been listening with us for a while, but you've been hesitant to take the plunge, consider this your sign to go ahead and subscribe. Just follow us on whatever platform you're listening. That way, you're sure to never miss a new episode. We're so grateful for you. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. The labor market was the only thing keeping cool in July.

The economy unexpectedly shed 23,000 jobs last month, and adding insult to injury, the previous two months' gains were revised down by a combined 103,000. Unemployment did tick down to 4.1%, from 4.2%, but experts believe that's from fewer people looking for work, not more people landing jobs. outspoken conservative Evalardo de la Espritia, aka the Tiger, was sworn in as Columbia's president Friday.

The Trump-backed former lawyer was inaugurated in the southwestern city of Cali, rather than the capital, to signal his hardline approach to drug violence and rebel attacks in the area. He's promised to end peace talks with rebel groups favoring greater military force instead. The White House ballroom's grand entrance has been interrupted, A federal appeals court ordered above-ground construction of the $400 million project on the demolished East Wing to stop, saying, quote, each president is a temporary tenant, not the owner of the White House, and major renovations require congressional approval. President Trump has vowed to appeal, saying it's a matter of national security.

President Trump signed two executive orders Thursday, seeking to end birthright citizenship for children of foreign diplomats, babies of quote, alien enemies, like terrorists, and those born at a birth tourism center when expectant moms travel to America to deliver. In June, Scotus ruled that Trump's previous order tying citizenship to parents' immigration status violated the 14th Amendment. The Pentagon dropped more grainy videos Friday in its fifth batch of UAP, aka UFO, disclosures. The 41 documents images and images. and videos cover unresolved cases from 1950 to present, including a military pilots report

of a huge black triangle blocking the stars over Afghanistan, and cold-flying orbs, quote, maneuvering aggressively near a gunship in the Gulf of Oman. That's all the headlines we have for today. Here's some good news to dwell on. Our sins are forgiven. God is with us through a spirit, and Jesus is coming back to make everything new. As always, thanks for listening, TPOFam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast 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. Our last word today comes from Tiger Mom 314, who said, After years of listening to the pourover, I every day appreciate how I can find out what's going on in the world and still feel calm after listening to the news. God is in control, and these people make this feel totally real to me.

I recommend it to everyone I know. Well, shucks, that just made our week. And to all our listeners, we're so grateful for you. Have a super Monday, and we'll catch you on Wednesday. My pantry stays stocked with Element. I drink it, my husband drinks it, my kids, guzzle it. Basically, we run on Element around here. No sugar, no crashes, just the science-backed ratio of electrolytes

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