The Pour Over Today - Inflation Surge, Recording Device at OpenAI, U.S.-Ukraine Tensions, & More

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey, this is Ava. And this is Joe. Today, we're talking about inflation rising again in September. An employee planted device allegedly found at OpenAI and OpenAI being sued, a network disruption cutting Ukraine's connection with its drones, and other top news for Friday, October 16th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day.

Starting point is 00:00:41 There is one place we should look for the first fruits of heaven on earth, the local church. It's where we catch the first glimpses of heaven's springtime blossoms. Mark Devere. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Leaves may be falling, but inflation missed the memo. Consumer prices were slightly higher than economists expected, rising to 3.7% from September 2025. A 9.1% monthly surge in gas prices was the main culprit, accounting for over half the increase, though consumer saw costs tick up in most categories. The one bright spot for grocery shoppers, food prices held steady from August.

Starting point is 00:01:31 Wednesday's report was the last before the Fed's October meeting and before midterms, where 84% of voters will enter the ballot box with the economy front of mind. With inflation stuck above its 2% target, the central bank is expected to hike rates again this year. The same day, the Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% benefit increase for 2027. Retirees can expect an average monthly bump of $75. Pray with us. Great provider. How long must our community ache and grown under the economic.

Starting point is 00:02:15 strain of this invisible tax. How long will these everyday purchases bring such dread? How long until our thoughts and conversations are no longer consumed by ballooning dollar signs and decimal points? We confess that as the price of goods rises, so do our anxieties. As our paychecks stretch thin, so does our hope. wrap your righteous right hand around your people and meet us with miraculous provision, divine rest, and strength to persevere. Lover of the Sparrows, meet our many needs, and use these fears and worries to turn our hearts toward you.

Starting point is 00:03:04 Amen. Open AIs facing pressure from inside and outside the building. The DOJ alleges in OpenAIs, engineer plugged a toilet paper-wrapped, quote, sophisticated recording device into an executive conference room's TV. OpenAI found the device in a wipe, I mean sweep of the room, then used its AI to track it back to the employee, a Saudi national who was fired and arrested on federal charges of intercepting oral communications. OpenAI sees no sign any code or customer data was taken, and the FBI called protecting AI innovation one of its, quote, highest counterintelligence

Starting point is 00:03:51 priorities. Meanwhile, eight states sued Open AI Wednesday under consumer protection and public nuisance law, saying it misled users on ChatGPT's safety. They allege its agreeable design is especially dangerous for kids, citing self-harm coaching and dangerous medical advice. Open AI promised to build more safeguards while highlighting its quote industry leading teen protections. When reading the news feels like a nagging reminder of the world's darkness, remember that our hope is built on the rock-solid promises of a good and faithful father, the undimable light of Jesus, and the restorative power of the spirit. No headline can take that away.

Starting point is 00:04:43 John 1.4 through 5 says, in him was life and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. Ukraine had to slow down its drones to keep control of them this week. Kiev reported a network disruption that disconnected any of their weapons traveling faster than 100 miles per hour and limited Ukraine's defensive capabilities on Tuesday. Simultaneously, Russia launched one of the largest attacks of the war. cutting power to 600,000 in Kiev.

Starting point is 00:05:24 Ukraine's military depends on Star Shield, Elon Musk's military-grade sister to Starlink, for its battlefield operations and defensive weapons. Musk said, quote, any limits on speed or usage of the U.S. government-controlled network are set by the Pentagon and, quote, ultimately, POTUS. Ukraine said, quote, this action cannot be a coincidence.

Starting point is 00:05:50 tensions between Washington and Kiev have been high since the White House waived sanctions on Russian diesel earlier this week. Star Shield connection was partially restored Wednesday night. The Pentagon hasn't commented. Averse to consider whether your day is interrupted by worry over high-stakes military ops, a struggling family member, or what to make for dinner tonight. My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget, all his benefits. He forgives all your iniquity. He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit. He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with good things.

Starting point is 00:06:43 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. Psalm chapter 103, verses 2 through 6 and 10. Somewhere in America, a kid is waiting for a way out. Last year alone, the National Cyber Tip Line logged more than 113,500 reports of possible child sex trafficking. Reports come in every day, but identified is not safe. Someone still has to get them out. That's what Safehouse Project does. They train communities to spot trafficking and make sure that when a kid is ready to leave,

Starting point is 00:07:23 They have a safe ride, a safe place, and care that leads to lasting freedom. And that's where you come in. Just $40 covers a safe ride from captivity to freedom. When a kid finds the courage to run, your gift makes sure the way out is there. Give a kid the way out. Go to safehousepro.org slash TPO or tap the link in the show notes to give now. In other bruce, here's a rapid round of updates. Details are emerging in the federal investigation into Representative Ilhan Omar.

Starting point is 00:08:09 The agent seized the Somali-born lawmakers' phone and passport during Monday's search of her D.C. home, and prosecutors have issued more than a dozen subpoenas, including to Omar's relatives. Officials are reportedly examining whether Omar's birth date was altered on her immigration paperwork. She denies wrongdoing and hasn't been charged. Two Singapore-flagged ships were struck in the Strait of Homoos this week, sinking one. The sunken ship's 21-person crew survived, but the details aren't straightforward.

Starting point is 00:08:48 Maritime officials said, quote, unknown projectiles hit the ships. The U.S. said the sunk ship was hit by an Iranian projectile, and Iran said a ship struck a naval mine. These commercial ships have sunk since the war. war began. Bank of America's been fined $1.2 billion for not marking potential money laundering in its ledger. The fine, the third largest in Treasury Department history, penalizes the banking giant for failing to report over $5 billion in suspicious activity, including $1 billion that posed national security and illicit finance risks. Bank of America admitted to policing failures and

Starting point is 00:09:36 announced a 17 cent per share decrease in Wednesday's earnings report. A school's roof collapsed in northwestern Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 34 school-aged children and a teacher, and injuring approximately 50. Officials say the private school's, quote, weak building structure and overloaded roof caused the collapse. Its owner, who parents accused of ignoring safety concerns, was arrested. Low-budget private schools are common in low-income Pakistani neighborhoods, amid growing demand for affordable education. What lives in a coral reef under the sea?

Starting point is 00:10:26 The world's oldest shipwreck. Archaeologists diving off the coast of Turkey say they discovered a sunken ship that's around 4,400 to 4,700 years old. After thousands of years on the ocean floor, the believed to be a merchant ship's shape is gone, but its contents remain, including ceramic pots that helped date the wreck. That's all the headlines we have, but here's some good news to take with you. By his death and resurrection, Jesus has given us peace with God. That peace means we can weather any suffering hope.

Starting point is 00:11:15 As always, thanks for listening, TPO fam. 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're grateful for your support and hope you have a great weekend. Catch you on Monday. Battling addiction can feel like being trapped in the valley of the shadow of death. But there is hope, freedom, and victory in Christ. millions have chosen the Life Recovery Bible to help them stay rooted in that truth.

Starting point is 00:11:56 It's packed with practical notes, devotionals, and themes that seamlessly integrate the 12-step program with Scripture. Build a foundation of recovery on the life-changing, sturdy word of God. Learn more at LifeRecoveryBible.com.

The Pour Over Today - Inflation Surge, Recording Device at OpenAI, U.S.-Ukraine Tensions, & More

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