The Pour Over Today - Iran’s President Killed, Trump Trial Draws to a Close, & More | 05.22.24

Episode Date: May 22, 2024

Today, we’re talking about the helicopter crash that killed Iran’s president, former President Trump’s trial drawing to a close, the International Criminal Court requesting arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister, and other top news for Wednesday, May 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! Cru: give.cru.org/tpo Compassion International: compassion.com/TPO Men's Daily Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/MensDailyBiblePod Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Every Woman's Bible: everywomansbible.com

Today, we're talking about the helicopter crash that killed Iran's president, former President Trump's trial drawing to a close, the International Criminal Court requesting arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister, and other top news for Wednesday, May 22nd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the poor over today. Here's the quote of the day, the mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for. Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Let's get started with some espresso shots.

All eight passengers on an Iranian diplomatic helicopter died when it crashed on Sunday. Investigations are underway, but initial indications suggest dense fog is to blame. The US and Israel have denied involvement. Among those killed were Iran's 63-year-old President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Hablachian, leaving the Islamic Republic without two hardline leaders. President Raisi was Iran's top elected official, second in

rank two, and viewed as a potential successor to Iran's 85 year old supreme leader, the country's most powerful figure. Supreme Leader Kamini named first vice president Makhbar as interim president until elections are held in the next 50 days. Candidates are vetted by a hardline council so the direction of Iranian leadership is unlikely to change, as the nation faces growing dissent over social norms, economic crisis, and military exploits. Here's a verse to consider when you're at your own crossroads. You reveal the path of your life to me, and your presence is abundant joy.

At your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psalm 16 11. Next stop, Closing Arguments. The defense in former President Trump's hush money trial rested its case yesterday, without number 45 taking the stand. Judge Merchant sent the jury home for the week, telling them to return next Tuesday for closing arguments.

Their break comes after some courtroom drama. On Monday, Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, admitted to stealing from Trump's company. In one instance, he made a payment on behalf of the Trump organization and then submitted an inflated reimbursement request, pocketing the $30,000 difference as a form of self-help after receiving a lackluster annual bonus. Later Monday, Judge Merchant admonished defense witness Robert Costello, Michael Cohen's former attorney,

for contemptuous conduct, including speaking out of term. At one point, both the jury and press were kicked out of the courtroom while Merchant and Costello had words. Whether it's this trial or another high-profile case, it's easy to see the shortcomings of another person and cast ourselves in the right. As you root for justice, remember compassion and leave ultimate judgment to our impartial Lord. Matthew 7, 1-3 says, Do not judge, so that you won't be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.

Why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but don't notice the beam of wood in your own eye? The International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders and two Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying all five men bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. It's a controversial move. Netanyahu said there's no parallel between Democratic Israel and the mass murders of

Hamas, calling a warrant for his arrest absurd. President Biden called it outrageous. Meanwhile, Hamas says any warrant against its leadership equates the victim with the executioner. A panel of pretrial judges will review evidence before deciding whether or not to actually issue the warrants. If issued, the warrants obligate the 124 member states to arrest these men if they enter their territory.

While Russia, China, Israel, and the U.S. do not recognize the ICC, some Israeli allies, such as Britain, do. Injustice in the world stirs up longing in us for a better world where justice always wins and righteousness is never corrupted. As you wait, celebrate the patience of your merciful Father and live holy lives in anticipation of His coming. 2 Peter 3, 9 says, The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Sometimes, it feels like money doesn't stretch very far these days, but when you sponsor a child through Compassion International, just $43 per month is crazy powerful. Sponsorship means education, clean water, healthy food, medical care, and most importantly, hope. Through local churches in the area, sponsored children build relationships with Jesus-loving adults who can offer the specific support kids need to thrive. Not sure where to start? Go to compassion.com slash TPO or find the link in the show notes and search by birthday

to see if there's a rapid round of updates. Apparently, too many people took all-you-can-eat shrimp seriously. Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after closing 93 underperforming restaurants last week. The seafood chain has 551 remaining locations. The restructuring was blamed on the economy, higher competition in the restaurant industry, and key business missteps,

like making $20 endless shrimp deal a permanent promotion. Hitting the bullseye just got a little less expensive. Target is lowering the prices of 5,000 common items like milk, butter, diapers, and pet food to stay competitive. Prices have dropped for 1,500 items already and the remaining cuts will continue throughout the summer. Walmart, Aldi, and IKEA have also said they'll be dropping some prices. The FDA has greenlit Neuralink to implant its brain chip into a second human patient.

The first patient experienced initial success with thought-controlled computer use, but 85% of the device's ultra-thin wires came loose within a month. Neuralink plans to embed the device's wiring deeper into the brain of its second quadriplegic patient sometime in June. Julian Assange won't be heading stateside yet.

On Monday, a UK court ruled the WikiLeaks founder can appeal America's extradition order. The court says the US couldn't provide satisfactory assurance that Assange, who faces a potential 175-year prison sentence for espionage, would receive free speech protections and avoid the death penalty once on American soil. Turbulent skies left one dead and 30 injured on a flight from London to Singapore yesterday. Flight SQ321 was diverted to Bangkok after 84 seconds of extreme unexpected turbulence through people and objects about the cabin. A 73-year-old British national with a history of heart problems died of suspected

cardiac arrest. Seven others are in critical condition. 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 5 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.