The Pour Over Today - “Self-Defensive” Strikes on Iran, Pope Leo Warns Against AI, Attacks on Ebola Treatment Centers, & More

Starting point is 00:00:00 Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Crew. Hey, this is Zan. And this is Joe. Shout out to Bluegrass, Iowa, who is celebrating Zipcode Day today. It's 52726. Party hard. And for those in the Chicago area, your zip code day is coming up soon, so get your decorations ready. Now for the headlines.

Starting point is 00:00:26 Today, we're talking about the U.S.'s, quote, self-defense strikes on Iran. Pope Leo's 83-page warning about the potential dangers of AI, attacks on Ebola treatment centers in Congo, and other top news for Wednesday, May 27th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day. Faith is not an instinct. It certainly is not a feeling.

Starting point is 00:00:53 Elizabeth Elliott. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Washington and Tehran are giving. mixed signals. Hours after Iran's negotiators arrived in Dohoff for Qatari-mediated ceasefire talks, U.S. Central Command conducted, quote, self-defense strikes in southern Iran Monday, targeting missile launch sites in Iranian boats laying mines near the Strait of Hermuz. A fragile ceasefire has held since April 8th, punctuated by skirmishes from both sides. The sticking point disputes over the details of Iran's nuclear program and sanctions.

Starting point is 00:01:34 senior U.S. officials say a deal is, quote, 95% there, with a framework to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and reopen the street. An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that no one can claim, quote, an imminent agreement is about to be signed, and Tehran framed the strikes as ceasefire violations. Sentcom said forces used, quote, restraint, with Secretary Rubio maintaining that talks remain on track. governments have different things on their agenda than God's kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God's agenda is clear and unchanging. Deuteronomy 10 verses 12 through 13 says, What does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all his ways?

Starting point is 00:02:28 To love him and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul. Keep the Lord's commands and statutes I am giving you today for your own good. And a quick note on this, TPO is piloting a text-delivered audio version of praying the news, our weekly newsletter where we pray through a top headline each week, and today we're praying for peace in the Middle East. To listen and provide feedback, just text pray to 71989. Pope Leo the 14th has lots of words on the dangers of AI. Monday, the pontiff released a 42,300 word encyclical,

Starting point is 00:03:15 think a letter about the church's stance on a topic, called Magnifica Humanitas, or Magnificent Humanity, stressing humanity's unique, quote, capacity for relationship and love in the AI era. Leo likened AI to a modern-day Tower of Babel and drew parallels with the Industrial Revolution by releasing his document on the 13th anniversary of his namesake Pope Leo the 13th in cyclical Rerum Novarum, which address workers' dignity during the 1800s factory boom.

Starting point is 00:03:50 The latest Leo focused on, protecting human dignity amid automation, retraining workers displaced by AI, and ensuring humans, not machines, retain control of weapons systems. Anthropics Christopher Olives, Christopher Ol, spoke at the Pope's Vatican address and said AI firms need moral voices to help value people over profits. Pray with us. God of Wisdom, as our world rumbles with new power and opportunities from artificial intelligence,

Starting point is 00:04:28 we ask you for wisdom. Give it to executives and elected officials to discern how technology can advance flourishing. Give it to individuals, families, and churches to use, and not be used. by these new tools. And may we always trust you as our ultimate source of wisdom. Amen. Suspected deaths from Central Africa's ongoing Ebola outbreak have risen to 220 plus, with suspected cases surpassing 900. The World Health Organization's Director General warned that the epidemic is outpacing their urgently scaled up efforts. A lack of qualified personnel, supply shortages, are hampering WHA responses.

Starting point is 00:05:19 Authorities are attempting to minimize spread by managing burials leading to at least three attacks by angry residents trying to claim the bodies of loved ones. One attack on Saturday left 18 potentially infected patients unaccounted for. The White House warned Congo's national football squad to remain in a, quote, bubble for 21 days or risk not being allowed to travel to the World Cup. Atlanta and Houston, both World Cup host cities, are two of three U.S. airports screening passengers

Starting point is 00:05:50 coming from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Here's a verse to consider when faced with news of a growing outbreak. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 3 through 4. With over 1,000 translations in every type of decorative addition, it's easy to forget how many people can't even get their hands on a single copy of the Bible

Starting point is 00:06:38 in their native language. This is why we've partnered with Crew. Crew has missionaries in almost every country, but they need more Bibles. One missionary said, I have never seen such a thirst for the word of God in my country. Let's quench that thirst. For just $24 a month, you can provide three people with Bibles every month.

Starting point is 00:06:59 As a bonus, Crew will provide meals to 12-hungry individuals through their humanitarian ministry and send you a free TPO coffee mug. Simply text Pour to 71326 or visit give.cru.org slash pour. Again, that's texting,

Starting point is 00:07:18 P-O-U-R to 71326 or give.cru.org slash P-O-U-R. Message and data rates may apply, available to U.S. addresses only. Here's a real quick interruption. We have found that listeners like you are the main reason that this show grows. So if you have a friend, a coworker, or a high school group chat that wants to stay informed with a quick listen each morning, text them a link to this episode. We're so grateful for you. In other bruise, here's a rapid round of updates.

Starting point is 00:08:06 The threat of a catastrophic chemical tank explosion is mostly over. Officials in Southern California say a tank holding 7,000 gallons of toxic methylmetachrylate is no longer at risk of a massive blast after a structural crack reduced pressure. A smaller blast could still occur, but 34,000, of the 50,000 residents forced to evacuate have since returned home. New York is partying like it's 1999. The Knicks beat the Cavaliers 130 to 93 to sweep the Eastern Conference finals in advance to their first NBA finals of the 21st century.

Starting point is 00:08:48 New York will carry a Knickerbocker record 11-game win streak by a combined 262 points into the finals as they wait to see if the spurs or thunder emerge from the world. Al Berksit is on the ballot. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced a referendum for October 19th, asking residents whether the province should pursue a binding vote on separation from Canada, so a vote on whether or not to vote. A citizen-led petition has 300,000 signatures,

Starting point is 00:09:23 crossing the 178,000 signature requirement, though it faces verification and a legal challenge. Sunday's enhanced games promised multiple world records and delivered. One. Greek swimmer Christian Golemov beat the world record by 0.07 seconds in the men's 50-meter freestyle, taking home $1.25 million for eclipsing the record, though it won't count officially. Three of the Olympic on steroids events were won by non-enhanced athletes. Runner Tristan Evelyn said it proves, quote,

Starting point is 00:09:59 Winning takes more than chemistry. Alabama's congressional map is now 0 for 2. A panel of three federal judges ruled Tuesday to block the Yellowhammer state from using a 2023 version of its map in the midterms. Judges said the plan, which would eliminate one of Alabama's two majority black districts and gain Republicans one seat,

Starting point is 00:10:24 quote, intentionally discriminated based on race. Attorney General Marshall said Alabama will appeal to the Supreme Court. Now we'll leave you with some good news. There's nothing you or I can do today to earn God's love. And nothing we can do to lose it either. We are loved because he is love. As always, thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app,

Starting point is 00:10:51 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 we hope you have a great Wednesday. Catch on Friday. Is your view of Jesus shaped by culture or by scripture?

Starting point is 00:11:11 The answer might surprise you. In today's world, it's easy to turn Jesus into a life coach, a therapist, or a political ally. We don't want a disruptive savior, just a convenient one. In their book, The Missing Messiah, Kyle Eiddleman, and Mark Moore will help you understand how the culture we live in

Starting point is 00:11:30 has taught us to reshape Jesus into our own image, and will teach you how to stop treating him as an accessory and start following him as king. If you believe there's a more revolutionary, more majestic Messiah than the one you've always heard about, visit missing messiah.com to learn more.

The Pour Over Today - “Self-Defensive” Strikes on Iran, Pope Leo Warns Against AI, Attacks on Ebola Treatment Centers, & More

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