The Pour Over Today - U.S. Pressures Russia to End War, Strong Earnings Reports, NBA Betting Scandal, & More | 10.24.25

Episode Date: October 24, 2025

Today, we’re talking about the U.S. placing fresh sanctions on Russia; strong Q3 earnings reports for Wall Street; an NBA-Mafia betting scandal; and other top news for Friday, October 24th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Join over 1.5 million readers with our free newsletter here Looking to support us? You can choose to pay here Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Surfshark Holy Post CCCU Upside HelloFresh Mosh LMNT Theology in the Raw Safe House Project A Place For You Practicing Life Together Not Just Sunday Podcast Quince Courage for Life Study Bible She Reads Truth

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Safe House Project. Hey, this is Bailey at the Poorover. And this is Zan at the Porover. Today we're talking about the U.S. placing fresh sanctions on Russia, a strong Q3 earnings report for Wall Street, an NBA mafia betting scandal, and other top news for Friday, October 24th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the Poorover. Here's your quote of the day.

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn't really matter. Dwight L. Moody Let's get started with some espresso shots. Uncle Sam's putting Russia's feet to the fire to end its war with Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies on Wednesday. the first economic sanctions of Trump 2.0, citing the Kremlin's, quote, lack of serious commitment to end the conflict. Russia mostly shrugged off the news, calling the sanctions, quote, counterproductive.

The announcement came after President Trump canceled his upcoming face-to-face with Russian President Putin, saying he didn't want a, quote, wasted meeting. Trump supports an immediate ceasefire backed by Kiev that would freeze current front lines. Russia wants Ukraine to withdraw from the embattled eastern regions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's chances of getting long-range tomahawk missiles went from slim to almost none. Trump shot down the request, saying only the U.S. will fire the, quote, highly complex missiles, which it's, quote, not going to do. As peace tarries and our hearts grow weary, it's tempting to forget God's sovereign will and promised everlasting peace. Join us in praying for lasting peace on earth as it is in heaven.

Let's pray. Our perfect peacemaker. In the hearts and lands of President Putin, Zelensky, and Trump work peace. The were evil plans. to fruition those that lead to flourishing. May they be creative in their problem-solving, wise in their choice of counselors, clear-eyed in their negotiating, and compassionate toward the needy, humbly considering the good of others before their own gain and attributing all the glory to you alone. Amen. The S&P 500 is on track for its strongest earnings in over four years. So far, 85% of companies that have reported Q3 numbers have beaten expectations.

Here's a rundown of some big shot wins. J.P. Morgan reported record Q3 revenue and opened its new $3 billion $3.60-story Manhattan headquarters. General Motors boosted its projected earnings to $13 billion on strong Silverado and escalate sales. Its stock jumped about 15% following the report. 3M, the maker of sticky products, and Coca-Cola, the maker of beloved fizzy drinks. Both boasted strong earnings. 3M's shares jumped 7.8% and Coca-Cola's hopped 3.2%. But not everyone is celebrating money wins.

Meta is cutting about 600 jobs in its AI unit after last year's hiring binge. Meanwhile, U.S. national debt just surged past $38 trillion, adding roughly $1 trillion since August, the fastest buildup of debt since the pandemic. Don't let economic news determine your mood, win your heart's affections, or steal your mission focus. Matthew 624 says, no one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one, and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. The FBI is alleging that members of the NBA teamed up with the mafia on illegal sports betting and rigged poker.

The FBI announced 30-plus arrests yesterday following two, quote, mind-boggling fraud probes, implicating multiple major crime families alongside. Miami Heat Guard Terry Rosier and Portland Trailblazers head coach and hall famer Chauncey Billups. Billups is accused of collaborating with the Lacosa Nostra Crime Org, using advanced tech like x-ray tables and card reading contacts during underground poker games to steal tens of millions. Rosier and other ballers were charged in a separate probe alleging participation in a quote brazen gambling scheme that used insider and information to win bets on rigged games.

The NBA placed Billups and Rosier on leave, promising to protect, quote, the integrity of the game. The Bible warns this over and over about the danger of feeding an insatiable desire for wealth. Fight greed by exercising your generosity muscles, making a habit of an open-handed approach to all God's gifts. First Chronicles 29, 11, and 14 says, Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this. For everything comes from you,

and we have given you only what comes from your own hand. Human trafficking isn't just an over-their problem, it's happening right here in the U.S. An estimated 300,000 people are being trafficked in America right now, and most were first sold as children. Even when they get a chance to run, sometimes there's no safe way out, and they get pulled right back in.

Safehouse Project is helping children get to safety and stay there by equipping communities to spot trafficking and funding urgent escapes. They cover what's needed in those crucial moments, a way to escape, shelter, and resources for lasting freedom. Trafficking in the U.S. is at crisis levels and requests for help to escape are higher than ever. Just $40 provides a safe ride that takes a child from captivity to freedom. Safehouse Project can't miss the moment when a child is ready to escape, and your gift makes

sure they don't. Give a child the way out. Go to safehouseproject.org slash TPO or check the link in the show notes to give now. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. There's still no end in sight on government shutdown day 24. Yesterday, the Senate adjourned after failing to advance a Republican-backed measure to pay federal employees the military and contractors. Two Democrat-led bills to pay federal employees' bills were also amiss.

Millions of Americans may soon lose federal food assistance with SNAP funds expected to run out on November 1st. Extreme Makeover, Pennsylvania Ave edition, is sparking controversy. Trump admin officials confirmed Wednesday that the entire East Wing will be demolished. Even though plans for the new 90,000 square football room, haven't been submitted to the federal agency overseeing federal construction. Critics say the move breaks earlier promises to preserve the structure and raises serious transparency and historical preservation concerns.

Uncle Sam is taking the drug fight to the Pacific. Five people died in two strikes against alleged, quote, narco-terrorist boats off Columbia's coast on Wednesday, bringing the strike count to nine and the death told to at least 37. Colombia said lethal force was, quote, disproportionate and outside international law without due process. Trump said he's, quote, totally prepared to bring the fight to land. King Charles III and Pope Leo the 14th are burying a 500-year-old hatchet. The monarch and pontiff prayed together yesterday at an interdenominational service in the Sistine Chapel during Charles and Camilla's state visit to the Vatican.

It's the first time leaders from the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches have worshipped side by side since Henry VIII divorced from the Catholic Church and his wives. The Secret Service has had a busy week. A man crashed his car into a security gate outside the White House late Tuesday night, prompting an arrest and mental health evaluation. Meanwhile, in Florida, the FBI is investigating a hunting stand found with a direct line of sight to where Air Force One parks when, in Palm Beach. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. 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 next week. The noise can be deafening in our chaotic world,

but Jesus offers a better way to live. Each week on the Not Just Sunday podcast, Pastors Keith Simon and Patrick Miller help you quit part-time Christianity and follow Jesus with every part of your life. So that even in the chaos, you can experience the beautiful life he offers every day, not just Sundays. Listen to Not Just Sunday wherever you get your podcasts.