The Iran War Reignites, Google Monopoly Ruling, LA Clippers Punished, & More

0:00Hey, this is Eva. And this is Joe. Today, we're talking about hostilities in the Iran War, striking back up in full. A court forcing Google to change ad practices. The LA Clippers found to have circumvented the salary cap and other top headlines for Friday, September 4. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pourover. Here's your quote of the day. Knowing God is your single greatest privilege as a Christian. Sinclair B. Ferguson. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The Iran War appears to have fully reignited. To Iran accused the US of a quote, war crime Wednesday. Reporting that Tuesday's strike killed four people, including two children out of wedding.

1:05Sinclair said that the US quote, never targets civilians. And its strikes answered recent attempted attacks on American forces and Hormuz shipping. Iran hit back at US bases in four allied countries. Most projectiles were intercepted, though one struck a residential complex and Kuwait with no casualties. Oil prices jumped on the news with Brent Crude passing $95 per barrel on Wednesday. A six-week high. VP Vance and Secretary of State Rubio are reportedly pushing to keep the unpopular war relatively quiet ahead of November's midterms, weighing post-election escalation. Recent polling found 68% of Americans unhappy with White House's handling of the conflict. Will you join me in praying over this rekindled conflict?

2:05God of wisdom in might. Our sin sickness is splintering across your good world. As provocations threaten to spiral into chaos, we cling to you. Grant wisdom, creativity, and humility to world leaders seeking de-escalation. Comfort with eternal hope, those who mourn losses of loved ones, livelihood, home, prospects. Provide daily bread for the vulnerable, swept up in swirling hostilities, and establish your church as a lighthouse of peace and hope, shining into the storm. May the unity among believers on opposite sides of enemy lines demonstrate the supernatural power of your reconciling gospel, and may our good works push forward gentleness and harmony in a world that values power and victory.

3:05Google won't have to sell Park Place, I mean its ad business. In April 2025, a federal judge found that the search engine giant illegally used, quote, monopoly power to corner the online ad market, think forcing websites that want to Google's ad money to use its ad software. The DOJ, which has been chipping away at Google's monopoly board since 2020, requested the judge order Google to sell its banner broker ad X. On Wednesday, the judge didn't allow the DOJ's request to pass go, but ordered Google to change its practices to boost competition, details to be announced, opinion sealed for 14 days. Google was quote, very pleased the court didn't order a sale, but is appealing the 2025 finding. Meanwhile, meta is obstructing glasses view. This week, the company announced updates to keep users from secretly filming others with its AI powered smart glasses.

4:14Consumers and companies alike can use technology to hoard power and wealth or bless others. Whatever technology you're using, remember to use every resource at your disposal to honor God and love others. Proverbs 11 verses 25 through 26 says, A generous person will be enriched and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. People will curse anyone who hordes green, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it. The NBA dunked its largest ever team punishment on Wednesday. A nearly year long investigation found that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap, funneling millions to star Kauai Leonard in what commissioner silver called flagrant rule breaking. After signing in 2019, Leonard's uncle turned manager, Uncle Dennis, demanded LAC cover roughly $10 million per year and off court income for his nephew.

5:16The team assisted covering personal expenses Leonard never repaid and brokering deals with four companies, including a $28 million no-show contract with aspiration, a now bankrupt financial and sustainability company. The punishment includes forfitting five first round draft picks from 2029 to 2033, a record $30 million fine, a one year suspension for owner Steve Boss. The former and a $700K fine for Leonard, whose trade to the raptors is now unpossed, freeing him to take his talents to Toronto. The Clippers called the probe a quote, which hunt, vowing to fight. Here's verse to consider when examining your own life for the temptation to cut corners, fudge numbers or veer from the truth.

6:17The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs chapter 10 verse 9. Imagine 14 years in prison, solitary confinement, torture, starvation, all for refusing to stop preaching Christ. That was Pastor Richard Wormbrand's life in communist Romania, and what he came out with wasn't bitterness, it was forgiveness, even toward the men who tortured him. He wrote it all down in tortured for Christ, the true bestselling story that's challenged believers for decades. As he put it, a man really believes only the things he's willing to die for. The voice of the martyrs wants to send you a copy, totally free. Go to vom.org forward slash TPO and request your copy today. In other brews, here's a rabbit round of updates.

7:20Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy trial can't come to a unanimous decision. Today, the 12-person panel entered its seventh day of deliberation, weighing whether the labor and delivery nurse who killed her three children is criminally responsible or was suffering postpartum psychosis. The jury's decision could determine whether Clancy ghost prison or a psychiatric hospital, a no-vertic result could signal mistrial. Wondering how all this jury stuff works? So are we. Come back tomorrow for TPO explains where K.A. and Kathleen will deliberate on the matter. The USS Abraham Lincoln said land hoe after a record 264 straight days at sea. The aircraft carrier docked in Thailand Wednesday after its Middle East deployment was scrutinized for supply shortages and mental health challenges among crew. It's roughly 5,000 sailors and Marines will get a few days' rest.

8:21Before sailing for San Diego. Gloria Steinem, a leading voice in the American feminist movement, died at 92 in her New York City home on Wednesday. The journalist turned activist, co-founded Miss magazine and the National Women's Political Caucus and spent six decades at the US. The journalist turned activist, co-founded Miss magazine and the National Women's Political Caucus and spent six decades advocating for issues like gender equality, abortion and contraceptives. President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. A resident killed two people in a mass shooting at an apartment complex in downtown Minneapolis Wednesday. Six others were injured, including three police officers who were inside the building less than two minutes after the call. The 35-year-old suspect also died in the shooting and was facing eviction from the complex for assault and repeatedly brandishing a firearm.

9:31New York City Schools sent AI to the principal's office, saying children need, quote, human connection in order to learn. Wednesday, officials for the nation's largest school district, announced a one-year K-12 moratorium on chatbots and the, quote, AI components of over 38 programs for pre-K through eighth grade, think tutoring software. Also implemented, high school AI literacy classes, teacher limits, robots can't grade, and screen time caps. That's all the headlines we have, but here's some good news to carry around with you today. Circumstances change, people change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

10:31As 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. We hope you have a great weekend. Catch you Monday. We've all gone through seasons where we want to study the Bible deeper and, if we're honest, enjoy scripture more. The new living translation is designed to capture the deep layers of meaning in God's word, make them clear and vivid, and help Bible reading be as engaging as it is accurate. Plus, the NLT's attention to cadence and rhythm make it one of the most enjoyable translations to read and listen to. Check out the new living translation for yourself. Just click the link in the show notes or go to newlivingtranslation.com forward slash TPO.