Podcasts about Central Asia

Day 1,192.Today, while missiles and drones ran down on Ukraine, and especially on Kharkiv, Ukraine and its allies are still waiting for Russia's memo on their terms for a potential ceasefire and peace talks next week in Istanbul. We also discuss the increase of electronic warfare on the battlefield and share an exclusive interview with former deputy assistant to the US president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, Fiona Hill. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on XWith thanks to Fiona Hill (Former deputy assistant to the US president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council) and Cameron Henderson (US Reporter at the Telegraph). @CamHenderson98 on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Fiona Hill: Trump is terrified of Putin, I've seen it first hand, The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/25/fiona-hill-interview-trump-terrified-putin-seen-firsthand/Lessons of Ukraine: Properly equipped modern tanks will still rule the battlefield, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/29/main-battle-tanks-ads-active-defence-ew-ukraine-drone-war/Moscow is now a target for Ukraine's Western missileshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/28/moscow-target-ukraine-missiles-kremlin-putin-merz-taurus/Ukraine Drone Carriers Launch First Long-Range Autonomous Strikeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/05/26/ukraine-drone-carriers-launch-first-long-range-autonomous-strikes/China Cut Drone Sales to West But Supplies Them to Russia, Ukraine Sayshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-29/china-cut-drone-sales-to-west-but-supplies-them-to-russia-ukraine-saysNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,191.Today, Ukraine targets Moscow with drone attacks for the second consecutive days and strikes several industrial plants linked to the war effort in Russia. Meanwhile, Russia proposes a new round of peace talks in Istanbul on June 2nd. We discuss the memorandums that both Ukraine and Russia are drafting ahead of the meeting and whether we'll see a change from Russia's maximalist stance from earlier this month. And we look ahead to the Polish presidential elections on Sunday. Finally, Francis Dearnley sits down with Mykola Bielieskov of the National Institute for Strategic Studies. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.James Kilner (Former Russia Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Mykola Bielieskov (Research Fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies). @MBielieskov on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Exclusive: Putin's demands for peace include an end to NATO enlargement, sources say, Reutershttps://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-ukraine-peace-wants-pledge-halt-nato-enlargement-sources-say-2025-05-28/Germany and Ukraine reach deal for long-range weapons productionhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/28/zelenskyy-merz-germany-ukraine-sumyOver half of Azov fighters returned to Ukraine, official says, Kyiv Independenthttps://kyivindependent.com/over-half-of-azov-fighters-returned-to-ukraine-official-says/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Silk Road may be the most famous trade network in history. But the flow of silk from China to the Middle East and Europe isn't the only textile trade that's made its mark on Central Asia, the subject of Chris Aslan's latest book Unravelling the Silk Road: Travels and Textiles in Central Asia (Icon Books, 2024), recently published in paperback. Drawing on over a decade's worth of experience in countries like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, Aslan notes that there's really three “roads”: In addition to the famed Silk Road, there's also the Wool Road, tied to nomads across Central Asia, and the Cotton Road, a modern-day source of economic growth–and environmental damage. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of Unravelling the Silk Road. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at@nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

Day 1,190.Today, as Ukraine reels from yet another record drone bombardment, we look at warnings that Russia is massing 50,000 troops near Sumy ahead of a new offensive. Plus we bring you some of the top lines from Chancellor Friederich Merz's press conference with Vlodomyr Zelensky, where he announced that Germany would help Ukraine build long-range missiles. We'll also be hearing Dom's interview with Estonia's defence minister about Moscow's shadow fleet and how to protect critical infrastructure from Russia. And Roland Oliphant reports from Armenia on the dilemma facing small former Soviet Union states in the midst of what some politicians there are describing as a geopolitical earthquake. Contributors:Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @@venetiarainey on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @@Barnes_Joe on X.Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Hanno Pevkur (Minister of Defence of Estonia).SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Ukraine launches massive drone attack on Russiahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/28/ukraine-launches-massive-drone-attack-on-russia/Ukraine War latest newshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/28/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,189.Today, after Kyiv suffers some of the most intense bombardments of the war, we look at why more drones and ballistic missiles are piercing Ukrainian defences, and assess the significance of Donald Trump saying that Vladimir Putin has gone “absolutely crazy.” Plus we hear another interview from Dom's trip to Estonia, and reflect on how the podcast began with Ukraine's: The Latest's original producer.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Giles Gear (Audio Executive Editor). @GilesGear on LinkedIn.With thanks to Dr Jack Watling (Senior Research Fellow at Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies). @Jack_Watling on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Russia Is Raining Hellfire On Ukraine (The Economist):https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/05/25/russia-is-raining-hellfire-on-ukraineSlammed by Russian missiles, Ukraine seeks more U.S. air defense systems (Washington Post):https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/26/ukraine-patriot-missiles-air-defense-raytheon/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joshua Spatha majored in anthropology with a minor in Old Testament studies before he began serving in full-time missions in 2006, traveling primarily in the Middle East and Asia. An ordained minister, and a student of history and missiology, Joshua has led collegiate-level discipleship and missions training programs with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), has served on the leadership of several ministries, and is currently preparing to move long-term to Central Asia. He speaks, teaches, and writes frequently, with his book "Mere Spirituality: A Rational Embrace of the Supernatural in the Crisis of Our Age"Learn more and pre-order the book!https://www.mperspective.org/Be in touch!Instagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:"Vibing Over Venus" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Modern Jazz Samba" by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Study And Relax" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"On Hold for You" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Joshua Spatha majored in anthropology with a minor in Old Testament studies before he began serving in full-time missions in 2006, traveling primarily in the Middle East and Asia. An ordained minister, and a student of history and missiology, Joshua has led collegiate-level discipleship and missions training programs with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), has served on the leadership of several ministries, and is currently preparing to move long-term to Central Asia. He speaks, teaches, and writes frequently, with his book "Mere Spirituality: A Rational Embrace of the Supernatural in the Crisis of Our Age"Learn more and pre-order the book!https://www.mperspective.org/Be in touch!Instagram: @biblejazzSubscribe to Bible Jazz on Apple!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uppc-podcast/id1450663729?mt=2Follow on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YLbRFDsJbqGEAkMuJ1E5MAnd at www.UPPC.orgMusic:"Vibing Over Venus" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Modern Jazz Samba" by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-sambaLicense: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license"Study And Relax" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"On Hold for You" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Today is a public holiday here in the UK, and so we're releasing a special episode on one of the great taboo subjects in the history of warfare: that of role of gender and sexual violence. Firstly, Adelie speaks with Sofi Oksanen, who just published the viral essay 'Same River, Twice, Putin's War on Women'. She discusses how historic attitudes to gender in Russia impacted post-Soviet history. The second interview is with Tatyana Tymoshenta, a therapist who works with survivors of rape in Ukraine. Listener discretion is especially advised for this episode.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Sofi Oksanen, @SofiOksanen on X. SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Conference: Thought and Truth under Pressurehttps://www.svenskaakademien.se/en/events/thought-and-truth-under-pressureSame River, Twice: Putin's War on Womenhttps://harpercollins.co.uk/products/same-river-twice-putins-war-on-women-sofi-oksanen?variant=53507032514939An online psychotherapy support platform for survivors of conflict-related violence Aurora operates in Ukraine, UNFPAhttps://ukraine.unfpa.org/en/aurora_engNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot has changed in Central Asia in the more than three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The region's giant neighbors -- Russia and China -- have played and will no doubt continue to play large roles in Central Asia. However, the Central Asian states have strengthened relations, economic partnerships, and export routes with other countries since February 2022, loosening, to some extent, the grip Russia and China have had over Central Asia. How much have the Central Asian states used this period to further consolidate their independence and sovereignty -- both in foreign policy and economic terms? Joining host Bruce Pannier to discuss this process are guests Nargis Kassenova, a senior fellow and director of the Program on Central Asia at Harvard University's Davis Center; Bakyt Beshimov, a former member of Kyrgyzstan's parliament and former Kyrgyz ambassador to the OSCE and India who now teaches at Northeastern University in Boston; and Temur Umarov, a fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.

Nina and Alexandra celebrate some positive news from the Romanian and Polish elections over the weekend before updating listeners on US-brokered negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. They also discuss revelations of forgery in a shady business dealing involving Trump's son-in-law in Serbia and new efforts by the ruling party to undermine the opposition in Georgia. Alexandra then interviews Dilmurad Yusupov, an independent researcher and disability rights activist from Uzbekistan. They talk about what disability inclusion means, the state of disability rights in Uzbekistan compared to the rest of the region, and the challenges that civic groups like Dilmurad's face in promoting disability rights in the country.You can check out his organization, Sharoit Plus here: https://sharoitplus.uz/ And, Russian and Uzbek speakers can listen to Dilmurad's podcast, Inclusive Talk, here: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ds4DsaVESpotify: https://lnkd.in/d9mFtwUhYandex Music: https://lnkd.in/e8GV5XEqYouTube: https://lnkd.in/ewCXPiAzSupport Talk Eastern Europe: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope

Day 1,182.Today, as Vladimir Putin makes his first visit to Kursk after the Kremlin erroneously claimed all Ukrainian soldiers had been completely pushed out of the territory, we look at the latest deep strikes on Russian infrastructure, hear from an ambulance convoy in Ukraine, and speak to a central advisor of the European Union on Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Brock Bierman (Founder of the non-profit Ukraine Focus).And Bob Dean (Head of the Security Unit of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations)SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Learn more about ‘Ukraine Focus', delivering ambulances to Ukraine:https://ukrainefocus.org/ https://ukrainefocus.org/programs/zelensky-truck/ Ukraine has shown you can now buy an intelligence agency off the shelf (Ben Wallace in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/20/intelligence-agencies-no-longer-just-for-governments/Trump's New Position on the War in Ukraine: Not My Problem (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/us/politics/trump-ukraine-russia.html Russian Troops Are War-Weary, but Want to Conquer More of Ukraine (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/world/europe/russian-troops-peace-putin.html Losing friends, fast (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/losing-friends-fast/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A reading of selected pith instructions/verses for "excellent meditation" from the text 'Masters of the Zhang Zhung Nyendyud' - the Experiential Transmission of Bönpo Dzogchen.The text contains the heart teachings of ancient Bönpo Dzogchen Masters, translated and commented on by Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, the current holder of this unique lineage.The Yungdrung Bön (Bön) Lineage tradition is one of the oldest indigenous spiritual traditions in the world. Originating in Central Asia with Tongpa Shenrap Miwoche (considered by tradition to be a full Buddha), the Bön Lineage teachings have been transmitted unbroken from teacher to student for over 17,000 years. This profound and uninterrupted transmission through generations has ensured the preservation and vitality of the Bön tradition, teachings and practices across millennia.Often referred to as Tibetan Bön Buddhism, Bön Lineage teachings share many similarities with Tibetan Buddhism yet maintain unique traditions, texts, rituals and practices intent on cultivating openness of heart, purification of obscurations and direct realisation of primordial awareness.The text can be found here:https://www.amazon.com.au/Masters-Zhang-Zhung-Nyengyud/dp/8170262682

Day 1,182.Today, we continue dissecting the phone call between Putin and Trump and what it means for the prospect of negotiations. We discuss the latest Russian ‘Frankenstein' missile and tactics on the ground, plus a dive into a report investigating Russian strikes on hotels near the frontline in an effort to target journalists. Finally we hear a dispatch from Sweden and interview with a Swedish chief of defence staff on the Russian threat on the Finnish border. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Iona Cleave (Foreign Reporter). @cleaveiona on X.Venetia Rainey (Co-host of the podcast 'Battle Lines'). @venetiarainey on X.With thanks to Kenza Rharmaoui (Senior Researcher at Truth Hounds). @truth_hounds on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Russia's new ‘Frankenstein' missile terrorising Ukraine, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/13/russias-new-frankenstein-missile-terrorising-ukraine/Russia's motorbike squads may be suicidal but they are hurting Ukraine, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/19/ukraine-war-are-russias-motorcycle-assaults-really-working/Last Check-In: The Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Hotels Silencing the Press, Truth Houndshttps://truth-hounds.org/en/cases/last-check-in/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,181.Today, just minutes after Presidents Putin and Trump spoke over the phone following the failed peace talks in Turkey last week, we react to the strategy being adopted by both sides: is Putin playing Trump like a fiddle? Then, later, we hear about the worst aerial bombardment Ukraine has experienced of the entire war, which took place not three years ago, but on Sunday.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Gabriellus Landberghis (Lithuania's former Minister of Foreign Affairs). @GLandsbergis on X. SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Putin: Russia is strong enough to end what we started in Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/18/putin-russia-strong-enough-to-end-what-we-started-ukraine/Pope Leo meets JD Vance after calling for peace in Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/18/pope/ Germany drops opposition to nuclear power in rapprochement with France (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/e99efa2b-338a-4065-89c6-0683d5759ed7 NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,178.Today, as Ukraine and Russia hold their first direct negotiations in over three years today in Istanbul, we bring you live coverage from two major political and defence conferences in Europe, featuring key NATO and EU figures. How united is Europe in its stance on security and support for Ukraine? Plus, we speak with a former senior U.S. official to assess whether Donald Trump's influence in American politics is beginning to fade, and hear about the new commander of Moscow's ground forces: a man nicknamed ‘General Blood'.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.With thanks to Professor Eliot Cohen (writer at the Atlantic, former counselor to the head of the US State Department). @EliotACohen on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Ukrainian and Russian delegations begin negotiations (The Telegraph Live Blog):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/16/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/ Eliot A. Cohen's Articles for The Atlantic:https://www.theatlantic.com/author/eliot-a-cohen/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max and Maria spoke with Edward Fishman about his bestselling book, Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. 

Hafizullah Saeedi is an independent researcher and a human rights defender. He holds a Master of Arts in Global Studies from Leipzig University, Germany. He obtained a double degree in International and Comparative Politics from American University of Central Asia and Bard College-NYC, for his undergraduate studies. Hafizullah has a background in human rights advocacy at the United Nations and European Union level. His area of research includes human rights, security and development studies, with a focus on minority issues, countering violent extremism, and humanitarian action. In the context of Afghanistan, he has written extensively on social movements, minorities and hate speech, as well as political participation of women and youth in national processes. He has previously worked with Minority Rights Group International, European Center for Minority Issues, and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development. In addition to his mother tongue Persian/Dari, he speaks English, Pashto, Russian and German languages.

Following the journey of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, From Dreams to Goals takes you deep behind the headlines to explore the stories from nations aspiring to qualify for the tournament in Australia next year. Each week From Dreams to Goals will focus on delving deep and telling the story of women's football in countries from Saudi Arabia to India, from Indonesia to Nepal and everywhere in between, talking to players, coaches and journalists to explore the unique story of each country as they drive forward on the road to the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026. This week we focus on the Kyrgyz Republic, and the wider Central Asian region, which of course will host the next edition of the tournament in Uzbekistan in 2029. We are joined by Nuraiym Alymkulova, the Executive Director of the Women's Football Association of Kyrgyz Republic, to discuss the development of women's football in the country and across Central Asia more broadly. Follow Gina Bagnulo on X: https://x.com/GinaBagnulo3  Follow Gina Bagnulo on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginabagnulo  Follow Anirudh Nair on IG: https://www.instagram.com/annie_rude_ Be sure to follow The Asian Game on all our social media channels: X: https://twitter.com/TheAsianGame IG: https://instagram.com/theasiangame Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheAsianGamePodcast 

Day 1,177.Today, as Vladimir Putin rejects mounting Western pressure to attend peace talks in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attention turns to the controversial delegation he's sending in his place. Who are these representatives, and why are international diplomats describing their presence as an ‘insult' to the peace process? Plus, we report on a new monument to Joseph Stalin unveiled in Moscow, and investigate how Russia's military build-up is accelerating, not slowing, despite the war's toll.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:‘A potentially historic day descends into chaos' (The Telegraph Live Blog):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/15/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-turkey-putin-zelensky-trump/ A glimpse inside Putin's secret arms empire (The Economist)https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2025/05/08/a-glimpse-inside-putins-secret-arms-empireZelensky to travel to Turkey for peace talks regardless of Putin's plans (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/a43c7876-7d7b-4d1c-96fd-98b60a1c6223 NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Thursday, May 15th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 1,518 executions worldwide in 2024 A report from Amnesty International found there were 1,518 executions around the world last year. That's up 32 percent from 2023. Nations with the most documented executions include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.  These numbers do not include executions in China, North Korea, and Vietnam. China is considered to be the world's leading executioner, with potentially thousands of executions last year. All of these countries are ranked on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  British city council no longer bans street preachers A local government district in England has backed down from banning street preachers. Back in March, Rushmoor Borough Council sought to criminalize street preaching, praying for people, singing, or handing out Bibles. Local churches, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, opposed the plan. Thankfully, the council backed down.  Jamie Broadey, a local evangelist, said, “Since we found out about the injunction and asked for prayer, we have been contacted by Christians from across the UK. The issue is uniting preachers and Christians and we are prepared to challenge this as far as need be to prevent the Gospel being criminalized.” Acts 5:29 says, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.'” $1.2 trillion economic package with Qatar United States President Donald Trump is visiting countries in the Middle East this week. Yesterday, he signed an agreement with Qatar that would generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion. This includes an historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways worth $96 billion.  Trump budget insists on work requirements for Medicaid This week, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled the “big, beautiful bill,” as the president calls it, to advance Trump's agenda.  The bill includes tax breaks, spending cuts, and border security.  Notably, the measure would cut $900 billion from Medicaid spending. It would also require many people to prove they are working, volunteering, or pursuing education to be eligible for Medicaid. Listen to comments by House Speaker Mike Johnson. JOHNSON: “We are protecting Medicaid for the people who need and deserve it. This program is an essential lifeline for our most vulnerable Americans: pregnant women, single mothers, low income seniors, the disabled. That's who Medicaid is intended to be for, and that's who we're protecting while we're eliminating fraud, waste and abuse to improve Medicaid. “These are reforms to restore and preserve the system so that it doesn't collapse on itself. That means ensuring illegal aliens don't get coverage meant for Americans in need. It means implementing work requirements to ensure that adults who can work, but refuse to, cannot keep cheating the system. We're going to continue to call this out.” Trump's bill defunds Planned Parenthood The “big, beautiful bill” from Republicans also paves the way for defunding Planned Parenthood. The legislation would bar federal funds from going to prohibited entities that perform abortions in many cases. The measure would also cut taxpayer funding for transgender surgeries for minors.  U.S. drug overdose deaths down Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 80,000 people died from overdoses in 2024. That's down 27 percent from 2023. It's the largest drop in overdose deaths on record. However, overdose deaths are still higher now than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Inflation down and egg prices down Annual inflation was lower than expected last month. The consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in April. That put the 12-month inflation rate at 2.3 percent. Inflation is now the lowest it's been since 2021. Notably, egg prices fell by over 12 percent. However, they're still up about 50 percent compared to a year ago. Worldwide Bible engagement update And finally, the American Bible Society released the second chapter of its State of the Bible USA 2025 report.  The chapter looks at Bible engagement around the world.  People are most actively engaged and committed to the Bible in areas that are majority Christian like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.  Interestingly, people are the most receptive to new ideas and other religions in Muslim-majority areas like North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.  The greatest indifference to the Bible is found in the secular west and certain majority-Christian areas like the U.S., Western Europe, Russia, and Eastern Europe.  Of countries in the secular West, the U.S. had the highest rates of Bible usage and church attendance.  Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the Earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, May 15th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Nijasov har givet sig selv et nyt navn: Türkmenbasy - turkmenernes leder. Det er det han vil kaldes fra nu af. Han bestemmer over folket og landet - og det gør han på en måde som minder mere om computerspillet Sims end den virkelighed de fleste af os ellers lever i. Alt bliver opkaldt efter ham. Byer, lufthavne, moskeer, januar-måned. Han får endda omdøbt en særlig melon efter sig - og indfører i samme omgang en national helligdag hvor melonen skal hyldes! Og ligesom i The Sims - så skal der bygges. Meget og stort! Helst i hvid marmor og guld. Store gyldne Türkmenbasy-statuer skyder op overalt. Men bag al ekstravagancen og selvglæden ligger der en snedig udenrigspolitisk plan, hvor millioner og atter millioner af kroner bliver pumpet direkte fra udlandet og ned i den store leders egne lommer. Manus: Anne Pilegaard Petersen. Lyddesign og musik: Anton Færch. Klip: Camille Guerry. Redaktør og fortæller: Emil Rothstein-Christensen. DR Redaktør: Anders Eriksen Stegger. Produceret for DR P3 af MonoMono. Litteraturliste: Ruhnama Bog 1 & 2; Saparmurat Niyazov The Temptations of Tyranny in Central Asia; David Lewis It's a Gas - Funny Business in the Turkmen-Ukraine Gastrade; Global Witness When a Kleptocratic, Megalomanûacal Dictator Goes Bad (New York Times); Ilan Greenberg The Golden Man (The New Yorker); Paul Theroux

Day 1,175.Today, we look ahead to what might happen on Thursday in Istanbul. We discuss whether Putin will show up at all. We also dive into the potential 17th round of sanctions if Russia doesn't agree to a ceasefire, and whether Europe can deliver on its promises. Finally, Francis has a robust conversation with the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, Zoltán Kovács, at the Hungarian embassy in London. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Joe Barnes, on the Telegraph:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/j/jk-jo/joe-barnes/Trump toys with late entrance to Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/UK to Unveil New Russia Sanctions as European Ministers Meet, Bloomberghttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-11/uk-to-unveil-new-russia-sanctions-as-european-ministers-meetWhy the EU is racing to expand its Russia sanctions in a push for peace, Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/2a781235-ad89-4aaf-a55f-c4863ba060c1EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions, Financial Timeshttps://www.ft.com/content/7f7687da-b31a-4c64-a446-221c4a756a05NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,174.Today, we unpack a momentous weekend of diplomacy which began with the European leaders of Britain, Germany, France, and Poland assembling in Kyiv to demand an unconditional ceasefire, escalated with a late-night address from Vladimir Putin and fresh drone attacks, then culminated in a shock intervention from Donald Trump. Afterwards, we offer a detailed analysis on the strategic picture on the front lines.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Francis Farrell (Reporter, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Francis Farrell's reporting for the Kyiv Independent: https://kyivindependent.com/author/francis-farrell/ Putin defies ceasefire demand with major drone barrage (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/ Trump's top negotiator accused of breaking protocol in talks with Putin (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/11/witkoff-used-kremlin-interpreter-breach-of-protocol/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indigenous Christians in Uzbekistan have a heart to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to other nations. Praise God! However, many are unable to support these missionary efforts themselves. Is it just because they are live in a less affluent region? Or is there something more at play?Local churches across the globe need to be self-propagating, self-governing and self-supporting. This last feature is often poorly developed or overlooked. James Cha, former missionary and Christian leader, joins theChristian Emergency Podcast to unpack what this means for the Church.The Nevius Method is a missionary approach that emphasizes these three themes, in addition to healthy theology. The method is based off the approach used by John Livingstone Nevius, a missionary to China in the 19th Century. His method made a big impact on how Christianswere discipled in China and Korea.James suggests that this simple approach, rooted in simple obedience, would improve the health and strength of many local churches today. This is true of churches in Central Asia, Africa and even the West. Listen and learn how this could apply for missionaries overseas and also in your local fellowship.If Christians faithfully tithe, even if they have little to offer, the effects are profound. On this episode, James shares from his personal experience to show how missionaries and Christians should consider incorporating the Nevius Method in their own settings.If you find this episode helpful, please give us a positive rating and review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Also share this episode with a friend so they too can be blessed by these insights.To learn more about resources mentioned in this episode, see the following.Episode 34: A Korean Tale – Costly Faith, Destructive Compromise, and Hope in Dark Times, with James Cha (Christian Emergency Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/34-a-korean-tale-costly-faith-destructive/id1528402463?i=1000537217442 Episode 35: Spiritual Compromise in Christian Missions – A Caution Flag for You and Your Church, with James Cha (Christian Emergency Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-spiritual-compromise-in-christian-missions-a/id1528402463?i=1000538913138Episode 42: A Granddaughter of North Korea: FaithCha (Christian Emergency Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-a-granddaughter-of-north-korea-spiritual/id1528402463?i=1000547875220Crescent Project (Ministry Website): https://www.crescentproject.org/ i43 Ministry (Ministry Website): https://www.i43global.org/Christian Emergency Alliance (Website): https://www.christianemergency.com/ Christian Emergency Alliance (Twitter): @ChristianEmerg1Christian Emergency Alliance (Facebook):@ChristianEmergencyThe Christian Emergency Podcast is a production of the Christian Emergency Alliance.Soli Deo Gloria

Ever wondered what it would be like to go bike travelling for years at a time? What about over a decade? Well Polish adventurer Ewa Świderska,  has spent the past 11 years cycling across various regions including the historic Silk Road, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe.  Ewa shares her experiences of long-term solo travel as a woman, the impact on personal relationships, financial sustainability, and her unique approaches to overcoming challenges on the road. You can read more about Ewa's journey via her personal blog. Join me on the Seek Travel Ride Lightweight Bikepacking Tour!6 night - 5 day tour through the Pyrenees Foothills.Dates - June 28 - July 04Start and Finish: ToulouseCost €1550 per person twin shareFind Out more and Book Your Spot Here Support the showBeyond the Bike - Get Your Tickets and Join Me in London! Click for tickets to May 14 Click for tickets to May 15 Buy me a coffee and help support the show!Sign up to the Seek Travel Ride NewsletterFollow us on Social Media!Instagram - @SeekTravelRideWebsite: Seek Travel RideFacebook - Seek Travel RideLeave me a voicemail message Seek Travel Ride Music Playlist available now on both Spotify or Apple Music ...

Day 1,171.Today, as Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders in Moscow for his Victory Day Parade, we break down what was really on display: both in military hardware and political messaging. How much of the spectacle honored World War II, and how much signaled the rise of a militarised Russia? Then, we speak with a former Ukrainian MP and leader of the Sky Shield initiative about proposals for Kyiv's allies to shoot down enemy missiles, and report on the latest resistance efforts in occupied territories.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Oksana Pyzik (Associate Professor Pharm Prac & Policy at UCL). @OksanaPyzikUCL on X.With thanks to Lesia Orobets (former Member of Parliament of Ukraine). @LesyaOrobets on X and Illia Riepin.Content Referenced:SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.In full: Russia Victory Day parade 2025 w. commentary from Dom/Oksana (The Telegraph):https://www.youtube.com/live/YMfnk-j42Rs Soviets determined WW2, Putin tells Victory Day parade in Trump rebuff (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/09/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/ Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/ Learn more about the Sky Shield plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16e4_huHkGl_MU2Qk2CH6skxnKn6kYzH3/viewLearn more about Ukrainian Action:https://www.ukrainianaction.com/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can any woman change the world?  Discover the potential of women to be world changers with this week's inspiring guest, Brooke Kehl! Brooke Kehl, Marketing Director of Eastern European Mission, explores what it really means for women to step into their calling, take faith-driven risks, and create ripple effects of hope across the globe. Brooke shares her personal journey growing up in a missionary family, the powerful influence of other women's testimonies, and moving stories of transformation—like Zara's courageous faith despite its manifold risks to her life. This episode is filled with authentic conversations about overcoming the comfort zone, staying faithful through challenges, and practical encouragement for anyone wondering if they're truly cut out to make a difference. Listen in to learn how ordinary acts and steadfast faith can change lives around the world—and how you, too, are invited to become a world changer right where you are. Catch Up: Highlights from Our Episode with Brooke Kehl Brooke's journey began in East Africa, where she learned firsthand what “risky faith” looks like from her missionary parents. Over the past seven years with EEM, she's devoted her life to spreading hope across cultures, and in our conversation, she opens up about the power of testimony, stepping out of your comfort zone, and why courage starts with experiencing God's love. Stories That Inspire Action Brooke shares the story of Zahra, a refugee from Afghanistan, whose life—and that of her husband—was forever changed by encountering Jesus through a Bible in her own language. Despite facing grave danger, Zahra's courage ignited a ripple effect that started a church among other Afghans and led to an entirely new chapter of hope for many. Another unforgettable story is that of Faena from Kazakhstan, who memorized just one verse of scripture in a prison cell—and discovered transformative love and purpose, now passing on that hope to others in Central Asia. Real Talk: Choosing Calling Over Comfort Brooke doesn't pretend risk-taking is easy. She honestly shares her struggle with comfort and reveals how leaning on God for strength—and surrounding herself with inspiring women—has kept her moving forward, even when it feels easier to quit. How You Can Make A Difference Today You might wonder, “Am I really a world changer?” Brooke says YES! You don't need to travel the globe to live on mission. Opening your heart to people around you—at a coffee shop, in your neighborhood, in daily conversations—can change lives. Every small step, backed by God's love, matters. Connect, Learn, and Get Involved Want more inspiring stories? Visit EEM.org, and follow Eastern European Mission on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. You'll find testimony-filled newsletters, more powerful podcasts, and opportunities to join their mission. Final Word of Encouragement Brooke reminds us that courage comes from knowing how deeply we are loved by God. When we root ourselves in that truth, we find the strength to say “yes” to impact—wherever we are.   We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Optimize your mind and body with my new favorite, all-inclusive supplement, Cardio Miracle! I love the energy and focus this health-boosting drink mix provides without toxins, caffeine, or sugar! Get a discount on your purchase with my link: http://www.cardiomiracle.com/tinayeager Use the code TINA10 at checkout. To flourish in all seasons of life with the highest quality nutraceutical health supplements that benefit charitable causes, shop NutraMedix wellness supplements. Be sure to use my link  https://www.nutramedix.com/?rfsn=7877557.b6c6785 and add my special code TINA to get 10% off your entire purchase! If you're a writer, subscribe to Inkspirations Online (devotional publication by writers for writers): https://www.inkspirationsonline.com/ Manage stress and anxiety in 10 minutes a day with the course presented by 15 experts, Subdue Stress and Anxiety https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tyeagerwrites/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3865622.Tina_Yeager  

Day 1,170.Today, as the end of the Second World War in Europe is marked in most European countries, we report how Vladimir Putin's three-day ‘goodwill ceasefire' designed to protect his own commemoration tomorrow appears to have been broken already, we examine three very strong and uncharacteristically critical comments by the United States administration about Russia, and we ask whether Friedrich Merz has hit the ground running, or fallen at the first hurdle.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Content Referenced:'Putin's top 3 lies: from Ukraine to the Second World War' (Video by Francis):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mdvqJy-zVkPutin welcomes Xi Jinping at Kremlin (The Telegraph Live Blog):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/08/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-xi-jinping-moscow/ JD Vance: Russia is asking for too much from Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/07/jd-vance-russia-asking-too-much-from-ukraine/ Former British Army soldier “Swampy” killed in Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/07/former-british-soldier-killed-in-ukraine/ Putin's Victory Day display is a charade, not a parade (Hamish's article):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/08/putins-victory-day-display-is-a-charade-not-a-parade/ Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-damaged-destroyed-over-2-300-medical-infrastructure-facilities-since-beginning-of-full-scale-invasion-health-ministry-says/SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English. French. Italian. Hindi. Greek. Russian. All these different languages can trace their roots to the same origin: Proto-Indo-European, spoken in 4000 BC in the steppe that crosses from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. Whether by migration, diffusion or conquest, the Indo-European languages spread west across Europe, east across Central Asia, and southeast towards India. Laura Spinney writes about Proto-Indo-European—which never existed in a written form—and its many descendants in her latest book Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global (William Collins / Bloomsbury: 2025). Laura Spinney is the author of Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World (PublicAffairs: 2017), which has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and two novels. Her science writing has appeared in The Atlantic, National Geographic, Nature, The Economist, The Guardian, and elsewhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Et gigantisk jordskælv rammer Turkmenistan. På et øjeblik har en lille dreng mistet både sin mor og sine søskende. Han er alene i verden. Men en dag viser en ånd sig for drengen og fortæller ham at han er skæbnesbestemt til at føre Turkmenistan til storhed. Og med den profeti i baghånden arbejder den lille dreng sig frem i verden, indtil han endelig står med al magten i Turkmenistan! Men er det nu også storhed, eller mere bare storhedsvanvid, han har bragt med sig? Saparmurat Nijasovs diktatur er i hvert et af de mest flamboyante, selvovervurderende og gakkede verden har set. Manus: Anne Pilegaard Petersen. Lyddesign og musik: Anton Færch. Klip: Camille Guerry. Redaktør og fortæller: Emil Rothstein-Christensen. DR Redaktør: Anders Eriksen Stegger. Produceret for DR P3 af MonoMono. Litteraturliste: Ruhnama Bog 1 & 2; Saparmurat Niyazov The Temptations of Tyranny in Central Asia; David Lewis It's a Gas - Funny Business in the Turkmen-Ukraine Gastrade; Global Witness When a Kleptocratic, Megalomanûacal Dictator Goes Bad (New York Times); Ilan Greenberg The Golden Man (The New Yorker); Paul Theroux

Day 1,169.Today, as – for the third day running – Ukrainian drones sow chaos in the skies above Moscow, we analyse the final preparations for Putin's Victory Day parade, and discuss President Biden's first interview since leaving office, hours after Friedrich Merz finally became Chancellor of Germany at a pivotal moment in modern European history.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XJames Kilner (Editor of The Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin and The Russia Morning Memo). @jkjourno on XContent Referenced:James Kilner's Bulletins -The Russian Memo: https://www.thememo.news/The Central Asia and South Caucasus Bulletin: https://www.thememo.news/ Battle Lines episode on India-Pakistan fears:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/28/battle-lines-global-rearmament-india-pakistan-kashmir/ Interview with Biden Advisor Mike Carpenter:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DeReNhsKg Biden: Trump is appeasing Putin, that's not who we are (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/07/biden-trump-is-appeasing-putin-that-is-not-who-we-are/ Merz becomes chancellor of ‘unstable' Germany after first vote humiliation (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/06/merz-unexpectedly-fails-not-elected-as-german-chancellor/ Europe vows to halt all Russian gas imports (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/05/07/europe-vows-to-halt-all-russian-gas-imports/ What If America Abandons Ukraine? (Foreign Affairs):https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/what-if-america-abandons-ukraineSIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,168.Today, as Friedrich Merz suffers a “humiliating and unexpected setback” on his way to becoming German Chancellor, we report how the Kremlin is preparing for Friday's Victory Day parade, all while nervously watching the skies for Ukrainian drones, after two successive nights of attacks on Moscow. Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnely on X.With thanks to Ash Bhardwaj, an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author, who specialises in blending defence, security and travel.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Video Special of Ukraine: The Latest Answering Your Questions:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szTxRfF7TU 'Taras' Film Screening with Dom Nicholls on Wednesday:https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/may/ua-x-ucl-taras-film-screening Edgelands: Stories from the Russian border (Ash Bhardwaj's Telegraph Podcast):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/edgelands/ Ash's Event in London on Thursday:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-travel-builds-purpose-resilience-and-emotional-fitness-tickets-1321565882129?aff=oddtdtcreator Starmer prepares for attack by Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/05/starmer-prepares-for-attack-by-russia/ Russia used thermobaric weapons in drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian prosecutors say (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-thermobaric-weapons-in-drone-strike-on-kharkiv-ukrainian-prosecutors-say/?mc_cid=fa397ac35b&mc_eid=08d0680a95 NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Central Asia on the rise? Kazakhstan follows neighboring Uzbekistan's footsteps and launches a new golden visa program.View the full article here.Subscribe to the IMI Daily newsletter here.

Almas - Deep in the rugged mountains of Central Asia lurks the Almas, a primitive hominid species from Mongolian folklore with terrifying strength, pack-hunting intelligence, and an insatiable hunger for human flesh that has led locals to avoid traveling the ancient mountain passes alone for centuries. Discover more TERRIFYING podcasts at http://eeriecast.com/   Follow Carman Carrion!    https://www.instagram.com/carmancarrion/?hl=en   https://twitter.com/CarmanCarrion   Subscribe to Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/show/0uiX155WEJnN7QVRfo3aQY   Please Review Us on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freaky-folklore/id1550361184   Music and sound effects used in the Freaky Folklore Podcast have or may have been provided/created by:  CO.AG: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcavSftXHgxLBWwLDm_bNvA Myuu: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiSKnkKCKAQVxMUWpZQobuQ Jinglepunks: https://jinglepunks.com/ Epidemic Sound: https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Kevin MacLeod: http://incompetech.com/ Dark Music: https://soundcloud.com/darknessprevailspodcast Soundstripe: https:// Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Day 1,164.Today, as a drone attack hits Russian airbases in occupied Crimea, we continue to unpack the minerals deal signed between the US and Ukraine and we contemplate whether the US might be pulling out of the peace negotiations. We also look at the latest news from Central Asia and we hear from a visual artist who donated a photograph to the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by Russian soldiers in 2022. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XJames Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.With thanks to Emeric Lhuisset (visual artist). @emericlhuisset on Insta.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Massive drone attack reportedly targets Russian military sites in occupied Crimeahttps://kyivindependent.com/massive-drone-attack-targets-russian-military-sites-in-occupied-crimea/F-16s Pulled From U.S. Boneyard Are Being Delivered To Ukraine For Spare Partshttps://www.twz.com/air/f-16s-pulled-from-u-s-boneyard-are-being-delivered-to-ukraine-for-spare-partsTED Talk by Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril Industries:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooMXEwl7N8YOn Chernobyl fallout in southern Belarus, in The Dial: https://www.thedial.world/articles/news/issue-25/chernobyl-disaster-belarus?utm_source=The+Dial&utm_campaign=44938c8849-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_02_19_04_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-44938c8849-458325807On Emeric Lhuisset's work, From a painting to a viral photo, a fight for Ukraine's history, Le Monde:https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/11/22/from-a-painting-to-a-viral-photo-a-fight-for-ukraine-s-history_6279646_30.htmlFundraising for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of David Knowles https://www.justgiving.com/page/rhcc-vs-lwcc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015#supportersListNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max and Maria welcome Michael Kimmage back to the show to provide his analysis of the ongoing U.S.-led negotiations to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine. This conversation was recorded on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. "What if America Abandons Ukraine?" by Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage (Foreign Affairs, May 2025). "The Zeitenwende Is Real This Time," by Michael Kimmage and Sudha David-Wilp (Foreign Affairs, April 2025).

Day 1,163.Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine the first appointments of Friedrich Merz's top team and ask why some commentators are questioning whether members of the German elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps prefer a rapprochement with Russia.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting.It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Trump minerals deal blames Putin for invasion (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-trump-latest-news/ Trump OKs First Cash Weapons Sale to Kyiv, Partly Lifts Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid (Kyiv Post):https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800 Realizing America's Drone Revolution (War on the Rocks):https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/realizing-americas-drone-revolution/ Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine, Seoul says (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean Karnazes is a force of nature and an inspiration. He's raced across the globe in support of various causes and modeled unparalleled perseverance and going beyond perceived limitations that serve to unlock an inner strength in others to also attain extraordinary results. He shares real-life examples that explore the topics of dealing with adversity, overcoming obstacles, setting and reaching lofty goals, the importance of teamwork - even in solo endeavors, and excelling in a competitive and complicated world. In this episode we discuss the essential ingredients necessary for high-achievement/performance and developing the ability to prevail and preserve against staggering odds. He is also a New York Times bestselling author of a number of books, and Dean has served as a US Athlete Ambassador on three separate Sports Diplomacy envoys to Central Asia and South America. He's twice carried the Olympic Torch and is a recipient of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition's Lifetime Achievement Award. He currently serves as the Global Ambassador of Greek Tourism. Dean has been named Competitor magazine's Endurance Athlete of the Year on three occasions; Men's Fitness hailed him as one of the fittest men on the planet, and GQ magazine called him, “The Perfect Human.” ESPN awarded him an ESPY as "Best Outdoor Athlete" of the year; Men's Journal inducted him into their Adventure Hall of Fame, and Outside magazine named him one of the Ultimate Top 10 Outdoor Athletes, and put him on the cover. He's also been on the covers of Runner's World and Wired; and TIME magazine named him one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.”  Dean not only lives his life in full, but he is an inspiration to millions over multiple generations, always with a gentlemanly presence, grace and gratitude, as a model for others to do so as well.  He is uniquely able to demonstrate how the lessons learned from athletics can be applied to business and life, with authenticity and humanity.

Central Asia is one of those regions that isn't getting a lot of attention these days, as it's not a major player in the escalating U.S.-China trade war. But that may soon change as both major powers look to the region to source energy, critical minerals, and build new logistics corridors. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spent a few days in the Kazakh capital Almaty meeting with his five Central Asian counterparts to plan an upcoming leaders summit that will take place in June. Meantime, the Uzbek government this month confirmed an ambitious critical minerals deal with the United States, highlighting the region's growing strategic importance. Yunis Sharifli, CGSP's non-resident fellow for Central Asia, joins Eric from Ankara, Turkey to discuss why this renewed attention on Central Asia will also propel the development of ambitious new transport routes linking Asia and Europe. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @ysharifli Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Day 1,161.Today, as Trump pushes back against Vladimir Putin's three-day ceasefire proposal, we discuss the recent reflections of the former commander of Ukraine's armed forces and his bold predictions for the future of warfare. Plus, we hear frontline reaction from soldiers to the so-called pauses in the fighting. Are they real?Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Content Referenced:The evolving nature of warfare has redefined the fundamental principles of global security: the Ukrainian experience and the emerging world order (Valerii Zaluzhnyi's speech):https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/2025/04/25/7509135/Russia threatens Nato with nuclear strikes (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/29/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/North Korea confirms it sent troops to fight for Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/28/north-korea-confirms-sent-troops-fight-russia/ A fleet of aging army tanks donated to Ukraine is yet to leave Australia (ABC News):https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/aging-tanks-donated-to-ukraine-are-yet-to-leave-australia/105226280Russia's ‘Ghost Detainees': The Investigation That Cost Viktoriia Roshchyna Her Life (Forbidden Stories):https://forbiddenstories.org/russia-detainees-investigation-viktoriia-roshchyna/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,160.Today, as Vladimir Putin announces a sudden three-day ceasefire in May, we assess just how meaningful it really is, and ask: why now? Then we analyse another extraordinary weekend of diplomacy at Pope Francis's funeral, before learning more about the history of the Donbas: a region where much of the war's fiercest fighting has taken place.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XWith thanks to Victoria Donovan (Professor of Ukrainian and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews). @vsdonovan on X.Content Referenced:Victoria's Book: ‘Life in Spite of Everything: Tales from the Ukrainian East':https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Spite-Everything-Tales-Ukrainian/dp/1917092148Freefilmers - a collective of filmmakers and artists, originally from Mariupol:https://help-freefilmers.network/ Behind the scenes at Trump's most extraordinary meeting yet (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/28/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-latest-news529/ The Russian Military Moves That Have Europe on Edge (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-military-nato-europe-finland-ff53b912 The ugly task of Putin-proofing your border (The Economist):https://www.economist.com/international/2025/04/22/the-ugly-task-of-putin-proofing-your-borderNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the Round 3 activity on LiveWire; interview invites continue to roll out for this shortened application round; next week several schools are scheduled to release final decisions. Graham noted Clear Admit's Application Overview May series of events. These online events will be hosted on May 6 and 7, and May 20 and 21. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/appoverview25 Already, we have hundreds of signups for each event! Sandwiched in the middle of this series is Clear Admit's MBA Fair in Boston, on May 14th. This event includes panel discussions, one of which is focused on Consulting hiring and is led by Bain. Twenty-four of the top 25 U.S.-based MBA programs are planning to attend, along with London Business School. Signups for this event are here: https://bit.ly/mbafair2025 Graham noted two finance-related articles that were recently published on Clear Admit. The first looks at the number and percentage of students who go into finance from each of the top programs. The second article does a deeper dive into buy-side finance and elite finance careers. Graham then noted an admissions tip, focused on pre-MBA coursework, which may be necessary for those with less traditional undergraduate degrees, or those who need to “repair” their transcript. Graham highlighted three Real Humans alumni spotlights, alums from Berkeley / Haas working at Morgan Stanley, Rice / Jones working at energyRe and Washington / Foster working at Amazon. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected two ApplyWire entries and one DecisionWire entry. This week's first MBA admissions candidate has a 675 GMAT score and a strong GPA. They are from Peru and working in Chile. They have six years of work experience, which does include a five-month gap. This week's second MBA candidate is from Central Asia, now working in Dubai. They have a 330 GRE score, but we are unsure how strong their academic experience has been. The final MBA candidate has an offer from CMU / Tepper and is on the waitlist at several other top MBA programs. They are debating whether they should take the Tepper option, if not admitted from the waitlists, or reapply next season. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Ukrainians have resisted Russia's aggression for years. Since the full-scale invasion of their country in 2022, Ukrainian women in particular have taken on important roles on the frontlines, in civil society, and at home. Gražina Bielousova's research examines how Ukrainian leftist feminists advocate for their causes at home and abroad, facing distinct challenges as they attempt to defend their country. The Ukrainian case is also distinct from Latvia and Lithuania, whose organizing takes on different shapes for the same cause. Bielousova joins Ben Gardner-Gill to explain these interactions and discuss the ongoing process of decolonization in Baltic Studies.Transcript Ben Gardner-Gill: Hello, and welcome to Baltic Ways. I'm your co-host, Ben Gardner-Gill. Today we're talking with Gražina Belousova. Gražina is a feminist scholar of race, religion, and gender in post-Soviet Europe. She earned her PhD from Duke University in 2022. Currently, she is a postdoctoral scholar at Vilnius University's Institute of International Relations and Political Science and a researcher at Vytautas Magnus University.Her current research project focuses on leftist feminisms in East Europe in light of Russia's war against Ukraine, which will culminate in her first book, What's Left of Feminism in East Europe.Gražina, welcome to Baltic Ways.Gražina Belousova: Thank you so much for having me, Ben.BGG: So let's kick off by just hearing a little bit more about your background. I know you finished your PhD pretty recently. Could you tell us a little bit more about how you got into academia, sort of your research interests, and what you're working on at the moment?GB: Right. Yes, I just defended my PhD in 2022. It's hard to believe that it's been nearly three years now. In my PhD, I focused on historical matters. My PhD was in religion and cultural anthropology. And one of the things that I found missing when I was trying to theorize the part of the world that I call home and that most of the world calls Eastern Europe—I realized that I was lacking a solid theory that would bridge economics, anthropology, and religious studies.I wanted to understand how religious difference, especially perceived religious difference, played a role in creating the space that we call Eastern Europe today. And that took me to 18th and 19th century travel writings by Western travelers, oftentimes who were on an official mission, to the edges or to the depths of the Russian Empire.So I've read a lot of ambassadors' letters. I've read a lot of dispatches from St. Petersburg and Moscow, trying to understand how Westerners thought about that religious difference and how that thinking structured their understanding of what this place was and why it was different. What I tried to argue is actually that perceived religious difference was at the root of thinking of Eastern Europe as something different.Now, when I chose to embark on that topic, I had to put another topic aside, which was the question of very contemporary matters, the question of leftist political thought and feminism. At that point, it felt to me more pertinent to write the kind of theory that I felt was missing. When I was given the opportunity to pursue a postdoctoral position at Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science, I pitched this idea to them.And we very quickly pulled together the application. And the next thing I knew, I was embarking on a project on leftist feminisms in Eastern Europe in light of the war in Ukraine. So, the path was windy, but here I am today, knees and elbows deep, in the project on leftist feminism.BGG: Wonderful. I mean, a windy path is going to be familiar to so many people listening.So, no surprise and no surprise as well that the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has really impacted your work and your life as it has for many of us. So tell us a little bit more about that.Over the last three years, we've been watching and seeing the horrors in Ukraine. From your perspective, from your academic work, what are some of the main things that you're looking at?GB: One of the things that I'm particularly interested in is the way that groups that are on the edges of society, on the margins of society, such as leftists, such as feminists, and especially leftist feminists—when the two come together and try to articulate their social and political vision and explain to themselves and to their fellow compatriots and oftentimes foreign donors, in my case, also Western leftist feminists, their relevance, how they're trying to articulate their position.War has a penchant for heightening nationalist tendencies. And this is not some kind of particular Eastern European pathology. War anywhere is going to produce these results. That is normal. People defend themselves and articulate themselves on the basis on which they're being attacked, on the basis on which they're being bombed.So this is what we are seeing in Ukraine. Leftism in Eastern Europe, because of the Soviet past, is often associated with Soviet nostalgia. Feminism, on the other hand, is oftentimes seen as something antithetical to national identity, something that is imported from the West, and something that either has no relevance or can be dangerous, especially when questions of national unity, questions of national defense come about.That is one of the reasons why I embarked on this journey, and this is one of the reasons why Ukraine had to be part of this picture. Because while the other countries that I'm looking at—Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Moldova—experience the threat of invasion, Ukraine is under attack.And one of the things that I'm finding is that Ukrainian leftist feminists are incredibly resourceful and incredibly gifted at articulating their relevance.One of the things that I'm going to say that stems from that understanding of leftist feminism that's erroneous, but that's pervasive, is that Ukrainian leftist feminists do not debate the legitimacy of the Ukrainian state. What is in question is the way things are happening under the conditions of war.The questions of most vulnerable people—so questions of what happens with people with disabilities, questions of what happens to single mothers, questions of what happens to the elderly people who are maybe unable to evacuate, questions of what happens to the working class people—all of these things are at the forefront of their minds. They're trying to be the advocates of their pleas to the larger society, while at the same time trying to articulate Ukraine's right to self-defense to Western leftist feminists.BGG: So they have both this tension, maybe tension is the wrong word, tell me if it isn't, but they have this tension internally where they're trying to advocate for what they see as justice or what is right with a domestic audience who, understandably, may be more frequently focused on what's happening at the front lines.And then there's also this international question, the foreign audience for these Ukrainian leftist feminists, who have a very different perspective on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. And I specifically use that verbiage instead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine because they're going to think about it very differently.So let's split those out a little bit, and I want to start with the domestic. You talked about the advocacy of these leftist feminists for the most marginalized groups in society, for those who are most vulnerable.In your view, where have they been most successful, perhaps? Where have they seen actual progress happen from their advocacy?GB: One of the things that immediately comes to mind, and many of my interlocutors were directly involved with, is the nurses' movement–the unionization and self-organization of the nurses.There is a movement called Be Like Nina, referring to one of the nurses seen as a pioneer of resisting exploitation. And, of course, under the conditions of war, the labor of nurses is incredibly valuable and needed, but not always appropriately compensated. This is what we can call essential labor, especially when we talk about the front lines, where people are wounded.Many of them are wounded very badly on a daily basis. However, there are other things that are happening in the background as well. While a lot of the resources are pulled to the front, there are people who are experiencing regular daily struggles with their health. And the nurses are being stretched very thin.And this was something that was really amazing to me. This was really one of the very few instances where I saw academics who are leftist feminists actually touching the ground with their ideas: where they got involved with helping the nurses organize, but not taking the center stage, where they acted as support, as a resource, but not overtaking the movement, rather creating the conditions under which nurses themselves could articulate what it was that they needed, what their goals were.And that was incredibly impressive to me because healthcare is severely underfunded across the whole region, and to achieve such tangible goals as wage increases and regulations that empower nurses to do their job was truly impressive. With every conversation with a woman—because I specifically talk only to women—I just felt sheer amazement, because this is so contrary to so many imaginations of what civil society, self-organization, or networks are like in Eastern Europe.This is so contrary to what some have called ‘uncivil' society. What is happening is really self-organization and civil society at its best, organized by women who are oftentimes stretched very thin, not just at work, but also at home, women whose husbands are potentially on the front lines.So to me, I really cannot think of anything else that, in terms of real life impact and in terms of transforming people's lives, has been grander (I'm going to go for that word) than this.BGG: That's remarkable, and thank you for bringing that. I had very little idea of this progress and this happening.So you use the term civil society, which I think is quite apt, and Western conceptions of civil society in the region that we call Eastern Europe can be highly misguided. Let's just put it like that. I think back to a webinar that the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS) hosted on Ukrainian civil society, democratization, responses to the war, and we have this comparative Ukrainian and Baltic perspective, where we looked at how Ukrainian civil society was responding.We looked at how Baltic civil society was responding, and you're doing something similar in your research here. You're looking at Latvia and Lithuania as two of the other case studies, in addition to Poland, Moldova, and, of course, Ukraine. One thing that I think we can all observe just from watching the news, let alone being in the countries as well, is that civil society across the region has had this really robust response in the last few years.So could you speak a little bit more to that in the comparative cases outside of Ukraine that you're looking at in your research, especially Latvia and Lithuania?GB: For sure. I think that in order to theorize civil society and the region in general, we need better theory than has been used often to talk about civil society at large.Here, for example, I'm thinking about Emily Channel Justice and her work and the way that she articulates the notion of self-organization. The way that she thinks about Ukraine, especially in the context of Maidan. The way that it left a self-organization, but that can be applied also to any form of civil society, regardless of ideology, is really a network of decentralized, self-organized people's groups.If you were to look for some kind of central organizing pattern, or some kind of centralized way of doing things, most likely you're not going to find it because it's based on personal network, connections, and localized issues. And I think that's definitely something that I'm seeing in Ukraine.One of the things that I'm seeing in Lithuania and Latvia is that it's going to differ slightly because there are going to be more central organizing figures. If we talk about organizing support for Ukraine, one of the things that we're going to see is that people are going to point to nationwide initiatives.Right now in Lithuania, there is an initiative called Radarum, which is a play on words, on radar and on darom, which is a Lithuanian word for let's do it. And it's a nationwide initiative to collect funds to purchase drones and anti-drone equipment for Ukraine. And there are particular faces that we associate with this initiative.National television is running ads for it. So there's a little bit more of a centralized sense to it. But once again, I would say that this is the mainstream way of organizing civil society, which, of course, with Westernization, has taken on some of the patterns that are similar to the West.If we look towards the left, we're going to see very much that it is self-organized, small groups of people who take different initiatives, such as raising funds for medical care, such as raising funds for queer people in Ukraine. So the more mainstream we go, the more patterns that are akin to those that we see in the West we're going to see.That is also going to be true in Latvia. The further left we go, the more organic, grassroots, self-organized cells of people we're going to find who participate in smaller, less visible initiatives. So that's probably the best way that I can explain the difference.BGG: Got it. We see this distinction of centralization and decentralization.One could consider these different types of movements organic in their own ways, but different in different ways. When one thinks of leftist organizing, which has a long and rich history, organic is sort of one of the key words.It's perpetual, and these society-wide initiatives, like what's currently going on in Lithuania, that we've seen across other countries over the last few years, are maybe a little bit less frequent and less common. So there's an important distinction there.So I want to pivot to the international dimension of how the Ukrainian leftist feminists are talking, especially with Western counterparts. And by Western, we mean Western Europe. We mean American and Canadian. We mean Western, as in not Eastern Europe. So could you talk a little bit about the challenges they're facing there?I think I alluded to it earlier. You alluded to it earlier, but could you dive a little bit more into that discourse, that dialogue between the Ukrainians and their counterparts?GB: This is the main point of contention. What does it mean to be leftist? How much does local experience shape being leftist?What is the relationship of the left to the national question? And I think this is where we are seeing the real tension. Underlying this tension, of course, is the question of Russia. Let me try to unpack this. And I'm going to start from the other end than I listed, which is with the question of Russia.Eastern European in general, and Ukrainian in particular, leftist feminists have a very different understanding as to what Russia is in terms of geopolitics than the Western counterparts are going to have. This stems from very different histories. Western leftism—especially the new wave of leftism that arose in the sixties and the seventies—in many ways has redefined itself not just through the questions of class, which I would argue were lost to some extent. They lost their centrality.And they redefined themselves through the anti-colonial, anti-racist struggle. And that struggle was particularly important because after the fall of the formal colonial system, the colonial patterns of economic exploitation, of social exploitation, of brain drain still very much persisted. And naming that and defining themselves against Western neoimperialism or neocolonialism in the Global South was one of the most defining features of the Left, both in the Global South and in the West. Now, Russia at that time had positioned itself as the ally of the colonized countries. And some of it was pure show, and some of it was actual money, resources, and help that were sent, for example, to Angola. And that made a real difference. Whether that was genuine concern for the colonized people or whether that was an ideological tool is a matter of debate.Whatever it was, it had a profound impact on the way that Western leftists relate to Russia. They continue to see Russia out of that tradition, in many ways, as an ally against Western capitalism and imperialism. Their empire, against which they define themselves, continues to be in the West, and oftentimes is seen as centered on the United States.The empire against which we define ourselves in Eastern Europe is Russia, because Russia was the colonizing power in a very real sense in the region. It was our empire that subjugated us. It was the colonial power that engaged in just about every single practice in which any colonial power engages in the region.For us, if we think outside of ourselves, Russia continues to be the colonial power in the way that it relates to Central Asia, in the way that it relates to the indigenous people of Siberia, in the way that it continues to conduct business. So both the left in the West and the left in the East continue to define themselves against the empire, but disagree on who the empire is.The fundamental difference is the question of Russia. Because of the way that Western leftists, and particularly Western leftist feminists, have been taught to see the world, the way that they have been habituated to see the world, they're unable to see Russia as an aggressor. They're unable to change their narrative about how NATO might act.And of course, the criticisms of continued Western abuses of power, especially when they center on the United States—such as Afghanistan or such as Iraq, but also here in the European context, intra-European context, Serbia is another context in which that comes up—are highly debatable questions, but they're seen a certain way. They're understood in a certain way by Western leftists. And because of Russia's criticism of the West, Western leftists see it as a natural ally, or at least as an equally guilty party.BGG: That's a really great explanation. I think the way that you've laid that out makes a lot of sense.It also harkens back to where I want to bring this, which is the debate that has been going on in Baltic studies and other academic fields, especially those focusing on the region, about thinking about Baltic history in particular as a colonial history and thinking about what it means to decolonize Baltic studies as a field, to decolonize our academic thinking. There have been a lot of discussions.I know that we were in the same room at the AABS panel at Yale last year on that fantastic panel about decolonization. Where do you think this leads with regard to your research specifically? There's already this trend in this field. I get the sense that you are an advocate and moving forward in land seeking for the field as a whole to move in that direction.What do you think the next steps are? What paths do you think could be taken? What do people need to be thinking about that they may not already be thinking about?GB: Well, I think for me, the key question when we are talking about Baltic studies and decolonization is what is it that we talk about when we talk about decolonizing Baltic studies or Baltic countries?Because I think sometimes we're talking about four different things. We are talking about the question of colonialism and coloniality. That's one. We are talking about imperialism, Russian imperialism, and Russian imperiality. We are talking about Russification and what it means to de-Russify. And we are also talking about Sovietization and what it means to de-Sovietize.And I would argue that while these four concepts are very much interrelated, they have very different agendas. So, I think it's a question of definitions. How do we define what our agenda is? Which of the four do we have in mind when we talk about decolonizing Baltic countries, Baltic studies, or anything else?And I would say that each of the four has its place and is significant. But the flip side of that, especially if we stay with the question of decolonization, is the question of Western theory, practice, and scholarship as it relates to Baltic studies. Because if we go back to the early questions in the conversation of what is civil society and whether there is a civil society, Baltic countries and the region as a whole are pathologized.Because the concept of what civil society is, or is not, was based on Western understandings and Western practices. And it rendered civil society in the region invisible. In what ways does the production of scholarship and knowledge about the region continue to be based in very unequal power relationships, in such a way that it continues to pathologize the region?And these are very uncomfortable questions, because much like, you know, in the late eighteenth century when the Lithuanian Polish Commonwealth was divided between the three powers, we're facing the same question: Who is our ally? Because we have learned that Russia is definitely not, but the West is also a problematic ally.This is where I think the question of what it means to center the study of the region in the theory, in the practice, in the questions that actually originate from the ground up, are so important. And I'm not ditching all Western scholarship out the window. That would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.But I'm saying, what does it mean to balance? What does it mean to center? What does it mean to change the parameters of the conversation?BGG: Those are some weighty questions. I think they're good questions that the field is, I would say not even starting to engage with, but is engaging with, which is really excellent, but it's a long path.As anyone who is a scholar of decolonization will tell you, it doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen over a decade. It's sort of a continuous process. So, I think that is where we're going to have to leave it, knowing that there is so much more we could have talked about. But, Gražina, thank you so much.This has been a fascinating conversation. Thank you for joining Baltic Ways.GB: Thank you so much for having me, Ben. It's been a privilege.BGG: Thank you for listening to this episode of Baltic Ways, a co-production of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies and the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI). A note that the views expressed in this and every Baltic Ways episode do not necessarily reflect those of AABS or FPRI.To ensure you catch the next episode of Baltic Ways, make sure you're subscribed to your podcast feed or wherever you get your shows. Thanks so much, and we'll see you next time. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe

It's Thursday, April 24th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark India Supreme Court heard appeal about anti-conversion laws India's Supreme Court heard an appeal last week against anti-conversion laws in the country. The advocacy group Citizens for Justice and Peace has filed petitions against such laws since 2020.  Twelve out of India's 28 states have anti-conversion laws. International Christian Concern warns of a “pattern of abuse by Hindu radical groups, who use the laws to initiate false complaints and pressure law enforcement to act against individual Christians and their communities, often without credible evidence.” U.S. military presence in Syria cut in half The United States is preparing to cut its military presence in Syria by half over the coming months. The U.S. military has about 2,000 troops in the Middle Eastern country.  Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon, said, “Recognizing the success the United States has had against ISIS, including its 2019 territorial defeat under President Trump, today the Secretary of Defense directed the consolidation of U.S. forces in Syria under Combined Joint Task Force.” Trump: 145% tariff on Chinese goods will come down On Tuesday, President Donald Trump said that his 145% tariff on imports from China will likely come down. TRUMP:  145% is very high. It won't be that high. We were talking about fentanyl, where various elements built it up to 145%. No, it won't be anywhere near that high. But it won't be zero. Used to be zero. “We were just destroyed. China was taking us for a ride, and it's not going to happen. We're going to be very good to China. Have a great relationship with President Xi. But they would make billions and billions and billions of dollars a year, and they would build their military out of the United States, and what they made. So that won't happen, but they're going to do very well.” White House spokesman Kush Desai told FOX Business that the U.S. is not looking to unilaterally lower tariffs and that China must a agree to a trade deal.  Trump's Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias meets On Tuesday, Trump administration officials held the inaugural meeting of the Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the federal government. Attorney General Pamela Bondi hosted the meeting. BONDI:  “As President Trump has stated, the Biden administration engaged in an egregious pattern of targeting peaceful Christians while ignoring violent, anti-Christian offenses. The President is right. “Biden's Department of Justice abused and targeted Christians. Pro-life Christians were arrested and imprisoned for peacefully praying outside abortion clinics. The FBI spied on traditional Catholics in their parishes. President Biden declared Easter Sunday to be Transgender Day of Visibility. No longer.” Romans 13:3 says, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” 5 million student loan borrowers who stopped paying need to start again The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that it will resume collections of defaulted federal student loans. The Department has not collected on such loans since 2020. Currently, over 42 million borrowers owe more than $1.6 trillion in student debt. And over five million borrowers have not made a monthly payment in the last three years. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said, “American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies.” Notorious abortionist closes Colorado abortion mill The oldest and most notorious abortionist in Colorado announced he is closing his abortion mill. Warren Hern, age 86, opened the Boulder Abortion Clinic in 1975, killing thousands of unborn babies since then. In an interview with Channel 9 in Denver two years ago, Hern described his work of killing babies this way. HERN: “I have always felt this is an extremely important service, and there's never been a time when it's less important.” But you get a fuller appreciation of the mindset of abortionist Hern from a speech he gave via video at a Boulder pro-abortion march on July 9, 2022, just days after Roe v. Wade had been overturned on June 22, 2022. HERN: “The Republican Party is the face of fascism in America. Fox News is the voice of fascism in America. The ideology of this fascism is rooted in the white supremacist, Christian nationalist movement that has taken control of the Republican Party. “Your response to this mortal danger to women and to democracy in America must be to support every Democratic candidate for public office and to defeat every single Republican candidate for public office. Nothing else will do.” Troy Newman with Operation Rescue commented on the closure. He said, “Operation Rescue has some thirty years of history with this clinic – everything from activism on the sidewalk, documenting abortion injuries, filing complaints, and other legal efforts to expose wrongdoing. … We cannot praise God enough for the closure of this monstrous killing center.” Proverbs 10:6-7 says, “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.” Definition of a regular churchgoer A recent study from Lifeway Research found 53% of U.S. adults consider someone a regular churchgoer if they attend services at least weekly. A previous study found a similar amount of Protestant churchgoers agree. However, only 16% of Protestant pastors say that regular churchgoers attend at least once a week. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, noted, “Pastors … are seeing churchgoers attend less often. But when Americans hear ‘regular churchgoer,' they picture someone attending every week or very close to it.” 18.6 million engaged with YouVersion Bible on Resurrection Sunday And finally, the YouVersion Bible app saw a record 18.6 million people engaging with Scripture on Resurrection Sunday this year. That's up 11% compared to last year. Leading up to Resurrection Sunday, Bible engagement increased by over 20% across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Bobby Gruenewald, the CEO of YouVersion Bible app, said they're seeing more interest in the Bible on other days too: “many of our record days for engagement have happened on seemingly ordinary days this year, with no specific reason for the spikes -- except that God is on the move.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, April 24th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Day 1,155.Today, we break down the dramatic collapse of Donald Trump's proposed peace deal for Ukraine. European, Ukrainian, and American officials were scheduled to meet – until everything suddenly unraveled. Is the US stepping back from the negotiation table? Plus, we launch a brand-new segment focusing on Russia's domestic front and explore how the ongoing war is reshaping Central Asia's political and economic landscape.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.James Kilner (Editor of The Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin and The Russia Morning Memo). @jkjourno on X.Content Referenced:James Kilner's Bulletins -The Russian Memo: https://www.thememo.news/The Central Asia and South Caucasus Bulletin: https://www.thememo.news/ Trump to let Putin keep land seized from Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/22/trumps-plan-to-let-putin-keep-land-seized-from-ukraine/Foreign ministers postpone Ukraine peace talks in London (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/23/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-latest-news/ Huge explosion destroys ammunition dump outside Moscow (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/22/huge-explosion-destroys-ammunition-dump-outside-moscow/ Crimean Tatar Mejlis rejects any international recognition of Crimea as Russian (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/crimean-tatar-mejlis-rejects-any-international-recognition-of-crimea-as-russian-chairman-says/?mc_cid=4bb9102bb5&mc_eid=08d0680a95 CNN gets first glimpse of Trump portrait reportedly sent from Putin (CNN):https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/22/world/video/trump-portrait-russia-putin-ldn-digvid Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria spoke with journalist Keith Gessen and scholar Bryn Rosenfeld about their work trying to make sense of Russian public opinion towards the war in Ukraine, and what it means for our understanding of Russian society today.

Earlier this month we saw Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - Central Asian countries that are also members of the Organization of Turkic States - pledge their support for Cyprus' sovereignty. The move followed a meeting with top EU officials in Samarkand, and saw Turkish media describe it as a blow for Turkey. Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of Cyprus' Parliament, Chairman of the “Clerides Institute” and a former Minister of Finance, joins Thanos Davelis as we break down why this is an important diplomatic win, effectively halting Ankara's efforts to use those states as a vehicle for recognition of the occupied northern part of Cyprus.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Central Asian states send envoys to Cyprus, accept UN resolutions on occupied northBanks discovering Greek startupsGreek leaders mourn Pope Francis, praise his moral leadershipPope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shared deep bond

Day 1,149.Today, amid more exchanges of drones and missiles between Ukraine and Russia, we hear about soldiers' experiences directly from the frontline in the east, and discuss the political situation in Kyiv and in Europe as Steve Witcoff meets with President Macron and other key figures in the ‘Coalition of the Willing.'Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XWith thanks to Svitlana Morenets (Staff writer The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.Content Referenced:Event in London on Good Friday:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/europe-on-fire-the-future-of-ukrainian-and-european-defence-tickets-1323679965409Francis's Interview on Silicon Curtain:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25uu4_YHgPQ Interview with Ambassador Mike Carpenter on Biden's decisions:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DeReNhsKg Drone swarm destroyed by new British weapon (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/17/british-army-radio-waves-take-down-drone-swarm/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,147.Today, as Ukraine launches a huge drone attack against Russia's Kursk region, we assess President Trump's remarks that President Zelensky “started” the war, and consider the dark arts of the Kremlin's diplomatic corps.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XRoland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.Content Referenced:Our sister podcast, Battle Lines, looking at wider global affairs:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/Washington: ‘Absurd' for Zelensky to say US is siding with Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/15/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news-kursk/ I Trained With Russian Diplomats. I Can Tell You How They Work (The Moscow Times):https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/14/i-trained-with-russian-diplomats-i-can-tell-you-how-they-work-a88722 Sumy Oblast governor confirms award ceremony plans ahead of Russian strike but denies responsibility (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/sumy-oblast-governor-confirms-award-ceremony-plans-during-russian-strike-but-denies-responsibility/Aides Push Trump to Adopt Tougher Approach With Moscow (The Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/aides-push-trump-to-adopt-tougher-approach-with-moscow-a0d20e65NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,146.Today, as the world reacts to Russia's cluster munition strike on civilians in Sumy, we assess whether Donald Trump's opinion that it was just a ‘mistake' will let Vladimir Putin get away with it, and we hear from our Berlin correspondent on the latest, potentially pivotal, political developments in Germany. Will Taurus missiles make a difference?Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.Content Referenced:Link to Svitlana Morenets' Newsletter:https://www.spectator.co.uk/ukraine/ Trump envoy's ceasefire plan likens Ukraine to defeated Third Reich (The Times):https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/keith-kellogg-ukraine-ceasefire-plan-ukraine-nazis-k3b7bhjkk Ukraine detains instructor plotting killings of training base commanders on Russia's behalf, SBU says (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-detains-russian-agent-plotting-attacks-at-yavoriv-training-base/Germany ready to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/14/germany-friedrich-merz-ready-send-taurus-missiles-ukraine/German Leopard 2 tanks flop on battlefield in Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/14/german-leopard-tanks-vulnerable-drones-ukraine-artillery/Francis on the ‘Beyond Barbarossa' Podcast:https://beyondbarbarossa.podbean.com/e/world-war-2-links-to-ukraine-the-latest-a-conversation-with-francis-dearnley%e2%80%94episode-71/ NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.