Podcasts about Constitutional court

Amy MacIver is joined by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to unpack the City’s landmark legal challenge against the newly passed Public Procurement Act. In a bold move, the City has approached the Constitutional Court, arguing that the Act threatens municipal autonomy, delays service delivery, and undermines local governance Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Grootes speaks to Cedric Soule, counsel for Turkcell, about the company’s opposition to MTN’s Constitutional Court appeal in the long-running US$4.2 billion bribery case. Turkcell filed its opposition to MTN’s application for leave to appeal the recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discussion Highlights:Global demographic megatrends include aging populations, declining fertility rates, and diverging regional population dynamics.Migration patterns involve both forced displacement from conflict zones such as Ukraine and Palestine and labor migration from the Western Balkans, with climate-related movement remaining unpredictable.Depopulation in the Western Balkans is driven by inaccurate census data, economic factors that incentivize emigration, steadily declining fertility rates, and cultural influences on family size.Many countries in the region face labor shortages as plumbers, electricians, and healthcare workers emigrate, prompting policy responses to attract migrant labor, cover an estimated €600 million integration cost in Croatia, and implement language instruction and integration programs.Populist political discourse often exploits public fears about migration, while political leaders frequently show reluctance to acknowledge domestic labor shortages and plan beyond short electoral cycles.Europe's geopolitical context is shaped by U.S.-China competition, the continuation of the war in Ukraine, and uneven or delayed European responses to crises, such as the conflict in Gaza.The current EU enlargement process is critiqued as overly merit-based, and many argue for the package accession of all Western Balkan states, drawing lessons from Croatia's recent membership and anticipating a changing nature of the future European Union.Bosnia and Herzegovina's post-Dayton governance system succeeded in halting widespread violence but remains hampered by persistent power-sharing gridlock, redundant international structures such as the Office of the High Representative, and ongoing challenges in constitutional and education system reforms.Thirty years after Dayton, instances of inter-ethnic violence have remained low since 1995, but schooling and commemorative practices remain fragmented, and domestic dialogue on wartime accountability has stalled.EU integration offers the potential to replace international oversight with European Union frameworks while addressing governance deficits, pervasive corruption, and the need for electoral reforms.About Alida VračićAlida Vračić is a political scientist and lawyer. She co-founded and serves as executive director of Populari, a Sarajevo-based think tank specializing in post-conflict state-building, democratization, good governance, and migration in the Western Balkans. Vračić holds a law degree from the University of Sarajevo and Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, where she specialized in criminal procedure law, an M.Sc. in International Public Policy from University College London, and completed Executive Education for non-government executives at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Before founding Populari in 2007, she worked for the State Court Prosecutor's team in Bosnia, at the Human Rights Commission of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and led Balkan-wide projects at the Human Rights Centre, University of Sarajevo, and the Spanish Institutional Programme. Vračić has been affiliated with several academic and policy institutions, including as a former Europe's Futures fellow at IWM, the European Council on Foreign Relations as a Visiting Fellow, and the German Marshall Fund as a Marshall Memorial Fellow. Further Reading & ResourcesPopulari Think Tank: https://populari.org/en populari.orgIWM Europe's Futures Program (Alida Vračić profile): https://www.iwm.at/europes-futures/fellow/alida-vracic iwm.atECFR Profile (Alida Vračić): https://ecfr.eu/profile/alida-vracic ecfr.eu Ivan Vejvoda is Head of the Europe's Futures program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) implemented in partnership with ERSTE Foundation. The program is dedicated to the cultivation of knowledge and the generation of ideas addressing pivotal challenges confronting Europe and the European Union: nexus of borders and migration, deterioration in rule of law and democracy and European Union's enlargement prospects.The Institute for Human Sciences is an institute of advanced studies in the humanities and social sciences. Founded as a place of encounter in 1982 by a young Polish philosopher, Krzysztof Michalski, and two German colleagues in neutral Austria, its initial mission was to create a meeting place for dissenting thinkers of Eastern Europe and prominent scholars from the West.Since then it has promoted intellectual exchange across disciplines, between academia and society, and among regions that now embrace the Global South and North. The IWM is an independent and non-partisan institution, and proudly so. All of our fellows, visiting and permanent, pursue their own research in an environment designed to enrich their work and to render it more accessible within and beyond academia.For further information about the Institute:https://www.iwm.at/

Send us a textIn this episode of the bureau, following the political developments and crisis in South Korea, Gary, Chris, Daisy, Charlie, and DC talks about the removal of former President Yoon Sukyeol, who was impeached on April 4th, by the Constitutional Court. They also discuss the removal's impacts, and exchanges opinions about the upcoming election. Support the show

In this week's International Report, RFI's Jan van der Made takes a closer look at the recent Romanian elections, in which centrist candidate Nicușor Dan secured a decisive victory over his far-right rival, George Simion.  On 26 May, pro-EU centrist Nicușor Dan was sworn in as President of Romania, having vowed to oppose “isolationism and Russian influence.”Earlier, Dan had emerged victorious in a closely contested election rerun, widely viewed as pivotal for the future direction of the NATO and EU member state of 19 million people, which shares a border with war-torn Ukraine.The vote followed a dramatic decision by Romania's Constitutional Court five months prior to annul a presidential election, citing allegations of Russian interference and the extensive social media promotion of the far-right frontrunner—who was subsequently barred from standing again.Although nationalist and EU-sceptic George Simion had secured a commanding lead in the first round, Dan ultimately prevailed in the second-round run-off.RFI speaks with Claudiu Năsui, former Minister of Economy and member of the Save Romania Union, about the pressing challenges facing the country—from economic reform and political polarisation to the broader implications of the election for Romania's future, including its critical role in supporting Ukraine amid ongoing regional tensions.

As Trump-phobia stokes concert homophobia across the U.S. during Pride season, RuPaul's Drag Race favorite Thorgy Thor weaves classical music into her unique performance style (interviewed by Brian DeShazor). And in NewsWrap: a lesbian couple in Italy can both be legally recognized as the mothers of a child they conceived via in vitro fertilization thanks to a historic Constitutional Court ruling, Moscow's Tagansky District Court levys heavy fines on tech giant Apple for violating laws banning the “promotion” of “non-traditional sexual relations,” a federal judge tries to sidestep a U.S. Supreme Court decision that bans workplace bias based on sexual orientation or gender identity, Iowa's ban on the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in public schools up to the sixth grade can only be applied to mandatory classroom education, U.S. President Donald Trump's “big, beautiful bill” will take gender-affirming healthcare from thousands of transgender people, a new monument to honor the queer victims of the Holocaust in the Paris public gardens near Bastille Plaza, a 55-by-35-foot transgender pride flag was unfurled on the famed El Capitan site in California's Yosemite National Park, and more international LGBTQ+ news reported this week by David Hunt and Nathalie Munoz (produced by Brian DeShazor). All this on the May 26, 2025 edition of This Way Out! Join our family of listener-donors today at http://thiswayout.org/donate/

50 years since the reform that challenged patriarchy in ItalyHow carbon farming is shaping the future of Italian wineBlue Flags 2025 Announced for Italy's Best BeachesRecord year for visitors and revenue at Italy's state museums and archaeological parks in 2024Italy introduces concrete support for young people looking to buy a homeItaly's telemedicine platform aims to transform healthcareAI and archaeology meet in Sardinia's nuragic pastImportant rulings from Italy's Constitutional Court on civil rights Tuscany leads effort to recognize the Italian Via Francigena as UNESCO intangible heritageItalians increasingly turning to used, refurbished, and reconditioned productsUnlocking Italy's export potential: 17,000 new companies ready to go global

Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Metro Shrimp & Grits Thursdays is now available on the Spreaker Player!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, a fed up Supreme Court schooled the Trump administration on the basics of Constitutional law.Then, on the rest of the menu, Trump is 'deeply underwater' on his Wall Street skyscraper as a massive debt deadline looms; a fire at the historic Black church in Memphis was intentionally set; and, the two Israeli Embassy staffers murdered near the White House by a “Free Palestine” activist, had just left the Young Diplomats Reception for multinational aid to Gaza.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where Romania's Constitutional Court unanimously validated the results of Romania's presidential election rerun, shortly after rejecting a request to annul the results by the hard-right Moscow-backed candidate; and, Thailand's ex-Prime Minister Yingluck has been ordered to pay for losses from a money-losing rice subsidy program.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live Player​Keep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“Everyone in this good city enjoys the full right to pursue his own inclinations in all reasonable and, unreasonable ways.” -- The Daily Picayune, New Orleans, March 5, 1851Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.

Ray White speaks with UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist for a global roundup of headline-grabbing stories, starting with the global shift in sentiment around Israel as mounting violence in Gaza and a lack of humanitarian aid spark growing international criticism. In Romania, political drama unfolds as far-right leader George Simion challenges the surprise outcome of the presidential election, alleging foreign interference, vote-buying, and even pressure on Telegram to silence conservative voices, claims now before the Constitutional Court. And finally, some light-hearted news from the world of animated royalty: Peppa Pig has a new baby sister named Evie, revealed in a golden-scroll announcement, and set to make her big screen debut later this month. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray White speaks with UK correspondent Adam Gilchrist for a global roundup of headline-grabbing stories, starting with the global shift in sentiment around Israel as mounting violence in Gaza and a lack of humanitarian aid spark growing international criticism. In Romania, political drama unfolds as far-right leader George Simion challenges the surprise outcome of the presidential election, alleging foreign interference, vote-buying, and even pressure on Telegram to silence conservative voices, claims now before the Constitutional Court. And finally, some light-hearted news from the world of animated royalty: Peppa Pig has a new baby sister named Evie, revealed in a golden-scroll announcement, and set to make her big screen debut later this month. 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa is broadcast on 702, a Johannesburg based talk radio station. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Civil society groups including Blind SA, SECTION27, and the South African Democratic Teachers Union will today picket outside the Constitutional Court to push for two important laws: the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection Amendment Bill. The apex court will hear a case regarding the constitutionality of both Bills. The Bills aim to make it easier for everyone especially people with disabilities, teachers, and artists to access and share creative works fairly. Elvis Presslin spoke to BlindSA President, Christo de Klerk

Litigation has become the go-to weapon to fight unconstitutional laws, lack of service delivery, abuse of power. In this interview with BizNews, constitutional law expert Professor Koos Malan says: “…we have such large scale malfunctioning of the executive, such large scale malfunctioning of the administration, covering each and every aspect of South African society and also having an effect on each and every possible right, specifically constitutional rights, that one can conceive of, that people are actually forced to go to the courts in order to try to seek help.” However, he warns that a court order amounts to “something like a wish” because “the moment you deal with this systemic problem, the courts are actually not in position to give any remedies, to give any real help, any real proper interference that could steer the executive, steer the relevant organ of state, whatever, in a positive direction simply because of the fact that the state has to such an extent crumbled, to use that strong word, that eventually the court's order won't mean anything.” Instead, Professor Malan hails the private sector for “superbly standing in for the failure of the State - also within the justice system”. Professor Malan further describes how the judiciary is “always somehow in step with the dominant elite” - and says: “…let's say for a moment, the African National Congress becomes weaker and the Democratic Alliance becomes stronger. Then the political landscape changes and the changed landscape implies that the Constitutional Court has more leeway, more liberty, not to take into account those risks that might be involved…”

As the Afrikaans language turns 100 today amid great turbulence in Afrikaner politics, Leon Louw, CEO of the Freedom Foundation, expresses doubt that any real Expropriation Without Compensation (EWC) will ever happen in South Africa against white commercial Afrikaans farmers. “I think that probably nothing will come of it. I would bet on it that there will be little or zero Expropriation Without Compensation of a true asset, commercial investment; maybe some abandoned land, maybe some derelict land somewhere that might be some sort of token. They will try a few and they will be so tied up in the Constitutional Court for years and years and years, that'll be the end of it.” He points out that Expropriation Without Compensation of black-owned properties “takes place constantly all the time and has done for a long time”. “It's black people… who don't have land title…” and can't afford to fight it in court. Louw, who is currently working on new research with statisticians, also urges people to get the “actual” statistics on the "real" distribution of wealth and income and land in South Africa. “And it's looking much different from what the popular rhetoric is.” Meanwhile, he advises Afrikaners what to be working and lobbying for that will make black South Africans “become their best friends”.

Today on The Midday Report, host Jane Dutton – standing in for Mandy Wiener – unpacks the major stories making headlines. It’s a significant day in the courts. The Democratic Alliance (DA) is challenging employment equity targets set by the Labour Minister, arguing that the quotas could force employers to dismiss workers who don’t meet the criteria. Former Free State premier Ace Magashule's PA Moroadi Cholota is back at the Bloemfontein High Court to challenge her extradition from the US to face charges relating to an asbestos removal scam. Meanwhile, at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal in Sandton, forensic and legal linguist Dr Zakeera Docrat testified that messages between Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge and High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo shifted from a professional tone to a sexual one. In other news, the Constitutional Court is expected to deliver judgment today in the DA’s challenge to the constitutionality of the Citizenship Act. A memorial service is also being held to mark one year since the tragic George Building Collapse. Lastly, the City of Cape Town has received a credit rating upgrade from Moody’s Ratings. All this and more. Listen live - The Midday Report with Mandy Wiener is broadcast on weekdays from noon to 1pm on 702 and CapeTalk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Adie presents stories from Israel and Gaza, China, Romania, Bolivia and the Vatican City.In Gaza and Israel people have been taking to the streets to demand an end to the war. The protests have taken different forms, and as Paul Adams notes, also involve very different risks.Amid the on-going trade war between China and the US, Laura Bicker speaks to Chinese traders at one of the world's biggest wholesale markets in Yiwu, to find out how Donald Trump's tariffs are affecting business.After election results were annulled in Romania last year, the country faces a rerun this Sunday. The political chaos that followed the Constitutional Court's decision left a sour taste among many voters, finds Tessa Dunlop, who met people from across the political spectrum in Bucharest.The Bolivian city of Potosi was once at the heart of the Spanish empire, thanks to the discovery of a mountain of silver in the 16th Century. Carolyn Lamboley paid a visit to the city, which is now a shell of what it was and met some of the miners who still work in the region.Rome's trattorias and cafes are bustling with cardinals and their supporters as they deliberate the kind of leader they want as their new Pope. Veteran BBC Vatican correspondent, David Willey, has been observing the hushed conversations ahead of the Conclave which gathers in the Vatican on Wednesday.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

On behalf of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region and its National Security Task Force the Hoover Institution held a Taiwan Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:00 pm PT. Taiwan is facing a potential constitutional crisis. In December 2024, Taiwan's opposition-controlled legislature voted to impose a 2/3 supermajority quorum for the Constitutional Court to hear new cases. The legislature then voted down all the new nominees to the Court, leaving it with only 8 of members and unable to meet the new quorum requirement. The government has appealed to the Court to meet anyway and rule that the new amendments are unconstitutional. In this discussion, three experts on Taiwan's politics and judicial system discuss the factors leading up to this confrontation, the options facing the court, and the potential for deeper reforms to strengthen judicial independence in the face of a deepening confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS Chien-Chih Lin is an associate research professor at Institutum Iurisprudentiae, Academia Sinica and an associate professor at the Graduate Institute of National Development, National Taiwan University. He received the LLM & JSD degrees from the University of Chicago. His academic interests focus on comparative constitutional law in Asia. Lin is the coauthor ofConstitutional Convergence in East Asia (2022) and Ultimate Economic Conflict between China and Democratic Countries (2022). His articles can be found in both peer-reviewed and student-edited law journals as well as edited volumes, including Oxford Handbook of Constitutional Law in Asia, American Journal of Comparative Law, and International Journal of Constitutional Law. He is the book review editor of International Journal of Constitutional Law. Weitseng Chen is a faculty member at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law, specializing in law and economic development, law and politics, and legal history in the context of Greater China. He has recently published several books, including Regime Type and Beyond: The Transformation of Police in Asia (CUP, 2023), Authoritarian Legality in Asia: Formation, Development and Transition (CUP, 2019), The Beijing Consensus? How China Has Changed the Western Ideas of Law and Economic Development (CUP, 2017), Property and Trust Law: Taiwan (with Yun-Chien Chang & Y. J. Wu, Kluwer, 2017), and Law and Economic Miracle: Interaction Between Taiwan's Development and Economic Laws After WWII (in Chinese, 2000). Weitseng Chen earned his JSD from Yale Law School. Prior to joining NUS, he served as a Hewlett Fellow at Stanford's Center for Democracy,Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) and practiced as a corporate lawyer in the Greater China region with Davis Polk & Wardwell. Kharis Templeman is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and part of the Project on Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific. Templeman is a political scientist (Ph.D. 2012, Michigan) with research interests in Taiwan politics, democratization, elections and election management, party system development, and politics and security issues in Pacific Asia.

Graeme Raubenheimer is joined by investigative journalist Sam Sole from amaBhungane to unpack his explosive analysis of the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) escalating legal war with Ibex, formerly Steinhoff. Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is the late afternoon show on CapeTalk. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, in an attempt to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live – Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is broadcast weekdays between 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/audio-podcasts/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graeme Raubenheimer is joined by Nabeelah Mia, Head of the Penal Reform and Detention Monitoring Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights, to unpack the Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling that prisoners must be allowed to use personal laptops in their cells for study purposes.  Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is the late afternoon show on CapeTalk. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, in an attempt to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live – Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is broadcast weekdays between 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/audio-podcasts/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband, about the long-running litigation between MTN Group and Turkcell, now headed to South Africa's Constitutional Court over allegations of bribery and irregularities in securing an Iranian licence. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.Thank you for listening to The Money Show podcast.Listen live - The Money Show with Stephen Grootes is broadcast weekdays between 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) on 702 and CapeTalk.There’s more from the show at www.themoneyshow.co.zaSubscribe to the Money Show daily and weekly newslettersThe Money Show is brought to you by Absa.Follow us on:702 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702702 on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702702 on Instagram: www.instagram.com/talkradio702702 on X: www.x.com/Radio702702 on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@radio702CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Romania is about to re-run a high-stakes presidential election, fuelled by a political crisis that has engulfed the country for the last five months. At the end of November, the ultranationalist Calin Georgescu sent shockwaves through the EU by winning the first round of the vote. But the Constitutional Court annulled the result in December, because of allegations of electoral violations and manipulation through social media. Indeed, the role played by TikTok has come under intense scrutiny, with the European Commission now saying that it has grounds to suspect that the platform was in breach of its obligations under the EU's Digital Services Act.

A cancelled election, a cancelled candidate and a divided country – is Romania's democracy under threat?Last December the country's Constitutional Court cancelled the presidential election two days before the final vote, citing outside interference, with the nationalist pro-Putin candidate, Calin Georgescu, riding high in the polls. TikTok sensation and portraying himself as an outsider, Georgescu's anti-EU and anti-NATO message resonated with an unhappy electorate. His sudden success was unprecedented, as was the cancelation of a European democratic election.The political establishment claim that cyberwarfare and Russian interference gave them no choice. Georgescu has now been eliminated from May's Presidential re-run.Historian Tessa Dunlop asks how this happened, why it matters and what next for this strategically important country on the eastern edge of the EU and NATO?

A cancelled election, a cancelled candidate and a divided country – is Romania's democracy under threat? Last December the country's Constitutional Court cancelled the presidential election two days before the final vote, citing outside interference, with the nationalist pro-Putin candidate, Calin Georgescu, riding high in the polls. TikTok sensation and portraying himself as an outsider, Georgescu's anti-EU and anti-NATO message resonated with an unhappy electorate. His sudden success was unprecedented, as was the cancelation of a European democratic election. The political establishment claim that cyberwarfare and Russian interference gave them no choice. Georgescu has now been eliminated from May's Presidential re-run. Historian Tessa Dunlop asks how this happened, why it matters and what next for this strategically important country on the eastern edge of the EU and NATO?Presenter: Dr. Tessa Dunlop Producer: John Murphy Studio Mix: James Beard Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman Series Editor: Penny Murphy

The Constitutional Court's new power for banning parties, the former FSB lieutenant's interview, plans on adding Chinese language to Georgian schools, Tea Tsulukiani's comments about Georgia's national hero, the Reporters Without Borders article, and much more! Thanks for tuning in!Let us know what you think and what we can improve on by emailing us at info@rorshok.com You can also contact us through Instagram @rorshok_georgia or Twitter @RorshokGeorgiaLike what you hear? Subscribe, share, and tell your buds.French journalists refused an entry to Georgia: https://rsf.org/en/georgia-two-french-journalists-turned-away-border-authoritarianism-hardensRorshok Updates: https://rorshok.com/updates/We want to get to know you! Please fill in this mini-survey: https://forms.gle/NV3h5jN13cRDp2r66Wanna avoid ads and help us financially? Follow the link: https://bit.ly/rorshok-donate

Ralph speaks to Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank about the Trump Administration's path of destruction in our federal government. Then, Ralph welcomes legendary public interest lawyer Alan Morrison to discuss the President's authority to impose tariffs and other constitutional questions.Dana Milbank is a nationally syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post. He also provides political commentary for various TV outlets, and he is the author of five books on politics, including the New York Times bestseller The Destructionists and the national bestseller Homo Politicus. His latest book is Fools on the Hill: The Hooligans, Saboteurs, Conspiracy Theories and Dunces who Burned Down the House.I shouldn't be amazed, but Mike Johnson never ceases to amaze me with the rapidity with which he'll just drop to his knees whenever Trump says something.Dana MilbankWe're going to know this shortly, but it does appear that Trump's honeymoon may be over in the House as the conservatives finally seem to be finding their backbones. But I've thought that might happen before and then only to find out that they, in fact, they could not locate their backbones. So I don't want to be premature.Dana MilbankTrump seems to be gambling (and the administration seems to be gambling) that ultimately the Supreme Court is going to a wholesale reinterpretation of the Constitution to grant these never-before-seen executive powers, and it's possible that he's right about that. We're not going to know that. There have been a couple of preliminary rulings that seem friendly to Trump, but none of those is final, so we can't really be sure of it.Dana MilbankMy guess is that Chief Justice Roberts is seeing his legacy heading toward the ditch after his decision of Trump v. United States, where he said that Presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted….My guess is he's going to unpleasantly surprise Trump in the coming months.Ralph NaderAlan Morrison is the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest & Public Service at George Washington Law School. He currently teaches civil procedure and constitutional law, and previously taught at Harvard, NYU, Stanford, Hawaii, and American University law schools. He has argued 20 cases in the Supreme Court and co-founded the Public Citizen Litigation Group in 1972, which he directed for more than 25 years.It's inevitable that even for a non-economist like myself to understand that [the costs of tariffs] are going to be passed on. Other than Donald Trump, I don't think there's anybody who believes that these taxes are not going to be passed on and that they're going to be borne by the country from which the company did the exporting.Alan MorrisonIt's an uphill battle on both the statutory interpretation and the undue delegation grounds, but our position is rather simple: If the Congress doesn't write a statute so that there's something that the government can't order or do, then it's gone too far. In effect, it has surrendered to the President its power to set policy and do the legislative function. Interestingly, Trump has trumpeted the breadth of what he's doing here. He calls it a revolution. Well, if we have revolutions in this country, my copy of the Constitution says that the Congress has to enact revolution and the President can't do it on its own. So we think we've got a pretty strong case if we can get it to court.Alan MorrisonOne of the things that I've been struck by is that laws alone cannot make this country governable. That we can't write laws to cover every situation and every quirk that any person has, especially the President. We depend on the norms of government—that people will do things not exactly the way everybody did them before, but along the same general lines, and that when we make change, we make them in moderation, because that's what the people expect. Trump has shed all norms.Alan MorrisonNews 4/9/251. Our top story this week is the killing of Omar Mohammed Rabea, an American citizen in Gaza. Known as Amer, the BBC reports the 14-year-old was shot by the Israeli military along with two other 14-year-old boys “on the outskirts of Turmus Ayya” on Sunday evening. Predictably, the IDF called these children “terrorists.” According to NJ.com – Rabea formerly resided in Saddle Brook, New Jersey – Rabea's uncle sits on the board of a local Palestinian American Community Center which told the press “The ambulance was not allowed to pass the checkpoint for 30 minutes, a denial in medical treatment that ultimately resulted in Amer's death…[his] death was entirely preventable and horrifically unjust. He was a child, a 14-year-old boy, with an entire life ahead of him.” The Rachel Corrie Foundation, founded in honor of the American peace activist killed by an Israeli bulldozer while protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home, issued a statement reading “Rabea's death…was perpetuated by Israeli settlers who act with impunity…We believe that if our own government demanded accountability…Rabea would still be alive.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi demanding an investigation, but chances of the Trump administration pursuing justice in this case are slim.2. Meanwhile, President Trump seems to be driving the U.S. economy into a deep recession. Following his much-publicized tariff announcement last week – which included 10% tariffs on uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands – the S&P dipped by 10.5%, among the largest drops in history, per the New York Times. Far from making Trump back off however, he appears dead set on pushing this as far as it will go. After the People's Republic of China responded to the threat of a 54% tariff with a reciprocal 34% tariff, Trump announced the U.S. will retaliate by upping the tariff to a whopping 104% on Chinese imports, according to the BBC. Reuters reports that JP Morgan forecasts a 60% chance of a recession as a result of these tariffs.3. In more foreign affairs news, on Friday April 4th, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially removed from office by that country's Constitutional Court, “ending months of uncertainty and legal wrangling after he briefly declared martial law in December,” per CNN. The South Korean parliament had already voted to impeach Yoon in December of 2024. The court's decision was unanimous and characterized the leader's actions as a “grave betrayal of the people's trust.” Upon this ruling being handed down, Yoon was forced to immediately vacate the presidential residence. A new election is scheduled for June 3rd. Incredible what a political and judicial class unafraid to stand up to lawlessness can accomplish.4. Speaking of ineffectual opposition parties, one need look no further than Texas' 18th congressional district. This safe Democratic district – including most of central Houston – was held by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from 1995 until her death in 2024. According to the Texas Tribune, Lee planned to run yet again in 2024, triumphing over her 43-year-old former aide Amanda Edwards in the primary. However, Lee passed in July of 2024. Edwards again sought the nomination, but the Harris County Democratic Party instead opted for 69-year-old former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, per the Texas Tribune. Turner made it to March of 2025 before he too passed away. This seat now sits vacant – depriving the residents of central Houston of congressional representation and the Democrats of a vote in the House. Governor Gregg Abbot has announced that he will not allow a special election before November 2025, the Texas Tribune reports. This is a stunning Democratic own-goal and indicative of the literal death grip the gerontocratic old guard continue to have on the party.5. One ray of hope is that Democratic voters appear to be waking up the ineffectual nature of the party leadership. A new Data for Progress poll of the 2028 New York Senate primary posed a hypothetical matchup between incumbent Senator Chuck Schumer and Democratic Socialist firebrand Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – and found AOC with a staggering lead of 19 points. This poll showed AOC winning voters under 45 by 50 points, over 45s by eight points, non-college educated by 16 points, college educated by 23 points, Black and white voters by 16 points, and Latinos by 28. Schumer led among self-described “Moderates” by 15 and no other group. It remains to be seen whether the congresswoman from Queens will challenge the Senate Minority Leader, but this poll clearly shows her popularity in the state of New York, and Schumer's abysmal reputation catching up with him.6. Another bright spot from New York, is Zohran Mamdani's mayoral candidacy and specifically his unprecedented field operation. According to the campaign, between April 1st and April 6th, volunteers knocked on 41,591 doors. No mayoral campaign in the history of the city has generated a grassroots movement of this intensity, with politicians traditionally relying on political machines or enormous war chests to carry them to victory. Mamdani has already reached the public financing campaign donation cap, so he can focus all of his time and energy on grassroots outreach. He remains the underdog against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, but his campaign appears stronger every day.7. Turning to the turmoil in the federal regulatory apparatus, POLITICO reports Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has eliminated the Freedom of Information Act offices at the Centers for Disease Control, and other HHS agencies. An anonymous source told the publication that HHS will consolidate its FOIA requests into one HHS-wide office, but “Next steps are still in flux.” In the meantime, there will be no one to fulfill FOIA requests at these agencies. This piece quotes Scott Amey, general counsel at the Project on Government Oversight, who said this “sends a wrong message to the public on the administration's commitment to transparency.” Amey added, “I often say that FOIA officers are like librarians in knowing the interactions of the agency…If you don't have FOIA officers with that specific knowledge, it will slow down the process tremendously.”8. At the Federal Trade Commission, Axios reports the Trump administration has “paused” the FTC's lawsuit against major pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, related to “the drug middlemen…inflating the price of insulin and driving up costs to diabetes patients.” The case, filed against CVS Caremark, OptumRx and Express Scripts was halted by the FTC in light of “the fact that there are currently no sitting Commissioners able to participate in this matter.” That is because Trump unlawfully fired the two remaining Democratic commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter. In a statement, former FTC Chair Lina Khan called this move “A gift to the PBMs.”9. One federal regulatory agency that seems to be at least trying to do their job is the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the American Prospect, the FAA has “[has] proposed [a] rule that would mandate Boeing update a critical communications malfunction in their 787 Dreamliner plane that could lead to disastrous accidents.” As this piece explains, “very high frequency (VHF) radio channels are transferring between the active and standby settings without flight crew input.” The FAA's recommendation in is that Boeing address the issue with an update to the radio software. Yet disturbingly, in one of the comments on this proposed rule Qatar Airways claims that, “[they have] already modified all affected…airplanes with … [the recommended software updates] …However … flight crew are still reporting similar issues.” This comment ends with Qatar Airways stating that they believe, “the unsafe condition still exists.” Boeing planes have been plagued by critical safety malfunctions in recent years, most notably the 2018 and 2019 crashes that killed nearly 350 people.10. Finally, on a somewhat lighter note, you may have heard about Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur dubbed “The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.” Johnson has attracted substantial media attention for his unorthodox anti-aging methods, including regular transfusions of plasma from his own son. But this story is not about Johnson's bizarre immortality obsession, but rather his unsavory corporate practices. A new piece in New York Magazine focuses on the lawsuits filed against Johnson by his all-too-mortal workers, represented by eminent labor lawyer Matt Bruenig. This piece relays how Johnson “required his staffers to sign 20-page NDAs,” and an “opt-in” document which informed his employees they had to be comfortable “being around Johnson while he has very little clothing on” and “discussions for media production including erotica (for example, fan fiction including but not limited to story lines/ideas informed by the Twilight series and-or 50 Shades of Grey.)” Bruenig says, “That stuff is weird,” but his main interest is in the nondisparagement agreements, including the one Johnson's former employee and former fiancée Taylor Southern entered into which has further complicated an already thorny legal dispute between Johnson and herself. Now Bruenig is fighting for Southern and against these blanket nondisparagement agreements in a case that could help define the limits of employer's power to control their workers' speech. Hopefully, Bruenig will prevail in showing that Johnson, whatever his pretensions, truly is a mere mortal.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In this week's episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha unpack a dramatic week in South Korea's economic and political landscape. They begin with U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt reversal on “reciprocal tariffs,” which briefly calmed global markets on Thursday but left South Korea bracing for more uncertainty. John explains how bond yields, stock prices and investor sentiment all flashed warning signs before Trump hit pause. The trio then turns to South Korea's fast-moving presidential race, now officially underway after last week's Constitutional Court decision to uphold former President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. With public officials required to resign 30 days before party primaries, major political figures are stepping forward — including Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo and Ahn Cheol-soo — with more expected to join in the days ahead. Finally, they preview a key date on the calendar: April 15, when the U.S. Department of Energy will formally designate South Korea as a “sensitive country,” a move that could reshape bilateral energy cooperation and tech export controls. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

Hundreds of runners took to the streets of Pyongyang as North Korea hosted its premier international marathon race for the first time in six years on Sunday.  NK News Senior Analytic Correspondent Colin Zwirko joins the podcast to discuss what this means for the future of tourism in the country as the event marked the first time that non-Russian visitors were allowed to visit Pyongyang for leisure since the DPRK shut its borders in Jan. 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  He also discusses how North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was reportedly busy watching military drills simulating an attack on his neighbor to the south as the Constitutional Court announced its decision to uphold the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

Trump imposed taxes on goods sent from basically every other country in the world and the stock market is suffering for it. Hungary pulled out of the International Criminal Court to invite Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit. And South Korea's Constitutional Court approved Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, with the government setting new elections. Then, in Have You Heard Headlines, Erin & Jake go through the rest of the week's stories to keep you in the know about what else is happening out there in the world. This podcast turns into an article summary at each week's episode over on Substack. We'd love for you to subscribe! You can also follow us on Instagram (@staywithmeherepod), Facebook, or Bluesky (@swmhpod.bsky.social).Stay With Me Here is an independent project, and all views and opinions expressed in this show, and in this writeup, represent our personal views and not that of any organization we're affiliated with. Erin Flanagan is a former U.S. Coast Guard intelligence officer and Agence France-Presse digital investigations journalist.Jacob Shropshire is an editorial intern at Worldcrunch and the managing editor of Peacock Media at the American University of Paris. He spent two years working for Democratic political campaigns in the U.S.Liam Kuhns provided editing assistance for the podcast.

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Yoojin Kim, Andrew Yeo, and Darcie Draudt-Véjares discussed the analysis of the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

On campus, the month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Month and for the first time, Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month. There will be many themed events and workshops this month.To kick off Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Month, on Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. there will be a community mixer outside the University Bookstore.Celebrating the first Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month on campus, an exhibit titled “A Country Called Syria" will open on Tuesday in the University Student Union Art Gallery. Then on Thursday join a cultural workshop for MENA Heritage Month at noon in USU room 304 to indulge in henna calligraphy and embroidery with guided instructions.The Women's and Gender Equity Center along with Planned Parenthood are hosting the Consent and Healthy Relationships workshop in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The event will span from noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8 in USU room 205.The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is this weekend with events spanning from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13. Aside from racing and drifting there will be food trucks and a concert for full family fun. This event will affect traffic in the downtown area, as Shoreline Drive will be closed and heavy traffic is expected due to the crowds.Starting on Friday, April 10, China will retaliate against the United States' rise in tariffs against them with a 34% tariff on all imports. In the same announcement, China declared export controls on 16 American companies which will prevent the export of Chinese dual-use items.After an 18-month investigation, British Police charged actor and comedian Russel Brand with five different counts of rape and assault on Friday, April 4. In Sept. 2023 four women came forward and shared their claims of assault by Brand. The alleged assaults happened between the years of 1999 and 2005, although Brand denies all claims. His court date is set for May 2 in London.The Constitutional Court of South Korea voted to remove their president from office on Friday, April 4. President Yoon Suk Yeol had been suspended since Dec. 2024 when the South Korean Parliament voted to impeach him. The Court's unanimous vote sealed the impeachment. Acting president and court member Moon Hyung-bae criticized Yoon's behavior and actions in office by saying he “violated the principles of the rule of law and democracy.”Host: Gianna EcheverriaEditor: Aidan SwanepoelProducers: El Nicklin, Aidan SwanepoelLike, comment, and follow us on your favorite platform for more content!Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-beach-current-podcasts/id1488484518Spotify⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4HJaqJep02kHeIQy8op1n1⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcasthttps://overcast.fm/itunes1488484518/long-beach-current-podcasts

John Maytham is joined by Danny Masimene, President of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment, to unpack how the collapse of the 30% subcontracting rule has fuelled extortion, violence, and project delays in South Africa’s construction sector. Masimene explains how a once-promising empowerment policy was derailed, and how new legislation and formalising black business forums could help restore order and drive real transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Jeongmin hosts professors Erik Mobrand and Cho Hee-kyung for a quick-fire Korea Pro briefing analyzing the historic Constitutional Court ruling on Friday that removed President Yoon Suk-yeol from office — making him the second South Korean president impeached and removed by the court. Jeongmin kicks off with a comprehensive 10-minute summary of the Constitutional Court's ruling, detailing how the justices unanimously voted to uphold Yoon's impeachment and explaining the language they used in their decisive verdict.  Jeongmin summarizes the court's extensive deliberation process, and outlines how the justices structured their evaluation around five specific grounds for impeachment. She explains how the court comprehensively rejected almost all of Yoon's defenses, including his claim that the martial law was merely a “warning” or a “plea” with no legal basis in the constitution. Professor Cho explains the reasons behind the court's unanimous ruling and the political context behind the decision's delay. She discusses how the timing may have been influenced by the appellate court's March decision to acquit main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung of his election law violation conviction, along with how the justices evaluated contested witness testimony and hearsay evidence differently than in a criminal proceeding. Professor Mobrand examines the political implications of Yoon's removal, arguing that the democratic resilience shown by ordinary citizens created a powerful check on executive overreach. He challenges the framing of South Korea's society as simply “polarized,” suggesting that specific politicians have deliberately exacerbated divisions rather than this reflecting deep societal rifts. The panel explores why the military largely refused to fully implement Yoon's martial law orders, institutional weaknesses exposed by this constitutional crisis, and what reforms are most urgently needed — including reducing concentrated power in the presidential office and prosecutorial authority. Erik Mobrand is a professor of Korean Studies at Seoul National University's Graduate School of International Studies, an expert on political transformation in Korea with a focus on the interplay of informal power and formal institutions. Cho Hee-kyung is a professor at Hongik University's College of Law whose research spans international economic law, intellectual property, human rights and media law. Editor's Note: During the discussion, Professor Cho referred to the appellate Seoul High Court that handed down the verdict on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on March 26 erroneously as the Supreme Court. This clarification has been noted for accuracy. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on the night of Friday, April 4, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

President Yoon Suk-yeol has been officially removed from office following a unanimous ruling by the Constitutional Court, four months after his attempt to impose martial law. The landmark decision has triggered mass celebrations across the country, but it has also ignited fierce debate among voters over the future of South Korean politics.

South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously voted to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office. This after months of deliberation following Yoon's declaration of martial law. But although the court has made its decision, experts say the turmoil and political polarization that have erupted in South Korea over the last few months, aren't going anywhere. Also, in Ghana, a meningitis outbreak is ravaging communities, partly because the new strain is particularly dangerous, and partly due to societal obstacles, like misinformation and infrastructure woes. And, the international basketball players who are advancing to the March Madness tournament's semifinals.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday for his controversial declaration of martial law citing “pro-North” domestic forces, raising questions about the future of inter-Korean relations.  This week's episode discusses Yoon's justification of martial law as a response to perceived North Korean threats, why North Korea may be taking a relatively cautious approach in its reaction to the ROK president's impeachment and what to expect from both Koreas in the coming months.  This episode features: Christopher Green, a consulting analyst with International Crisis Group Shreyas Reddy, Lead Correspondent at NK News About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

April 4, 2025 - Join us for this rapid reaction program held soon after the ruling of South Korea's Constitutional Court on the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. If the impeachment motion is upheld, the country will have 60 days to hold a presidential election. How will the outcome of the case affect Korea's democracy and society, U.S.-Korea relations, inter-Korean relations, and Korea's regional relations with countries such as Japan, China, and Russia? Join us for a discussion with Ambassador (Ret.) Philip Goldberg, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Tokyo bureau chief for The Washington Post, covering Japan and the Koreas. Korea Society President and CEO Thomas Byrne will provide introductory remarks. The discussion is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado and policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre. This program is made possible by the generous support of our individual and corporate members and the Korea Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/item/1991-the-verdict-on-korea-s-presidential-impeachment-case

Qatar refutes claims of paying to disrupt Israel-Hamas negotiations Qatar condemned and rejected allegations that it made "financial payments" to undermine efforts by Egypt and mediators in talks between Hamas and Israel for a ceasefire in Gaza. It affirmed that "these allegations are baseless and serve only the agendas of those who seek to sabotage the mediation efforts and undermine relations between nations," it added. Doha "remains committed to its humanitarian and diplomatic role as a mediator between the relevant parties to end this devastating war and is working closely with Egypt in our efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and protect civilian lives," it stressed. Brown University hit with $500M funding freeze amid Gaza protest The Trump administration plans to halt over $500M in contracts and grants to Brown University over its response to alleged anti-Semitism, a White House official said. It comes two days after the Trump administration halted research grants at Princeton University and began reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants awarded to Harvard University. Dozens of other universities are facing federal investigations following a wave of pro-Palestine and anti-genocide protests last year, but the administration has focused special attention on elite colleges. Palestine urges UN to act against Israel's land grab in Gaza Palestine's ongoing envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, urged the UN Security Council to act against what he described as Israel's ongoing annexation of Palestinian land under the guise of security operations. Mansour warned that failure to act would deepen Palestine's despair and reinforce perceptions that the world is abandoning them. Mansour stressed that Israel is prioritising territorial expansion over the release of hostages, saying ""Israel's true objective is not the release of the hostages but stealing Palestinian land." South Korea's Constitutional Court ousts impeached President Yoon South Korea's Constitutional Court decided to oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, upholding parliament's impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year. With Yoon's ouster on Friday, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days, according to the country's constitution. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated. Turkish finance minister vows to enhance economic ties with EU Türkiye and the EU developed a consensus on enhancing economic relations and increasing cooperation in all areas, Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said. The EU and Türkiye held the first High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) meeting in six years in Brussels on Thursday. Issues such as the modernisation of the Customs Union and visa facilitation were also discussed between the two sides. "In the government-to-government session, the parties reviewed the latest economic policy developments and prospects in Türkiye and the EU, amid a challenging and highly uncertain global outlook," it added.

South Korea will hold snap elections within 60 days after the Constitutional Court voted unanimously to remove impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol from office (01:05). Canada and Mexico have vowed to protect their industries after U.S. auto tariffs took effect (14:56). And Friday marks the beginning of the Qingming Festival holiday in China, a time for people to honor their ancestors and make short trips (09:03).

In this week's episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha dive into another turbulent week for South Korea's politics and economy. They start with U.S. President Donald Trump's latest trade policy: a 10% “baseline” tariff on all countries, combined with “reciprocal” tariffs on many trade partners. South Korea was hit particularly hard with a 26% rate, leading to a dip in local markets. Next, they unpack the results of South Korea's recent by-elections, where progressive parties came out on top. Despite fierce competition between the main opposition Democratic Party and the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, the ruling People Power Party suffered major losses — a setback partly attributed to Yoon's impeachment hearing and the government's response to recent wildfires. They also discuss the Constitutional Court's announcement that it will issue its ruling on Yoon's impeachment on Friday, April 4. The decision comes after a prolonged deliberation period, raising questions about possible divisions among the justices. Looking ahead, as South Korea braces for social unrest regardless of the ruling, Korea Pro will hold a public webinar just hours after the Constitutional Court's Friday ruling to break down the verdict and its implications for the country. Listeners can RSVP at events.koreapro.org. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In this week's episode, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down a dramatic week in South Korean politics, trade and disaster response. They begin with the Constitutional Court's decision to reinstate Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reversing his December impeachment. The ruling found Han's failure to appoint Constitutional Court justices unconstitutional — but not impeachable. Next, the trio discusses the Seoul High Court's acquittal of main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on election law charges. With prosecutors appealing the case to the Supreme Court and the presidential race heating up, they assess how the ruling all but secures Lee's path to the presidency. Then they unpack U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping 25% tariff on all autos and parts, citing national security to sidestep trade deals like the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. They break down what this means for South Korea's trade relations with the U.S. and how firms like Hyundai and Korean Air are scrambling to safeguard U.S. market access with massive investment and purchase pledges. Finally, they turn to the worst wildfire in South Korea's history. With at least 27 people dead, historical landmarks destroyed and vast farmland scorched, the fire has exposed the nation's demographic vulnerabilities — including senior firefighters battling relentless flames — and raised urgent questions about the state of rural infrastructure and long-term agricultural recovery. Looking ahead: South Korea is set to resume short selling on March 31, and the U.S. will unveil its new “reciprocal tariffs” policy on April 2. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly 15-minute conversation hosted by Editorial Director Jeongmin Kim (@jeongminnkim) and Editor John Lee (@koreanforeigner), diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Audio edited by Gaby Magnuson

In November, a far right, pro-Russia figure came from almost nowhere to become favourite for the presidency. Calin Georgescu, with no affiliated political party and whose campaign had been largely on social media, won the first round of Presidential elections in Romania. The result sent shockwaves across the continent. But serious allegations surfaced over the legitimacy of Georgescu's campaign, resulting in Romania's Constitutional Court annulling the vote and barring Georgescu from standing. After mass demonstrations across the country, it's clear Romania's political landscape has been upended. Ahead of the rerun of the vote for president on 4 and 18 May, what will happen now with Romania's elections? Will the country lean towards a more nationalist future or back the mainstream parties that were previously in power?Contributors: Veronica Anghel, assistant professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at The European University Institute, Italy Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the GlobalFocus Center, associated expert at Carnegie Europe and associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations, Romania Dr Radu Cinpoes, associate professor of politics and international relations at the University of Greenwich, United Kingdom Costin Ciobanu, political scientist with Aarhus University, DenmarkPresenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Vicky Carter Researcher: Katie Morgan Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermott

South Korea's Constitutional Court took a crucial step away from national suicide today. It rejected the impeachment of the county's acting president approved by the country's communist-dominated parliament.  It remains to be seen if the Court will do the same for the actual, elected president, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached for declaring martial law in the face of parliamentary subversion. As the South Korean people have recognized the threat to their freedoms posed by the so-called Democratic People's Party that now dominates and weaponizes the legislature, they have launched massive demonstrations calling for President Yoon's exoneration. The Chinese Communist Party's fingerprints are all over this constitutional crisis. Its threat to the Western Pacific would metastasize enormously if a vital American ally is taken out. Let us pray that the Constitutional Court stands in the gap once again and with President Yoon.  This is Frank Gaffney.

South Korea's Constitutional Court has rejected the impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

D-day is rapidly approaching for South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, with the Constitutional Court expected to rule on whether to uphold his impeachment in the next week. Whatever the court decides, it will have profound implications for not just domestic politics but also North Korea policy and peninsula security. To better understand what's on the horizon, NK Pro recently hosted a discussion with two experts on the Koreas: Andrei Lankov, a leading authority on North Korean studies, and Jumin Lee, a U.S.-based attorney and contributing analyst at Korea Pro. The experts explore a wide range of possible scenarios, from what a Lee Jae-myung presidency would look like to how North Korea would respond to the political chaos that would unfold if Yoon returns to power. Andrei Lankov is a director at NK News and writes for the site as one of the world's leading authorities on North Korea. He is also a professor at Kookmin University. Jumin Lee is a native South Korean and a U.S. trial lawyer practicing at Los Angeles-based law firm Bird Marella. He is a contributing analyst at Korea Pro, where he provides analysis on legal and political issues, and his commentary has also been featured in domestic and international outlets. He is the author of “Why Anti-Discrimination Law?,” a book that examines proposals for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation in South Korea. This podcast was originally recorded at a Korea Risk Group event in Seoul on March 5, 2025. Jeongmin Kim, editorial director at Korea Pro and correspondent at NK News, moderated the discussion. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

In a scenario that evokes memories of the period immediately following the end of the Cold War, a Central European nation is locked in a battle to fend off Russian influence while safeguarding its democracy. But this time around, there is a critical twist: As Romania strives to maintain the integrity of its representative government, one of the states seemingly working against it is the United States. This weekend, Romania's election authority, the Central Electoral Bureau, disqualified far-right populist candidate Calin Georgescu from participating in May's rerun of the presidential election, ruling that he had "violated the fundamental obligation to defend democracy." Georgescu won the first round of the election in November, but Romania's Constitutional Court later annulled the results after intelligence reports alleged that he had benefited from an aggressive Russian-sponsored propaganda campaign on the social media platform TikTok. Almost immediately after Sunday's announcement, Georgescu appealed the election authority's decision, calling it a "direct blow to the heart of democracy around the world." His supporters took to the streets of Bucharest in protest, attempting to storm the election authority's headquarters. The demonstration quickly descended into violence, leaving four police officers hospitalized. In just a few months, Georgescu has gone from being a political outsider unknown outside of Romania to being a key figurehead of the global far-right populist movement. His rise has been fueled by savvy online engagement: He has amassed over 700,000 followers on TikTok and 400,000 on Facebook since starting his campaign, allowing him to harness nationalist sentiment, exploit the legacy of Romania's fascist and antisemitic past, and use the ongoing war in Ukraine to push a protectionist agenda. Georgescu has accused the European Union and NATO of conspiring to block his path to office and has openly praised Romania's historical fascist leaders. His rhetoric has resonated with Romanians who are disillusioned with the country's political elite, while his social media presence has strengthened his appeal among younger voters. In the aftermath of his disqualification, some of Europe's leading far-right political figures quickly rallied behind Georgescu. Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and leader of the far-right Lega party, condemned the election authority's decision as a "soviet-style EU coup." But Georgescu's most vocal support has come from the United States. In the aftermath of Georgescu's disqualification, some of Europe's leading far-right political figures quickly rallied behind him. But his most vocal support has come from the United States. Among his key defenders is Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, and a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Taking to X, Musk questioned how a judge could "end democracy in Romania" following the election authority's decision. This was not the first time Musk intervened on Georgescu's behalf. In late February, Romanian prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into Georgescu, charging him with six offences, including campaign finance violations, support for fascist organizations - illegal in Romania - and fraudulent use of digital technologies. In response, Musk falsely claimed that "the person who won the most votes in the Romanian presidential election" had been arrested, misleading his millions of followers. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also took a hardline stance, telling the Republican party faithful at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February that Romania no longer shared the United States' values. "You don't have shared values if you cancel elections because you don't like the result," he declared, accusing the Romanian government of silencing its people. Vance staked out a similar position in early February at the Munich Security Conference, where he shocked those in attendance...

Clement Manyathela speaks to Advocate Tertius Wessels who is the Managing Director at Strata G Labour Solutions to discuss the legal confusion around the age of retirement after a recent Constitutional Court ruling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just three months, Romania has gone from a stable and loyal member of the European Union and Nato, to a country where a far-right, pro-Russia figure has come from almost nowhere to become favourite for the presidency. A result which has sent shockwaves across the continent. In November Calin Georgescu, with no affiliated political party and whose campaign has been largely on social media, won the first round of Presidential elections in Romania. But then serious allegations surfaced over the legitimacy of Georgescu's campaign, resulting in the Constitutional Court annulling the vote and Georgescu facing charges, which he strongly denies. Presidential hopefuls have until the 15 March to register their candidacy for the new elections, which are being rerun on 4 and 18 May. As protesters take to the streets of Bucharest, will the Romanian Constitutional Court rule that Georgescu can or cannot stand? If he is allowed to stand, can he become President? And how might the Romanian elections affect the future direction of the EU and Nato?Contributors: Veronica Anghel, assistant professor at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at The European University Institute, Italy Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the GlobalFocus Center, associated expert at Carnegie Europe and associate researcher for the European Council on Foreign Relations, Romania Anca Agachi, defence policy analyst at RAND Corporation and a nonresident fellow at The Atlantic Council, USA Costin Ciobanu, political scientist with Aarhus University, Denmark Presenter: Tanya BeckettProducer: Vicky Carter Researcher: Katie Morgan Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Technical producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermottImage credit: Andrei Pungovschi via Getty Images

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's younger sister warned the U.S. that Pyongyang is “seriously considering” measures to “escalate” nuclear weapons-related actions in response to Washington sending an aircraft carrier to South Korea this week. NK News Correspondent Joon Ha Park joins the podcast to discuss the arrival of the USS Carl Vinson to the Korean Peninsula, as well as North Korea's test of a “strategic cruise missile” and impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's final defense before the Constitutional Court. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

In July of 2024, we brought Talking Taiwan to the Taiwanese American Conference at West Chester University and I sat down to interview Sherry Chou, the Director of Dr. Chen Wen-chen Memorial Foundation.   Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-sherry-chou-remembers-dr-chen-wen-chen-and-circumstances-surrounding-his-mysterious-death-ep-305/   Dr. Chen Wen-chen was an assistant professor of statistics at Carnegie Mellon University when he and his family returned to his native Taiwan for a vacation in the summer of 1981. Dr. Chen's permit to leave the country to return to the U.S. was rejected and so the Taiwan Garrison Command called in Dr. Chen for questioning regarding his political beliefs and activities in the United States. They questioned him on June 30th and July 2nd,  but then on July 3, 1981, Chen's body was found on the campus of National Taiwan University (NTU) in Taipei. At the time the autopsy reported that his death was due to a fall. Chen's mysterious death shed light on how the work of Chinese Nationalist Kuomintang spies on U.S. campuses led to Chen's interrogation by the Garrison Command.   Sherry and I talked about how and why it took 10 years to establish the Dr. Chen Wen-chen Incident Memorial Square at National Taiwan University (NTU), and the Rainbow Taiwan Independence Flag. Sherry also shared some memories of the Sunflower Movement, which you'll hear Sherry refer to as sān yī ba, which is three one eight in mandarin Chinese, and a reference to March 18, 2014, the date that activists and students occupied Taiwan's legislative yuan which became known as the Sunflower Movement.   Dr. Chen Wen-chen's memory was honored at Taiwanese American Conference's 2024 memorial concert.   This episode is sponsored in part by the Taiwanese American Council of Greater New York.   Here's a little preview of what we talked about in this podcast episode: Who Dr. Chen Wen-chen was The events leading up to the mysterious death of Dr. Chen Dr. Chen's body was found on July 3, 1981, on the ground at National Taiwan University Initial autopsy reported his death as a fall, but circumstances were suspicious His death shed light on the activities of Kuomintang (KMT) spies on U.S. campuses Why it took 10 years to establish the Dr. Chen Wen-chen Incident Memorial Square at National Taiwan University Sherry also talked about the Rainbow Taiwan independence flag project Sherry discussed her memories of the Sunflower Movement Dr. Chen Wen-chen was honored at the Taiwanese American Conference's 2024 Memorial Concert Dr. Chen fundraised for Formosa Magazine, which drew the attention of KMT agents Formosa Magazine is linked to the Formosa Incident, also known as the Kaohsiung Incident Recent findings by the Transitional Justice Commission revealed that Dr. Chen had been under surveillance since 1979 Forensic evidence confirmed that Dr. Chen died before falling from a building The Lin family murders occurred on February 28, 1980; Lin Yi-hsiung's mother and his twin daughters were stabbed and killed and his oldest daughter survived The death of Chen Wen-chen angered both local and overseas Taiwanese people Sherry talked about a photo of protestors in the 1980s wearing paper bags over their heads to disguise their identities The idea for the memorial started in 2011 with professors and students co-signing a petition The initial proposal was just to place a sign on campus, not a square, but the university didn't want even a sign The social atmosphere in 2011 was different, with Taiwan moving closer to China under President Ma Ying-jeou There were many ridiculous objections to the sign The turning point came in 2014 when Dr. Yang Pan-chyr, a more progressive president, agreed to set up the memorial square There was uncertainty about whether the university would change its stance after Dr. Yang left and Kuan Chung-ming became president Kuan Chung-ming was unpopular, especially among the DPP and progressive community, due to his conservative views and ties to China Dr. Yang tried to push for the sign before he left After Kuan Chung-ming became president, he withdrew support for funding, and the Dr. Chen Wen-chen Foundation covered the costs The public contributed to fundraising efforts through social media Around 2016, there was a surge in advocacy for gender equality in Taiwan and its connection to Taiwanese sovereignty and identity In 2016, Taiwan's marriage equality movement gained attention with people protesting on the streets On May 24, 2017, Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to marry Someone used photoshop to combine the rainbow flag and Taiwanese independence flags Funds were raised through social media and distributed 1300 flags at events The flags allowed people to express support for both marriage equality and national issues 2016 marked the beginning of more people expressing concern for both gender equality and national issues LGBTQ individuals were more actively engaged in the Bluebird Movement, possibly due to increased mobilization since 2016 Sherry was previously the marketing director for Watchout, a media company Watchout started at the end of 2013, around the time of the Sunflower Movement, capturing many photos from then The company shifted focus to issues related to Taiwan's independence and civil defense Watchout published two books: Civil Defense Guide (covering disasters and war) and Active Civil Defense Guide (focused on war) How Sherry got interest in feminism She admires figures like Professor Fan Yun and Liu Wen for their feminist contributions Sherry emphasized the importance of efforts from both Taiwanese communities in Taiwan and those outside of Taiwan in order to make significant change happen   Related Links: https://talkingtaiwan.com/dr-sherry-chou-remembers-dr-chen-wen-chen-and-circumstances-surrounding-his-mysterious-death-ep-305/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this segment, Analytic Dreamz explores the unprecedented martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, 2024, and its profound impact on South Korea's political landscape and K-Pop industry. Yoon's attempt to impose martial law to counter "anti-state forces" was quickly overturned by the National Assembly, showcasing the country's democratic resilience amidst widespread public protests. The K-Pop sector faced immediate disruptions with cancellations of major events like BLACKPINK's showcase, BTS concerts, and fan meetings by SEVENTEEN, leading to potential billions in lost revenue. Agencies like HYBE and SM Entertainment canceled public appearances, while artists publicly opposed the move. Politically, Yoon's subsequent arrest and impeachment have led to significant turmoil, with the Constitutional Court now in session. This segment delves into how these events could affect South Korea's soft power and the global perception of K-Pop, highlighting the intricate link between national politics and cultural exports.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

First up, Ralph welcomes back constitutional law expert Bruce Fein to talk about his reaction to Donald Trump's inaugural address. Then Ralph is joined by Public Citizen Co-President Robert Weissman to discuss Public Citizen's lawsuit against Trump regarding Elon Musk's D.O.G.E task force. Finally, Ralph speaks with Public Citizen's Government Affairs lobbyist Craig Holman about the flood of donations from corporations and billionaires to Trump's inaugural fund.Bruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.Sitting on that platform at the inauguration was probably trillions of dollars held by individuals—not by companies, just individuals—fabulous wealth. And you have to ask, if these are business people, why are you at the political event? Why aren't you building a better mousetrap? Why aren't you like Thomas Edison, looking to find new ways of doing business? It's because all of their profits come from manipulating government in their favor. It's the opposite of so-called capitalism.Bruce FeinRemember that this lust for power transcends all reason, and that we're endowed with that lust.Bruce FeinRobert Weissman is a staunch public interest advocate and activist, as well as an expert on a wide variety of issues ranging from corporate accountability and government transparency, to trade and globalization, to economic and regulatory policy. As the President of Public Citizen, he has spearheaded the effort to loosen the chokehold corporations and the wealthy have over our democracy.The alleged purpose [of D.O.G.E.] is to advance efficiency of the government. But what it's really about is rolling back regulations—the things that give us clean air, clean water, safe food, fair workplace, economic justice, protections against discrimination, and more—to benefit corporate bottom lines, on the one hand, and on the other, to pursue a right-wing libertarian extremist agenda with slashing government spending, especially to protect the most poor and vulnerable.Robert WeissmanMusk said at first he wanted to try to cut $2 trillion from the budget every year. That's an impossibility, since the entire budget of discretionary spending is less than $2 trillion. Apparently, if you're the richest person in the history of the world, you don't actually have to know anything that you're talking about to be taken seriously.Robert WeissmanCraig Holman serves as Public Citizen's Capitol Hill lobbyist on ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance rules. He is also working with European nongovernmental organizations and members of the European Commission and Parliament in developing a lobbyist registration system for the European Union. Previously, he was senior policy analyst at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, and he has assisted in drafting campaign finance reform legislation (including pay-to-play legislation), and has conducted numerous research projects on the initiative process and the impact of money in politics. What's interesting is that some previous inaugural committees…didn't want to make it look like their administration's on the auction block by taking million-dollar donations from special interests and corporations. And so Bush had limited contributions to $100,000, Obama limited to $50,000 as well—they just didn't want it to look like they're putting their whole administration on the auction block. Trump doesn't seem to care about that.Craig HolmanNews 1/22/25* On January 20th, Joe Biden handed over the presidency to Donald Trump. In one of his last acts before leaving office, former President Biden commuted the sentence of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, NPR reports. Peltier has been imprisoned for nearly 50 years following his conviction for the murder of two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge reservation; he has never wavered in maintaining his innocence. Despite Peltier being 80 years old and in increasingly poor health, NPR reports FBI Director Christopher Wray urged Biden not to “pardon Leonard Peltier or cut his sentence short.” Biden ultimately did not pardon Peltier, instead merely allowing him to complete his sentence under house arrest. In a statement, Peltier himself said “It's finally over — I'm going home…I want to show the world I'm a good person with a good heart.” Friend of the show Tom Morello, a longtime advocate for Peltier's release, wrote “Leonard has become a friend over the years and I am so glad…he will be able to spend his remaining years with family and friends.” Peltier's daughter Kathy, shocked by Biden's last-minute commutation after decades of being rebuffed by successive presidents of both parties, said “I'm just thankful that he had the balls and the guts to do it.”* Donald Trump was inaugurated on Monday, making him the first president in the modern era to serve non-consecutive terms. Immediately following his formal assumption of power, he issued a flurry of executive orders, including an exhaustive list of “rescissions” of Biden's executive actions. Among these, POLITICO reports that Trump immediately put Cuba back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, signifying a return to the bad old days of hostility towards our island neighbor. This is only expected to worsen with American foreign policy being directed by Marco Rubio. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called Trump's reversal “an act of arrogance and disregard for truth,” adding “the legitimate and noble cause of our people will prevail and we will once again succeed.”* Another Trump executive order issued Monday formally created the Department of Government Efficiency, aka DOGE. However, it seems that instead of creating a new agency, this action mainly just renamed the U.S. Digital Service – an existing executive branch office – the U.S. DOGE service. Moreover, this newly redubbed USDS does not appear to have a mandate to cut the federal workforce. Instead, it seems to be primarily concerned with updating federal information technology systems. Reading between the lines, it seems likely that Trump is putting Elon Musk in charge of this federal IT agency as a means to dole out public money to the tech oligarch and his cronies, rather than streamline the functions of the federal government.* In more Big Tech news, CBS reports President Trump is “set to announce billions of dollars in private sector investment to build artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States.” According to this report, OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle are planning a joint venture called “Stargate,” to begin with a massive data center in Texas. These corporations are planning to pour $500 billion into this project over the next four years. This will almost certainly be augmented by public funds provided by the Trump administration.* Turning to Gaza, Democracy Now! reported Saturday that both Biden and Trump gave Israel the “green light” to resume the assault on Gaza if Netanyahu felt it necessary. This piece quotes Netanyahu, saying that both presidents “gave full backing to Israel's right to return to fighting if Israel reaches the conclusion that negotiations of the second stage is fruitless.” As this piece notes, Israel killed approximately 200 Palestinians after the ceasefire was agreed upon last Wednesday. We can only hope the ceasefire holds and that President Trump sticks to his commitment to enforce the deal.* At the same time, friend of the show Norman Solomon is out with a piece in the Hill on the class action lawsuit filed by 800 Northern California residents, including Solomon himself, against their Democratic representatives in Congress, alleging that they are “illegally helping to provide weapons to Israel for use in committing genocide in Gaza.” As Solomon admits, the suit, directed against Congressmen Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson is unlikely to get far. However, he does believe both that the funding of the genocidal war is illegal under the humanitarian Leahy Laws and that these lawsuits can apply much needed scrutiny to these members and force them to register the opposition of their constituents to their positions – something with which many Democrats have refused to reckon. Solomon hopes to make Gaza a defining issue in the 2026 California Democratic Congressional primaries.* Two weeks ago, we discussed the American Historical Association's vote to condemn the “scholasticide” occurring in Gaza. Since then however, the AHA has tried to backpedal and delegitimize that vote. On January 17th, the AHA Council released a statement in which they write that while they deplore “any intentional destruction of Palestinian educational institutions, libraries, universities, and archives in Gaza,” the council considers the scholasticide resolution “outside the scope of the Association's mission and purpose.” The AHA Council therefore decided to disregard the vote of its membership and unilaterally veto the resolution. This cowardly and disgraceful decision to nullify the voice of America's historians will ironically be a stain on the history of the organization itself.* In more foreign affairs news, the crisis in South Korea continues to deepen. Last week, President Yoon was formally incarcerated pending his trial before the country's Constitutional Court after he attempted to seize power in a coup. Upon his detention, South Korean political newsletter Blue Roof reported that “Pro-Yoon supporters are rioting… storming the courthouse and attacking the marshals.” Security forces however were able to subdue the rioters, per Reuters. The Constitutional Court will now decide whether or not to remove Yoon from the presidency. Yoon could also face a trial on insurrection charges which would carry penalties up to and including life in prison and even capital punishment.* Turning back to domestic news, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, representing the cops of Philadelphia, is currently engaging in contract negotiations with the city – and making outrageous new demands. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that beyond pay raises and better vacation policy, “the police union is seeking to roll back transparency and accountability measures that predate the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest of 2020.” Indeed, the FOP is seeking to terminate the department's decade-long policy of releasing the names of most officers involved in shootings, prevent the Citizens Police Oversight Commission from investigating police misconduct, and “restrict outside access to currently available records ― such as those detailing how fired officers return to the force through the once-secretive grievance arbitration process.” Beyond these measures to make the police more secretive and less accountable to the public, the FOP is also demanding outrageous new perks for police officers, including interest free home loans and provisions allowing cops to live outside the state. We can only hope the city remains firm in these negotiations and preserves the public's right to know* Finally, CNN is out with a new poll showing the Democratic Party registering its worst ratings in decades. According to this poll, “a 58% majority of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say that the…Party needs major changes, or to be completely reformed, up from just 34% who said the same after…2022.” This comes on the heels of a January 15th YouGov poll showing that a plurality of Biden 2020 voters who didn't vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 said “ending Israel's violence in Gaza was the top issue affecting their vote choice.” The CNN poll also showed that “Only 49% of Democratic-aligned adults say they expect their party's congressional representatives to be even somewhat effective at resisting GOP policies.” Yet, perhaps the starkest number from this poll is “just 33% of all Americans express a favorable view of the Democratic Party, an all-time low in CNN's polling dating back to 1992.” These abysmal results should be a wakeup call to the moribund leadership of the party as the country drives of a cliff. If history is any indication though, the Democrats will remain asleep at the wheel.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe