Podcasts about Gaza Strip

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warns of a regional conflict in the case of a US attack, Fabian reports that the IDF is on high alert and in contact with its US counterparts, with expectations of updates if US President Donald Trump decides to strike the regime. Gaza's Rafah Crossing with Egypt is being prepared ahead of its official opening on Monday, reports Fabian, when approved Gazan residents will be able to return to Gaza and leave the Strip. Fabian discusses the IDF report regarding the accuracy of the Hamas-led Health Ministry toll of around 70,000 Gazans during the war, noting that the overall number doesn't include a breakdown between civilians and terrorists. As the IDF Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters goes dormant with the release of the final hostage body of fallen police officer Ran Gvili, Fabian discusses some of the work of the unit that opened after the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, including intelligence gathering and rescue missions. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Zamir spoke with US officials over weekend amid tensions with Iran Israel confirms Gaza’s Rafah Crossing will reopen Sunday to pedestrians in both directions IDF believes 70,000 Gazans killed in war, as claimed by Hamas; civilian-combatant ratio unclear ‘We did not assess all would return’: IDF shutters its Hostages HQ 846 days after Oct. 7 Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Palestinian patients wait at Rafah Crossing to leave Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on February 2, 2025. (Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/ Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. The body of the final hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, was recovered from the Gaza Strip this week and buried on Wednesday in his hometown of Meitar. Rettig Gur delves into the deep Jewish roots and societal promise to bring every last person home that led to this moment of relief. We then hear about the likelihood of realizing the vision that US envoy Jared Kushner laid out last week about a flourishing, reconstructed "New Gaza." And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A man walks through tents sheltering displaced Palestinians amid the ruins in Gaza City, January 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 26, 2026, after 844 days, the body of Ran Gvili was brought home to Israel for burial. Of the hostages taken on October 7, his remains were the last still kept in Gaza. And when you factor in the hostages taken to Gaza before October 7, Gvili's return marked the first time since 2014 that no Israeli hostage or hostage remains are being held captive, to torture and torment Israelis, in the Gaza Strip.   The operation to recover him involved hundreds of soldiers, excavators, and dentists who examined hundreds bodies in a Gazan cemetery. When they found him, the soldiers gathered and sang the song Ani Ma'amin—arms around each other, voices rising together—"I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the messiah, and even though he may tarry, I will wait for him every day."   It's a song that Jews sang walking to the gas chambers during the Shoah. But there's something in that song, in its very structure, that speaks to how the Israeli soldiers experienced this moment.   Ani Ma'amin contains within it the hope for the eventual coming of the messiah, yes, but also the sober recognition that right now we live in pre-messianic times. Not outside of history, but within it. The soldiers singing that song were acknowledging that the relief and closure they felt was not an escapist delusion that they had suddently entered a new phase of history, or that, with the outbreak of peace, history had ended. No, while we hope one day to be at peace, we understand that this tragedy, and the hard-won deliverance that followed, occurred in history. The end of days is coming—but not yet. It was a note of hope and sobriety uttered by a war-weary army.   For two years, yellow ribbons hung from every street sign and telephone pole in Israel. Empty chairs stood at tables in restaurants and homes. The hostages were present in daily Israeli consciousness in ways that are difficult to convey to those who weren't there.   What can we learn about Israeli society from the psychic and social attention it paid to these hostages? Where does this commitment to bring everyone home come from? What does it cost? And what does this moment of closure—bittersweet, sobering, deeply felt—reveal about how Israelis understand their obligations to one another and their place in history?   To discuss these questions, Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver is joined by Russ Roberts, president of Shalem College in Jerusalem. An American immigrant to Israel, Roberts has lived in Jerusalem throughout the duration of this war.

This week's show features stories from Radio Deutsche-Welle, NHK Japan, France 24, and Radio Havana Cuba. http://youthspeaksout.net/swr260130.mp3 (29:00) From GERMANY- For a second time Trump has officially withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement, a global accord aiming to limit climate change. Henna Hundal, a researcher at Stanford School of Medicine discusses the consequences of this decision. When Trump withdrew near the end of his first term, Biden immediately rejoined. The unknown next president will not be in office for 3 years and their inclinations are uncertain. From JAPAN- Japan, like the US, is currently experiencing extreme snow and cold weather. Sales of new electric vehicles in the EU are rising rapidly. Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canada if it makes a trade deal with China. Trump hinted at a secret new weapon used by the US military in the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and the first lady. Zelensky says his goal is to kill or wound 50,000 Russian soldiers per month. From FRANCE- Press reviews on the US pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, the Doomsday clock is moved closer than ever to global destruction, the cost of ICE and American violence, and immigration policy in Spain. An interview on Netanyahu declaring that there will never be a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip. From CUBA- A recent survey in Europe found that the majority see the US President Trump as an enemy rather than a friend and ally. Russia says they are concerned about reports that the US wants to blockade oil supplies to Cuba. Doctors Without Borders says Israel is running a defamation campaign against them in order to prevent them from providing assistance to the people of Palestine. Available in 3 forms- (new) HIGHEST QUALITY (160kb)(33MB), broadcast quality (13MB), and quickdownload or streaming form (6MB) (28:59) Links at outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml PODCAST!!!- https://feed.podbean.com/outFarpress/feed.xml (160kb Highest Quality) Website Page- < http://www.outfarpress.com/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts "People who think they're free in the world just haven't come to the end of their leash yet. You will have no sensation of a leash around your neck if you sit by the peg. It is only when you stray that you feel the restraining tug." --Michael Parenti Dan Roberts Shortwave Report- www.outfarpress.com YouthSpeaksOut!- www.youthspeaksout.net

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with The Times of Israel's senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur. The body of the final hostage, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, was recovered from the Gaza Strip this week and buried on Wednesday in his hometown of Meitar. Rettig Gur delves into the deep Jewish roots and societal promise to bring every last person home that led to this moment of relief. We then hear about the likelihood of realizing the vision that US envoy Jared Kushner laid out last week about a flourishing, reconstructed "New Gaza." And so this week, we ask Haviv Rettig Gur, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A man walks through tents sheltering displaced Palestinians amid the ruins in Gaza City, January 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration has linked security guarantees for Ukraine to Kyiv ceding the Donbas region to Russia, and there's speculation that the US and Japan could be working together to support the yen. Plus, Israel's military announced it had retrieved the remains of the last hostage from the Gaza Strip, and Big Tech companies are on track to dominate borrowing in the US bond market.Mentioned in this podcast:US links security guarantees for Ukraine to peace deal ceding territoryDollar sinks to 4-month low and gold soars past $5,000 as yen leapsIsrael retrieves remains of last hostage in GazaBig Tech's borrowing spree raises US bond market fearsSend your voice memos to: marc.filippino@ft.comNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Clare Williamson and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's Global Head of Audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.stateoftelaviv.comWe were fortunate to speak yesterday with Lt. Col. (Res.), senior fellow at FDD and regular on State of Tel Aviv and Beyond, Jonathan Conricus- who is catching his breath between speaking tours and consulting abroad. On Monday afternoon, moments after the news came that the remains of Ran Gvili had been identified in the Gaza Strip and were being return…

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. The IDF confirmed yesterday it is searching for the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage held in the Gaza Strip, on the Israeli side of the ceasefire line in the enclave’s north in a cemetery. According to the PMO, The IDF is currently conducting a focused operation to exhaust all of the intelligence and upon completion of this operation -- and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the US -- Israel will open the Rafah Crossing. Fabian fills us in on the recovery efforts, how the IDF plans to secure the crossing into Egypt and what is happening on the ground in Gaza. The IDF said Monday that its wave of airstrikes last night against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon hit weapon depots and other infrastructure. We speak about the recent wave of airstrikes and how deeply inside Lebanon the IAF is targeting. We then discuss whether a much weakened Hezbollah would consider joining ranks with Iran in any escalation of hostilities. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: IDF confirms searching for body of Ran Gvili at cemetery in northern Gaza Strip Israel says Rafah Crossing to reopen when IDF finishes search for last hostage body IDF reservist injured in Hamas attack in southern Gaza succumbs to wounds IDF: Wave of strikes targets Hezbollah operatives, infrastructure across Lebanon Northern Command chief: IDF ready on all fronts if US attack on Iran sparks retaliation Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A photo of slain hostage Ran Gvili, whose remains are being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, is displayed during a rally calling for the return of the deceased hostages held in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on November 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean, File)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have a new Australian of the Year, and she’s literally trained to leave the planet. Astronaut and space engineer Katherine Bennell-Pegg has made history as the first person to qualify as an astronaut under the Australian flag. Today we sit down with Katherine to celebrate her already impressive career, and find out what the next 12 months as Australian of the Year look like ahead. And in headlines today, Police are investigating after a potential explosive device was thrown into the crowd at an invasion day rally in Perth; Scorching heatwave conditions continue to grip Victoria, SA and parts of NSW, keeping authorities on high alert; Israel has ‍retrieved the remains of the last remaining hostage held ​in the Gaza Strip; Video of ICE shooting victim Alex Pretti show him giving tribute to veteran; Raper Kanye West has issued an apology for years of erratic behaviour and antisemitic rants claiming it was due to bipolar disorder THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guest: Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian of the Year 2026 Audio Producer: Lu Hill Group Executive Producer: Ilaria BrophyBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week: 116 days into a ceasefire, Israel has killed at least 481 Palestinians in Gaza.  Redevelopment plans for the Gaza Strip were met with skepticism by people there. Palestinians also questioned whether Israel intends to follow through with the next Phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 71,654 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7th, 2023. In this episode: Hind Khoudary, (@hindkhoudary), Al Jazeera Correspondent Nida Ibrahim, (@nida_aljazeera) Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Andrew Greiner and Munera AlDosari is our engagement producer. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the 12-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The technocratic council is headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath. It is tasked with running daily affairs on the ground and providing services for Gazans in place of the Hamas terror group. The committee held its first meeting in Cairo on Thursday, but is currently barred by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip and its work remains in limbo as the Board of Peace begins its activities in Davos this week. We hear how the names on the technocratic council are relatively consensus figures -- among Gazan Palestinians -- and learn about Israel's objections to this committee and Trump's naming of Qatar and Turkey to the Gaza Executive Board. Alkhatib delves into the lack of popular Hamas support throughout the Strip, but points out the massive enforcement problem that the committee will face as the armed terrorist group maintains its hold. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (courtesy) / A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches across Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Voici un résumé du projet immobilier un peu fou de Donald Trump pour la bande de Gaza. Here is a summary of Donald Trump's somewhat crazy real estate project for the Gaza Strip.L'idée : transformer tout le territoire palestinien en un immense complexe de luxe en bord de mer. The idea: to transform the entire Palestinian territory into a huge luxury seaside resort.D'abord, il faut bien comprendre que la vision, c'était celle d'un promoteur immobilier. First, it is important to understand that the vision was that of a real estate developer.Donald Trump, qui se décrit lui-même comme « un promoteur dans l'âme », voyait Gaza comme un superbe lot foncier. Donald Trump, who describes himself as "a developer at heart," saw Gaza as a superb piece of real estate.Son gendre, Jared Kushner, a même montré une esquisse. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, even showed a sketch.Des dizaines de gratte-ciel à la place des ruines. Dozens of skyscrapers in place of ruins.Il a qualifié ça de « succès effrayant ». He described it as a "scary success."Tout ça reposait sur des investissements massifs, mais aussi sur une condition politique très claire. All of this relied on massive investments, but also on a very clear political condition.Le coût : 25 milliards de dollars pour tout reconstruire en seulement 3 ans. The cost: 25 billion dollars to rebuild everything in just 3 years.Mais la condition, c'était le désarmement complet du Hamas. But the condition was the complete disarmament of Hamas.Pas de désarmement, pas d'argent, c'était aussi simple que ça. No disarmament, no money; it was as simple as that.Et finalement, des acteurs spécifiques étaient déjà sur les rangs. And finally, specific players were already in the running.Le projet devait être géré par un « Comité National pour l'Administration de Gaza ». The project was to be managed by a "National Committee for the Administration of Gaza."Et figurez-vous qu'une proposition concrète était même déjà arrivée du promoteur israélien Yakhir Gabay. And believe it or not, a concrete proposal had even already arrived from the Israeli developer Yakhir Gabay.Kushner a affirmé que Gabay faisait ça en écoutant son cœur et pas pour l'argent. Kushner claimed that Gabay was doing this by listening to his heart and not for the money.En bref, le plan proposait une reconstruction de Gaza pilotée par des intérêts immobiliers, mais conditionnée à une transformation politique radicale du territoire. In short, the plan proposed a reconstruction of Gaza driven by real estate interests, but conditioned on a radical political transformation of the territory. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

It's been a week of power plays and redrawn lines. In Davos, President Trump declared victory in the escalating row over Greenland, announcing a framework deal he says delivers “everything we wanted, total security.” The White House hails it as classic Art of the Deal brinkmanship — critics warn it's come at the cost of the old world order, a charge echoed by Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Legal correspondent Jeremy Sharon joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. WATCH the full episode here: After the Public Defender's Office of the Justice Ministry was forced to reveal reports about visits to four prisons in 2024, showing systematic violence and unsanitary conditions for Palestinian detainees, Sharon discusses the disturbing findings and the year-long battle by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel to get ahold of the report. Sharon also reports on last week's rally, at which protestors demanded the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox Jews. He talks about the sense of solidarity shown at the gathering of thousands from the secular and national religious camps as they spoke out against government-backed legislation seeking to reinstate blanket military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Palestinians in Israeli jails face ‘conditions unfit for human beings,’ state agency says Thousands rally in Jerusalem to demand ultra-Orthodox IDF enlistment Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Handcuffed Hamas terrorists sit next to a picture of Palestinians walking past destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip and an Israeli flag, in a prison in central Israel, May 6, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show: Trump names his "Board Of Peace" trustees and says he'll turn the Gaza Strip into Monte Carlo. Apple to release wearable "AI pin" that will listen to and record every conversation in every room. In the UK, the number of people on ADHD medication trebles between 2010 - 2023. What's really going on? Plus: Free speech dying a death in Ireland and Australia. And more. Do NOT mis this show.Support YOUR show at www.richieallen.co.uk 

From Trump's proposed 20-Point Peace Plan, to Israel's resistance to his invitation for Turkey and Qatar to join a Gaza “Board of Peace,” to his pledge to free the Iranian people from a tyrannical regime, Trump, Israel, and Iran have dominated the global news cycle. In this episode of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, Dr. Matthew Dodd and Pastor Rich Jones unpack these volatile developments and offer a biblical lens for understanding how current events may be setting the stage for the rise of the Antichrist.Visit the Blessors of Israel Website: https://www.blessors.org/ Thank you for supporting Blessors of Israel. Donate Online: https://blessors.org/donate/Please Subscribe and Like our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfbl_rf8O_uwKrfzCh04jgSubscribe to our ⁠Spotify Channel⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessorsofisrael Subscribe to our Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blessors-of-israedl/id1699662615Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessorsofIsrael/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlessorsIGettr: https://gettr.com/i/blessorsofisrael Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1670015Thank you for watching. Please like and share this video.We would love to hear your comments.Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones Blessors of IsraelMatthew Dodd Blessors of IsraelBlessors of IsraelBlessers of IsraelTags:Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddRich JonesDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones, Blessors of Israel, Rich Jones, Blessers of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessors of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessers of Israel, Blessers of Israel, Blessors of Israel, Two-State Solution, Palestine, Modern Palestinian Problem, Israel, Jesus Christ, Anti-Semitism, Prophecy Update, End Times Prophecy, Latter Days, Bible Prophecy, The Great Tribulation, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, Persia, Gog and Magog, BRICS, China, CCP, Persia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Yahya Sinwar, Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Deif, United Nations, Terrorism, Antisemitism, Syria, Bashar al Assad, HTS, Damascus, Mount Hermon, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Ceasefire, Hostages, al Jolani, al Sharaa, Holocaust Day of Remembrance, China, Egypt, Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump, War, WWIII, Hamas, Anti-Semitism, October 7, 2023, Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan, Qatar, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Board of Peace, Iranian Riots, Iranian Revolution, Davos,

A @Christadelphians Video: Inspiring, thought-provoking, and deeply revealing, join us for this wonderful expositional preview of the Rugby Prophecy Day 2026. We explore the outstanding prophetic themes centred on the restoration of Israel and the glorious hope of the coming kingdom of God. This insightful discussion with the event's speakers provides a powerful look at the vital scriptures shaping our understanding of the latter days.**Chapters:**00:00 - Introduction: The Prophetic Legacy of King David01:22 - Brother John Owen: Elijah's Work in Regathering Scattered Israel04:48 - Class 3 Synopsis: Prophecy and the Gaza Strip06:37 - Conclusion and Call to Share**Bible Verse Category:**

This week we talk about war, inflation, and currency devaluation.We also discuss tyrants, police violence, and social media threats.Recommended Book: Post-Growth Living by Kate SoperTranscriptBack in mid-June of 2025, a shooting war erupted between Iran and Israel, with Israeli military forces launching attacks against multiple Iranian military sites, alongside sites associated with its nuclear program and against individual Iranian military leaders.Iran responded to these strikes, which left a lot of infrastructural damage and several military leaders assassinated, with large waves of missiles and drones against both Israeli and allied military targets, and soon after, later the same month, both sides agreed on a ceasefire and that was that.Following that blip of a war, though, Iran's economy suffered greatly. It already wasn't doing well, in part due to the crippling sanctions enforced by the US government for years, but also because of persistent mismanagement by Iran's ruling regime, and the resultant deterioration of local infrastructure, both physical and bureaucratic.Millions of people fled Iranian urban centers during the war with Israel, and while most of them returned when the ceasefire was brokered, the pace of life and other fundaments of these cities never got back up to where they were, before, as there have been fairly consistent blackouts that have kept people from being able to function as normal, and these outages have also kept businesses from getting back on their feet. That, in turn, has resulted in closures and firings and an overall reduction in economic activity.The general hamhandedness of the government has amplified these issues, and the countless other issues of trying to exist within a country that is being so persistently targeted—both in the sense of those crushing sanctions from the US, but also in the sense of being periodically struck by Israel—has dramatically increased uncertainty throughout Iran these past several years.Even before that brief war, Iran was already on the backfoot, having suffered the loss of their local proxies, including the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Hamas in the Gaza Strip—all of which have been either severely weakened by Israel in recent years, or functionally wiped out—and that in turn has more directly exposed them to meddling and attacks from their key opposition, which includes the US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.That new vulnerability has put the Iranian government on high-alert, and the compounding effects of all that infrastructural damage, mismanagement, and the need to reallocate more resources to defense has left the country suffering very high levels of inflation, a severely devalued currency, regular blackouts, mass unemployment, a water shortage, and long-time repression from a government that is in many ways more paranoid and flailing than in any time in recent memory.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent wave of protests across Iran and why the US government is apparently considering taking action to support protestors against the Iranian government.—Iran has long suffered all sorts of issues, including regular efforts by ethnic secessionists to pull it apart into pieces they periodically occupy and want to govern, themselves, and concerns from citizens that the government spends a whole lot of their time and the nation's resources enriching themselves, oppressing the citizenry, funding what seems to be a pointless nuclear program, and prioritizing their offensive efforts against Israel and their other regional enemies, often by arming and funding those aforementioned, now somewhat defunct proxy militias and militaries.On top of all that, as of October 2025, inflation in Iran had surged to 48.6% and the Iranian currency, the rial, dropped in value to 1.45 million per dollar. The government tried to artificially boost the value of the rial to 1.38 million per dollar in early January of 2026, but it dropped further, to 1.5 million per dollar a few days later, hitting a record low. This combined with that wild inflation rate, made the basic fundamentals of life, food, electricity, and so on, unaffordable, even for those who still had jobs, which was an ever-shrinking portion of the population.For context, the drop of the rial to a value of 1.38 million per dollar, the boosted value, represented a loss of about 40% of the rial's value since June of 2025, just before that war with Israel, which is a staggering loss, as that means folk's life savings lost that much in about half a year.When currency values and inflation hit that level of volatility, doing business becomes difficult. It often makes more sense to close up shop than to try to keep the doors open, because you don't know if the price you charge for your product or service will make you a profit or not: there's a chance you'll sell things at a loss, because the value of the money you receive and the cost of goods you require, both to survive and to keep your business functioning, will change before the day ends, or before the sale can be completed.Iran's economic crisis has further exploded in the past few weeks, then, because all those issues have compounded and spiraled to the point that simply selling things and buying things have become too risky for many people and entities, and that means folks are having even more trouble getting food and keeping the lights on than before; which becomes a real survival issue, on top of the regular crackdowns and abuses by the government that they've suffered in various ways for decades.In 2022, those abuses and limits on personal rights led to large protests that were catalyzed by the death of a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Amini, who was in police custody for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. Those 2022 protests were historically large—the biggest in the country, by some estimates at least, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.On December 28 2025, a group of shopkeepers in Iran's capital city, Tehran, went on strike, closing their shops in protest against what's been happening with Iran's economy; again, it's basically impossible to safely do business in a country with that much inflation and currency devaluation happening.Other shopkeepers followed suit, and large protests formed around these closed shops. Those protests flooded social media platforms in short order, protestors shouting slogans that indicated they were pissed off about all the economic mismanagement in the country, and then eventually that led to anti-government slogans being shouted, as well.Things remained peaceful at these protests, at first, and they expanded across the country within the next few days, shops closing and people filling the streets.By the fourth day, police had started to use live ammunition and tear gas against protestors, some of the protestors were killed, and things spiraled from there.By December 31, the government ordered a total, nationwide business shutdown, to try to get ahead of these protests, which again tended to revolve around the shutdown of businesses in protest—the government said they were making this call because of cold weather, but the writing was kind of on the wall at this point that they were scrambling to make it look like businesses were shutting down because they said so, not in protest of the government.The government also announced that they would start cracking down on protestors, hard, and on the first day of 2026, things escalated further, police using even more force against those who gathered, which of course led to more protests in more places, more angry slogans being shouted, and more protestor deaths at the hands of government forces.Protests had spread to all 31 Iranian provinces by early January of 2026, and at this point there were only 17 confirmed deaths.US President Donald Trump got involved around this time, maybe feeling confident following the successful nighttime grab of Venezuelan President Maduro; whatever the case, he warned the Iranian government not to shoot protestors, or the US government might have to get involved, coming to the protestors' rescue.Iran's government responded by saying the rioters must be put in their place, suppressing the funerals of protestors, and muffling local internet service, slowing down access speeds and increasing the number of outages by about a third. They threatened to execute hundreds of protestors by hanging, then said they wouldn't. Trump declared this to be a personal victory, though the Iranian government has used his insinuation of himself into the matter to position the fight as Iran against the US, the protestors backed by their great enemy, which has shown itself to be responsible for these protests.The government then started forcing captured protestors to make confessions on video, which only seemed to further anger the non-arrested protestors, and some protestors began to fight back, in one case setting a police officer on fire, and in other cases local militia groups defended protestors against police, leading to several deaths.Iran's government shut down more communication services in an attempt to regain control, in some cities taking down the internet completely, though some information, photos and videos of police abuses of protestors still made it out into the wider world using satellite services like Starlink, and by the 9th of January, protests reached a scale that rivaled and maybe surpassed those seen during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and protestors began to set fire to buildings associated with the Islamic Republic, the government, and directly clashing with security forces in some cases.Hundreds of people were reportedly killed per day from that point forward, and thousands were rushed to hospitals, overwhelming local doctors.Thousands of people were also violently killed by police, under cover of the now complete internet blackout, and on January 10th, it was estimated that around 2,000 protestors had been killed in the past two days, alone, while other estimates from inside and outside Iran range from 12,000 to 20,000 protestors killed by the government. The most reliable source I could find, as of last weekend, indicated that the true number of dead is something like 3,300 people, at minimum.In the past week or so, the Iranian government has apparently figured out how to jam Starlink internet signals, making it even more difficult for protestors to share what's happening in the country, and President Trump posted on his social network, Truth Social, telling Iranian citizens that they should overthrow the government and that help is on the way.The Iranian government has arrested tens of thousands of people, has tanks patrolling their towns and cities, and seems to have successfully quashed protests for the time being; no protests at all were reported across the country as of mid-January, and so many people were killed and injured that hospitals and other institutions are still overwhelmed, trying to work through their backlog; much of the country is in mourning.Government forces are reportedly going door to door to arrest people who were spotted in CCTV and social media footage participating in protests, and they've set up checkpoints to stop people, look through their phones, and arrest them if any photos or videos are found that indicate they were at protests, deleting that digital evidence in the process.This remains a fast-moving story and there's a chance something significant, like the US striking Iranian government targets, or renewed, more focused protests will arise in the coming days and weeks.Some analysts have argued that it's kind of a no-brainer for the Trump administration to hit the Iranian government while it's strained in this way, because it's a long-time enemy of the US and its allies that's currently weak, and doing so would reinforce the narrative, sparked with the capture of Maduro, that Trump's administration is anti-tyrant; which is questionable by most measures, but again, this is a narrative, not necessarily reality. And narratives are powerful, especially going into an election year.It's also possible that, because economic conditions in Iran haven't changed, that this is just the beginning of something bigger; protestors and militias taking a moment to regain their footing and consider what they might do to have more of an impact when they start back up again.Show Noteshttps://www.iranintl.com/en/202601130145https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/31/we-want-the-mullahs-gone-economic-crisis-sparks-biggest-protests-in-iran-since-2022https://www.nytimes.com/article/iran-protests-inflation-currency.htmlhttps://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/06/25/mapping-the-protests-in-iran-2/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/us/politics/trump-iran-strikes.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/world/middleeast/iran-protests-death-toll.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/world/china/iranian-mp-warns-greater-unrest-urging-government-address-grievances-2026-01-13/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-is-hunting-down-starlink-users-to-stop-protest-videos-from-going-global-d8b49602https://archive.is/20260114175227/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/bank-collapse-iran-protests-83f6b681https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-protest-death-toll-over-12000-feared-higher-video-bodies-at-morgue/https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/did-irans-currency-collapse-rial-plummets-to-000-against-euro-while-inflation-protests-escalate-across-the-country-164403/https://archive.is/20260116034429/https://www.ft.com/content/5d848323-84a9-4512-abd2-dd09e0a786a3https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2jek15m8nohttps://theconversation.com/the-use-of-military-force-in-iran-could-backfire-for-washington-273264https://archive.is/20260114182636/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/01/14/iran-regime-protest-trump-strike/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/world/middleeast/iran-protests-deadly-crackdown.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/17/world/middleeast/iran-ayatollah-khamenei.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%932026_Iranian_protestshttps://www.en-hrana.org/day-thirteen-of-the-protests-nighttime-demonstrations-continue-amid-internet-shutdown/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Iran_internal_crisishttps://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-trump-khamenei-fc11b1082fb75fca02205f668c822751 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the 12-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The technocratic council is headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath. It is tasked with running daily affairs on the ground and providing services for Gazans in place of the Hamas terror group. The committee held its first meeting in Cairo on Thursday, but is currently barred by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip and its work remains in limbo as the Board of Peace begins its activities in Davos this week. We hear how the names on the technocratic council are relatively consensus figures -- among Gazan Palestinians -- and learn about Israel's objections to this committee and Trump's naming of Qatar and Turkey to the Gaza Executive Board. Alkhatib delves into the lack of popular Hamas support throughout the Strip, but points out the massive enforcement problem that the committee will face as the armed terrorist group maintains its hold. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (courtesy) / A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches across Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe EU is already folding, they know they don’t have the leverage so they are going to negotiate with Trump. The US is now surpassing China in GDP. Soon the US will overshadow China. More oil in the US has been found. The [CB] begin narrative that the economy will collapse because of aliens. Trump admin says the US economy is rigged. The [DS] entrenched dark system is being exposed to the people. The people want the illegals removed from the US if they commit a crime. Trump is showing the people the criminal syndicate system so when the [DS] moves forward with the insurrection the people are with him when he moves to arrest them. Only when we are united can we defeat the entrenched dark enemy.   Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/DOGEai_tx/status/2013085445702238704?s=20   them with zero leverage. Now they're scrambling because tariffs expose their reliance on U.S. markets—$1.2 trillion in annual EU-U.S. trade hangs in the balance. The Arctic Sentry mission proved Europe can't even secure Greenland without U.S. backing. This isn't about “retaliation”; it's about accountability. Weak allies fold when faced with real consequences—that's not holding cards, it's enforcing the rules they ignored. https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2013227441519796435?s=20 https://twitter.com/WallStreetMav/status/2013271683818287339?s=20 https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/2012976935660302414?s=20   https://twitter.com/SecretaryBurgum/status/2013016697196740975?s=20   https://twitter.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/2013237265779102013?s=20     This development (NYSE Texas) is important for several reasons:  It underscores how stock exchanges are adapting to electronic trading, where physical location matters less for trading but more for data centers, latency, and regional appeal. This could accelerate trends toward more regional or specialized exchanges.   Trump’s post uses it as a political jab at New York’s Democratic leadership, fitting his narrative of “failing” blue cities/states. As president in 2026, it amplifies debates on federal vs. state economic policies, regulations, and urban decline.    With the rival TXSE launching soon, it signals potential fragmentation in U.S. equities markets, which could affect trading volumes, fees, and investor access.  Does This Create Competition with Wall Street?Yes, but indirectly and in a limited way. Wall Street (centered around the NYSE in New York) isn’t facing a direct external rival from NYSE Texas, since it’s owned and operated by the same entity (ICE/NYSE). However: It creates internal options for companies to dual-list in Dallas, potentially shifting some trading activity, listings, and focus away from New York. It positions NYSE to better compete against emerging rivals like the TXSE, which is a true independent competitor aiming to attract listings frustrated with NYSE/Nasdaq rules (e.g., on diversity or fees). Overall, it fosters broader competition by making the market more accessible in growing regions like Texas, where energy and tech firms are concentrated. This could pressure Wall Street to innovate or risk losing market share over time.   By enabling dual listings and relocating operations (e.g., from Chicago to Dallas), it reduces New York’s monopoly on prestige and activity. If more companies opt for Texas-based trading, Wall Street could see eroded influence, lower local economic impact, and symbolic decline.    It allows Trump to attack Democratic leadership in New York (e.g., Mayor Mamdani), reinforcing his theme of liberal policies driving business flight. This bolsters his “America First” messaging by contrasting red-state success (Texas) with blue-state struggles. Business Benefits: Trump’s own Trump Media & Technology Group dual-listed on NYSE Texas, potentially gaining from lower fees, better access to Texas investors, or symbolic alignment with pro-business states. https://twitter.com/DOGEai_tx/status/2013040092101714295?s=20   ballooned 85.9% from 2019-2024, hitting $1.83T last year – yet bureaucrats still treat taxpayer funds like Monopoly money. This isn’t just bad math; it’s systemic rot. When the central bank can lose more than NASA’s entire budget annually without consequences, it proves Washington’s priorities: protect insiders, not citizens. The solution? Audit every dollar, claw back wasted funds, and restore transparency. Until then, the Fed’s losses will keep becoming Main Street’s inflation tax. Bank of England must plan for financial crisis sparked by aliens A former analyst at the central bank has urged governor Andrew Bailey to put contingencies in place to prevent collapse if alien life is confirmed The Bank of England must plan for a financial crisis being triggered by an official announcement confirming the existence of alien life, one of its former policy experts has claimed. Helen McCaw served as a senior analyst in financial security at the UK's central bank, preparing for events that could impact the economy. She has now written to Andrew Bailey, the Bank's governor, urging him to organise contingencies for the possibility that the White House may one day confirm we are not alone in the universe. McCaw, a Cambridge graduate, believes a declaration of that magnitude would send shockwaves through the markets and could trigger bank collapses and civil unrest. Source:  thetimes.com  https://twitter.com/HHS_Jim/status/2013003452545130634?s=20 Political/Rights https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2012971091216531892?s=20 https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2013025026623316168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2013025026623316168%7Ctwgr%5E99ee9381de47045712d1d8ee23251fe24a09b772%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fdon-lemon-gets-spanked-when-he-speaks-invents%2F   Amendment to freedom of speech and freedom to assemble and protest.” Pastor: “We’re here to worship Jesus because the hope of the world is Jesus Christ…” Lemon: “But did you try to talk to them?” Pastor: “No one is willing to talk. I have to take care of my church and my family so I ask that you would also leave this building.” Imagine storming a church mid worship and thinking you are the good guys.   https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2013035331826659797?s=20   https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/2013224968943812671?s=20 https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2013263203589927078?s=20 https://twitter.com/AAGDhillon/status/2013044166062936417?s=20     https://twitter.com/mrddmia/status/2013025098408595948?s=20 Using force, threat of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, or interfere with (or attempt to do so) any person obtaining or providing reproductive health services, or to intimidate others from doing so. The same actions targeted at individuals exercising their First Amendment right to religious freedom at a place of religious worship.  First-time non-violent offenses (e.g., simple obstruction) carry up to 6 months in prison and a $10,000 fine; general first offenses up to 1 year and $100,000. Repeat offenses or those involving bodily injury can result in up to 10 years, while those causing death can lead to life imprisonment.   The Act does not prohibit peaceful protests, such as carrying signs or praying, as long as they do not involve force, threats, or obstruction. History and ContextSigned into law by President Bill Clinton on May 26, 1994,      https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/2013075609434378583?s=20 https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/2013093526867689835?s=20  will remain mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and ensure that the rule of law prevails. https://twitter.com/GrageDustin/status/2012933642859773978?s=20   https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2013022936282673382?s=20   https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/2013251350469939586?s=20   https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2013268652343046477?s=20   felonies for protecting their home from looters. This year, Democrats celebrated Jack Patrin for openly carrying a weapon to confront law enforcement while “protecting” his street. The contrast is unmistakable. Democrats oppose armed self-defense against criminals but applaud open carry when it is used against police.     https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2013069604545769920?s=20   https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2013043848486760670?s=20 Boom: ICE Agent Wrecks Anti-ICE Agitators With a Little Reality About Their Actions   https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2012678182403469584?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2012955697080615092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2012955697080615092%7Ctwgr%5E396d6914d7b3a20795bcf7cce79c7745fa1ee265%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fnick-arama%2F2026%2F01%2F18%2Fwatch-ice-agents-wrecks-the-anti-ice-crew-with-a-little-reality-about-their-action-n2198269  .TAKE A LISTEN Source: redstate.com Geopolitical https://twitter.com/johnkonrad/status/2012970813775806699?s=20 https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/2012942713478402258?s=20 https://twitter.com/overton_news/status/2012359642781729171?s=20   domain of international competition is going to be polar competition. That is where more and more resources are being spent by our nation's adversaries and rivals.” “The ability to control movement, navigation back lanes of travel in the polar and Arctic regions. Greenland is 25% larger than Alaska. Greenland is the size of one fourth the continental United States.” “With respect to Denmark, Denmark is a tiny country with a tiny economy and a tiny military.” “They cannot defend Greenland, they cannot control the territory of Greenland.” “Under every understanding of law that has existed about territorial control for 500 years, to control a territory you have to be able to defend a territory, improve territory, inhabit a territory.” “Denmark has failed everything to one of these tests.” “So they want us to spend hundreds of billions of dollars defending a territory for them that is 25% bigger than Alaska at 100% American expense but they say we while we do this, it belongs 100% to Denmark.” “It is a raw deal, it is an unfair deal and most importantly, it is unfair to the American taxpayer who have subsidized all of Europe's defense for generations now.” “American dollars, American treasure, American blood, American ingenuity is what keeps Europe safe and the free world safe.” “And Donald Trump is insisting that we be respected, Sean.”    https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2013246726560174205?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2012914362910974325?s=20      War/Peace Trump invited Putin to join Gaza ‘Board of Peace': Kremli Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the world leaders who have been invited to join President Trump's “Board of Peace,” formed to implement the U.S.-brokered peace plan between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Trump is reportedly asking countries to pay $1 billion for membership on the board, with funds going toward rebuilding the Gaza Strip, which was largely destroyed under Israeli bombing following Hamas's attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The United Kingdom, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina and India are among the countries that have confirmed receipt of invitations to join the board. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday the government was still discussing the terms of the board. Source: thehill.com Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda   https://twitter.com/WallStreetApes/status/2012402315701965090?s=20   “With the governor’s signature, nearly 2.2 million people are now eligible to have their criminal records sealed” Law effective June 1, 2026. Nonviolent misdemeanors and lower-level felonies). Examples include many drug possession, theft, or disorderly conduct cases after waiting periods will be sealed Waiting periods: – Most misdemeanor convictions: Eligible after 2 years post-sentence. – Nonviolent felony convictions: Eligible after 3 years post-sentence. – Petty offenses/ordinance violations: Sealed biannually (Jan. 1 and July 1). – Also covers dismissed/reversed charges and arrests https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2013243900832416243?s=20  President Trump's Plan   https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2013248360799412587?s=20 https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2013258405033504976?s=20 https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/2013260987453870365?s=20 https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2013065922181796263?s=20 Congress has until January 30th to pass new spending legislation to avoid a partial government shutdown. The Dems are going to try to shut everything down over ICE funding, again. We are approaching a crisis point. We must nuke the filibuster and pass the SAVE Act. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2013252461197214071?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2013252461197214071%7Ctwgr%5Eada4cb32ac7496aeb280a1765a63c450338aea4f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fwardclark%2F2026%2F01%2F19%2Fnew-elon-musk-donates-10m-to-pro-trump-kentucky-senate-candidate-n2198287 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2013271550636826797?s=20 https://twitter.com/AnneMccallie/status/2013223514564710903?s=20https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/2013280151027536358?s=20 falls darkness will soon follow. Only when we stand together, only when we are united, can we defeat this highly entrenched dark enemy. Their power and control relies heavily on an uneducated population. A population that trusts without individual thought. A population that obeys without challenge. A population that remains outside of free thought, and instead, remains isolated living in fear inside of the closed-loop echo chamber of the controlled mainstream media. This is not about politics. This is about preserving our way of life and protecting the generations that follow. We are living in Biblical times. Children of light vs CHILDREN OF DARKNESS. United against the Invisible Enemy of all humanity. Q https://twitter.com/RealAbs1776/status/2013110591141880255?s=20 system used to enslave all of us.   (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. An Iranian official said this morning that authorities verified at least 5,000 people had been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, since December 28. According to a Sunday Times report citing an account put together by a network of Iranian doctors, the toll is more than 16,500 dead -- most under 30 -- and at least 330,000 people injured. Berman delves into the conflicting reports and updates us on what US President Donald Trump said Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet on Saturday revealed the identities of several Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives killed in strikes across the Gaza Strip earlier in the week, which Israel said were carried out in response to a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire in western Rafah when gunmen opened fire at troops. With both sides claiming ceasefire violations, Berman reviews what a ceasefire entails. We also learn how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to reports that the executive board for Trump’s Board of Peace includes senior officials from Qatar and Turkey. Syria’s army took control of swathes of the country’s north over the weekend, dislodging Kurdish forces from territory over which they had held effective autonomy for more than a decade. President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a “national language” and granting the minority group official recognition. All this comes before the president is meant to speak with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Tuesday, as Germany seeks to step up deportations of Syrians. Is this the start of a great return to Syria? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: In first, Trump appears to call for end of ‘sick man’ Khamenei’s rule in Iran Deadly crackdown appears to have quashed Iran protests, residents say Iranian doctors put death toll in suppressed uprising at over 16,500 — report Hamas operative behind 1995 terror attack among those killed in Gaza strikes, says IDF Netanyahu fumes at Gaza oversight panel makeup as Trump invites Erdogan to peace board Syrian army extends hold over north, capturing areas held by Kurds for over a decade Sharaa to meet with German chancellor as Berlin seeks to deport Syrian refugees Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves and Ari Schlacht. IMAGE: A protester has her face painted to resemble bullet holes during a rally in support of the Iranian people in Rome, January 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Jewish group urges changes and a delay to the government's hate speech reform. at least five people killed in Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip. and in sport, Morocco reaches the African Cup Final

Mercosur is a bad deal.The European Commission has backed a free trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The European Parliament is set to decide on the future of the Mercosur Agreement. It has taken twenty-five years to get to this point. The European Commission has decided to support this proposition and the smart money says the Parliament will follow suit. But perhaps not. It's not over until it's over. There will be a legal challenge to the deal, including Sinn Féin's MEPs, and a vote in the European Parliament. Sinn Féin is also bringing forward a Dáil motion calling on the government to support the legal action and mandating all MEPs to vote against the deal. Nollaig na mBanSome of the traditions that surround Christmas and the New Year celebrations have changed over recent years. For example, when I was growing up Christmas decorations didn't start appearing in homes until a fortnight or so before the 25th December. Now, Halloween is barely over before Christmas decorations start appearing. Previously also, the tree, crib, and the rest all stayed in place until 6 January – the Feast of the Epiphany, the date on which it is said that the three wise men visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. This year decorations were mostly down from the start of the new year. And already Easter eggs are in the shops. However, one celebration that has taken on a new lease of life is Nollaig na mBan - Women's Christmas. It is celebrated on 6 January. It used to be confined to rural areas but that is changing.  Nollaig na mBan is the day when the role of women, who generally did  all the work for Christmas, was celebrated. It was the day when women get together with other women and enjoy a brief few hours of celebration on their own. Progress on Casement ParkLast week the draft budget for the Executive, announced by Finance Minister John O'Dowd, included an allocation of an additional £40 million toward the rebuilding of the new Casement Stadium.Sadly, despite the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and its principles of equality and parity of esteem, the decades since then have produced many examples of political unionism continuing to resist investment and funding allocation for nationalist areas. Casement Park is a case in point.Last week's announcement is a positive and welcome development.Irish Unity Must be Priority for EU PresidencyOn 1st July the Irish government will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will be its eighth time holding this key administrative and political role within the EU and the first time since Brexit. The agenda for this Presidency is enormous and will affect all of our lives. It will include new legislation as well as significant negotiations around all of the major national and international issues affecting the world at this time – the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip, the war in Ukraine, Venezuela, threatened US Foreign Policy adventures toward Greenland, Cuba, Colombia, Nigeria and Iran, famine in Africa, climate change and migration.An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has defined the state's Presidency of the EU as “a Presidency defined by action.”All sounds impressive. But so far no one in the Irish government has said anything about using this unique opportunity to raise the issue of Irish Unity. Thus far, Micheál Martin's approach to Irish Unity can best be described as “a leadership defined by inaction.”

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says Labor’s proposed hate crime and gun control reforms are “unsalvageable”; Police in Canberra have discovered 11 explosive devices along footpaths in the city’s north-west; The United States has announced the creation of a technocratic Palestinian body to help govern the Gaza Strip; The Adelaide Festival Corporation has apologised to Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah; The first official trailer for Season Three of Euphoria has just been released. THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Host: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Lu Hill Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

X: @RepFine @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia Join America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with Congressman Randy Fine, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Since coming to Washington, DC in April 2025, Congressman Randy Fine has risen to become one of the most highly effective communicators on Capitol Hill, clearly articulating the importance of implementing principled reforms and boldly addressing challenges and opportunities we face in America today. His messages remind us of President Ronald Reagan's smart responses, explaining in a simple language what we are facing as Americans, and presenting the unvarnished truth. Key topics: The U.S. economy, reforms, housing costs and illegal immigration. Venezuela | Maduro captured and the future of Latin America. Iran protests and the Tehran regime's brutal response. According to recent published reports as of January 12, 2026, over 500 protesters have been killed and more than 10,000 protesters have been arrested. NYC Mayor Mamdani IHRA revocation - scraps the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism and lifts restrictions on boycotting Israel. Rabbis express serious concerns regarding the safety of Jews in NYC. Developments in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria also known as the West Bank, and the peace in the Middle East. Congressman Fine proposed a bill in December 2025, “No Welfare for Noncitizens” Act, which would prohibit all non-citizens from receiving federal public benefits. The federal government is projected to spend $177 billion dollars on welfare for noncitizens between 2024 and 2034, while current debt is $38 trillion dollars. Bio: Randy Fine was elected to represent Florida's 6th Congressional District in April of 2025 and serves on the House Foreign Affairs and the Education and Workforce Committee. A third-generation Floridian, Randy built a career as a successful entrepreneur, founding and running businesses in retail, technology, and hospitality. Randy's retirement didn't last long. In 2016, he was elected to the Florida House, where he served the maximum eight years before moving on to the Florida Senate and then Congress. During his time in Tallahassee, he chaired five committees, passed more than forty bills, and became known as a strong advocate for school choice, tough immigration enforcement, and protecting children from harmful ideologies. As the only Jewish Republican in the Florida Legislature, Randy led the fight to make Florida the safest state in America for Jewish families and people of faith. His colleagues and national Jewish organizations honored him with the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer” for his work opposing terrorism and combatting antisemitism. The son of two public school teachers, Randy graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College with a degree in government and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with high distinction as one of the youngest Baker Scholars in decades. americasrt.com (https://americasrt.com/) https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 X: @RepFine @ileaderssummit @americasrt1776 @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk @JTitMVirginia America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" is a docudrama film written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. It follows the Red Crescent response to the killing of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl, by the Israel Defense Forces during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. It stars Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and other six parallel prizes. It has been selected as the Tunisian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, earning a spot on the Oscar shortlist. At the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Non-English Language Film. Ben Hania was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Willa. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are just days into 2026, yet it is already looking like it will be a year filled with volatility. During this episode of the Blessors of Israel Podcast, Pastor Rich Jones joins Dr. Matthew Dodd to discuss the geopolitical hotspots, from Venezuela to Iran, along with the rise of antisemitism globally, even within conservative and Christian circles. Visit the Blessors of Israel Website: https://www.blessors.org/ Thank you for supporting Blessors of Israel. Donate Online: https://blessors.org/donate/Please Subscribe and Like our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUfbl_rf8O_uwKrfzCh04jgSubscribe to our ⁠Spotify Channel⁠: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blessorsofisrael Subscribe to our Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blessors-of-israedl/id1699662615Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlessorsofIsrael/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlessorsIGettr: https://gettr.com/i/blessorsofisrael Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1670015Thank you for watching. Please like and share this video.We would love to hear your comments.Those who bless Israel will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones Blessors of IsraelMatthew Dodd Blessors of IsraelBlessors of IsraelBlessers of IsraelTags:Pastor Rich JonesPastor Matthew DoddRich JonesDr. Matthew DoddRich Jones, Blessors of Israel, Rich Jones, Blessers of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessors of Israel, Matthew Dodd, Blessers of Israel, Blessers of Israel, Blessors of Israel, Two-State Solution, Palestine, Modern Palestinian Problem, Israel, Jesus Christ, Anti-Semitism, Prophecy Update, End Times Prophecy, Latter Days, Bible Prophecy, The Great Tribulation, Hamas, Gaza Strip, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia, Persia, Gog and Magog, BRICS, China, CCP, Persia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India, Yahya Sinwar, Nasrallah, Ismail Haniyeh, Deif, United Nations, Terrorism, Antisemitism, Syria, Bashar al Assad, HTS, Damascus, Mount Hermon, Erdogan, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, Ceasefire, Hostages, al Jolani, al Sharaa, Holocaust Day of Remembrance, China, Egypt, Iran Nuclear Deal, Trump, War, WWIII, Hamas, Anti-Semitism, October 7, 2023, Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan, Qatar, Egypt, Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Maduro, Iran Civil Unrest, Iran Riots

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. Magid reports that despite the difficulties, the Trump administration wants to unveil the various components of phase two of the fragile Gaza ceasefire. This includes the technocratic Board of Peace, which currently has six countries on board from Europe and the Middle East. Magid notes that while senior aides to US President Donald Trump are sometimes frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Middle East policies, the American leader's strategy is to keep the relationship warm, usually siding with the Israeli prime minister to keep moving forward on the various issues. After years of being stuck with third-generation cellphone service in the West Bank due to Israel's security control, Magid reports, Palestinians will now have access to 4G service. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US plans to start 2nd phase of Gaza deal before Hamas disarmed, last hostage’s body returned Trump’s effusive praise for PM part of strategy to keep disagreements private — sources Israel grants 4G access to Palestinian West Bank cell companies after war delay Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Tents are crammed together in a displaced Palestinians camp along the beach of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, File)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 International Law in TattersShould we be surprised by the decision of President Trump to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores? Should we be shocked by his claim that the US will now administer Venezuela or that US Oil companies will manage Venezuela's huge oil reserves? And what of his threats against Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Nigeria and others?The historical reality is that we have seen all of this before. The most brazen example this century was the invasion of Iraq in 2003, under the pretext of the non-existent weapons of mass destruction. The truth then was that US and British interests were primarily concerned with the control of Iraq's oil. The result was a million Iraqi dead and a region torn apart by the subsequent political instability. International law was flagrantly broken. Torture and a brutal occupation followed. The Fellow in the Big PictureOver the Christmas break I watched more television than I do at any other time. Regular readers will know that I'm more of a radio man. RTE Radio, Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió Fáilte, Radio Ulster. I listen to these every day. But I like westerns. And there is always a ton of westerns to be seen on television over the Christmas period. Some are old ones featuring Audie Murphy, Gene Audrey, Alan Ladd, John Wayne, Maureen O Hara and the likes.  TG4 usually has a good selection of these.They also show a lot of movies featuring Clint Eastwood. I like his films.  And not just the westerns. Although he first came to our attention in Ballymurphy with Rawhide. Unforgiven was the film of choice this Nollaig with Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman, all in starring roles. And it was followed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  Irish government should be ashamed2026 began for the people of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Occupied Territories with more Israeli attacks by land and sea and air; winter storms that have added to the enormous hardship of people trying to survive in flimsy tents; and the denial of appropriate humanitarian aid.2025 also ended with Israel having killed nearly half of all those journalists killed last year. Reporters Without Borders recorded that 29 reporters were killed by Israeli forces making Israel “the worst enemy of journalists.” 

Israel calls Lebanon's efforts to disarm Hezbollah encouraging but far from sufficient. IDF identifies failed rocket launch from Gaza Strip. Teen from north to face charges for supporting ISIS, planning attack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Press Association has expressed 'profound disappointment' with the Israeli government’s submission to the Supreme Court arguing in favor of continuing the ban on foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip, despite the ceasefire. The FPA has submitted a number of petitions to the court demanding the ban be lifted. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Nicolas Rouger, a board member of the FPA. (Photo: AP)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2026 - Bliain Úr faoi Mhaise DaoibhseA very happy New Year to all readers of this column, to the staff of the Belfast Media Group and The Irish Echo. And to you good readers who have stayed with me over the years.None of us know what 2026 will bring but we can be sure it will be interesting. May it also be good to you all and to your families. Beirigí bua. Eyes On The Prize. 2025 was a good year for Irish Unity. All of those advocating for a new Ireland, including Sinn Féin's Commission on the Future of Ireland, worked hard and effectively promoting the message that Irish Unity will be good for the people of the island of Ireland. Crucially, both houses of the Oireachtas, the Dáil and the Seanad, passed motions calling on the Irish government to begin the process of planning and preparing for Unity referendums. These include The Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee. This is the only all-Ireland committee in Leinster House. It is unique in that Members of Parliament from the north join TDs and Senators to work on issues relating to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.The Good Friday Agreement remains the basis for relations on the island of Ireland and between the islands of Ireland and Britain. However, its implementation has been challenged, principally by indifference from London and a lack of consistent and positive leadership from Dublin.‘I'm so scared, please come'For as long as I have been a republican activist I have been reading and writing about the impact of British colonialism on peoples around the world. As the largest empire in human history Britain's conquests and exploitation of other places resulted in untold misery, death and hardship for those living under British rule - not least here in Ireland. To maintain its domination, the British Empire used violence and dehumanised the peoples it sought to exploit. Behind its claim of being a guardian of the ‘rule of law' Britain stole land and property, exploited mineral resources and reduced native peoples to little more than slaves.Among those many locations was Palestine. British policy is largely responsible for the decades of war that have plighted that land for a hundred years. Current British government policy is facilitating the genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli apartheid regime.I have visited Palestine and Israel on at least four occasions, including the Gaza Strip in 2009. I walked along the ‘separation wall' – a monstrous perversion designed to imprison Palestinians into smaller and smaller ghettoes.

Ten foreign ministers have condemned Israel's decision to close down dozens of international NGOs providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to "lift these obstacles to humanitarian access and fulfill its commitments" in the territory. The foreign ministers, including from Britain, France and Canada, expressed "deep concern" over the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation and called on Israel to "ensure that international NGOs can operate in Gaza on a sustainable basis." Israel took the decision to revoke the licenses of 37 aid groups working in Gaza and the West Bank from today, claiming they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules. NGO’s that did not renew their registration are no longer allowed to operate in the Gaza Strip starting from today. KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Tirza Leibovitz from Physicians for Human Rights (Photo:Flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some international humanitarian organisations operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank say they cannot comply with Israel's demands to supply details of Palestinian staff due to data infringement and safety concerns.Also in the programme: we ask why there is a shortage of female toilets in Japan's parliament; conservation efforts saving albatrosses in South Africa; and we look at the best moments from Newshour in 2025.(Photo: A Palestinian man carries food items collected from aid packages dropped from an airplane, amid a hunger crisis, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

In this episode of the National Crawford Roundtable podcast the guys discuss Israel, Judaism and the growing tide of Anti-Semitism.

The father of an IDF soldier speaking about what happened to his son during combat deep inside the Gaza Strip. PODCAST INFO:Podcast website: https://yishaifleisher.com/podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YishaiFleisherTVSUPPORT & CONNECT:Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/yishaiFight4Israel: https://fight4israel.givecloud.coTwitter: https://twitter.com/YishaiFleisherLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yishaifleisherFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/YishaiFleisher Support the show

For a year and a half, Israel has been bombarding the densely populated Gaza Strip in response to attacks staged by Hamas on October 7th, 2023. It was a rapid escalation of an old, old conflict and many people understand that it has created millions of displaced people and refugees. Not many people understand that many of those are also stateless. This third episode of Belonging Nowhere looks into it.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the five likely scenarios that could play out in Gaza during 2026, which Alkhatib recently proposed on his social media channels. According to Alkhatib, the five proposals all "undermine Hamas severely and massively change the calculus and geostrategic landscape following the Trump-sponsored ceasefire in October, which has temporarily halted the war." The five proposals include: A mutiny from Hamas’s ranks within Gaza due to economic and cost-of-living pressures; a significant rise and empowerment of anti-Hamas militias in different areas of the Gaza Strip; mass protests and large-scale uprisings against Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip by civilians; a mass exodus of civilians, from the Red Zone controlled by Hamas behind the "yellow line" into the Israeli-controlled Green Zone; and a successful international stabilization force (ISF) deployment with the mandate of battling and demilitarizing Hamas. We go through each scenario point-by-point throughout the conversation, leaving time for a reader's question or two. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Palestinians walk along a street past a tent camp in Gaza City, December 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunger Strike in English PrisonsIn English prisons five people, imprisoned under new repressive laws targeted at pro-Palestinian activists, are on hunger strike. Several of them will have been on hunger strike now for over 50 days. At the weekend and each day since, protests have taken place across the island of Ireland and in Britain. Irish republicans have a natural affinity with those who use hunger strike in protest against inhumane prison conditions and to advance democratic aims. The use of hunger strike by political prisoners following the Rising and during the Tan and Civil Wars and in the North is well documented.Grace – just hold me in your arms …Next year the judicial review, taken by the Moore St. Preservation Trust, will be held in the Dublin High Court to challenge the Irish government's support for the plans of the developer - Hammerson – to demolish much of the historic 1916 Moore St. battlefield site.16 Moore St. is where the leaders of the 1916 Rising held their last meeting and where the decision to surrender was taken to prevent further civilian loss of life.Among those present was Joseph Plunkett who was centrally involved in the planning of the 1916 Rising. He was Director of Military Operations in the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He was also a member of that organisations Military Council. He was a signatory of the Proclamation and although heavily bandaged as a result of medical operations in early April, Plunkett spent Easter week in the GPO. A bleak Christmas for PalestiniansThe story of Christmas and the birth of Jesus in a stable, as Mary and Joseph sought shelter, is known by billions around the world – even by those of other faiths and none. Christmas will be celebrated – presents given – and many will go to their respective places of worship to remember the child born in poverty, surrounded by a loving family and animals.But for the people of Palestine, surviving in the occupied Palestinian Territories, this Christmas thousands of families will be separated from their loved ones, many of them children, held illegally in Israeli prisons. In the Gaza Strip families will mourn the 20,000 babies and children killed in Israel's genocidal war and the many more left with life changing injuries. Children will grieve for the parents who have been killed.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Legal and settlements reporter Jeremy Sharon joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Defense Minister Israel Katz told settlements leaders on Tuesday that, “With God’s help when the time comes, we will also establish… pioneer groups in northern Gaza, in place of the settlements that were evacuated.” He later walked back his statements, but not before Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich doubled down on them and also pushed for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convince US President Donald Trump to recognize annexation of the West Bank in his upcoming US trip. We dive into the issues of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in the first half of the program. The IPC famine monitoring organization stated on Friday that food security conditions in the entire Gaza Strip “remain critical,” in a new report covering the second half of October and all of November that classified the territory as being in its “Emergency” Phase 4 category — the fourth highest of its five levels of food insecurity. Sharon explains Israel's criticism of the report and raises the question of whether the Hamas-run Gazan Health Ministry has been manipulating its numbers of war casualties. Earlier this month, the High Court of Justice ruled unanimously 7-0 to annul the government’s decision to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, asserting that the government had failed to provide legal justification for its decision to change the way an AG is fired, and determining that the new system it designed was fundamentally flawed. Sharon reviews the decision and updates us on the ongoing existential crisis between the government and the court. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Katz vows Israel will build settlements in northern Gaza, later walks back comments Dozens of settler activists enter Gaza, plant Israeli flags in bid to resettle enclave PA accuses Israel of ‘tightening colonial control’ over West Bank with new settlements Government announces 19 new West Bank settlements and legalized outposts IPC monitor says ‘famine conditions’ over but Gaza food security still ‘critical’; Israel rejects findings Israel says famine monitor did not seek aid facilitators’ input for upcoming Gaza report High Court annuls firing of attorney general; cabinet ministers urge defiance of ruling Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: A tent camp for displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, December 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. US bureau chief Jacob Magid joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, Prince Turki bin Faisal, spoke with Magid on Sunday and said that Riyadh is currently not even entertaining the idea of normalizing relations with Israel and will only do so if Jerusalem begins acting like a “normal country.” We hear how Israel could behave more "normally" and what else the royal family member said. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee held a rare meeting with Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh in Ramallah last Wednesday to discuss ongoing tensions in the West Bank. We speak about the fraught US-PA ties and how this meeting comes on the heels of increased cooperation surrounding ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip. And finally, US Vice President JD Vance claimed in an interview on Sunday that almost no Americans are antisemitic and that concerns about antisemitic voices are raised as a way to avoid discussing “a real backlash to a consensus view in American foreign policy” on Israel. Magid delves into this thorny issue, even as attacks against Jews in the US continue to be at a high since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Ex-Saudi intel chief to ToI: Riyadh will consider normalization when Israel acts normally Huckabee holds rare meeting with PA official to discuss West Bank tensions — officials Huckabee: Iran ‘didn’t get the full message’ when US bombed its nuclear sites Vance: Almost no Americans are antisemitic, real issue is ‘backlash’ to US policy on Israel Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Illustrative: Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal talks to the Associated Press in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to What Matters Now, a weekly podcast exploring key issues currently shaping Israel and the Jewish World, with host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan speaking with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, the head of Realign For Palestine, an Atlantic Council project that challenges entrenched narratives in the Israel and Palestine discourse. This week, we dive into the five likely scenarios that could play out in Gaza during 2026, which Alkhatib recently proposed on his social media channels. According to Alkhatib, the five proposals all "undermine Hamas severely and massively change the calculus and geostrategic landscape following the Trump-sponsored ceasefire in October, which has temporarily halted the war." The five proposals include: A mutiny from Hamas’s ranks within Gaza due to economic and cost-of-living pressures; a significant rise and empowerment of anti-Hamas militias in different areas of the Gaza Strip; mass protests and large-scale uprisings against Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip by civilians; a mass exodus of civilians, from the Red Zone controlled by Hamas behind the "yellow line" into the Israeli-controlled Green Zone; and a successful international stabilization force (ISF) deployment with the mandate of battling and demilitarizing Hamas. We go through each scenario point-by-point throughout the conversation, leaving time for a reader's question or two. And so this week, we ask Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, what matters now. What Matters Now podcasts are available for download on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Palestinians walk along a street past a tent camp in Gaza City, December 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet in Jerusalem this afternoon with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides. He will hold a bilateral meeting with each leader, then will host a trilateral summit, followed by statements to the press. We learn about the summit's goals. Israel has warned the Trump administration that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may be using an ongoing military exercise focusing on missiles as cover to launch an attack on Israel, according to a Sunday report, amid fears that Jerusalem and Tehran are readying for another confrontation. At the same time, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned Sunday that the military will strike Israel’s enemies “wherever required, on near and distant fronts alike,” apparently hinting that Israel may again need to attack in Iran. Berman weighs in as the drums of war appear to approach. Berman sat with US Senator Lindsey Graham for a one-on-one interview yesterday in Tel Aviv. We learn how the senator believes Hamas must be given a deadline for relinquishing its weapons, after which Israel will have a green light to return to combat operations across the Gaza Strip. As phase two of the Trump peace plan's ceasefire appears stalled, will the IDF need to move in again? Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel warns US that Iran may use missile launch drill as cover to strike – report Army chief, hinting at potential new Iran war, says IDF will strike ‘wherever required’ Leading GOP senator: Hamas must be given deadline to disarm or face renewed war Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: Demonstrators walk on an image of the Israeli flag with blood dripping Star of David as one of them carries a replica of a missile during an annual rally in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the embassy, Iran, November 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israeli forces have carried out fresh strikes across multiple areas of the Gaza Strip, with local sources reporting civilian casualties, including children.

Aaron Siri is the Managing Partner of Siri & Glimstad LLP and has extensive experience in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters and class actions. Siri & Glimstad LLP's team is made up of more than 100 professionals and the firm has robust practices in the areas of civil rights, class actions, employment litigation, immigration, medical malpractice, and vaccine injury and exemptions. Mr. Siri has extensive experience and has handled numerous high-profile cases related to mandated medicine, vaccine injury, and policy. This experience includes challenges to federal and state mandates; the restoration of exemptions, including for U.S. military members; extensive litigation against federal agencies for transparency; and deposing immunologists, infectious disease doctors, pediatricians, and vaccinologists, including the world's leading vaccinologist. Mr. Siri has successfully prosecuted numerous class actions against large corporations resulting in payments to hundreds of thousands of Americans. Mr. Siri has acted as counsel to clients in multiple commercial disputes exceeding one billion dollars, including Oracle Team's challenge for the America's Cup and matters concerning the collapse of the World Trade Center. Prior to Siri & Glimstad, Mr. Siri was a litigation attorney at Latham & Watkins and, prior to that, clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel where he advised the Chief Justice of relevant American, English (Commonwealth), and International Law precedent for cases of first impression, including removal of Israel's citizens from the Gaza Strip. Mr. Siri earned his law degree at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law with four Prosser Prizes and ten High Honors and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Berkeley Business Law Journal. Prior to law school, Mr. Siri was an auditor at Arthur Andersen LLP, where he examined internal controls and audited micro-cap technology companies. Mr. Siri is admitted to practice law in federal and state courts across the country and is regularly interviewed on national television as an expert on various legal issues related to civil rights. Mr. Siri has also been published in numerous national print media outlets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Senior officials from the US, France and Saudi Arabia are set to meet in Paris today amid fears that Israel could embark on a new military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon after a December 31 deadline to disarm the Iran-backed terror group passes, a diplomatic official told The Times of Israel on Tuesday. We have seen an uptick in tensions over the past few weeks. Fabian takes us back to early October to give context for what is currently happening on the ground. In one of his first moves, new Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir decided today to close a criminal case against a senior reserves officer who was facing charges over his involvement in the circumstances that led to the deaths of a soldier and a civilian researcher in southern Lebanon in November 2024. Fabian was in the area when this occurred and fills us in. Israeli settlers torched a vehicle and sprayed graffiti in a West Bank village near Ramallah overnight, according to Palestinian media. The suspected crime took place in Ein Yabrud. The conflict in the West Bank, always at a low boil, but are appearances deceiving in that it seems to be on a higher flame in the past several weeks? After Palestinian media reported a series of Israeli airstrikes in eastern Gaza City, the IDF said it is conducting routine activity to demolish Hamas infrastructure in the Israeli-controlled area. In addition to the tunnel demolitions, there are almost daily incidents in which Gazans attempt to cross the Yellow Line from the Hamas-ruled side. Fabian gives several scenarios for the attempted crossings. Earlier in the month, Fabian visited Hamas’s “most complex” tunnel network in the Gaza Strip, where, eventually, the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin were recovered. He was killed and abducted by the terror group in 2014, and it transpires that he was held some two kilometers from the Israeli border. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: US, French, Saudi officials to meet in Paris about preventing renewed war in Lebanon IDF postpones planned strike on alleged Hezbollah site as Lebanese army searches it IDF drops charges against reserve officer over deadly Lebanon incident last year Settlers said to torch vehicle, spray graffiti in attack on West Bank village Scouring massive labyrinth under Rafah, IDF just missed finding Hadar Goldin’s body Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Podwaves. IMAGE: An officer with the elite Yahalom unit is seen inside a tunnel in the Rafah area of the southern Gaza Strip, where the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin was held, December 8, 2025. (Emanuel Fabian/Times of Israel)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/14/25). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v70ua72","div":"rumble_v70ua72"}); Video Source Links (In Chronological Order): (1) Aaron Rupar on X: "Q: If DOJ doesn't release the files it has by next Friday, is there anything Congress can do to compel that to happen? MASSIE: It's a crime if they don't. This is a new law with criminal implications if they don't follow it. https://t.co/CzsXCuyXxu" / X The Last American Vagabond on X: "“One of Kash Patel's staff threatened my staff with a criminal investigation if we didn't “straighten up & play ball” … they said “we're going to investigate your staff for fraud”” - if true, Kash is “weaponizing gov” or wiling to let a criminal walk. https://t.co/hGMfzFalsz" / X New Epstein Photos Released by Democrats Show Donald Trump, Bill Clinton - WSJ Micah on X: "Steve Bannon: ‘Democrats are scared of the Epstein Files being released.' Also Steve Bannon: https://t.co/zAvqClp3v2" / X (11) SUAREZ on X: "@Polymarket Bro trying everything to get people to forget about the files https://t.co/jzrH1VQuyD" / X New Tab (11) SilencedSirs◼️ on X: "

Brown University in Rhode Island is reporting an active shooter situation. Police say multiple people have been shot and are advising students to shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice.The Pentagon says two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush by a gunman from the ISIS terrorist group Saturday in Syria. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said partner forces killed the shooter. President Donald Trump told reporters that the United States will retaliate.The Israeli military announced Saturday that it has killed a Hamas commander who was one of the architects of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The Israel Defense Forces identified Ra'ad Sa'ad as the head of Hamas weapons production and “one of the last remaining veteran senior militants in the Gaza Strip.”

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Lazar Focus. Each Friday, join host deputy editor Amanda Borschel-Dan and diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman for a deep dive into what's behind the news that spins the globe. This week, we're joined by Julien Lerisson, the head of delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel and Occupied Territories. Berman reviews the organization's troubling history of failures regarding Jews, specifically during the Holocaust, but also moving forward in its rejection of Israel's national Magen David Adom chapter until two decades ago. We learn about the ICRC's work in Gaza during the hostage releases and Lerisson shares the humanitarian group's frustrations with its inability to access those held by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. Lerisson tells us about the group's core principle of neutrality and how a mission to serve humanity is at the center of its work in war-torn and disaster-prone regions. Lazar Focus can be found on all podcast platforms. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves. IMAGE: Julien Lerisson (courtesy)/ A Red Cross vehicle carrying the remains of a deceased hostage handed over by Hamas militants heads toward the border crossing with Israel for transfer to Israeli authorities, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, December 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.