Podcasts about Islamabad

Mystapaki aka Bilal Hassan is a content creator, writer and photojournalist who posts primarily about travel and culture while opening up a window for the outside world to have a peek into what everyday life is like in Pakistan. He's written for and been in numerous local and international publications namely VICE, the Guardian, Toronto Star, Print India and Dawn Pakistan.  The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters:0:00 Introduction and Bodybuilding4:00 Myanmar and South Asian connection15:00 Buddhism and Politics 20:00 Travelling to Myanmar and Karachi Airport32:00 Iranians have Aura and visiting Lebanon 35:00 G*nocide sites in Myanmar38:00 Pakistan deserves credit for diplomacy in Iran-USA47:00 Shahbaz Sharif, Journalism and Islamabad talks1:00:00 Godi Media, Modi and Kunal Kamra 1:06:32 Old Actors looking for relevance 1:09:30 PTI Cult1:11:31 Nadir Ali, Sparrow and disagreements online1:19:00 Trolls online1:25:20 Culture in Pakistan and basic etiquettes 1:41:26 Traffic in Pakistan1:46:00 What can Pakistan learn from other countries1:49:50 Favourite places to visit1:53:24 Audience Questions

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Ibraheem Bahiss, Crisis Group's Afghanistan expert based in Kabul, to assess where the country stands nearly five years after the Taliban's return to power. They discuss the improved security across much of Afghanistan, even as many remain uncertain about the durability of Taliban rule. They examine the Taliban's sweeping restrictions on women's and girls' rights, particularly education, work and public life, and how these have undercut efforts to normalise relations abroad. They also look at the poppy ban and how it has affected rural livelihoods and the drug trade and how the Taliban now generate revenue. They then turn to the sharply deteriorating relations with Pakistan over Islamabad's accusations that the Taliban are sheltering militants conducting cross-border attacks, and the uncertain prospects for talks between Kabul and Islamabad. Finally, they discuss the Taliban's engagement with regional powers and their recent outreach to Europe and where the country is headed under their rule.Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more, check out our Afghanistan page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VOV1 - Bộ Nội vụ Qatar tối qua thông báo một vụ nổ nghiêm trọng đã xảy ra tại cơ sở sản xuất khí tự nhiên hóa lỏng lớn nhất của nước này, khiến nhiều người bị thương.Bộ Nội vụ Qatar cho biết vụ nổ xảy ra do sự cố kỹ thuật, tại một nhà máy sản xuất khí hóa lỏng (LNG) thuộc khu công nghiệp khí đốt chiến lược Ras Laffan, ở phía Bắc thủ đô Doha. Cơ sở này từng bị Iran tập kích trong thời gian xung đột hồi tháng 3. Vụ nổ khiến một số người bị thương, nhưng không đe dọa tính mạng.Bộ Nội vụ Qatar không cho biết vị trí chính xác của vụ nổ. Tuy nhiên, theo một số nguồn tin khu vực, sơ sở xảy ra sự cố là nhà máy khí gas Barzan, thuộc khu công nghiệp Ras Laffan. Nguyên nhân gây nổ là do lỗi vận hành. Mức thiệt hại vật chất cụ thể chưa được công bố.  Liên quan phản ứng của khu vực với tiến trình hòa đàm Mỹ-Iran, Ngoại trưởng 4 nước Ai Cập, Pakistan, Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ và Saudi Arabia, tối qua đã ra tuyên bố chung hoan nghênh việc Washington và Tehran ký bản ghi nhớ Islamabad về chấm dứt giao tranh và triển khai đàm phán. Động thái đưa ra sau cuộc họp đặc biệt giữa 4 Ngoại trưởng tại Cairo, Ai Cập, theo sáng kiến của nước chủ nhà. Đây là cuộc thảo luận thứ 4 trong hơn 2 tháng qua của các Ngoại trưởng nhóm Bộ tứ Trung Đông mới về hỗ trợ giải pháp ngoại giao cho cuộc chiến tranh Mỹ-Israel-Iran. Nỗ lực được tiến hành song trùng với vòng đàm phán chính thức đầu tiên Mỹ-Iran được tổ chức tại Thụy Sỹ hôm qua với sự trợ giúp của các nhà trung gian quốc tế, đứng đầu là Pakistan và Qatar.  Trong tuyên bố chung, Ngoại trưởng 4 nước tái khẳng định tầm quan trọng của việc tiếp tục hoạt động tham vấn và điều phối giữa các nước về ủng hộ hòa bình, an ninh, sự ổn định và thịnh vượng chung tại khu vực Trung Đông cũng như trên toàn thế giới./.VOV/Ai CậpHiện trường vụ việc. (Ảnh: Reuters)

In questo episodio della serie "Storia Orale della Diplomazia Italiana" incontriamo l'Ambasciatore Roberto Mazzotta. Entrato in servizio nel 1967, il suo percorso si è snodato tra Consolati e Ambasciate di tre continenti: da New York, dove assistette all'ingresso della Cina alle Nazioni Unite, a Francoforte e Lugano, fino a Tunisi nel 1987, anno della transizione tra Bourguiba e Ben Ali.È stato Ambasciatore d'Italia a Islamabad tra il 2004 e il 2008, in un periodo segnato dalla lotta al terrorismo nella regione. Tra aneddoti, incontri internazionali e una costante apertura verso le culture e le comunità locali, racconta un mestiere vissuto come autentica vocazione.

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. - How the United States Shaped the Dominican Republic’s Immigration Enforcement Machine - Settler Colonialism with Andrew - Anti-ICE Protesters in Minnesota Charged with Conspiracy - The Necessary War on Data Centers - Executive Disorder: Iran Deal, UFC at the White House, Dialog Hack You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone Sources/Links: How the United States Shaped the Dominican Republic’s Immigration Enforcement Machine Help Bring Ezra Home and Seek the Truth (https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-bring-ezra-home-seek-the-truth) More than a Massacre; Racial Violence and Citizenship in the Haitian-Dominican Borderlands by Sabine Cadeu Empire of Borders by Todd Miller Border Patrol Nation by Todd Miller From tierra de nadie to terre brulée – From Borderland to Border in Haiti and the Dominican Republic by Sabine Cadeu (https://www.histecon.magd.cam.ac.uk/barriers/July2022_papers/SabineCadeauPaper.pdf) Haitians, Magic, and Money: Raza and Society in the Haitian-Dominican Borderlands, 1900 to 1937 by Lauren Derby (https://www.jstor.org/stable/179294) Making the Dominican Republic Great Again? by Lorgia García-Peña (https://nacla.org/making-dominican-republic-great-again/) Marines in the Dominican Republic 1916-1924 (https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/Marines%20in%20the%20Dominican%20Republic%20PCN%2019000412600_1.pdf) US warns its ‘darker-skinned’ citizens of Dominican Republic’s migrant crackdown by Richard Luscombe (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/22/us-warns-darker-skinned-citizens-crackdown-dominican-republic) Latinobarómetro 2024 Resultados por sexo y edad Informe de estudio #LAT-2024 v1 (https://www.latinobarometro.org/latinobarometro-2024#LAT-2024-selected-country-header) Ten Years After a Fateful Court Decision, the Dominican Republic Still Has a Statelessness Problem by Kevin Appleby (https://cmsny.org/dr-statelessness-problem-appleby-102323/) Addressing the Next Displacement Crisis in the Making in the Americas by Valerie Lacarte (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/haiti-next-displacement-crisis-americas) ‘They grabbed us like dogs’: deportation quotas tear Haitian migrants’ lives apart by Shandra Back (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/sep/07/they-grabbed-us-like-dogs-deportation-quotas-tear-haitian-migrants-lives-apart) Federal Agents Investigate Sugar Exporter Over Allegations of Forced Labor (https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/10/central-romana-homeland-security-sugar/) “They Just Came and Started Breaking Houses” (https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/12/central-romana-sugar-hoyo-de-puerco-demolished/) Despite US Import Ban, Sugar Cane Cutters Still Face Abuse in Dominican Republic (https://unicornriot.ninja/2023/despite-us-import-ban-sugar-cane-cutters-still-face-abuse-in-dominican-republic/) 10 years fighting for nationality in the Dominican Republic (https://www.institutesi.org/news/10-year-anniversary-of-dr-court-ruling-stripping-nationality) LEA Training Schedule 2024 (https://sansalvador.ilea.state.gov/training-schedule?c=fr-FR) International students graduate from elite federal law enforcement program (https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/international-students-graduate-elite-federal-law-enforcement-program) Dominican Republic students graduate from elite US law enforcement program (https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/dominican-republic-students-graduate-elite-us-law-enforcement-program) El misterio de Ellen Frances Hulett | El Informe con Alicia Ortega (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIg2np081M) How Far Will the Dominican Republic Go in Deporting Haitians? by Marius Loiseau (https://inkstickmedia.com/how-far-will-the-dominican-republic-go-in-deporting-haitians/) Fearing Deportation, Mothers Give Birth in Shadows by Hogla Enecia Pérez and Luis Ferré-Sadurní (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/26/world/americas/dominican-republic-haiti-hospital-deportations.html) Dominican Republic and Haiti at the Crossroads of the Massacre River by Simón Rodríguez (https://nacla.org/dominican-republic-and-haiti-crossroads-massacre-river/) US team reveals weaknesses at the Dominican-Haiti border (https://web.archive.org/web/20110526044642/https://dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2006/8/7/16173/US-team-reveals-weaknesses-at-the-Dominican-Haiti-border) Dominican Republic begins building border wall with Haiti (https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/dominican-republic-begins-building-border-wall-with-haiti-2022-02-20/) A 101-Mile Wall Goes Up to Block Haitians Pouring Over Border by Danielle Balbi (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-09-28/big-take-why-the-dominican-republic-is-building-a-border-wall-between-haiti?embedded-checkout=true#xj4y7vzkg) “A Veil of Legality” by Amelia Hintzen (https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1382237316000234) Dominican border wall threatens environment, mangroves by Esteban ROJAS (https://phys.org/news/2023-03-dominican-border-wall-threatens-environment.html) Dominican Republic deports pregnant women in ‘inhumane’ migrant crackdown (https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/apr/29/pregnant-women-deported-dominican-republic-migration-crackdown-haiti) La muerte de Ellen Frances Hulett se debió a infartos agudos al miocardio, confirma autopsia (https://noticiassin.com/la-muerte-de-ellen-frances-hulett-se-debio-a-infartos-agudos-al-miocardio-confirma-autopsia/) La muerte de la estadounidense Ellen Hulett: una cadena de preguntas sin respuestas by Ana A, Elina M (https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/sucesos/2025/07/03/muerte-de-ellen-hulett-una-cadena-de-preguntas-sin-respuestas/3170413) Alert: Ongoing Dominican Migration Enforcement (https://do.usembassy.gov/alert-ongoing-dominican-migration-enforcement/) 87 Aniversario de la Dirección General de Migración (https://migracion.gob.do/87-aniversario-de-la-direccion-general-de-migracion/) Haitians displaced by violence face deportation after fleeing to Dominican Republic (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/haitians-displaced-by-violence-face-deportation-after-fleeing-to-dominican-republic) Settler Colonialism with Andrew Settler Colonialism and the Elimination of the Native by Patrick Wolfe https://www.britannica.com/place/Liberia/History Liberia: The Violence of Democracy by Mary H Moran. The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi The Question of Palestine by Edward Said https://rpublc.com/story/2024/02/08/international-affairs/the-false-equivalence-of-liberia-and-israel Anti-ICE Protesters in Minnesota Charged with Conspiracy https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-it-could-happen-here-30717896/episode/everyone-vs-ice-on-the-ground-in-minnesota-319435576 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-it-could-happen-here-30717896/episode/outlaw-criminalization-of-ice-watch-in-minneapolis-326372276 https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234418/gov.uscourts.mnd.234418.1.0_1.pdf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ0hYCF60og Executive Disorder: Iran Deal, UFC at the White House, Dialog Hack Short Stories: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/spacex-ipo-makes-elon-musk-worlds-first-trillionaire-2026-06-11/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-complaint-challenging-virginia-mask-ban-and-identificationhttps://x.com/DHSgov/status/2065442267502882838?s=20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7rjZqvbMIkhttps://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/security-aviation/2026-06-11/ty-article/israeli-firm-blackcore-suspected-of-meddling-in-nyc-scotland-elections/0000019e-b7d1-d892-adde-f7df71710000 https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026-06-15-raskin-to-patel-fbi-re-bonuses.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/05/removing-unnecessary-and-counterproductive-restrictions-on-access-to-federal-lands/ https://www.energy.senate.gov/hearings/2026/6/business-meeting-to-consider-pending-legislation https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2026/02/18/an-update-on-the-roadless-rulhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73486770/united-states-v-warrant/ Police Shooting: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-police-officer-shoots-and-kills-1-year-old-child-in-response-to-senatobia-shoplifting-call/ https://capitalbnews.org/mississippi-police-shooting-kohen-kartier-wiley/ https://www.whsv.com/2026/06/17/family-identifies-1-year-old-killed-officer-involved-shooting-walmart-protests-break-out-store/?outputType=amp https://wreg.com/news/local/ms-town-looks-for-answers-after-walmart-shooting-that-killed-1-year-old/ https://wreg.com/news/local/mother-of-toddler-killed-in-walmart-shooting-speaks/ https://www.wapt.com/article/senatobia-officer-placed-on-leave-tear-gas-deployed-as-hundreds-protest-death-of-1-year-old-kohen-wiley/71608163 https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/watch-child-dead-another-person-critically-injured-after-officer-involved-shooting-at-senatobia-walmart-mbi/video_af5674d5-cfc5-5e9e-83cb-64f0beded36f.html https://wreg.com/news/mbi-investigates-shooting-at-senatobia-walmart-parking-lot/?ipid=promo-link-block1 https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/06/16/community-rally-planned-after-officer-shoots-kills-1-year-old-senatobia/ https://abcnews.com/US/officer-involved-shooting-walmart-killed-1-year-boy/story?id=133965022 Iran Deal: https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116743808155352167 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/17/middleeast/us-iran-war-mou-text-intl https://en.mehrnews.com/news/245340/Islamabad-says-Iran-US-reach-peace-deal https://en.mehrnews.com/news/245343/Iran-s-top-security-body-confirms-Iran-US-finalization-of-MoU https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2065467425408405712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://x.com/CMShehbaz/status/2066268332832194810?s=20 https://x.com/itamarbengvir/status/2066392115027050781 https://farsnews.ir/Qaysar/1781530307974297749/Spokesman-Iran-Oman-to-Charge-Fees-for-Full-Services-in-Strait-of-Hormuz https://x.com/phildstewart/status/2066552634803155267?s=20 https://x.com/osinttechnical World Cup:https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states/https://www.state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/world-cup-ice-visas-iran/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49017941/iran-players-say-us-visa-policies-create-world-cup-tensionhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/somali-world-cup-referee-omar-artan-talking-to-very-bad-people-andrew-giuliani/UFC Freedom 250:https://time.com/article/2026/06/15/ufc-fight-white-house-hokit-obama/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/five-men-arrested-and-charged-plot-attack-and-kill-government-officials-and-others-attendinghttps://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1446021/dl?inlinehttps://cnycentral.com/resources/pdf/99a48b49-11dc-4b9c-a158-6487087ab779-Propercomplaint.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rSE1tw7lI0https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5927733-ufc-white-house-attack-plot/Dialog:https://www.wired.com/story/leak-exposes-members-of-peter-thiels-secretive-dialog-society/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nesta edição, analisamos o comportamento do consumidor em relação à Inteligência Artificial, mostrando que assistentes de IA elevam a conversão em 54%, mas ainda esbarram em 17% do mercado que se declara "cético" e exige atendimento humano no fechamento da compra. Destacamos também o impacto do "Memorando de Entendimento de Islamabad" entre EUA e Irã, que oficializou o fim das operações militares e a reabertura do Estreito de Ormuz, prometendo reduzir as pressões inflacionárias globais. No cenário nacional, mostramos que a busca por bem-estar virou consumo, com 86% dos brasileiros adotando hábitos saudáveis e impulsionando as ilhas de wellness nos supermercados. Por fim, antecipamos o planejamento para a Black Friday, revelando por que os perecíveis e o café dominaram as vendas da última edição e por que os descontos isolados já não bastam. Entre os destaques:

Tres golpes simultáneos a los mercados en menos de siete días: Trump e Irán firman el Memorando de Islamabad y reabren el Estrecho de Ormuz, prometiendo alivio inflacionario global. La Fed mantiene tasas pero, en la primera reunión de Kevin Warsh, ya insinúa una alza para fin de 2026. Y SpaceX protagoniza la mayor IPO de la historia: $75 mil millones recaudados, valoración cerca de $2 billones, y Musk se convierte en la primera persona con patrimonio sobre el billón de dólares.Esta semana con Bryan Ramírez Huerta y Rodrigo Ortíz:EE.UU. e Irán firman la paz en Versalles: 14 puntos, reapertura inmediata del Estrecho de Ormuz, fin de sanciones al petróleo iraní en 30 días. Hezbollah ya lo califica como "gran victoria" para IránLa Fed mantiene tasas en 3.50–3.75%: decisión unánime en el debut de Warsh, pero 9 de 19 funcionarios proyectan al menos una alza este año. La mediana subió de 3.4% a 3.8%SpaceX rompe récords en Nasdaq: debutó a $135, cerró a $161 (+19%) y cotiza cerca de $172. Triplica el récord previo de Saudi AramcoCápsula Marketing para todos con Isela y KarenMundo Cripto: análisis semanal del criptomercado#Irán #Fed #SpaceX #Inflación #EncuentroDeNegocios

This week in Islamabad, Pakistan, a peace deal was brokered between America and the Islamic Republic of Iran called The Memorandum of Understanding. Join Aaron and guest Dexter Van Zile as they unpack the ramifications of this deal for America and Israel as well as the serious threat of Iranian radical ideology gaining a foothold in American cities like Dearborn, Michigan. Is the war with Iran's radical agenda to destroy the Western world closer than we think!

Hoa Kỳ và Iran đã công bố toàn văn bản ghi nhớ của họ, chấm dứt nhiều ngày đồn đoán về những gì hai nước thực sự đã đồng ý. Có tiêu đề là ‘Bản ghi nhớ Islamabad giữa Hoa Kỳ và Cộng hòa Hồi giáo Iran', thỏa thuận 14 điểm đã được một quan chức cấp cao của Mỹ và truyền thông nhà nước Iran chia sẻ vào sáng thứ Năm, giờ miền đông Hoa Kỳ. Thỏa thuận 14 điểm giữa Mỹ và Iran có nội dung ra sao?.

VOV1 - Bộ Ngoại giao Iran vừa xác nhận thỏa thuận sơ bộ về kết thúc chiến tranh giữa Mỹ và Iran, đã được Tổng thống hai nước ký kết. Điều này đồng nghĩa lễ ký chính thức dự kiến tổ chức tại Thụy Sỹ vào ngày mai (19/6), có thể bị hủy bỏ.Trong một tuyên bố chính thức được hãng thông tấn IRNA trích dẫn, Người phát ngôn Bộ Ngoại giao Iran Esmaeil Baqaei khẳng định thỏa thuận sơ bộ, hay còn gọi là bản ghi nhớ Islamabad giữa Mỹ và Iran, đã có được chữ ký của Tổng thống hai nước. Vì vậy, việc thử nghiệm thực thi thỏa thuận, có thể chính thức bắt đầu. Tuy nhiên, nguồn tin không cho biết việc ký kết diễn ra khi nào. Lý do vì sao thỏa thuận được ký sớm hơn kế hoạch, cũng không được đề cập.Theo truyền thông khu vực, với tuyên bố này của phía Iran, nhiều khả năng lễ ký dự kiến tại Thụy Sỹ vào ngày mai 19/6, sẽ không diễn ra.Trong một diễn biến đáng chú ý liên quan, Chủ tịch Quốc hội Iran Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf đêm qua khẳng định eo biển Hormuz không bao giờ còn có thể trở lại trạng thái như trước khi chiến tranh nổ ra. Tuyên bố trên truyền hình Iran, ông Qalibaf nhấn mạnh Iran có quyền chủ quyền đối với eo Hormuz và đương nhiên sẽ thu phí dịch vụ liên quan với vùng biển này.Eo Hormuz là một trong những nội dung theo chốt trong thỏa thuận tạm thời đạt được giữa Mỹ và Iran. Tuyến hàng hải huyết mạch này đã bị Iran phong tỏa, sau khi xung đột bùng phát hôm 28/2. Theo tiết lộ của truyền thông Iran đêm qua, Tehran cam kết khôi phục lưu thông và đảm đảo an toàn cho tàu thuyền đi qua eo Hormuz. Tuy nhiên, thời gian miễn phí cho tàu thuyền qua đây chỉ là 60 ngày, tức trong thời gian gian đàm phán Mỹ-Iran diễn ra sau khi thỏa thuận sơ bộ được ký kết./. Bá Thi/VOV Ai CậpMỹ và Iran ký kết thoả thuận hoà bình. (Ảnh: Reuters)

Ngày 14/06/2026, Hoa Kỳ và Iran thông qua trung gian hòa giải Pakistan sau thông báo đạt đồng thuận chấm dứt chiến tranh Trung Đông. Hôm qua, 17/06, nguyên thủ Mỹ và Iran đã ký văn bản này. Bộ Ngoại Giao Thụy Sĩ hôm nay 18/06, cho biết hai bên sẽ bắt đầu đàm phán việc thực thi thỏa thuận vào ngày mai, 19/06, tại Lucerne, Thụy sĩ. Trả lời phỏng vấn của RFI Tiếng Việt, ngày 17/06, nhà nghiên cứu Didier Chaudet, chuyên gia địa chính trị về thế giới Ba Tư, Trung – Nam Á cho rằng vòng đàm phán sắp tới sẽ mang tính quyết định liên quan đến nhiều vấn đề. Cuộc chiến hơn 100 ngày chiến tranh giữa liên quân Mỹ - Israel và Iran đang làm chuyển dịch các thế cờ chiến lược ở Trung Đông và Nam Á.   ----- ***** ----- RFI Tiếng Việt : Xin chào ông Didier Chaudet. Ông đánh giá như thế nào về thông báo thỏa thuận giữa Mỹ và Iran ? Đó là một thắng lợi của Iran, một sự sỉ nhục cho Mỹ hay một thất bại chiến lược của Israel ? Didier Chaudet : Người ta nói rằng đó sẽ là một sự sỉ nhục đối với Hoa Kỳ hoặc một chiến thắng lớn cho Iran. Họ thường bỏ qua thực tế rằng, thực ra, Iran đã trải qua một cú sốc—một cú sốc đối với người dân, một cú sốc đối với nền kinh tế. Rồi còn có sự đoàn kết của người dân. Tất nhiên, có một mặt trận thống nhất, nhưng sự đau khổ là có thật, sự suy yếu là có thật. Quả thật, Hoa Kỳ, bị sỉ nhục trong logic về quyền lực tuyệt đối của mình, có lẽ, hoặc đúng hơn, đã phải đối mặt với một thực tế nhất định. Trên thực tế, Trump đã rơi vào cái bẫy tương tự như W. Bush, tin rằng ông có thể tấn công mà không bị trừng phạt ở bên kia thế giới. Ông nghĩ Iran là Venezuela. Thực tế đã giáng cho ông ta một cú đánh mạnh. Ông ấy nghĩ rằng mình sẽ thắng cuộc rất nhanh chóng, rằng ông sẽ thực hiện một cuộc đảo chính như những gì đã làm với Maduro ở Venezuela. Nhưng Iran không phải là châu Mỹ Latinh, và họ đã thích nghi cho phù hợp. Bởi vì khi chúng ta nói về sự sỉ nhục, chúng ta muốn nói rằng đó sẽ là một đòn giáng mạnh vào Hoa Kỳ. Điều này tương tự sau chiến tranh Irak, và sau khi Taliban trở lại Afghanistan. Xét cho cùng, chúng ta đang đối phó với một cường quốc có khả năng gây áp lực ở những nơi khác. Nước Mỹ dưới thời Trump dường như ngày càng quan tâm đến Cuba. Người ta sẽ lại nói về thuế quan, bao gồm cả rượu vang Pháp. Chúng ta có nguy cơ sẽ nghe thêm về lợi ích lãnh thổ của Mỹ ở các khu vực khác, đặc biệt là ở châu Âu. Chúng ta phải cẩn thận không được đánh giá thấp khả năng phục hồi của người Mỹ, ngay cả sau những thất bại. Hơn nữa, chúng ta thực sự không thể nói ai thắng ai thua trong cuộc chiến này. Sau lệnh ngừng bắn 60 ngày, hiện tại, chúng ta hoàn toàn không biết mọi việc sẽ diễn biến như thế nào. Cuộc chiến hơn 100 ngày giữa Mỹ và Iran đã có tác động ra sao đến vùng Trung Đông ? Didier Chaudet : Tại khu vực Vịnh Ba Tư nói riêng, chúng ta đang thấy nhiều quốc gia nhận ra rằng năng lực bảo vệ và hỗ trợ từ phía Mỹ về quân sự – kể cả từ các đồng minh như Pháp hay Anh – trên thực tế là rất hạn chế. Nói cách khác, khi đối diện với một mối đe dọa thực sự, không phải Mỹ, Pháp hay Anh sẽ đứng ra bảo vệ Các Tiểu Vương Quốc Ả Rập Thống Nhất, Qatar, và càng không phải Ả Rập Xê Út. Vì vậy, việc cho phép các căn cứ quân sự của Mỹ được thiết lập trong khu vực, với kỳ vọng rằng điều đó sẽ mang lại an ninh – đặc biệt là đối với Qatar và Các Tiểu Vương Quốc Ả Rập Thống Nhất – ngày nay đã không còn giá trị như trước. Các quốc gia này đang xem xét lại cách thức bảo đảm an ninh của mình. Ả Rập Xê Út đã làm điều đó thông qua một thỏa thuận quốc phòng với Pakistan, một thỏa thuận thực chất, trong đó nếu một bên bị tấn công thì bên kia sẽ hỗ trợ phòng vệ. Dĩ nhiên, vẫn có một mức độ diễn giải nhất định. Hiện nay, không thấy Ả Rập Xê Út tham chiến với Taliban, dù Pakistan đang xung đột với Taliban Afghanistan. Tuy vậy, các mối liên kết rất chặt chẽ đã được thiết lập, giúp Ả Rập Xê Út tăng cường khả năng tự vệ, đồng thời gửi một thông điệp tới Iran : nếu Iran quá hiếu chiến với Riyad, Pakistan sẽ đóng vai trò hậu thuẫn mạnh mẽ hơn trước. Về phía Qatar và Kuwait, người ta cũng nhận thấy một chính sách đi theo hướng này. Trong khi đó, UAE đã lựa chọn một hướng đi khác, dựa nhiều hơn vào Israel và phần nào vào Ấn Độ. Nói cách khác, các nước này đang quay sang các tác nhân trong khu vực, đồng thời đa dạng hóa các mối quan hệ hỗ trợ để bảo vệ mình tốt hơn. Có lẽ, về lâu dài, logic chung sẽ là một chính sách đối ngoại đa hướng, thay vì phụ thuộc vào một « người bảo trợ » duy nhất; họ sẽ dựa vào nhiều lực lượng khác nhau trong quan hệ quốc tế. Tôi cho rằng điểm chung giữa Các Tiểu Vương Quốc Ả Rập Thống Nhất, Qatar, Kuwait và Ả Rập Xê Út là họ sẽ ngày càng trông đợi vào ảnh hưởng của Trung Quốc trong việc mang lại hòa bình cho khu vực, dù điều này có thể diễn ra một cách kín đáo. Ảnh hưởng của Trung Quốc sẽ được họ mong muốn, mà không nhất thiết gạt bỏ ảnh hưởng của Mỹ. Một lần nữa, không nên đánh giá thấp siêu cường Mỹ chỉ vì nước này đã xử lý chưa tốt một số vấn đề trong cuộc chiến vừa qua. Nhưng chúng ta sẽ chứng kiến một dạng cân bằng : một bên là các cường quốc khu vực tham gia nhiều hơn như Pakistan, Israel, Ấn Độ và bên kia là sự hiện diện của các cường quốc lớn, đặc biệt là Mỹ và Trung Quốc, có thể thêm một phần từ Nga. Ngược lại, đối với ảnh hưởng của châu Âu như Anh hay Pháp, thì vẫn còn là một dấu hỏi lớn. Tôi không tin rằng các nước châu Âu sẽ trở nên mạnh hơn trong khu vực này sau cuộc chiến. Với việc giúp Hoa Kỳ và Iran đạt được thỏa thuận khung để bước vào vòng đàm phán mới, phải chăng Pakistan đã ghi một điểm quan trọng trên mặt trận ngoại giao ? Didier Chaudet : Tại Nam Á, bên thắng lớn là Pakistan. Bởi vì, nước này đã tham gia vào tiến trình hòa bình, bởi vì họ có khả năng đối thoại với tất cả các bên, và trên thực tế, họ là tác nhân duy nhất có thể nói chuyện với mọi phía. Iran tin tưởng Pakistan và vẫn tiếp tục tin bởi vì Pakistan không có căn cứ quân sự Mỹ trên lãnh thổ, bởi vì họ tương đối độc lập, bởi vì họ từng có những căng thẳng với Mỹ trong quá khứ, và bởi vì họ là một cường quốc khu vực thực sự, chứ không phải một lực lượng yếu thế so với sức mạnh Mỹ hay các cường quốc phương Tây. Về phía Mỹ, Washington cũng đặt niềm tin vào Pakistan, bởi vì Islamabad đã biết cách chứng minh, đặc biệt trong nhiệm kỳ thứ hai của chính quyền Trump, rằng Pakistan có thể hữu ích cho chính sách đối ngoại của Mỹ, trong lĩnh vực chống khủng bố, hay trong việc ổn định Trung Đông. Đồng thời, từ phía Islamabad cũng tồn tại một mong muốn thể hiện thiện chí với Nhà Trắng và chứng tỏ vai trò hữu ích của mình đối với sự ổn định của khu vực Trung Đông. Do đó, Pakistan nổi lên với vị thế được nâng cao về mặt ngoại giao, đồng thời cũng có cơ hội cứu vãn tình hình kinh tế của mình, bởi nước này đã chịu tổn thất nặng nề do việc eo biển Hormuz bị đóng cửa. Thắng lợi ngoại giao này của Pakistan cũng đã làm bộc lộ những sai lầm chiến lược của Ấn Độ, đối thủ của Islamabad, trong suốt cuộc chiến hơn 100 ngày ở Trung Đông ? Didier Chaudet : Về phía Ấn Độ, chúng ta đang đối diện với một câu hỏi lớn thực sự, bởi vì Ấn Độ hiện đang ở một bước ngoặt. Trong những năm gần đây, nước này đã chấp nhận xích lại gần Mỹ rất nhiều và đã phải trả giá đáng kể. Đặc biệt, Ấn Độ đã đánh mất phần nào quan hệ thân thiện với Teheran, nhất là khi tiếp tục đứng về phía Mỹ và xích lại gần Israel. Cần nhớ rằng ngay trước cuộc chiến giữa một bên là Israel và Mỹ, và bên kia là Iran, đã diễn ra chuyến thăm của thủ tướng Ấn Độ Narendra Modi tới Jerusalem, nhằm thể hiện mình như một đồng minh lớn của Israel. Điều này chắc chắn gây khó chịu cho Iran, trong khi nước này là đối tác then chốt của Ấn Độ nếu New Delhi muốn tránh Pakistan mà vẫn duy trì ảnh hưởng tại Nam Á, đến tận Trung Á và không gian hậu Xô Viết. Do đó, đây là một tình thế khá đặc biệt, khi Ấn Độ bắt đầu nhận ra rằng họ đã liên kết quá chặt với Mỹ, và điều đó đã làm tổn hại đến quan hệ với Iran mà không nhận được lợi ích tương xứng. Ngay trước cuộc chiến, đã xuất hiện một số căng thẳng giữa Ấn Độ và Mỹ, trong đó Washington gây áp lực buộc New Delhi ngừng mua dầu của Nga. Ấn Độ chỉ có thể tiếp tục mua dầu Nga nhờ cuộc chiến tại Iran, nhưng khi cuộc chiến này dần kết thúc, áp lực từ phía Mỹ đối với vấn đề dầu mỏ Nga có nhiều khả năng quay trở lại với Ấn Độ. Lúc này, Ấn Độ đứng trước một lựa chọn quan trọng : Liệu họ có tiếp tục chính sách liên kết chặt chẽ với Mỹ, hiện đang cho thấy những giới hạn, hay sẽ tìm kiếm một hướng đi khác ? Trong khoảng thời gian 60 ngày này, và có thể ngay sau đó, chúng ta sẽ thấy rõ hơn hướng đi mà Ấn Độ lựa chọn, tùy thuộc vào chính sách mà nước này quyết định theo đuổi. RFI Tiếng Việt xin cảm ơn nhà địa chính trị học Didier Chaudet, chuyên gia về thế giới Ba Tư, Trung và Nam Á.

No 3 em 1 desta sexta-feira (12), o destaque foi que o presidente Donald Trump quebrou a tradição de chefes de Estado e não vai no jogo de estreia da seleção dos Estados Unidos na Copa do Mundo de 2026 contra o Paraguai. A Casa Branca alega "agenda apertada" em meio à escalada de conflitos severos e tensões diplomáticas no Oriente Médio, que exigem atenção integral do republicano. Reportagem: Eliseu Caetano. O presidente do Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, ministro Kassio Nunes Marques, extinguiu a ação de aliados do presidente Lula (PT) que tentavam barrar o filme "Dark Horse". Em defesa, Nunes Marques afirma que os representantes da ação não são candidatos à eleição de 2026. Reportagem: Elieseu Caetano. A Polícia Federal rejeitou oficialmente a segunda proposta de delação premiada do banqueiro Daniel Vorcaro, ex-dono do Banco Master, por falta de fatos novos e provas consistentes. Diante do impasse na negociação, as autoridades pediram que o investigado deixe a carceragem da Superintendência da PF e retorne ao Complexo Penitenciário da Papuda. Reportagem: Janaína Camelo. O presidente do Novo, Eduardo Ribeiro (NOVO-SC), rechaçou qualquer possibilidade de o ex-governador Romeu Zema (NOVO-MG) recuar para compor uma chapa como vice-presidente em 2026. No debate, analistas avaliam que Romeu Zema é o candidato para enfrentar a campanha de reeleição do presidente Lula (PT-SP). Reportagem: Ricardo Costa. O ministro da Fazenda, Dario Durigan, acendeu o sinal de alerta sobre o avanço de "pautas-bomba" no Congresso Nacional, impulsionadas pelo clima eleitoral. O pacote de propostas em tramitação pode gerar um impacto fiscal bilionário aos cofres públicos. Reportagem: Beatriz Souza. O ministro das Relações Exteriores do Irã, Abbas Araqchi, afirmou que o Memorando de Entendimento de Islamabad para selar a paz com os Estados Unidos nunca esteve tão próximo de ser finalizado. A declaração busca trazer transparência ao processo internacional, em meio às intensas negociações mediadas pelo Paquistão que envolvem a gestão do governo de Donald Trump. O senador Camilo Santana (PT-CE) manifestou apoio à classificação das facções criminosas PCC e Comando Vermelho como organizações terroristas, divergindo do posicionamento oficial adotado pelo governo do presidente Lula. O parlamentar afirmou ter levado sua discordância diretamente ao chefe do Executivo e ressaltou que o enfrentamento ao crime organizado deve ficar acima de disputas partidárias. O presidente do Supremo Tribunal Federal, ministro Luiz Edson Fachin, divulgou nota oficial para defender a Corte e rebater a Justiça da Itália, que apontou falta de imparcialidade de Alexandre de Moraes no processo de Carla Zambelli (PL-SP). Fachin assegurou que o julgamento seguiu o devido processo legal e a Constituição. Reportagem: Janaína Camelo. O senador e pré-candidato à Presidência Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ) convocou seus apoiadores a vestirem a tradicional amarelinha, batizando-a de "camisa do Bolsonaro" durante a Copa do Mundo. A movimentação acirra o cabo de guerra simbólico com o presidente Lula (PT), que defende a retomada das cores nacionais pela esquerda. Reportagem: Misael Mainetti. Tudo isso e muito mais você acompanha no 3 em 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Der weitere Verlauf der Verhandlungen zwischen den USA und dem Iran könnte nicht in Islamabad, sondern in Wien entschieden werden. Denn in der österreichischen Hauptstadt befindet sich der Sitz der Internationalen Atomenergie-Agentur (IAEA). Auf dem Juni-Treffen seines Gouverneursrats beschloss dieser erneut eine Resolution, die von vielen als „anti-iranisch“ bezeichnet wurde. Von Dieter Reinisch (Wien).Dieser BeitragWeiterlesen

These are the top headlines from Arab News, the Middle East's leading English-language daily, at 6pm GMT. - @POTUS says he would not unfreeze #Iran's assets before peace deal is done - #Pakistan interior minister meets Iranian FM as Islamabad steps up US-Iran mediation - #Israel strikes #Beirut southern suburbs after #Hezbollah launches projectiles - Frankly Speaking: US media slammed for showing Iran as victor of war - #US draft resolution at @iaeaorg demands Iran open up on sites, uranium stocks Check out the latest updates on https://arabnews.com

Mahnoor Jamil prihaja iz pakistanske prestolnice Islamabad, že nekaj mesecev pa je pri nas mlada raziskovalka na Inštitutu Jožef Štefan. Ukvarja se s kibernetsko varnostjo in umetno inteligenco. Pravi, da se v Ljubljani počuti kot doma, čeprav pogreša družino in prijatelje, pa tudi začimbe. Pri nas uporabljamo včasih zgolj dve, sol in poper, v Pakistanu pa za posamezno jed kombinacijo tudi petnajstih začimb. Opaža, da je zato postala občutljivejša za pekoče okuse, ko se je nazadnje vrnila v domači Islamabad, se ji je vse zdelo pretirano pekoče. Bližnji so ji rekli, da se je poevropila!

He crossed one of the hottest deserts on Earth at 16 because his faith left him with no legal way out, then landed in San Francisco with $75 and barely any English. That's where Payam Zamani's story starts, and it quickly becomes a masterclass in resilience, immigration, and what it really takes to build a life when the stakes are real.We talk through Payam's early years growing up Baha'i in Iran, the constant pressure and discrimination, and the moment he realises survival means leaving everything behind. From Pakistan to the US Embassy in Islamabad, he describes his first direct experience of human rights and why the United States still represents “hope to the world”, even while wrestling with its contradictions. It's an unfiltered conversation about gratitude, complexity, and refusing to let hardship become an excuse.From there we move into entrepreneurship and the Silicon Valley ecosystem: why contract law matters, why failure is treated as experience, and why venture capital and reinvestment create momentum that's hard to copy elsewhere. Payam shares how he and his brother built AutoWeb.com, an early internet pioneer in online car buying, and how that journey leads to a public company valued at around $1.2bn. We also dig into the darker side of capitalism: greed, excessive materialism, and the hollow feeling that can follow “winning”.Finally, Payam lays out his idea of spiritual capitalism: building companies that serve people, changing hearts not just rules, and aiming for a coherent life where work and values cannot be separated. If you care about startups, leadership, immigrant success, purpose-led business, or building wealth without losing yourself, you'll get a lot from this one. Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

Healthcare systems are under pressure almost everywhere, but the strain is especially visible in lower-resource settings where demand is rising faster than infrastructure. In Pakistan, that pressure is playing out across a system that has to serve more than 250 million people with limited public investment. Public health spending remains below 1% of GDP, making the need for smarter, more scalable healthcare delivery increasingly urgent. That is why major projects like the Jinnah Medical Complex are drawing attention as potential models for what the next phase of healthcare reform could look like.That raises the real question at the center of this episode: can a major new medical complex help transform healthcare delivery in Pakistan, or will lasting progress depend on broader system design far beyond a single hospital?Welcome to I Don't Care. In the latest episode, Dr. Kevin Stevenson speaks with Dr. Muhammad Faheem Anwar, Chief Operating Officer of the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center, about the future of Pakistani healthcare. Their conversation explores the structural realities of Pakistan's healthcare system, the ambitions behind the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad, and the larger issues of digital health, oncology, workforce retention, prevention, and primary care reform.Key takeaways from the conversation…Pakistan's healthcare system is not simply underdeveloped. It is highly uneven, with world-class care in some institutions but fragmented access and high out-of-pocket costs for much of the population.The Jinnah Medical Complex is being positioned not just as a large hospital, but as a replicable model for operational discipline, clinician training, digital health, and internationally benchmarked public sector care.The biggest long-term opportunity in Pakistan may not be tertiary expansion alone, but building a stronger primary care foundation, better data systems, and a more sustainable care delivery model.Dr. Muhammad Faheem Anwar is a healthcare operations and public health leader with more than 20 years of experience overseeing large multispecialty hospitals across Pakistan and the Gulf region, with deep expertise in hospital commissioning, operational readiness, governance, digital health integration, and health system strengthening. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Jinnah Medical Complex & Research Center, where he is leading the operationalization of a 1,460-bed quaternary care hospital, following senior leadership roles at The Indus Hospital, Central Park Teaching Hospital, Punjab Health Facilities Management Company, and the Punjab Information Technology Board. His career highlights include improving operational efficiency at scale, advancing quality and patient safety systems, leading HMIS implementation, and advising on health system reform, climate resilience, and performance improvement in low- and middle-income country settings.

Lucien (recording from Riyadh, mid-apartment move) and Hanna (in London, riding out an unlikely heat wave) open Episode 70 (!) catching up with each other. Between Arsenal's recent win of the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, and the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl, it is the year of Championship Hanaa. She lives within earshot of the Emirates Stadium in Islington, her son knows every chant and every stat, and the neighborhood has been in full kit ever since. Hanna is also headed to Miami this summer for a World Cup match, though she'd have preferred the Egypt v. Iran fixture in Seattle — her kids are still in school. And the wins keep on coming: On June 3rd, she'll be co-hosting the 7th edition of the Middle East Sports Investment Forum in London. Before the main segment, the hosts share a piece of listener feedback that landed: a message on LinkedIn, from a listener who said The Twenty30 "was one of the most valuable sources of information they had when deciding whether to accept a job offer in Riyadh." That's the whole point of the show, and the hosts don't take it lightly.  Then, Lucien does a deep dive on Riyadh Air. Lucien frames it personally first: he's taken six flights in the last six weeks, lives an hour and a half from Dulles in D.C., and values a direct flight more than almost anything else in travel. Saudia currently holds the only nonstop service from Washington and New York into Riyadh, which should make it the obvious choice — except that Saudia's in-flight internet on long-haul routes is essentially non-functional. He's been routing through Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai instead, noting that all three of those hubs have been noticeably quiet during the conflict. Every time he boards, the thought is the same: where is Riyadh Air? The answer is: closer than it looks. Riyadh Air received its GACA operating approval in February 2025 and operated its first flight — an invite-only Riyadh to London Heathrow service using a wet-leased Oman Air 787-9 — in April 2025. The commercial launch has been held up not by Riyadh Air but by Boeing. Seven fully built Riyadh Air 787-9s are currently sitting at Boeing's Charleston, South Carolina factory awaiting certification, with an eighth still on the final assembly line. The first A321neo delivery is expected in Q4 2026, with the 787 Dreamliners to follow. In January 2026, Riyadh Air locked in Neo Space Group as its WiFi provider for the A321neo fleet — Skywaves connectivity, up to 300 Mbps, free for Sphere loyalty members — layered on top of an existing Viasat contract for the 787 fleet that was signed in April 2025. The internet situation, in other words, is going to be the opposite of Saudia's. Qatar Airways already has Starlink and Lucien describes it as faster than his home connection. That's the bar -- let all airlines seek to best it! The initial network was leaked via Airport Coordination Limited and shows 15 destinations: Amman, Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Islamabad, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, London Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester, Manila, Mumbai, and Paris. Washington, DC is not on the list :( Three of those routes — Madrid, Manchester, and Jakarta — would be nonstop firsts from Riyadh. Jeddah, Madrid, and Manchester were officially confirmed via Riyadh Air's social media on April 20th. In early May, the airline formally applied to the US Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit with a request for expedited clearance — so DC may not be far behind. On May 19th, public ticket sales opened for the daily Riyadh to London Heathrow service launching July 1st. The aircraft will have four classes: Business Elite (four first-class suites on the first aircraft), Business (24 seats), Premium Economy (39 seats), and Economy. Hanaa flags premium economy as the sleeper feature. Qatar Airways doesn't offer it. British Airways isn't flying to Saudi at the moment. For families, or for anyone who can't justify business class on a personal trip, it fills a genuine gap. Lucien agrees — he's a last-minute booker and business class prices close to departure get punishing.  On the competitive landscape: Singapore Airlines announced four-times-weekly nonstop service from Singapore to Riyadh on the A350-900, scheduled to start June 2nd before being delayed by the conflict. That announcement read like a signal — Singapore Airlines effectively saying it wasn't going to let Riyadh Air own the premium international corridor into Saudi unchallenged. European carriers largely exited during the hostilities; Lufthansa pulled Lucien off a connecting flight in late January, rerouting him through London and adding a full day to his journey. British Airways still isn't flying to Saudi. The supply contraction has pushed prices up significantly on what routes remain. Riyadh Air stepping into this environment — with new aircraft, working internet, and routes that don't yet exist nonstop from Riyadh — is well-positioned (if it can seize the timing of this moment).  The workforce story is its own headline. Riyadh Air has received two million (two million!) applications across its hiring portals.  The hosts close the segment by zooming out. Airlines are structurally brutal businesses. What gives Riyadh Air a real edge, at least at launch, is route exclusivity and limited competition into Riyadh. As long as pricing is in range, travelers choose the direct. That simple fact, combined with Vision 2030's tourism and modernity goals, makes Riyadh Air something bigger than just an airline. King Khalid International Airport remained one of the most operationally open airports in the region during the conflict. The infrastructure is there. The aircraft are nearly there. Riyadh Air is coming. The episode wraps with a brief detour into domestic flying in Saudi — the Riyadh to Jeddah corridor, the high proportion of passengers in Ihram performing Umrah year-round, and genuine praise for Saudia's cabin crew and their quietly impressive ability to reshuffle seating at boarding so that women aren't seated next to unrelated men. Seamless, fast, and genuinely underappreciated. The one criticism of Saudia that neither host will let go: the internet!

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Serbian counterpart, who has visited the Great Wall and Tian'anmen Square, during his first state visit to China (01:01). President Xi also met with the Pakistani prime minister and said Pakistan is a priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy while commending Islamabad's mediation efforts in the Middle East (31:41). And China's Shenzhou-23 astronauts, including a crew member from Hong Kong, are inside the Tiangong Space Station (14:29).

SCHEDULE JBS 5-18-26.1962 ALGERIA Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to reassure its ally. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggionote that while mediating the Iran war, Islamabad leverages this military presence to avoid direct involvement in the regional conflict. (1/16)Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio observe that Washington is currently distracted by domestic politics and upcoming midterms, pushing the Iran war to secondary headlines. Global leadership has eroded due to partisan squabbling over issues like high gas prices. (2/16)Bill Roggio and Samuel Bener report that Israeli strikes killed Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the last original planner of the October 7 massacre remaining in Gaza. His elimination signals a pressure campaign against Hamas as they refuse to disarm during the ceasefire. (3/16)Bill Roggio and Bridget Toomey report that Iraq's new government remains incomplete with nine ministries vacant due to sectarian disputes. Washington refuses to cooperate if these posts are filled by members of Iran-backed, US-designated terrorist militia groups. (4/16)Malcolm Hoenlein criticizes The New York Times for publishing an opinion piece echoing propaganda against Israelalongside a report on Hamas atrocities. Critics suggest this timing was intended to undermine Israeli investigative findings. (5/16)Malcolm Hoenlein reports that Iran launched a digital insurance platform to bypass maritime sanctions and generate revenue in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Hezbollah refuses to disarm in Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations held in Washington. (6/16)Alan Tonelson argues the Beijing summit achieved little, noting no shifts in Taiwan policy or tariffs. Tonelson and Gordon Chang emphasize China's economic distress, manufacturing overcapacity, and strategic reliance on rare earth minerals. (8/16)Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo discuss Raul Castro's potential indictment and regional shifts toward the right. They highlight the extradition of Alex Saab as a significant blow to Maduro. (9/16)Alejandro Peña Esclusa attributes Bolivia's turmoil to Cuban influence and Evo Morales's ties to drug trafficking. Ernesto Araújo views Bolivia as a critical "bellwether" for the criminal socialist project in Latin America. (10/16)Edmund Fitton-Brown discusses the Strait of Hormuz closure and the potential for military escalation if negotiations fail. He critiques European passivity and notes China's interest in reopening the vital waterway. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (11/16)Edmund Fitton-Brown critiques a New York Times report on Israeli violence as poorly sourced and timed to distract from Hamas's sexual violence. He warns about shifts in American media coverage. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (12/16)John Hardie examines the escalation of drone strikes between Ukraine and Russia, including attacks on Moscow'sinfrastructure. He notes the pressure on Russian air defenses and the stalemate in the Donbas region. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (13/16)Joe Truzman details how Iran and its proxy, Kata'ib Hezbollah, outsource low-tech attacks against Jewish targets in Europe. He also discusses Israel's ongoing pursuit of justice for October 7th victims. Bill Roggio joins the conversation. (14/16)Sophie McDowall explains how terrorist groups use music on platforms like SoundCloud to radicalize new listeners. She details how artists bypass content moderation using coded language and nasheeds featuring battlefield audio. (15/16)Sophie McDowall explores the complex difficulty of balancing free speech rights with moderating radicalist audio content. She identifies Islamic art bands with ties to Hamas that use music to oppose coexistence. (16/16)

Pakistan deployed 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to reassure its ally. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggionote that while mediating the Iran war, Islamabad leverages this military presence to avoid direct involvement in the regional conflict. (1/16)1950S CASTRO

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump says he's pausing a planned military strike on Iran as Gulf leaders push for continued negotiations, even while the White House warns Tehran that future talks may happen “through bombs.” Pakistan reportedly deploys fighter jets and thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia, despite U.S. officials claiming Islamabad also helped protect Iranian military aircraft during the war. Plus, new claims from a former Kremlin insider suggest Russian elites may finally be envisioning a future without Vladimir Putin. And in today's Back of the Brief—Israel says it has finally eliminated Hamas's elusive military commander known as “The Ghost,” a figure who reportedly survived years of assassination attempts inside Gaza. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Nobl Travel: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Fabletics: Get 70–80% off your first Fabletics order and $15 scrub sets at https://Fabletics.com/pdb when you sign up as a new VIP! Tax Relief Advocates: End your tax nightmare today by visiting us online at https://TRA.comor call 800-583-6515 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Australia's war on tobacco has backfired spectacularly, and the consequences have become deadly. In this episode of I Catch Killers, former ABF and AFP detective Rohan Pike takes us deeper into the self-inflicted tobacco wars and its consequences - including the booming unregulated vape industry, with almost all vapes sold in Australia now illegal. Rohan also tells us about serving as an AFP officer in Islamabad in the aftermath of 9/11, his role in the high-profile Jihad Jack case, and leading Australia's first ever foreign bribery investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining me today is Hrvoje Morić, here to discuss the global power transition that appears to be taking place. We discuss his recent article, "Multipolarity As World Government 3.0 & Its Pied Pipers," and the possibility that the multipolar world order that is being presented as the solution to the current reality is nothing more than a coordinated transition—a controlled demolition if you will—away from a dying globalist unipolar order, and into the new globalist multipolar order. We also discuss how this may have happened more than once in the past, what we can learn from this, and what we may be able to do about to today.  !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":"v77ec5u","div":"rumble_v77ec5u"}); Source Links: (21) Geopolitics & Empire (@Geopolitics_Emp) / X Geopolitics & Empire Geopolitics & Empire | Substack New Tab Multipolarity As World Government 3.0 & Its Pied Pipers A United States of Europe? on JSTOR The Network State Coup And The Engineered Transition To "Tech Zionism" (26) David Icke on X: "The China Scam Deception - you are being scammed on a monumental level by calls getting louder all the time for a 'multi-polar world'. This is code for moving the global power centre eastwards to China and eventually into a world government overseeing 'hemisphere superstates' - https://t.co/DBAevPWvLq" / X (26) David Icke on X: "This is exactly what I have been saying the plan has been for decades - to move global power eastwards out of the US and the West to China and connected countries - including Iran. Trump was installed precisely so his narcissistic arrested development could be used to create the" / X (26) Greg Reese on X: "The New World Order https://t.co/HieeIGWIeG" / X New Tab Efrat Fenigson: Escaping the Algorithm in the New Financial World Order (25) Geopolitics & Empire on X: ""Smart Lockdowns" in Pakistan. "Traders highlighted that heightened security measures, including checkpoints and movement restrictions across Rawalpindi and Islamabad over the past two weeks, have significantly disrupted daily business. Many warned that continued curbs are" / X Christian Westbrook: Finding Peace Amidst the Omnicrisis & Planetary Grid Buildout Hantavirus cluster linked to cruise ship travel, Multi-country Health warning issued for half a million people as lung-penetrating toxins fill the air: 'Stay indoors' | Daily Mail Online (26) greg on X: "It's time https://t.co/hM9qYKBKhM" / X New Tab James Corbett Interview - Trump's Great Reset Or Great Blunder? (26) The Last American Vagabond on X: "As anyone paying attention say coming before Trump even opened his mouth to lie about a deal again." / X New Tab (26) Linda Mamoun on X: "Imagine seeing this op ed in any Western newspaper. https://t.co/Grq6J8v5wA" / X Trump & The Zionist/Globalist Technocrats Are Building Your New Society Whether You Like It Or Not The Technocratic Dark State - Second Edition – THE PAPERCUT Iain Davis Interview - The Technocratic Dark State & The Network State Agenda Co-opting Freedom: The Bitcoin Sleight Of Hand & The New AI Control Structure Pronomos Capital & The Rapid Transition To A Techno-Feudal State Gaza's "Board Of Peace" Seeks To Reimagine The International Order As Mexico's Biometric ID Draws Closer, Implementation Remains Uncertain Mexico's Central Bank, BIS, and BlackRock Discuss Phasing Out Cash and Future of Digital Money     Bitcoin Donations Are Appreciated: www.thelastamericanvagabond.com/bitcoin-donation (3FSozj9gQ1UniHvEiRmkPnXzHSVMc68U9f)

Iran is expected to respond tomorrow regarding the U.S. proposal to end the war. The one-page memorandum would declare an end to the conflict and trigger a 30-day period resolving nuclear demands, unfreezing of Iranian assets and negotiating security in the Strait of Hormuz, one person familiar told CNN. We'll go live to Islamabad, Pakistan, where this could all come together, or fall apart, in the days ahead. Plus, remembering CNN founder Ted Turner, who died today at the age of 87.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Contributing Editors Ariane Tabatabai and Joel Braunold, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Heel.” As it approaches the 60-day mark, the war of Iran appears to have entered the “war of attrition” stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by both Iran and the United States, as each side waits to see if the other will capitulate first. President Trump recently called off peace talks in Islamabad, in part because of purported internal disarray on the part of Iran—a perhaps unsurprising consequence of a two-month campaign of regime change. Meanwhile, the White House appears to have successfully pushed for and and then extended a ceasefire in the related theater of Lebanon, but it is already under strain from ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's ensuing refusal to disarm. What should we make of this new equilibrium? And does it suggest that there is any way out of the current morass in the near future?“Royally Falked.” King Charles is in the United States this week for the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth in 2007. But the Trump administration's latest round of antics toward the United Kingdom and other NATO allies may overshadow the trip. Over the weekend, Reuters reported that an internal Pentagon email suggested that the administration should explore withdrawing U.S. recognition of British control over the Falkland Islands and suspending Spain from NATO due to their refusal to join U.S.-Israeli combat operations against Iran. Other consequences may yet be in the offing. How seriously should we take these threats from the Pentagon? And how close are we to a permanent rupture in the United States's preeminent alliance?“Ballroom Blitz.” On Saturday night, President Trump was the target of a third assassination attempt since the 2024 campaign. This time, a California teacher plotted to target Trump and his senior advisers at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In response, the administration quickly blamed Democrats for the heated, sometimes violent rhetoric they use in criticizing Trump and focused its attention on pressuring a federal court to end a civil case challenging the construction of the new White House ballroom, citing security concerns. What were some of our thoughts about this past weekend's events?In object lessons, Ari is taking control of the narrative with Split Fiction for the Switch 2. Natalie is taking herself out for a treat to Boulangerie Saint Georges near Eastern Market. Scott is taking a break from his own podcast to appreciate Iran: The Latest from The Telegraph. And Joel is taking a lesson from the NFL draft that may delight both sportsball and non-sportsball fans alike.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Executive Editor Natalie Orpett and Contributing Editors Ariane Tabatabai and Joel Braunold, to talk through the week's big national security news stories, including:“The Art of the Heel.” As it approaches the 60-day mark, the war of Iran appears to have entered the “war of attrition” stage. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed by both Iran and the United States, as each side waits to see if the other will capitulate first. President Trump recently called off peace talks in Islamabad, in part because of purported internal disarray on the part of Iran—a perhaps unsurprising consequence of a two-month campaign of regime change. Meanwhile, the White House appears to have successfully pushed for and and then extended a ceasefire in the related theater of Lebanon, but it is already under strain from ongoing Israeli strikes and Hezbollah's ensuing refusal to disarm. What should we make of this new equilibrium? And does it suggest that there is any way out of the current morass in the near future?“Royally Falked.” King Charles is in the United States this week for the first state visit by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth in 2007. But the Trump administration's latest round of antics toward the United Kingdom and other NATO allies may overshadow the trip. Over the weekend, Reuters reported that an internal Pentagon email suggested that the administration should explore withdrawing U.S. recognition of British control over the Falkland Islands and suspending Spain from NATO due to their refusal to join U.S.-Israeli combat operations against Iran. Other consequences may yet be in the offing. How seriously should we take these threats from the Pentagon? And how close are we to a permanent rupture in the United States's preeminent alliance?“Ballroom Blitz.” On Saturday night, President Trump was the target of a third assassination attempt since the 2024 campaign. This time, a California teacher plotted to target Trump and his senior advisers at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. In response, the administration quickly blamed Democrats for the heated, sometimes violent rhetoric they use in criticizing Trump and focused its attention on pressuring a federal court to end a civil case challenging the construction of the new White House ballroom, citing security concerns. What were some of our thoughts about this past weekend's events?In object lessons, Ari is taking control of the narrative with Split Fiction for the Switch 2. Natalie is taking herself out for a treat to Boulangerie Saint Georges near Eastern Market. Scott is taking a break from his own podcast to appreciate Iran: The Latest from The Telegraph. And Joel is taking a lesson from the NFL draft that may delight both sportsball and non-sportsball fans alike.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were supposed to fly to Islamabad, Pakistan, this week to negotiate an end to the Iran war. Yet once again, the Trump administration couldn't follow through on its promises. But let's back up. Why is Ivanka Trump's husband involved in these talks in the first place? To find out, we spoke with Judd Legum. He's the author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism.And in headlines, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump is charged, Republicans continue to push for Trump's $400 million ballroom, and King Charles flies to D.C. for a tea and beehive tour.Show Notes: Check out Judd's newsletter – https://popular.info/ Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

SHOW SCHEDULE  THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-27-26.1993 YEMEN1. Headline: The Iran War on Pause: Diplomacy and Asymmetric Strategy Guest: Bill Roggio Summary: John Batchelor and Bill Roggio discuss the current pause in the Iran war, characterized by President Trump's decision to halt negotiations. While Iran's conventional military has suffered significant damage, concerns remain regarding its asymmetric warfare capabilities and its strategy to outlast the United States through "asymmetric diplomacy". 12. Headline: Saturday Night Assassination Attempt and the Danger of Misinformation Guest: Bill RoggioSummary: Batchelor and Roggio reflect on an assassination attempt by an American citizen at a Washington ballroom. They warn against the rapid spread of conspiracy theories following violent events, noting how misinformation has become mainstream. They emphasize that political violence is unacceptable and requires careful, factual reporting. 23. Headline: Escalating Negotiations: The Straits of Hormuz and Nuclear Files Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:The discussion centers on the fragmented leadership in Tehran and whether negotiations will cover all fronts or remain separate. Iran is increasingly emboldened, using its control over the Straits of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb as powerful leverage against the United States and global economy. 34. Headline: Life Under Siege: Economic Pressure and Regime Stability in Iran Guest: Jonathan Sayeh Summary:Jonathan Sayeh describes the dire conditions inside Iran, where a U.S. Navy blockade is freezing the economy and threatening food security. Despite significant infrastructure damage, the regime's political leadership remains intact, focusing on reorganizing security forces and increasing internal repression to maintain control over the population. 45. Headline: The Houthi Wildcard: Maritime Chokepoints and Strategic Leverage Guest: Bridget ToomeySummary: Bridget Toomey explains how the Houthis use the Bab el-Mandeb as a maritime chokehold to influence the international economy. Reports suggest the Houthis have explored charging illegal tolls of up to $2 million per ship for transit through the Red Sea using cryptocurrency. 56. Headline: Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen and Iraqi Militia Aggression Guest: Bridget Toomey Summary: The UN has largely been pushed out of Houthi-controlled territory due to the illegal detention of 73 local staff members. Meanwhile, in Iraq, the U.S. has designated several militia commanders involved in attacks against energy infrastructure and American personnel in the region. 67. Headline: Canadian Diplomacy: The Tug-of-War Between the U.S. and China Guest: Charles Burton Summary:Experts discuss the potential for long-term concessions to China in exchange for short-term trade benefits during an upcoming Trump-Xi meeting. Canada faces internal pressure to diversify trade toward China, despite concerns about espionage and foreign interference in its political and economic sectors. 78. Headline: Typhoon Recovery and Systemic Corruption in the Northern Marianas Guest: Cleo Paskal Summary:A super typhoon has devastated the Northern Mariana Islands, leaving residents without water or electricity. However, there are significant concerns that federal relief funds will be misused due to a history of unaccounted-for billions and local officials with ties to Chinese casinos. 89. Headline: The Fragile Ceasefire: IDF Operations and Hezbollah's Defiance Guest: David Daoud Summary:Despite a ceasefire agreement, the IDF has resumed strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley following continued Hezbollahfire. Hezbollah is reportedly exploiting U.S.-imposed constraints on Israel to claim a "victory image," while the Lebanese government remains ineffective in disarming the terror group. 910. Headline: Political Pressure in Israel: Security Zones and Self-Defense Guest: David Daoud Summary: David Daoud explains that the Lebanon ceasefire allows Israel to exercise self-defense against imminent Hezbollah attacks. Within Israel, there is significant political pressure from northern residents who feel abandoned by the ceasefire, arguing that it allows Hezbollah to regroup and metastasize across the border. 1011. Headline: Stalled Diplomacy and the Strategic Value of International Waterways Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Summary: President Trump canceled high-level meetings in Islamabad, citing fragmented Iranian leadership. Iran has offered to reopen the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for nuclear concessions, but experts argue this would be an American retreat and suggest maintaining the economic blockade instead. 1112. Headline: Coordinated Threats: The Houthis, Iran, and Global Hunger Guest: Edmund Fitton-BrownSummary: The Houthis and Iran appear to use coordinated messaging to threaten strategic waterways, spooking global oil markets. Furthermore, the ongoing blockade risks creating a global famine due to fertilizer shortages, though the U.S.remains firm against Iranian "blackmail" using humanitarian crises. 1213. Headline: Russia's Drone Expansion: Recruitment Loopholes and Remote Warfare Guest: John HardieSummary: Russia is aggressively expanding its Unmanned Systems Forces, targeting 165,000 personnel by year's end. A recruitment drive at Alabuga Polytech offers high pay and conscription exemptions to workers producing Iranian-designed Geran-2 drones, promising service in the rear to minimize personal risk. 1314. Headline: Syria's Reconstruction: The State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Guest: Ahmad SharawiSummary: President Al-Shara is seeking over $200 billion for reconstruction, but Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) prevents significant investment. The U.S. maintains the SST status as leverage to demand the removal of foreign jihadists integrated into the Syrian army. 1415. Headline: Regional Disputes and Political Sabotage in Latin America Guests: Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Pinusa Summary: Argentina is calling for renewed negotiations over the Falkland Islands, a matter that remains a sensitive national symbol. Meanwhile, the Maduro regime in Venezuela is accused of sabotaging the political transition by refusing to release political prisoners or permit the return of exiled leaders. 1516. Headline: Electoral Turmoil: Allegations of Fraud in Peru and Brazil Guests: Alejandro Pinusa and Ernesto Araujo Summary: Allegations of electoral fraud in Peru have surfaced after voting centers in right-wing strongholds remained closed. Analysts warn this is a rehearsal for the upcoming Brazilian elections, where Flavio Bolsonaro is gaining ground against Lula da Silva despite efforts to censor information. 16

11. Headline: Stalled Diplomacy and the Strategic Value of International Waterways Guest: Edmund Fitton-Brown Summary: President Trump canceled high-level meetings in Islamabad, citing fragmented Iranian leadership. Iran has offered to reopen the Straits of Hormuz in exchange for nuclear concessions, but experts argue this would be an American retreat and suggest maintaining the economic blockade instead. 111962 YEMEN

A person is in custody after shots fired at event with President Trump. He praised the secret service operative who'd intercepted him. The US president and the first lady were unharmed. Also with Mr Trump was the US Vice-President, JD Vance, the Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, and other members of the president's cabinet. In other news, the latest hopes for a new round of talks between Iran and the US have faded after Donald Trump cancelled a planned trip by US negotiators to Islamabad shortly after the Iranian foreign minister left the Pakistani capital. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, orders army to "vigorously attack" Hezbollah in Lebanon. Colombia says rebels are responsible for highway bombing which killed 14 people. Forty years since the worst nuclear disaster in history, we hear from the then Moscow bureau chief for the Reuters news agency. He was one of the first reporters to get close to Chernobyl after the accident. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, red twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

US and Iran delegations are travelling to Pakistan for further peace talks - but there might not be a direct meeting between the two sides. We ask our world affairs editor about the likelihood of progress in Islamabad, and what a deal to end the war might look like. Also: the key suspect in Syria's notorious Tadamon massacre, Amjad Youssef, is arrested; Gazans battle disease-carrying rats in displacement camps; we hear from the Israeli man detained for wearing a kippah embroidered with the Palestinian flag; an interview with a Jeffrey Epstein survivor; a film review of Michael Jackson's controversial new biopic; and could a hairdryer have helped rig a $34,000 bet?The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

President Donald Trump is giving Iran a short window to unify behind an offer for peace in the Middle East after negotiations between Tehran and Washington recently broke down — or the ceasefire he extended Tuesday ends.Donald Trump's labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is leaving the agency amidst accusations of misconduct. She's now the third cabinet member to leave during the second Trump administration.Elsewhere, Virginia voters approved a new congressional map on Tuesday that could help Democrats pick up seats in the House during the midterms later this year. But a state judge blocked the map from being certified just a day after its passage.And, in global news, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan, tonight for another round of peace talks with the U.S.A top Trump administration envoy floated the idea to FIFA this week to replace Iran with Italy at this summer's World Cup. The swap was likely suggested as an effort to repair ties between President Donald Trump and Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni amid rumors they've fallen out over the presidents attack on Pope Leo XIV.The Trump administration is reportedly in talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo to send as many as eleven hundred Afghan refugees there, including more than 400 children.We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump dispatches Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to Islamabad, Pakistan for talks with Iranian officials. Former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb reacts to the Department of Justice dropping its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss DHS funding, immigration reform and the possibility of redistricting in Florida. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner will head to Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday for another round of negotiations with Iran, and Vice President JD Vance “is on standby” and could potentially join them there. What does this mean for JD's future? A ceasefire deal in which JD is involved is HUGE for his political career why would he be shut out?Sponsor:My PillowWww.MyPillow.com/johnSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-21-26. 1932 OTTAWA PARLIAMENT HILL1. Elizabeth Peek analyzes Kevin Warsh's nomination for Federal Reserve Chairman. The primary tension involves balancing Trump's demand for lower interest rates with Warsh's reputation as an inflation hawk. Warsh aims to reform Fed communications and reduce market noise while protecting the economy from rising inflation. 12. Elizabeth Peek discusses the Democratic Party's interest in Mamdani, comparing him to a younger, male version of AOC. She critiques his fiscal policies and progressive stance on Israel. Peek argues that while he appeals to urban blue states, his platform may fail to resonate with voters elsewhere. 23. Jonathan Schanzer reports on tenuous ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad led by JD Vance. While the US maintains an oil blockade, Iran's leadership remains fragmented over potential nuclear and missile concessions. Schanzer believes the US holds a medium-term advantage through sustained economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. 34. Jonathan Schanzer analyzes historic direct talks between Israel and Lebanon regarding border disputes. The Lebanese government seeks peace, but the survival of Hezbollah remains a major obstacle. Schanzer argues that true stability requires the full dismantlement of the Iranian-backed group through military or diplomatic means. 45. Mary Kissel critiques the State Department's bureaucratic inefficiency while managing multiple global crises. She discusses the unconventional diplomacy of Jared Kushner and JD Vance. Kissel warns that the Iran conflict is complex and may require months of sustained economic and military pressure to reach a resolution. 56. Mary Kissel highlights Ukraine's fear of losing Western attention to the Middle East. She notes Ukraine's emerging defense exports but criticizes US oil sanctions waivers for Russia. Kissel also addresses the Progressive Alliance in Barcelona, which advocates for a "no borders" new world order. 67. Joseph Sternberg discusses JD Vance's disappointment after Victor Orbán lost the Hungarian election. He also previews UK local elections where Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is gaining ground. Sternberg warns that local governance issues like potholes could eventually alienate Farage's core base of new voters. 78. Joseph Sternberg details the scandal surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the appointment of Lord Mandelson. Allegations involve Mandelson's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and failed vetting processes. Despite widespread unpopularity, Starmer remains in power because the Labor Party lacks a viable alternative leader to take control. 89. Gregory Copley describes the intractable situation in the Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire deadlines loom. He identifies IRGC leader Ahmed Vahidi as a hardliner who will not negotiate. Copley argues that only decisive military action against IRGC leadership can resolve the conflict and secure international waters. 910. Gregory Copley discusses a new geopolitical block involving Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine. This coalition, coordinated by Erdoğan, seeks to position Turkey as a central energy and food hub. The alliance serves as a regional power block potentially opposing the interests of the United States and Israel. 1011. Gregory Copley explores the evolution of nation-states and modern imperialism since the Treaty of Westphalia. He argues that almost all modern states are products of empire. Copley warns that globalist "no borders" movements are utopianist and ignore the geographic realities of sovereign security and survival. 1112. Gregory Copley details King Charles III's upcoming visit to the United States to honor its 250th anniversary. The King serves as a peacemaker, attempting to heal the rift between the US and the UK's Labor government. His presence aims to bolster Trump's international standing and calm tensions. 1213. Joe Truzman identifies Ashab al-Yamin, an Iranian front group conducting arson and IED attacks across Europe. These low-sophistication strikes target Jewish and Western institutions to distance Tehran from direct blame. Authorities struggle to respond as the group recruits petty criminals through the internet to execute missions. 1314. Sinan Ciddi examines Erdoğan's hostility toward Israel, which intensified after 2009. While Turkey maintains lucrative trade, Erdoğan uses anti-Israel rhetoric to secure domestic support. Turkey's material support for Hamas and Hezbollah undermines its credibility as a potential mediator for regional peace in the Middle East. 1415. John Hardie explains Ukraine's innovative drone technology, including long-distance interceptors operated via Starlink. Drones cause approximately 80% of Russian casualties and protect pilots by moving them from the front lines. However, Ukraine still faces a severe manpower shortage that drones cannot fully resolve on their own. 1516. Ahmad Sharawi outlines the first phase of the Iran-Gulf conflict, where Tehran targeted energy infrastructure and airports in nine Arab states. These asymmetrical attacks aimed to destroy regional stability and economic confidence. Proximity left the UAE and Kuwait particularly vulnerable to these Iranian-led strikes. 16

3. Jonathan Schanzer reports on tenuous ceasefire negotiations in Islamabad led by JD Vance. While the US maintains an oil blockade, Iran's leadership remains fragmented over potential nuclear and missile concessions. Schanzer believes the US holds a medium-term advantage through sustained economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. 31880

Today's Headlines: Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned ahead of her expected expulsion vote — apparently getting kicked out by your colleagues is a bridge too far even for someone who funneled FEMA money into her own campaign — and all eyes are now on whether Revenge Porn Cory Mills follows suit. On the Iran beat, Trump blinked again and extended the ceasefire at the last minute after mediators in Pakistan asked him to hold off, while JD Vance's peace trip to Islamabad was postponed indefinitely. Elsewhere in war news, Pete Hegseth announced the military will no longer require troops to get the flu vaccine, citing "medical autonomy," because apparently that's where we are. In the financial crimes corner, the BBC published an analysis finding the Trump administration is likely engaged in insider trading tied to major political events — multiple traders won millions of dollars just before Trump made market-moving announcements. Meanwhile, Trump's preferred Fed Chair replacement Kevin Warsh told his confirmation hearing that Fed independence "means everything" to him, which is exactly what someone who doesn't mean it would say. In other financial ethics news, an investigation found the Noems were carrying up to $3.25 million in debt while Bryon Noem was sending tens of thousands to fetish models, which Kristi claims blindsided her. The Gates Foundation is cutting 500 jobs because Bill Gates hung out with Jeffrey Epstein, but on a brighter note, the House Oversight Committee and FBI are both investigating the 11 suspiciously dead and missing nuclear scientists — reassuring, except the FBI is run by Kash Patel. In genuinely good news, two new pancreatic cancer drugs showed remarkable results in early trials, with one mRNA vaccine keeping most responsive patients alive for six years. And finally, Virginia voters approved a new congressional map that could net Democrats four additional House seats ahead of the November midterms — possibly the last effective redistricting before the election. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: WaPo: House Democrat resigns ahead of possible expulsion vote over alleged financial crimes NYT: Iran War Live Updates: Uncertainty Surrounds U.S.-Iran Talks as Cease-Fire Nears End Axios: Vance's Pakistan trip postponed indefinitely as Iran boycotts peace talks AP News: Flu vaccine no longer mandated for US troops, Hegseth says BBC: The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency WSJ: Kevin Warsh Hearing: Trump's Nominee Pressed on Disclosures, Fed Independence — Live Updates Atlanta Blackstar: ‘Should Be in Prison!': Kristi Noem Dragged Into Another Public Embarrassment as Report Exposes Jaw-Dropping Debt Tied to Her Husband — and Now Everyone's Asking the Same Questions WSJ: Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties CNN: At least 10 scientists tied to sensitive US research have died or disappeared in recent years, sparking federal investigation WSJ: New Drugs for Pancreatic Cancer Show Remarkable Promise for Deadly Disease NYT: Election Live Updates: Virginia Passes New Map, Lifting Democrats' Midterm Chances Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US-Iran ceasefire deal is set to end on Wednesday but Donald Trump says he does not want to extend the deadline. The US President believes the US is in a very strong negotiating position. Iran has not yet confirmed if it will attend peace talks in Islamabad. The US vice-president J D Vance, who will lead the American team, is reportedly yet to leave Washington. Also: the British prime minister Keir Starmer comes under intense pressure over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, fuelling doubts about whether he can survive as prime minister; Japan says it will scrap the weapons export rules that it's had in place since the end of the Second World War so it can sell lethal arms to its allies; and a group of women in Spain target the lingering symptoms of breast cancer treatment with the help of archery.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

The Fog of Peace and the Strait of Hormuz: The US and Iran are currently in a "fog of peace," where a ceasefire is complicated by a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the blockade. Negotiations in Islamabad face a massive diplomatic chasm regarding nuclear and missile programs. Bill Roggio (1)1519

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-20-26.1689 ARABIAN PENINSULAThe Fog of Peace and the Strait of Hormuz: The US and Iran are currently in a "fog of peace," where a ceasefire is complicated by a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the blockade. Negotiations in Islamabad face a massive diplomatic chasm regarding nuclear and missile programs. Bill Roggio (1)The Persistence of Iranian Proxies: Iran has not "turned off" proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, despite ongoing ceasefire talks. Bill Roggio argues that assassinating leaders is ineffective, as Hezbollah maintains significant power and a plurality in the Lebanese parliament. These groups continue to operate independently to provoke Israel and the surrounding neighborhood. Bill Roggio (2)Navigating Iran's Fractured Leadership: Iran's leadership is currently a faceless structure of five major figures, following the supreme leader's absence. This complicates diplomacy because no single person has decisive say. The regime remains paranoid about appearing weak and is unlikely to make concessions on its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. Jonathan Sayeh (3)Internal Unrest and Chemical WMD Threats: Iran is attempting to incorporate its proxies into diplomatic deals with Washington. Internally, the regime faces unrest in Baluch majority areas and economic grievances. There are alarming reports that the regime has developed aerosolized fentanyl, a chemical weapon intended to suppress domestic protesters with lethal force. Jonathan Sayeh (4)Memorial Day and Iran's Economic Ruin: Israel observes Memorial Day for 27,000 fallen soldiers amid a seven-sided war. In Iran, the economy is collapsing as the IRGC takes control. Despite heavy bombing, the IRGC has reportedly reawakened its missile arsenal to 70% capacity, utilizing underground storage to protect launchers from past Israeli and US strikes. Malcolm Hoenlein (5)Global Terror Cells and the Isaac Accords: Iranian-backed terror cells were discovered in Azerbaijan, the UAE, and Europe targeting synagogues and government facilities. Meanwhile, the "Isaac Accords" between Israel and Argentina, led by Javier Milei, seek to deepen ties in Latin America. Additionally, Turkey is proposing new rail links to bypass strategic maritime choke points. Malcolm Hoenlein (6)The Anti-American Shift in South Korea: South Korea's administration is described as an illegitimate, pro-North Korean regime. President Lee Jae-myung has allegedly bribed North Korea and moved to disarm South Koreansoldiers. Experts suggest the US should utilize UN Central Command to restore legitimate leadership and prevent the alliance from further deteriorating. Morse Tan (7)Defense Partnerships in Southeast Asia: The US and Indonesia have formed a major defense partnership, providing a critical counterweight to Chinese influence. Indonesia is seeking private capital for high-tech and extractive projects. Security remains a concern as Chinese drones have been found in Indonesian waters and fishing fleets frequently violate maritime boundaries. Charles Ortell (8)Toughening the Non-Proliferation Treaty: Henry Sokolski argues the NPT needs updating to deny states the "right" to make nuclear fuel. He highlights that the Bushehr reactor contains spent fuel rods capable of producing 200 plutonium bombs. He recommends that Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states pay to return this dangerous material to Russia. Henry Sokolski (9)Weaponizing Space and the Golden Dome: The IRGC used a commercial satellite to target US bases, resulting in an attack in Kuwait. The Pentagon is struggling with jamming and shutter control issues regarding commercial systems like Starlink. Oversight is requested for the "Golden Dome" defense program due to its high costs and limited information sharing. Henry Sokolski (10)Election Fraud and Global Progressivism: Peru faces a crisis over alleged electoral fraud following irregularities in the presidential count. In Barcelona, a "Global Progressivism" meeting led by Pedro Sanchez gathered leftist leaders to counter the "global right." Critics argue these leftist movements are increasingly intertwined with organized crime and drug trafficking. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo (11)The Rise of Flavio Bolsonaro and Venezuela's Fate: Flavio Bolsonaro is leading polls in Brazil, representing a hope for clean governance against Lula's corruption-prone administration. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan regime has halted compliance with political reforms, making it dangerous for Maria Corina Machado to return. Brazil remains the "big one" for the region's political balance. Alejandro Peña Esclusa and Ernesto Araújo (12)The Restrictive Ceasefire in Lebanon: A new ceasefire in Lebanon is highly restrictive, limiting Israeli self-defense to "imminent" or "ongoing" attacks. President Trump reportedly strong-armed Israel into this stand-down to facilitate maritime negotiations with Iran. Consequently, Hezbollah is expected to use this period to regenerate its forces and rebuild its infrastructure. David Daoud (13)Hezbollah's Victory Narrative and Bint Jbeil: Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli convoys and refuses to surrender its arsenal, claiming the ceasefire as a victory. The town of Bint Jbeil remains a critical symbolic and military prize for the group. The Lebanese government shows no determination to disarm Hezbollah or enforce sovereignty in the southern region. David Daoud (14)The Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz: The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed as a standoff persists between the US blockade and Iranian vessels. While Iran has the patience for a long conflict, the US is pressured by midterm elections and oil prices. Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, are increasingly hawkish, urging the US to finish the job. Edmund Fitton Brown (15)Iran's Agile Diplomacy and the Five Files: Iran is "moving the goalposts" by linking the Lebanon ceasefire to maritime negotiations. Success requires progress on five files: the Strait, nuclear program, ballistic missiles, proxies, and human rights. Some Gulf autocracies may prefer a weakened Iran over a successful democratic regime change that could threaten their own prestige. Edmund Fitton Brown (16)

STREAMING MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING BILL ROGGIO AND JANATYN SAYEH, 4-20-26.  1688 PERSIA GULFThe Levant and Eurasia are currently gripped by what analysts describe as the "fog of peace," a state where a ceasefire is technically in place but characterized by profound distrust and a lack of transparency. While the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran originally centered on Iran's nuclear weapons program, the focus has shifted toward an intractable struggle over the Strait of Hormuz.The Strait has become a primary flashpoint of "open/closed" chaos, likened to a "Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd" hunting season metaphor. The US has established a naval blockade, recently using a destroyer's main gun to disable the engine room of an Iranian cargo ship that attempted to run the blockade. Iran counters this by creating confusion, such as firing on an Indian tanker that reportedly had clearance from the IRGC to pass, a tactic designed to make international shipping reconsider the route entirely.Diplomatically, the situation is stalled. Planned talks in Islamabad between US representatives and the Islamic Republicare not moving forward. This deadlock is exacerbated by a structural shift in Iranian leadership. Following the assassination of the Supreme Leader and other top officials, decision-making has fallen to a five-man council of dedicated revolutionaries. These individuals, often categorized as "hardliners" rather than "pragmatists," view compromise under pressure as a sign of weakness and are wary of suffering the same fate as Muammar Gaddafi. This new leadership is believed to be radical and intractable, with many members rising from the younger, hardcore ranks of the regime.Internally, the regime is employing brutal measures to maintain control. There are chilling reports that Iran has developed aerosol fentanyl — a chemical weapon capable of killing large populations — and may have experimentally used it against domestic protesters as early as 2022. The regime's fear of internal unrest is further evidenced by the deployment of checkpoints staffed by non-Iranian proxies to suppress a population demoralized by economic exasperation and a perceived lack of external backing. Precursors for these chemical experiments are reportedly provided by China.The geopolitical timeline appears to favor Tehran. Iranian leaders believe they can "run out the clock" on the Trumpadministration. The US faces significant domestic constraints, including low presidential poll numbers and the impending 2026 midterm elections, which could return the House of Representatives to Democratic control and trigger a return to the "age of impeachment." Additionally, Russia and China have strategic incentives to keep the Islamic Republic afloat, viewing the conflict as a test of whether their partner can withstand prolonged US and Israeli military pressure. Consequently, the "fog of peace" remains thick, with both sides acting on distrust rather than a genuine path toward a treaty.

Today's Headlines: Kash Patel responded to bombshell reporting about his drinking and incompetence by filing a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic — can't wait for discovery then, Kash. Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer became the third Trump Cabinet member to resign in just a few months, notable mostly because all three have been women while the actual disasters remain firmly in place. On the foreign policy beat, the Iran ceasefire expires tomorrow at 8pm with Trump calling renewal "highly unlikely," JD Vance and crew headed to Islamabad anyway, and oil prices already on the rise. Back home, the House Ethics Committee is mulling expulsion votes for two Florida representatives — one facing sexual misconduct and illegal contract charges, the other caught steering COVID relief funds to her own campaign. In economic news, the Trump administration quietly launched a portal for the 330,000 businesses that overpaid on illegal tariffs to apply for refunds, with no apparent plan for the ones that already went under because of them. Over in Silicon Valley, Amazon invested another $5 billion into Anthropic while California simultaneously filed an antitrust suit against Amazon using the company's own emails as evidence, and Apple tapped 25-year veteran John Ternus as its next CEO, a man described as competent and affable, which feels like a low bar that is nonetheless refreshing. And finally, a bankruptcy judge is the only thing standing between The Onion and its dream of owning Infowars — which would be the most perfect ending to the Alex Jones saga anyone could have written. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: CNN: FBI director Kash Patel files $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic WaPo: Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will resign amid misconduct allegations The Hill: Ethics panel reveals it's conducted 20 sexual misconduct investigations into lawmakers since 2017 Politico: House Ethics panel issues rare statement committing to helping secure a sexual harassment-free workplace - Live Updates Axios: House barrels toward rare double expulsion votes WaPo: Iran talks on shaky footing after U.S. seizure of ship in Strait of Hormuz AP News: Oil prices rise and US stocks give back a bit of their record-breaking rally Politico: Hungary must arrest Netanyahu if he visits, Magyar says Wired: The Weird, Twisting Tale of How China Spied on Alysa Liu and Her Dad Axios: What to know about tariff refund site that launches Monday Mashable: Amazon colluded to make competitors raise prices, California lawsuit says WSJ: Anthropic, Amazon Tighten Bond in $5 Billion Investment and Computing Deal WSJ: Tim Cook to Step Down as Apple Names New CEO Mother Jones: The Onion Says It Has Again Struck a Deal to Take Over Infowars Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump panicking as Iran rejects his ultimatum, with the ceasefire deadline approaching and Trump already scrambling to send his team to Islamabad to negotiate despite Iran saying it won't engage while the U.S. blockade continues. Meiselas breaks down what Trump is telling U.S. media versus what Iranian leaders are saying to their own press, providing the clips and receipts so you can decide for yourself what's really happening. Get 20% off your purchase at https://FastGrowingTrees.com using the code MEIDAS at checkout. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicolle Wallace covers the latest from the war in Iran. A U.S. delegation is poised to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan for peace talks with Iranian officials with JD Vance as the leader of that group, according to Trump. Later, candidate for Congress, Jack Schlossberg, joins Nicolle to discuss the future of the Democratic party and the new generation of politicians. For more, follow us on Instagram @deadlinewh To listen to this show and other MS NOW podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. For more from Nicolle, follow and download her podcast, “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace,” wherever you get your podcasts.To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We start with the U.S.-Israel war with Iran — a war that President Donald Trump said would end in two to three weeks. Now, in its seventh week, the Pentagon is sending 10,000 more troops to the Middle East to pressure Iran into making a peace deal.On Sunday, Trump posted a long rant on Truth Social calling Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy.” Then, later that night, Trump posted an AI-generated photo that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ.Rep. Eric Swalwell was a front-runner for the seat of California governor just weeks ago. Now, he's out of the race and out of Congress after numerous sexual assault allegations were leveled against him.And, in global news, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial vessels. This move is expected to lessen severity of the growing global energy crisis and bring the possibility of a peace agreement between Iran and the U.S. closer to becoming a reality.New reporting from Axios indicates that U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in new peace talks on Tuesday. On Thursday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said a second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held in Islamabad. But no date has been announced yet.And it's the dawn of a new era in Hungary this week. For the first time in 16 years, Viktor Orbán will no longer lead the nation from Budapest, having lost the election for his position as prime minister to conservative rival Peter Magyar.We cover the most important stories from around the world in the News Roundup.Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, Ben, Brett, and Jordy break down Trump's new naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad, as Trump attempts to further wall off the Strait to open it. They examine Trump's unhinged public feud with Pope Leo XIV, including his attacks on the pontiff calling him weak on crime and his post of an image portraying himself as Jesus Christ. The episode also covers Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's sharp rebuke of U.S. policy, declaring an end to Canada's heavy military spending favoritism toward America and promoting stronger independent trade ties, and more of the international fallout from Trump's failed leadership. Subscribe to Meidas+ at https://meidasplus.com Get Meidas Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Deals from our sponsors!  Fair Harbor: Go to https://FairHarborClothing.com and use promo code: MEIDAS20 for 20% OFF your full-priced order Done with Debt: Visit https://DoneWithDebt.com and talk to a strategist for FREE. Smalls: For a limited time only, get 60% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING on your first order when you head to https://Smalls.com/MEIDAS Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/meidas and use the code: MEIDAS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. IQBar: Get 20% OFF all IQBAR products. Text TRUTH to 64000. Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vice President JD Vance just dropped the bad news — after an intense 21-hour face-to-face negotiation at the luxury Serena Hotel in Islamabad, the United States and Iran have failed to reach a peace agreement to end the six-week war that has rocked the Middle East. The high-stakes talks, the first direct high-level meetings between the two nations in over a decade, broke down when Iran refused to give a firm commitment to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Iran, in turn, demanded full control of the Strait of Hormuz, the right to continue uranium enrichment, no limits on ballistic missiles, and war reparations. With the fragile two-week cease-fire now hanging by a thread, the risk of renewed fighting is rising fast. Vance called it the U.S.'s "final and best offer" — will this lead to escalation or more rounds of diplomacy?What do you think happens next? Drop your thoughts below

Episode 5291: Talks For Peace Begin In Islamabad; Finding A Permanent Solution For Diego Garcia

The MAGA media revolt over Iran is in full swing and Trump posts a nearly 500-word screed declaring "I no longer care" — before attacking each critic in obsessive detail. Meanwhile, the ceasefire hangs by a thread as it becomes clear that Trump has no idea what's in it, calls to invoke the 25th Amendment grow louder, JD Vance heads to Islamabad to negotiate with the Iranians, and Melania Trump makes a baffling appearance to defend herself against Epstein allegations that no one was asking about. Then, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stops by to talk about Iran and his widely rumored ambitions for 2028.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.