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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. During the course of the G7 summit of global leaders in France on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said that Syria should replace Israel in the fight against Lebanon’s Hezbollah. He argued that the Jewish state’s war on the Iran-backed terror group has been too prolonged and indiscriminate, adding that Israel would have been “blown off the face of the earth” if not for him. Horovitz unpacks the multilayered concerns plaguing Israel in the wake of Trump's statements. The US-Iran memorandum of understanding, expected to be signed at an in-person gathering on Friday, reportedly provides for a full cessation of hostilities by Iran, the United States and their allies — including in Lebanon, where Israel has been battling Tehran’s proxy Hezbollah. This comes as Israel and Lebanon are nearing a US-mediated lasting ceasefire agreement, according to a Tuesday report. If the IDF were to withdraw from southern Lebanon, are Lebanese forces really strong enough to face Hezbollah? Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed on Tuesday to have “abolished” components of the 1997 Hebron agreement that gave the Palestinian municipal council of Hebron authority over planning, zoning and construction in the H2 zone of the West Bank city, where the Jewish settlement of Hebron is located along with the Tomb of the Patriarchs. Can this effort be isolated from the looming elections? Horovitz weighs in on this and the current ultra-Orthodox move in the Knesset to pass Basic Law: Torah Study. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Trump: Israel’s war on Hezbollah is too long, too deadly; Syria should fight the group instead US-Iran deal said set to halt regional hostilities, including in Lebanon, lift blockade Israel-Lebanon talks said close to yielding lasting ceasefire deal Smotrich says he’s ‘abolished Hebron agreement,’ given Israel more power in flashpoint city Netanyahu denounces ‘police state’ trial as his cross-examination ends after over a year Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Yitzchak Ledee.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Episode 114 opens with a War Room clash: Rabbi Wallachie acknowledges that US and Israeli interests are diverging, but Ghost steps in to correct his claim that Hezbollah is simply the Iranian army, walking through its actual origins as a resistance movement. From there, Ghost breaks down a heated Bannon segment where Wallachie denies any Greater Israel expansion plan, a claim Ghost dismantles using Ben Gavir's own statements about expelling Lebanese civilians. At the G7 in France, Trump publicly criticizes Israel's conduct in Lebanon, suggests Syria's Jelani take over the Hezbollah fight, and reveals he was angry about the Beirut strike hours before the Iran deal was finalized. Ghost digs into the Strait of Hormuz numbers discrepancy between CENTCOM's leaked count and Bloomberg's tracker data, and explains why Trump is withholding the full 14 point memorandum until Friday. Putin and Trump's hour long birthday call gets coverage alongside Lukashenko's bombshell claim that the Vatican and Naftali Bennett deceived Putin into pulling back from Kyiv in 2022. The episode closes with Israel's political fallout: Lapid calling Netanyahu's handling an absolute failure, Smotrich and Katz refusing to be bound by the deal, and American Jewish leaders demanding the text be made public.
This week on "Out of Office: A Travel Podcast," Kiernan chats with one of our all-time favorite guests—food writer and researcher Anissa Helou. She's just published "Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland" and spills the secrets of tabbouleh, falafel, skewered meat, hummus, labneh, and many other Lebanese specialities. Things We Talk About in This Episode: Anissa's last interview with us https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/out-of-office-a-travel-podcast/id1438098925 "Lebanon: Cooking the Foods of My Homeland" https://bookshop.org/p/books/lebanon-cooking-the-foods-of-my-homeland-anissa-helou/77fff24da4bf58f4?ean=9780063334922&next=t Pope Leo at the Sagrada Familia https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/world/europe/pope-leo-sagrada-familia-barcelona-visit.html
“The state of Lebanon needs to have an exclusivity of arms. And definitely, Hezbollah needs to be disarmed… Disarming a group or a community is not possible by force, it's possible by conviction. You put pressure, but you cannot eliminate a whole society, a whole community. We need to have an exclusivity of arms in the hand of the state, an exclusivity of decision through a political process, pressuring Hezbollah to disarm, but getting also in parallel a full withdrawal of the Israelis from occupied Lebanese territories and a full cessation of hostilities.”Jeremy Bowen speaks to Gebran Bassil, the Lebanese politician who served as the country's Foreign Minister between 2014 and 2020.Mr. Bassil, who is from the country's Maronite Christian ethnic group, leads the right-wing Free Patriotic Movement political party. The party was founded over 30 years ago by the former President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, who is also Bassil's father-in-law.In October 2024, a year after the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October started the current Middle East conflict, the Free Patriotic Movement party announced that it was cutting ties with Hezbollah. Bassil slammed the Iranian-backed militant group for threatening the safety and stability of Lebanon when it launched its own attacks on Israel in support of Hamas.As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah continues in southern Lebanon, Bassil and his party are part of growing calls for the country to take a new direction. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with the World Health Organisation's Hanan Balkhy; Ali Bahreini, Iranian ambassador to the UN; and Syrian Minister, Hind Kabawat. You can listen on the BBC World Service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 0800 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as a podcast, out three times a week on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. Presenter: Jeremy Bowen Producers: Samantha Granville and Ben Cooper Editor: Justine LangGet in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the hashtag #TheInterviewBBC on social media.(Image: Gebran Bassil. Credit: Getty)
The federal government tables new legislation designed to ensure access to safe drinking water for First Nations. We ask the Indigenous Services Minister when those taps might start flowing.Despite warnings from officials, a U.S.-Iran peace deal is prompting displaced Lebanese families to head home -- and one mayor says he understands the temptation to return because he never left. This fall, after 74 years, NHL hockey will no longer air on CBC; sportswriter Bruce Arthur tells us that's been a long time coming -- but it's still a shame for Canadians. An Irish writer tells us about the moment she learned a poem she'd written that was inspired by her son had appeared on his English exam. A new study shows that your trash is a bowerbird's treasure -- used by males to charm females. Sir Rod Stewart disappoints fans by cancelling a concert due to a sinus infection -- and disappoints fans further by showing up healthy, the next day, at Scotland's first World Cup game.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that guesses whatever will be, will be -- que Sir Rod, Sir Rod.
What if your brilliance isn't something you become — but something you reveal?Diana Esther is a Transformational Teacher, International Speaker, and creator of the Diamond Within Method — a framework that uses the Diamond Clarity Grading system as a model for human transformation. Just as a diamond's inclusions obscure its natural clarity, our limiting beliefs, emotional patterns, and stored experiences keep us disconnected from who we truly are. Diana's work bridges emotional healing, embodiment, and universal spiritual principles — guiding people from survival and disconnection back to themselves.Her own path has been shaped by intensity and resilience, including a miraculous recovery from lymphatic cancer and profound personal challenges across continents. She doesn't teach from theory. She guides from lived wisdom.In this episode, Diana takes us through the beautiful metaphor at the heart of her work: just as a rough diamond contains extraordinary brilliance before anyone cuts or polishes it, so do we. The gifts, the purpose, the light — it's all already there. The journey is learning to see it, trust it, and let it shine.We talk about why we are spirits on a human journey (not the other way around), how feelings are our compass rather than our mind, why gratitude is a portal rather than just an emotion, and how love — specifically self-love — is the single most powerful thing we can offer the world.Diana also shares the story of how a deleted book manuscript in the middle of the night became a lesson from the universe, and why a Lebanese chef confirmed everything she believes about love as an ingredient."As kids we like to play hide and seek — and that's what life is all about. Our brilliance is hidden within us and it takes our life journey to find it." - Diana EstherTopics covered:The Diamond Within Method and how it was born during COVIDSpirit on a human journey vs. human on a spiritual journeyBelief = Be + LiveResistance, flow, and divine timingUniqueness as the antidote to comparisonFear, love, and emotional balanceFeelings as our internal compassGratitude as a portalSelf-love and its effect on everyone around usConscious living in everyday momentsThe malfunctioning program running in the background of the mindConnect with Diana Esther:Website: https://www.dianaesther.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diana.Esther.BerschaderInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/diana_esther_berschader_/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-esther-the-diamond-within/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lebanese state media say Israel carried out airstrikes in the south shortly after ordering residents to leave about twenty locations. They say three injured people have been pulled from rubble following a strike near Tyre. Iran says that peace in Lebanon must be part of any agreement with the US. Tehran and Washington have both indicated that they're close to an accord, but there have been further hostilities. The US military said it shot down several Iranian drones in the Strait of Hormuz. Also in the programme: President Trump says the US has killed the leader of a Venezuelan criminal cartel, Tren de Aragua; the UN condemns increasing levels of aggression and intimidation in the occupied West bank; and a new documentary speaks to the people who have worked as private chefs for some of the world's most notorious dictators!(Photo: Daily life in Tehran as tension between Iran and US continues, Iran Islamic Republic Of - 21 Feb 2026. Credit: EPA)
Mo catches up with old friend Tamara Mosly who took over her mother's 38-year-old business: Fantasy Party. What began as a family venture has evolved into one of Saudi Arabia's most recognisable local brands, bringing joy to generations of children through events, gifts, toys, costumes, and celebrations. Tamara reflects on her mother's legacy of building and growing the business during a very different era in Saudi Arabia, in an industry that was once viewed rather unconventional. Together, Mo and Tamara explore the responsibilities of parenthood, the realities of burnout, and the ongoing journey of finding purpose, fulfillment, and joy in an ever-evolving world. 0:00 Intro3:16 Facing Tradition as Women in Business5:37 Lessons from a Strong Mother7:43 Growing Up Saudi & Lebanese9:41 School, Rebellion & Street Smarts12:02 Applying to the Ivy League… and Getting Rejected14:00 Growing Up Inside the Family Business15:37 The Golden Era of Children's Parties20:02 Returning to Saudi Arabia During Vision 203021:27 Building the F1 Jeddah Guest Experience22:26 Bringing the British Museum to Madinah24:00 Witnessing Saudi Arabia's Transformation Firsthand25:04 Training 300 Saudi Drivers for Formula 128:13 Why Saudi Teams Outperformed Expectations32:19 From Formula 1 to the Red Sea Film Festival34:42 Miscarriage, Burnout & Pushing Through41:24 Motherhood, Work & Hidden Struggles43:32 Saudi Arabia: Then vs. Now48:39 How E-Commerce Nearly Killed a 38-Year Legacy53:06 Taking Over the Family Business56:00 Choosing Gratitude Over Success58:27 Loss, Aging & Staying Connected1:02:06 Health, Motherhood & Losing Yourself1:04:13 The Truth About Work-Life Balance1:08:06 Guilty Pleasures1:10:12 The Dream She Had to Let Go Of1:15:21 Confidence, Emotions & Feeling Understood1:18:45 Final Reflections
AP correspondent Julie Walker reports the Lebanese army withdraws from southern village after Israeli troops advance nearby.
A2 THE SHOW #517Our next guest on A2 THE SHOW is Michel Kammoun, a Lebanese-French filmmaker and director best known for his award-winning feature film Falafel. From studying architecture in Lebanon to pursuing cinema in Paris, Michel has built a remarkable career driven by storytelling, creativity, and resilience.In this episode, Michel shares his filmmaking journey, the realities of creating cinema in Lebanon, the challenges of independent film financing, artistic burnout, the connection between architecture and cinema, and why passion continues to drive Lebanese filmmakers despite limited resources. We also explore the power of collaboration, maintaining creative vision, and how cinema transcends culture to connect humanity through shared experiences.
On Wednesday's Mark Levin Show, there are ongoing attacks on Iran in response to the downed U.S. helicopter and Iran's delay in a deal but why was their criticism for Israel's strikes on Iran 48 hours ago, in response to 11 ballistic missiles fired at its country. Both Israel and the U.S. have every right to respond to a regime that refuses to stop their attacks. There are no moderate factions in Iran—all are radicals who won't change after 47 years—and it's time to decisively finish them off, including by arming opposition elements, to secure midterm wins and sustain the economy. Also, Iran is desperate to include Lebanon in any deal it makes with us because to do so would effectively nullify that agreement and make it impossible for Israel to take action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This is precisely why both the Lebanese government and the Israeli government have publicly stated they do not want Iran to succeed in including Lebanon in any deal with our country. To include Lebanon in a deal with Iran would be an absolute disaster. Here are two questions no reporter has yet asked: are the policies of the brutal dictators running Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia aligned with our interests? If not, why are they never publicly questioned let alone criticized? Later, Hamas has established makeshift torture chambers inside Gaza hospitals and schools to interrogate and abuse Palestinians suspected of disloyalty as it reestablishes a strict police state. When is phase two taking place in the peace deal? Afterward, Karmelo Anthony was found guilty of murdering Austin Metcalf in cold blood and sentenced to 35 years, with at least half to be served. He entered the other team's tent, ignored repeated polite requests to leave, became rambunctious and angry, then stabbed the victim so severely that the knife wound was about two inches wide. Despite the open-and-shut case with all witnesses, including defense ones, confirming Anthony as the aggressor, certain individuals, particularly Rep Jasmine Crockett are attempting to portray it as a racial issue and claim he was railroaded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this week's episode of the Insurance Town Podcast, I got to sit down with my good friend Carl Ziade, co-founder of Gaia, for a conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, and what it really takes to drive meaningful change inside an insurance agency.One of the things I appreciate most about Carl is that while he's a technologist at heart, he understands that technology alone doesn't solve problems. Process comes first. People come first. Technology simply helps great organizations execute better.Carl's journey is a fascinating one. As a Lebanese immigrant and Stanford-trained computer scientist, he didn't originally set out to build solutions for the insurance industry. In fact, Gaia emerged after lessons learned from a completely different startup venture. What followed was a relentless focus on listening to customers, solving real-world problems, and building tools that help insurance professionals eliminate repetitive work and focus on higher-value activities.In our conversation, we discuss:• Carl's entrepreneurial journey and path into insurance technology• The lessons learned from early startup failures and pivots• Why customer feedback should drive product development• The importance of strong business partnerships and company culture• Why process matters more than technology• Practical strategies for AI adoption inside insurance agencies• How Gaia's browser extension automates repetitive data entry• The power behind Gaia's "super copy" and "super paste" functionality• Change management and gaining team buy-in for new technology• What's next for Gaia and the future of data enrichment in insuranceOne of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is Carl's advice to start small. Too many agencies feel like they need a complete transformation overnight. The reality is that successful AI adoption often starts with one process, one workflow, and one win. Build momentum, create confidence, and then scale from there.If you've been wondering how AI can help your agency become more efficient without disrupting everything you're already doing, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately.Pull up a chair, grab your favorite beverage, and enjoy my conversation with Carl ZiadeA special thank you to our sponsors for supporting the Insurance Town Podcast:• Canopy Connect, helping agents collect verified insurance information from prospects in minutes.• 1Fort, helping agencies streamline commercial insurance submissions and placement through AI-powered workflows.• MAV, helping agencies scale smarter sales and close more deals with Texting to quality quote and connect prospects with your producersWe appreciate their support and their commitment to helping insurance professionals build better businesses.
These are the top headlines from Arab News, the Middle East's leading English-language daily, at 6am GMT. • #US carries out strikes on multiple targets after Trump promises to hit #Iran ‘very hard' • Iran targets #Bahrain, #Kuwait and #Jordan for a second day • Iran says will target any vessel traffic in Strait of Hormuz • #Israel and Iran are undermining US peace efforts, Lebanese envoy tells UN Security Council • Israel's pursuit of military gains putting talks with #Lebanon at risk Check out the latest updates on https://arabnews.com
Israel and Iran may have stepped back from the brink for now, but Lebanon is still under fire. As families remain displaced and Israeli strikes continue, why do Lebanese civilians remain caught in the crossfire with no end in sight? In this episode: Ali Hashem (@Alihashem), Al Jazeera Correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by David Enders and Tamara Khandaker with Spencer Cline, Sonia Bhagat, Jana Dabliz and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Rick Rush mixed this episode. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
https://expatmoney.com/antiwarPhone bank for Defend the Guard: https://defendtheguard.us/phonebankSign up for our newsletter: https://www.antiwar.com/newsletter/
In a week where:Iranian cartoonist Marjane Satrapi, creator of 'Persopolis', dies aged 56.Former Trump Security Adviser John Bolton is expected to plead guilty in classified documents case.Kanya King, founder of Mobo awards for Black British music, dies aged 57.Anthony Head, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso actor, dies aged 72.Iran & Israel start firing missiles again.In Life: (10:10) The consistent belligerence by the Israeli state towards their neighbours is a daily occurrence. Here's just one of the many stories I could cover weekly: An ethnic cleansing of a Lebanese village. (Article By Lylla Younes)In Health: (24:23) Ebola is back in Africa and just like a few episodes ago where we covered healthcare in Kenya, the DRC is also at the feet of privatised healthcare & imperialism. (Article By John Clarke)In the 1st of two Music segments: (36:31) Sudanese Hip-Hop - like all international forms of Hip-Hop - is inspired by its roots in the US. But does the N-word need to be embraced as well? (Article By Amuna Wagner)Lastly, in the 2nd Music segment: (49:44) The death of Kanya King has sent shockwaves to all that truly value Black British Music. We recognise her life's work in facilitating and developing Black British Music. (Article By Mimi The Music Blogger)Thank you for listening! If you want to contribute to the show, whether it be sending me questions or voicing your opinion in any way, peep the contact links below and I'll respond accordingly. Let me know "What's Good?"Rate & ReviewE-Mail: the5thelelmentpub@gmail.comTwitter & IG: @The5thElementUKWebsite: https://the5thelement.co.ukPhotography: https://www.crt.photographyIntro Music - "Too Much" By VanillaInterlude - "Charismatic" By NappyHighChillHop MusicOther Podcasts Under The 5EPN:Diggin' In The Digits5EPN RadioBlack Women Watch...In Search of SauceThe Beauty Of Independence
In today's episode of Trending Middle East, Iran says it launched attacks on US military targets across the region in response to American strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. US officials say most incoming missiles and drones were intercepted. Israel orders residents to leave parts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, including its Christian quarter, as military operations intensify and air strikes hit the city. Several western countries, including the UK, France, Norway and Canada, announce sanctions targeting individuals and organisations linked to Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank. In the UAE, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed says the country will continue to invest in advanced defence capabilities, military readiness and innovation as regional security threats persist. And Dubai authorities say tourists can now obtain 30-day and 60-day single-entry visas within 48 hours. Trending Middle East is AI-assisted, using original reporting published in The National and curated and edited by humans.
The Israeli military has carried out strikes on the southern Lebanese city of Tyre, a day after Iran called for attacks on Lebanon to stop. Thousands of people have fled the city. Also: medical sources say Taliban forces in western Afghanistan have killed two people demonstrating against the detention of women who'd ignored religious dress codes; Honduras approves a series of reforms to tackle the high rate of femicide in the country; rescuers in the Philippines are working to reach isolated areas after an earthquake struck Mindanao; a BBC investigation reveals hundreds of Iraqi migrants were kidnapped and threatened with forced organ removal in Libya; and Japanese wildlife officials have caught a bear that had been roaming a city, causing widespread school closures.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 Photo: Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in Tyre, Lebanon Credit: Reuters
What if the biggest misunderstanding in the Middle East is that Hezbollah and Iran are separate actors? In this episode, you'll learn why many Israelis view Hezbollah not as an independent Lebanese movement but as Tehran's most powerful proxy force, and why that distinction changes the entire conversation. Fleur Hassan-Nahoum breaks down the history of Hezbollah's military buildup and the argument that years of international diplomacy failed to stop the threat from growing. Whether you agree or disagree, this episode will challenge conventional narratives and reveal the strategic thinking behind Israel's determination to confront Hezbollah once and for all.
For review:1. Israel on Sunday carried out airstrikes in Beirut, with the military saying it targeted a Hezbollah headquarters in the group's stronghold of Dahiyeh, a large suburb just south of the Lebanese capital.Iran threatened to retaliate, saying, “Watch the sky of the occupied territories tonight.”2. Iran fired a volley of missiles at northern Israel Sunday night, catapulting the region back to the cusp of all-out war after two months of a shaky ceasefireNo Israelis were hurt in the attack, which involved some 10 missiles fired in quick succession around 10 p.m. Iran said it launched the missiles in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern Dahiyeh suburb earlier in the day targeting the headquarters of the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group.3. Israel launched strikes on Iranian military targets and a petrochemical plant on Monday morning in response to the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile attacks on northern Israel hours earlier.4. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly called off a major strike on Iran with fighter jets on the runway. PM Netanyahu said he would halt attacks on Iran “for now,” but warned that Israel would strike Iran and Hezbollah if it is attacked again.5. The European Union said on Monday it had imposed sanctions on two Iranian individuals and a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for threatening the freedom of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world's oil flows.The move marked the first time the bloc has used new powers to sanction Iran for restricting freedom of navigation.
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new music from Gordon Grdina (out) & Russ Losing (pIano); Benin-born pianist Tchangodei w. Archie Shepp (tenor); experimental electro-flamenco from Andreh y Manuela, Andrea Santalusía & The Gardener; Maghrebi pop from Aida el Ayoubi: Persian dastagh; modern Balouchestani music from Dinmohammad Zangeshai; from Hatam Asgari Langa music from the Thar Desert (Rajasthan) w/ Samsu Khan & Asin Khanplus; Baraka Mkande (new-ish Taarab from Zanzibar); composer, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist Salim Washington; Algerian Kabyle/proto-chaabi composer/musician.vocialist Kamel Hamadi x 2 (once w./ Algerian vocalist Noura, once without); latter-day Lolé (cante jondo vocalist); new piano work from Satoko Fujii & Myra Melford in duo setting; vintage Latino-Senaglese music from the outskirts of Dakar w. Dieuf-Dieul de Thiés; Lebanese pop vocalist Maya Yazbeck; Ajak Kwai (pop vocalist from Mauritania); Dexter Johnson (more African salsa); samba from Jongo da Serrinha & Mestre Marçal;; . so much, much, much more... Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI & WINO 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN: https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580 Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere. Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online: PLAYLIST at SPINITRON: https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/22400566/Conference-of-the-Birds and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/ Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks Find WRFI on Radio Garden: http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR NEW MAILING ADDRESS: Stephen Cope @ Conference of the Birds, POBOX 428, Tivoli, NY, 12583, USA.
On today's Look Ahead program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Iran's strikes on Israel in retaliation for Jerusalem's strikes near Beirut — despite a warning from President Trump that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not strike close to the Lebanese capital that could derail US-Iran talks; Washington's decision to cancel the deployment of US Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany to avoid antagonizing Russia, prompting Berlin to consider buying the US weapons; the House Armed Services Committee approves its version of the Trump administration's proposed $1.15 trillion 2027 defense spending request; Reconciliation 3.0 for the Pentagon in the wake of Senate passage of Reconciliation 2.0 for border and immigration funding; Honeywell's Investor Day as the firm prepares to split into three companies; startup valuations and portfolio shaping; and a look at the week ahead in Washington and beyond.
Najat Saliba, Lebanon MP, discusses the latest as Israel hit southern Beirut on Sunday in the first attack on the Lebanese capital since a renewed truce brokered by the US.
The Israeli Defence Force says it has struck military targets in western and central Iran, after Iran launched a series of strikes on northern Israel. The latest exchange follows Israeli strikes in Beirut's southern suburbs, which Lebanese health officials say killed at least two and injured at least 20.
Over the weekend, Israel struck Lebanese targets despite US President Trump urging Israeli PM Netanyahu to refrain from strikes. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles at Israel.US President Trump has ordered Israel and Iran to immediately stop shooting. Crude futures jump (Brent Aug'26 +4.1%) following the renewed strikes, weighing on fixed income benchmarks.European bourses slump after renewed Middle East strikes and further tech selloff, while US equity futures rebound from last week's selloffDXY rangebound; antipodeans outperform while USD/JPY slips back below 160.00 handle. Looking ahead, highlights include US NY Fed SCE (Jun), Apple WWDC Keynote (June 8-12).Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk
Not only do they make great wine in Lebanon, the country has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world! The ancient Phoenicians produced wine there thousands of years ago and helped spread it throughout the Mediterranean. In this episode, we dig into Lebanon's remarkable wine history and explore how it continues today despite many challenges and repeated threats to its survival. It is a story of extraordinary grit and perseverance. We also taste and review two Lebanese wines, including one from the internationally renowned Château Musar. And, as a bonus, this week's “Wine in the News” story is totally shocking, and definitely not for the queasy. Don't say we didn't warn you. Wines reviewed in this episode: 2021 Massaya Le Colombier Rouge and 2022 Château Musar Jeune RedSend us a Text Message and we'll respond in our next episode!Contact The Wine Pair Podcast - we'd love to hear from you!Visit our website, leave a review, and reach out to us: https://thewinepairpodcast.com/Follow and DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewinepairpodcast/Send us an email: joe@thewinepairpodcast.com
On this episode, we speak with Nadim Shehadi, economist, political adviser and one of the leading voices on Lebanese and Middle Eastern affairs. A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced earlier this week, but after Hezbollah rejected the deal, can it survive or is it already beginning to unravel?
On Friday's Mark Levin Show, there is grave concerns over the ongoing war with the Islamist Nazi enemy regime in Iran, which is making increasing demands including billions in aid that should not be provided in any form, as it would only rebuild their terrorist apparatus rather than help the people. The prolonged ceasefire is a mistake after an initially successful campaign. We should have 2 weeks of massive strikes on IRGC targets and arm the Iranian people. Also, the Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, noted that Lebanon's official government and army are separate from the far more powerful Hezbollah, effectively creating two parallel governments and militaries. Now, amid Hezbollah's ongoing rocket fire (including during a ceasefire), Israel has re-entered to eliminate the threat permanently, focusing on Hezbollah's main base near Beirut. Aoun instructed defensive fighting only, avoiding Beirut. Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel's sovereignty in protecting itself, rejecting any constraints. Later, Rep Byron Donalds calls in and reveals a direct death threat posted on social media, where someone stated they were going to kill him. While politics involves strong opinions, demonizing opponents as non-human erodes civility and can incite violence. The incident strengthened Donalds' resolve to pursue Florida's governorship and preserve the state as a conservative leader. Finally, former VP Mike Pence calls in to discuss his new book – What Conservatives Believe: Rediscovering the Conservative Conscience. Pence emphasizes that the Declaration of Independence's assertion that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness forms the core conservative principle that rights come from God, underpinning limited government. Pence notes the First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, not from it, allowing belief according to conscience. https://www.amazon.com/What-Conservatives-Believe-Rediscovering-Conservative/dp/1546011633/ref=sr_1_1?crid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Lebanon, a US-mediated ceasefire shows little sign of holding. Four people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Friday; Hezbollah says it continues to target Israeli troops. Amid the turmoil, Christiane met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut for an exclusive interview. Aoun rarely speaks with foreign media, but is taking this step to send a message to the world about the fate of his nation. Also on today's show: CNN Senior White House Correspondent Kristen Holmes; Eddie Glaude Jr., author, "America, U.S.A."; Craig Fehrman, author, "This Vast Enterprise" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Lt. Col. (res) Sarit Zehavi joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. This week, Hezbollah resumed striking Israel soon after an announcement out of DC that the Jewish state and Lebanon had agreed on Wednesday to renew their fragile ceasefire and create a number of “pilot” security zones inside Lebanon from which the terrorist group would be banned. From her vantage point, only 10 km from the northern border, Zehavi, the head of the Alma Research and Education Center, explains how this plan was unrealistic from the start: Hezbollah is not going to willingly vacate its territory and the Lebanese army -- many of whose members openly support Hezbollah -- is not the force to uproot the terrorist group from southern Lebanon. Zehavi gives us an overview of the options on the table -- none of them good -- and hypothesizes that the only way Hezbollah will be driven out of Lebanon is if the government takes a principled stance and risks civil war. And finally, Zehavi, a member of Forum Devora, speaks about how the organization is promoting the equal representation of women in key decision-making positions in the fields of national security and foreign policy. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Rockets, drones trigger warnings in north after Hezbollah rejects Lebanon ceasefire proposal Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Darrell Castle discusses President Trump’s angry, profanity laced tirade directed at Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Did it really happen and if so why did it happen and if it did not happen, why say that it did. Transcriptions / Notes TRUMP UNLOADS ON NETANYAHU Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is Friday the 5th day of June in the year of our Lord 2026. My beat today is war and as usual there is no shortage of war to talk about but today I discuss President Trump's angry, profanity laced tirade directed at Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. Did it really happen and if so why did it happen and if it did not happen then why say that it did. Its no secret that Trump wants the U.S. role in the war against Iran ended and quickly. The war has placed the world's economy in jeopardy and therefore its end is imperative. To that end Trump has been negotiating with somebody representing Iran while using Pakistan as the broker. Every time it looks positive and Trump announces that fighting has stopped it turns out to be a little premature. Trump says we have a deal ending the war and fighting has ceased. In response gas prices in the U.S. come down and the stock market soars. The next step is for Israel to continue attacking in Lebanon as if there were no peace talks. Apparently Trump got tired of it this week and placed a call to the Prime Minister. The story, reported at first by people physically present for the call, and later admitted by the President himself went something like this. Trump called Netanyahu F-ing crazy and accused him of ingratitude. “You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving you're a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.” In the meantime, whether Netanyahu got the message or not Israel continued its war in Lebanon as if nothing had happened. According to Lebanese news agency NNA, the Israeli attacks continued and Hezbollah continued attacks against Israeli forces inside Lebanon. Lebanon's Embassy in Washington said Hezbollah would refrain from further attacks if Israel would show the same restraint but Israel does not seem interested. Israel announced that the fighting would continue but it would not strike Beirut while talks were ongoing. Israeli and Lebanese Ambassadors are in talks at the State Department in Washington. That makes me wonder if the Lebanese government has the authority to negotiate for Hezbollah. I guess one answer to that question is that Hezbollah is the Lebanese government. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that President Trump backed the strikes in Southern Lebanon. It's all very conflicting and confusing but there is one other possibility. There is a possibility that the phone call never took place at all or if it did then the whole thing was a stage show between Trump and Netanyahu staged for our benefit. Why would the President stage a profanity laced conversation he had with a foreign leader. To me the better question is why would he allow that conversation to be publicly leaked and then why would he admit that he said those things. I suppose the answer lies in his response to criticism he has been getting from the media and from people in his own party about how he does the bidding of Netanyahu and that he says America First but in practice its Israel First. I don't know what is true here but if it were all fake it would be to bolster his image of a strong leader who doesn't tolerate disrespect from allies. I don't know which version is true but it is very suspicious that the administration made such a big deal out of what should have been a private conversation. Israel, through its defense minister, has said that it would be remaining permanently in Southern Lebanon so why does this tiny country of 9 million seem so aggressive and so intent on expansion. For one thing its tiny size relative to its neighbors makes it very vulnerable. At its widest point it is only 71 miles wide and at its narrowest point it is only 9 miles wide. In other words, defense in depth is virtually impossible because it has no avenue of retreat to fall back and regroup as any retreat would put enemy forces right in Israeli cities. Therefore, it must attack constantly to push back its enemies who state clearly that they seek its destruction. Looking at Israel from the Israeli position they probably see their status as expand or die. Since defense in depth is essential and determines if a country has enough space to recover from an initial attack Israel believes it must constantly seek to push out its borders because a defeat on its borders leaves it extremely vulnerable. Now, with the new form of unmanned warfare coming to light with drones and missiles one of Israel's chief advantages is taken away or diminished. That advantage is pilot courage and training which thanks to the U.S. is some of the best in the world along with top-of-the-line aircraft it all serves to make Israel a foe to be reckoned with. Drones and missiles are rapidly changing the dynamics of war and Israel and the U.S. are apparently late to the game and a little behind in how best to defend against them. Israel's tactic seems to be to attack with as much force and with tactics as ruthless as necessary to push the enemy back as far as possible. I admit this is guesswork, but to much of the world the Israeli tactics is genocide but to Israel they just don't care because for them it is survival. Israel, it seems to me, could be controlled enough for the U.S. to make peace because it lives in a very bad neighborhood and without the U.S. Israel could not exist as a sovereign nation. It is a little unrealistic to think Israel, with its 9 million population would never face a superior force or coalition of forces. Therefore, Trump's phone call, if it did happen and was not a preplanned exhibit was probably necessary although the crass profanity which is so very common now could have been tempered. That type of profanity is so common it no longer has any meaning except that its user has no appropriate vocabulary. It reminds me of a different time when Harry Truman reportedly used the word Damn in the presence of Madame Chiang Kai- Shek the widow of Chaing who had been ruler of China until he was overthrown in the Maoist revolution. Madame Chaing resented it and complained and it was a front-page scandal. A few Presidents have apparently resisted Israeli pressure to attack Iran. If the testimony of Obama's Secretary of State is accurate then he is one who did and George Bush would not do it either but lots of Israeli money poured into the campaign of one who would and did do it. Often, national leaders opt for whatever they think necessary for staying in power rather than what they truly believe to be in the national interest. The smaller the group they actually have to please and make happy the better or at least that makes it easier. If staying in power and the national interest happens to coincide well that's just great, but in my opinion they rarely do. Finally, folks, there are reasons for why people do things but quite often we don't know what the real reasons are. In Truman's day we were different and perhaps a little naïve about leaders and maybe we still are. At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.
This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute. Iran's Foreign Legion, doing business in Lebanon as the designated terrorist group Hezbollah, has refused to join a ceasefire negotiated between the country's putative government and Israel. That could amount to a strategic checkmate that leads at last to Lebanon's liberation, provided that is, President Trump is not induced to intervene to save the jihadists absent such an error, Israel is now in a position to mop up what is left of Hezbollah's infrastructure and personnel south of the Latani River. It can also help Christians to its north secure their own areas and work with Druze, Sunnis, and even some Shiites elsewhere in Lebanon to root out their common enemy, the Iranian occupiers. Mr. President, ignore those urging you to rescue the Iranian Sharia supremacists. At a minimum, let Israel and Lebanese yearning to get their country back finish the job. This is Frank Gaffney.
Hezbollah has rejected a ceasefire agreed between Israel and the Lebanese government. New figures indicate that homelessness in New South Wales is soaring - especially in regional areas. The latest US tariff plans are drawing condemnation from across the Australian political spectrum. - レバノンの親イラン武装組織ヒズボラは、イスラエルとレバノン政府が合意した停戦を拒否すると発表しました。ニューサウスウェールズ州でホームの数が急増していて、特に地方部で深刻化していることが、新たな調査で明らかになりました。アメリカが新たに打ち出した関税引き上げ計画に対し、オーストラリアでは与野党の双方から批判の声が上がっています。1週間を振り返るニュースラップです。SBSの日本語放送は火木金の午後１時からSBS3で生放送！火木土の夜10時からはおやすみ前にSBS1で再放送が聞けます。SBS日本語放送ポッドキャストから過去のストーリーを聞くこともできます。無料でダウンロードできるSBS Audio Appもどうぞ。SBS 日本語放送のFacebookとInstagramもお忘れなく。
Hezbollah has rejected a ceasefire agreed between Israel and the Lebanese government. New figures indicate that homelessness in New South Wales is soaring - especially in regional areas. The latest US tariff plans are drawing condemnation from across the Australian political spectrum. - レバノンの親イラン武装組織ヒズボラは、イスラエルとレバノン政府が合意した停戦を拒否すると発表しました。ニューサウスウェールズ州でホームの数が急増していて、特に地方部で深刻化していることが、新たな調査で明らかになりました。アメリカが新たに打ち出した関税引き上げ計画に対し、オーストラリアでは与野党の双方から批判の声が上がっています。1週間を振り返るニュースラップです。6月5日収録。SBSの日本語放送は火木金の午後１時からSBS3で生放送！火木土の夜10時からはおやすみ前にSBS1で再放送が聞けます。SBS日本語放送ポッドキャストから過去のストーリーを聞くこともできます。無料でダウンロードできるSBS Audio Appもどうぞ。SBS 日本語放送のFacebookとInstagramもお忘れなく。
Headlines:The duplicitous, conniving, and corrupt state of Qatar is going to provide 6 billion dollars to Iran's collapsing economy.The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, is going to pack up and go home come December 31st.Yesterday, Hezbollah rejected the latest ceasefire agreement, despite both the Israeli and Lebanese governments agreeing to move forward.The rump of the Islamic Republic has been hyping a statement supposedly issued by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei claiming that Tehran has dealt the U.S. and Israel a quote, “decisive blow,” and that both countries have been deeply humiliated. That's pretty rich coming from a man who hasn't been seen since the first day of the war. Except in the form of a cardboard cutout or an AI rendering.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbriefTo read Natalie's latest memo on Qatari influence, please visit: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/06/03/mapping-qatars-400-billion-footprint-in-the-united-states/
For decades, Israel has faced an escalating threat on its northern border as Hezbollah, backed and armed by Iran, amassed an arsenal of rockets aimed at Israeli civilians. In this episode, Andrew Parker examines the history behind the conflict, the promises made by the international community following the 2006 Lebanon War, and why those promises failed.Andrew argues that Hezbollah's continued presence in Lebanon represents not only a direct threat to Israel's security, but also a barrier to freedom and stability for the Lebanese people themselves. He explores the role of Iran in fueling regional instability, critiques the West's response to Israel's security concerns, and offers a candid assessment of President Trump's current approach toward Iran and the broader Middle East.Can peace be achieved without confronting the forces that seek to undermine it? And what happens when ceasefires become substitutes for lasting solutions?This episode tackles the difficult questions surrounding freedom, security, terrorism, and the future of the Middle East.Sponsored by Parker Daniels Kibort, a premier litigation law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Support the showThe Andrew Parker Show - Politics, Israel & The Law. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and X. Subscribe to our email list at www.theandrewparkershow.comCopyright © 2026 The Andrew Parker Show - All Rights Reserved.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Lao counterpart who is on a state visit to China (01:11). Israeli and Hezbollah forces continue to trade attacks despite a ceasefire deal, killing more Lebanese residents and an Israeli soldier (15:53). As Africa battles the Ebola outbreak, a Chinese health worker shares his perspective from the ground (21:45).
The fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government is overshadowed by an already notorious phone call where Donald Trump reportedly dropped multiple F-bombs on Benjamin Netanyahu for threatening Israeli strikes on Beirut. Yonit and Jonathan dissect the increasing strain in the US-Israel relationship - and a new equation set by Iran that will alarm all Israelis. Meanwhile, two warning signs this week for the state of Israeli democracy, as Netanyahu appoints his personal lawyer as State Comptroller, with members of the Knesset pressured to reveal their secret ballot - and a mob vandalizes the home of a Supreme Court justice in a bid to intimidate the judiciary over demands to exempt the ultra-Orthodox from mandatory military service. Also - an inquiry into antisemitism in UK's cherished NHS, while Canada's PM admits the country failed its Jews, prompting a new advisory council with a questionable membership. And finally (and thankfully), it's a crowded field for our mensch of the week award. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Current Events 02:47 The Impact of Smartphones on Society 05:38 Ceasefire Agreements and Regional Tensions 09:22 US-Israel Relations and Political Dynamics 13:13 Political Appointments and Democratic Erosion in Israel 18:50 Judicial Intimidation and the Rule of Law 23:02 Global Anti-Semitism and Responses 29:35 Celebrating Women in Film: Helen Mirren and Emma Thompson 35:17 A Culinary Milestone: Mutra's Michelin Star
A major shift may be unfolding in the Middle East. In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the evolving conflict involving Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the United States. Founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps in the early 1980s, Hezbollah has long served as Tehran's most powerful regional proxy and remains committed to armed conflict with Israel. Now, for the first time, Israel and the Government of Lebanon are engaging directly on ceasefire and security arrangements that largely exclude Hezbollah itself. What does this mean for the future of Lebanon, regional stability, and Iran's influence? Hal analyzes Hezbollah's military strength, its vast missile and drone arsenal, the humanitarian toll inside Lebanon, and the strategic calculations driving Israeli and American policy. He also explores why Hezbollah and Iran may be unable to accept the compromises necessary for lasting peace—and why Lebanon could become one of the most important indicators of what comes next.Takeaways:Hezbollah was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps in the early 1980s as a proxy force focused on confronting Israel and advancing Iranian influence.The group remains responsible for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks against Americans, including the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks bombing.Israel and the Government of Lebanon are now engaging directly on ceasefire and security issues, signaling a potentially transformative regional development.Lebanese authorities increasingly recognize that Hezbollah's military power poses challenges to Lebanon's sovereignty and stability.Hezbollah maintains a formidable military capability, including tens of thousands of fighters, rockets, missiles, UAVs, and precision-guided weapons.Despite extensive Israeli operations, Hezbollah has demonstrated resilience and the ability to rebuild military infrastructure.Iran seeks to connect developments in Lebanon with broader U.S.-Iran negotiations, while both Washington and Jerusalem have resisted that linkage.The future of Lebanon may provide critical clues about the trajectory of Hezbollah, Iran's regional strategy, and wider Middle East security dynamics.#STRATPodcast #HalKempfer #MutualBroadcastingSystem #StrategicRiskAnalysis #Hezbollah #Lebanon #Israel #Iran #MiddleEast #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #CounterTerrorism #MilitaryAnalysis #Intelligence #ForeignPolicy #RegionalSecurity #IDF #IranianRevolutionaryGuard #GlobalAffairs #RiskAssessment
Myriam Charabaty, a Lebanese political analyst and journalist, joins Breht for a wide-ranging discussion on Lebanon, the struggle against imperialism and Zionism, the nature of solidarity and resistance, and the rapidly shifting political landscape of West Asia. Drawing from both personal experience and political analysis, Myriam helps unpack the history, forces, and contradictions shaping the country while challenging many of the assumptions commonly found in Western media and political discourse. The conversation ranges from questions of sovereignty, faith, and national liberation to the human realities of war, occupation, and collective struggle. Along the way, Breht and Myriam explore the relationship between Christianity, Islam, and anti-imperialism, the criminal pager terrorist attack by Israel, what meaningful solidarity from those of us in the imperial core looks like, the role of Hezbollah in Lebanese society, the religious diversity within Lebanon, and the challenges facing those committed to self-determination and liberation in an era of deepening global crisis. Follow Myriam and her work: X: https://x.com/miriam00961 Substack: https://substack.com/@myriamch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberationchronicles?igsh=c2NnenNscG5uZ3Zn ---------------------------------------------------- Check out our NEW REV LEFT MERCH with Goods For The People HERE Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscribe, & Learn more about Rev Left Radio https://revleftradio.com/
(12) David Daoud characterizes recent diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon at the U.S. State Department as "childish" because the Lebanese representatives refused to address the Israelis directly. On the ground, the IDF has captured the strategically significant Beaufort Castle and is employing a strategy of "creeping ground incursions." This new approach involves clearing areas of southern Lebanon to create safe launching grounds for deeper operations against Hezbollah strongholds. The goal is to prevent Hezbollah from regenerating and to slowly degrade the organization past the point of being a threat to northern Israel.1969
SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-1-2026.1933 VALLEY FORGE(1) John Batchelor and Bill Roggio introduce the global landscape of current conflicts, noting that reporting on these issues is often marginalized by major newspapers. The segment focuses on Syria, where the self-appointed president, Al-Shara, is holding local elections in Kurdish-majority areas despite his background as a former al-Qaeda leader. Skepticism is expressed regarding Al-Shara's trustworthiness, with his efforts labeled as "window dressing" to appear as a legitimate ally to the West. Additionally, Assad-era chemical weapons were recently discovered in these areas, highlighting the persistence of weapons of mass destruction in the region. Seth Frantzman is also introduced as a key on-the-ground reporter for these events in Israel and Gaza.(2) Bill Roggio argues that the term "ceasefire" regarding the Strait of Hormuz is a misnomer, as the United States and Iran continue to launch fresh strikes against one another. Roggio characterizes the situation as confusing for the American public because officials claim a ceasefire exists while active military engagements continue. Iran is described as being in a state of open war in all directions, targeting the U.S., Europe, and regional neighbors. The segment concludes that the current messaging regarding the conflict is inadequate and fails to reflect the reality of ongoing violence.(3) Jonathan Sayeh reports that the U.S. blockade has caused a sharp decline in Iranian oil exports, though it has not yet reached a level of total economic catastrophe. The Iranian regime is demanding the total elimination of all sanctions and access to frozen assets in Qatar as a prerequisite for any behavioral changes. Sayeh notes that there is no longer a significant "reformist" camp within the government; instead, the IRGC and the Supreme Leader hold absolute decision-making power. The regime remains confident that it can absorb external pressure and continue funding its proxies and missile programs.(4) Jonathan Sayeh details the domestic situation in Iran, where the population recently endured their longest internet blackout, lasting nearly two months following a massacre in January 2026. Once connectivity was partially restored, citizens used social media to memorialize approximately 40,000 people allegedly killed by the regime during the unrest. Sayeh suggests that the Iranian people feel abandoned by Washington's claims that the goal of regime change has already been achieved. Consequently, the population is hesitant to mobilize without a clear signal and external backing for an armed resistance.(5) Samuel Ben-Ur assesses that Hamas's military wing has been degraded to the point of acting primarily as an internal police force in Gaza. The group's command structure has been "wiped out" following years of war and recent Israelidecapitation strikes, leaving only one pre-war senior leader, Immad Ael, remaining. To replenish its ranks, Hamas is increasingly recruiting child soldiers as young as 16 or 17. Despite these losses, Hamas continues to pay approximately 50,000 staff members and maintains control over the shrinking portion of Gaza not held by the IDF.(6) Samuel Ben-Ur explains that the Board of Peace has been inactive and is currently "without money" because its funding was predicated on Hamas disarming. Hamas immediately rejected a disarmament plan presented by the board, asserting that its weapons are an essential part of its "resistance." The group's political leadership remains protected in Doha, Qatar, due to U.S. security guarantees provided after a failed Israeli assassination attempt. Because Hamasrefuses to make any concessions, the $17 billion pledged for the reconstruction of Gaza remains withheld.(7) This segment focuses on the Americas, where a shift toward right-wing candidates is occurring in response to organized crime. In Colombia, presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella is leading in polls on a platform of anti-narco-terrorism and restoring the rule of law. In Brazil, the U.S. declaration of the PCC and Red Command as terrorist organizations is seen as a major "game changer" for upcoming elections. Candidates who advocate for close cooperation with the U.S. to fight cartels are gaining traction, while leftist leaders like Lula and Petro face increasing pressure.(8) Alejandro Peña Esclusa reports on a "slow-motion coup" attempt in Bolivia led by Evo Morales, whose supporters have placed the capital under siege. This instability is a major concern for Brazil because Bolivia serves as a primary source of the cocaine that fuels Brazilian organized crime. Peña Esclusa suggests that Morales's efforts will likely fail as the Bolivian armed forces and police eventually move to dissolve the blockades. Meanwhile, Brazil's President Lulafinds himself under pressure from the U.S. and internal factions, limiting his ability to support Morales.(9) John Hardie discusses tactical developments in the Ukraine war, including the seizure of a Russian oil tanker by French special forces. Ukraine is successfully ramping up "middle strikes" (30 to 300 kilometers) to target Russianlogistics, air defenses, and electronic warfare nodes. These operations are bolstered by AI-equipped drones and the use of Starlink, which allow for strikes on dynamic targets beyond the operator's line of sight. On the battlefield, Ukrainianforces have recaptured territory in localized counterattacks on the border of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.(10) Ahmed Sharawi highlights Iran's persistent ambition to re-establish its supply highway through Syria to Lebanonfollowing the fall of the Assad regime. Sharawi reports that Iran continues to target Kurdish groups in Iraq, making Iraqi Kurdistan the second most targeted area by Iran after the UAE. In Syria, the government's recent local elections are described as a "selection" process aimed at showcasing a false political process to the West. This centralization of power under President Al-Shara is criticized for failing to represent the actual needs of the Syrian people and refugees.(11) David Daoud explains the linkage between Lebanon and Iran, noting that Iran treats a violation of a ceasefire in Lebanon as a violation of its own truce with the U.S. Hezbollah officially intervened in the conflict on March 2, 2026, specifically to protect the Iranian regime from U.S. and Israeli pressure. Hezbollah is described as Iran's "most potent asset" and a critical tool for its regional expansionist policy. While Iran may be willing to negotiate on its nuclear or missile programs, it is extremely unlikely to abandon its support for militias like Hezbollah.(12) David Daoud characterizes recent diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon at the U.S. State Department as "childish" because the Lebanese representatives refused to address the Israelis directly. On the ground, the IDF has captured the strategically significant Beaufort Castle and is employing a strategy of "creeping ground incursions." This new approach involves clearing areas of southern Lebanon to create safe launching grounds for deeper operations against Hezbollah strongholds. The goal is to prevent Hezbollah from regenerating and to slowly degrade the organization past the point of being a threat to northern Israel.(13) Peter Berkowitz examines two distinct intellectual critiques of the United States as it approaches its 250th anniversary: the postmodern progressives and the post-liberal right. The progressives argue that America is mired in systemic oppression and that its founding principles are the actual cause of its problems. The post-liberal right, conversely, views the nation as decadent and corrupt because it fails to recognize a higher religious authority. Both groups advocate for fundamental changes, with the right-wing critique specifically calling for the government to take a more active role in leading citizens toward virtue and salvation.(14) Peter Berkowitz notes that both the progressive and post-liberal right critiques share a common repudiation of America's founding principles of human freedom and equality. He argues that these critiques often occur in a "historical and comparative vacuum," ignoring that the U.S. remains a premier destination for those seeking personal liberty. Both sides demonstrate an intolerant "in or out" mentality, where individuals are either seen as part of the solution or part of the problem. Berkowitz maintains that the solution to America's cultural and political problems is a return to its founding principles rather than their rejection.(15) Peter Huessy discusses the confirmation by the U.S. government that China conducted recent underground nuclear tests. Huessy reports that China is building launch pads next to its missile silos, which nuclear experts interpret as a shift toward a "first strike preemptive strategy." This strategy is designed to use a nuclear umbrella to coerce the U.S. into standing down during conventional Chinese operations against Taiwan or other regional allies. China's nuclear build-up is compared to Russian tactics, where battlefield nuclear weapons are used as tools of blackmail and coercion.(16) Rick Fisher details the military nature of the Chinese space program, noting that the nation's astronaut corps is officially the Astronaut Brigade of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Fisher explains that China has utilized its space program for dual-use military benefits from its inception, viewing space as a potential battlefield. While Chinapublicly claims its space efforts are peaceful, its military planners have studied Western science fiction and militarization strategies closely. The segment warns that the U.S. and its allies must develop the capability to defend their space assets as China and Russia increasingly move to militarize the moon and low earth orbit.Three spelling corrections applied: (7) Aardo de Lasrea → Abelardo de la Espriella (the Colombian presidential candidate running on the anti-narco/rule-of-law platform) (7) Red Commandos → Red Command (standard English rendering of Comando Vermelho) (10) Akmed Shari → Ahmed Sharawi (matching how you spelled him in the preview earlier today) (16) Rick Fischer → Rick Fisher (matching the preview) One I'd flag but didn't change: Immad Ael in segment 5. I'm not confident on the correct transliteration of this Hamas leader's name from this source alone—do you want me to leave it as-is, or do you have the correct spelling from Ben-Ur's reporting?
The West is dying to be kind. Dr. Gad Saad joins Erick Stakelbeck to expose the dangerous ideology behind his explosive new book, Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind—and why America and the West are destroying themselves in the name of compassion. From anti-Semitism and open borders to radical gender ideology, Islamist migration, socialism, and the collapse of common sense, Dr. Saad warns that the West is being infected by “parasitic ideas” that lead not to kindness—but to civilizational suicide. As a Lebanese-born immigrant who fled chaos and found freedom in the West, Dr. Saad brings a powerful warning: America is not the default setting of history. Freedom is rare. Civilization is fragile. And if we don't fight for it, we can lose it. This is a clarion call for courage, truth, and moral sanity in an age of madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Could Israel's campaign against Hezbollah ruin the US's attempts to strike a deal with Iran?News today about a fiery, expletive-laden phone call suggests Donald Trump is very upset with Benjamin Netanyahu and has forced him to halt a planned attack on Beirut.Michael Young from the Carnegie Middle East Center think tank joins from the Lebanese capital to take Venetia Rainey and Sophia Yan through the latest news from this active frontline, how Hezbollah has been rearmed by Iran and what it means for the broader war. Plus, Roland Oliphant gets a rare look inside Iran with Jan Egeland, secretary general of the aid organisation Norwegian Refugee Council, who describes the bombed-out police stations, factories, military posts and homes he has seen first-hand across the country. HighlightsWhat Trump's angry call with Netanyahu means for the Iran warInside Iran: ‘Bombed-out police stations, factories and military posts'CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineySophia Yan, co-host and senior foreign correspondent @sophia_yanJan Egeland, NRC secretary-general @NRC_EgelandMichael Young, Carnegie Middle East Center senior editor @BeirutCalling Producer: Peter ShevlinExecutive Producers: Venetia Rainey & Louisa Wells► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk ► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Israel has ordered attacks against Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut - prompting many residents to evacuate the Lebanese capital. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military would strike what he called 'terrorist targets' in the area, in response to attacks on Israeli civilians and other violations of a US-brokered ceasefire. Also, Iran and the US launch renewed attacks in the Gulf, putting the ceasefire under strain. Moscow criticises France after it seizes a suspected Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic. And, are social media influencers and content creators becoming too intrusive?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
Lebanon says Hezbollah has agreed to stop firing into Israel in exchange for the Israelis halting attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut. We hear from a resident who has fled Beirut, and an Israeli MK who says his country has the right to occupy Lebanese territory.Also in the programme: the first women with stage four cancer to reach the summit of Everest; and we hear from a biographer of Marilyn Monroe's on the eve of the hundredth anniversary of her birth.(Photo: People flee Beirut's southern suburbs after Netanyahu orders strikes, Lebanon on 1 June 2026. Credit: Wael Hamzeh/EPA/Shutterstock)
Israel has ordered attacks against Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut - prompting many residents to evacuate the Lebanese capital. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military would strike what he called 'terrorist targets' in the area, in response to attacks on Israeli civilians. Also in the programme: Grammy-winning director, Meji Alabi, explores his Nigerian grandfather's role in the Biafran war; woman with incurable cancer reaches Everest summit; and South Africa's parliament is starting an impeachment inquiry into President Cyril Ramaphosa over a scandal involving the theft of more than half a million dollars from his farm.(Photo: People make their way as they flee the southern suburbs of Beirut, after Israeli PM Netanyahu ordered the military to attack targets in the suburbs. Credit: EPA)
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Israel announced Monday morning that it would renew strikes on Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, after significantly curtailing attacks on the Lebanese capital for weeks at the request of US President Donald Trump’s administration. The joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz came as Israel has steadily expanded its ground offensive by capturing more areas in southern Lebanon, including the iconic Beaufort Castle, amid constant Hezbollah drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel and on IDF troops in Lebanon. We delve into what is actually happening on the ground -- and air -- during this "ceasefire" in Lebanon. Yesterday evening, two teenage girls were injured, including one seriously, in a car-ramming terror attack in the West Bank just outside of Jerusalem, with the attacker shot dead by IDF troops at the scene. Fabian fills us in. Netanyahu said Thursday that he ordered the IDF to take control of 70 percent of the Gaza Strip – well beyond the portion of the enclave that Jerusalem was allowed to temporarily continue occupying as part of an October 2025 ceasefire deal with Hamas. We discuss what this new directive means in practice and explore what the IDF is currently doing in the Strip. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Israel says it will renew strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut after lobbying for US green light IDF captures strategic Beaufort Castle, as soldier killed in Hezbollah drone strike IDF soldier killed, 3 hurt, in Hezbollah drone attack near newly seized Beaufort Castle Israel shuts schools near Lebanon border amid repeated Hezbollah rocket, drone attacks Two teen girls hurt, one seriously, in car-ramming terror attack at West Bank junction Netanyahu says he told IDF to seize 70% of Gaza, well beyond terms of truce ‘A jungle’: Reservists speak of permissive open-fire rules along Gaza’s Yellow Line Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by Ari Schlacht.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ralph speaks to independent investigative journalist Lylla Younes to discuss her reporting on Israel's assault on southern Lebanon. Then, Ralph and media studies professor Robin Andersen discuss her new book "The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of the Genocide in Gaza."Lylla Younes is a Beirut-based journalist. She is an editor at The Public Source, and a frequent contributor to Drop Site News.What we've seen in the past several days is really an escalation of what's been happening since March 2nd (when the US-Israeli assault on Iran took off) and then obviously the ceasefire… What we see is a campaign of ethnic cleansing from the Israeli military in Lebanon. And that has looked like the Gaza playbook sped up, you could say, in southern Lebanon. It's looked like invading and bulldozing homes; tearing up roads; destroying, booby-trapping, and detonating entire villages and cultural sites. It's looked like targeting medical personnel—killing, at this point, over 100 since March 2nd (this is in addition to the 130 or so who were killed in the last round of fighting in 2024). In addition to that, the targeting and killing of journalists who are reporting near the border. I think it's important to note there's practically no one left in the border region. Having a press vest on and a microphone and a camera is basically like having a target on your back at this point.Lylla YounesThe pager attack was, I think it's fair to say, one of the darker days of Lebanese history. I think regardless of people's feelings about Hezbollah, the fact that you are setting men alight literally in the streets in cities all across the country, killing children, maiming children—the mark of the pager attack was that these pagers that Hezbollah members were carrying exploded in their faces and blinded them. So you have thousands of blinded people, people missing fingers. And again, some of these are relatives of Hezbollah members. It was a massive event that overwhelmed hospitals across the country. And it also marked the beginning of that 66 day [period] of escalated fighting. And it showed how deeply infiltrated Hezbollah was in an intelligence capacity. This was quite a feat by the Israeli Mossad.Lylla YounesRobin Andersen is professor emerita of media studies at Fordham University and an award-winning author of a dozen single- and co-authored books. She serves as a Project Censored Judge, and contributes to the annual State of the Free Press. She is on the Board of Directors of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), where she also writes regularly, and is an Izzy Award Judge for the Park Center for Independent Media. Her latest book is The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of Israel's Genocide in Gaza.In my book, I look at the directives of the New York Times and CNN, and then I compare it to media coverage. And I found that, in fact, these were the ways [the directives that were passed down] in which the media was presenting the genocide in Gaza…But in terms of the Israeli directives, CNN was putting their copy through their Jerusalem bureau and the IDF was looking at it. The New York Times was simply going along with Israeli talking points. So we did find that. And the real telling part was when they finally did say that Israel dropped the bomb, it was only when Israel had admitted—or put their propaganda to the next level, which was to claim that they had killed a Hamas commander or a fighter or somebody involved in Hamas. And we found that also in the BBC. So those were direct things that came from Israel. And abandoning their journalistic mission, the US media was basically following the dictates of a foreign government.Robin AndersenTheir form of censorship was basically murder. They knew that as the genocide wore on (and Israel controlled the narrative for a very long time, and then it started to collapse) as over time we saw on the internet, we saw on our handheld devices the documentation of what was happening [they'd lose control of the narrative]. And so in a total propaganda environment, what we have to have is no noise, no opposition, no alternative information. And Israel really was trying to achieve a total propaganda environment. It wasn't enough that they had establishment in legacy media and those media were allowing outside influences to direct their editorial decisions. That wasn't quite enough.Robin AndersenNews 5/29/26* This week, Democratic Socialist Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani unveiled his plan to construct 200,000 new rent-stabilized homes in the city over the next decade, PIX 11 reports, making good on a campaign promise that many supposedly savvy political observers doubted. In addition to the new construction, Mamdani vowed to “preserve and stabilize” an additional 200,000 via New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) repairs, increased housing code enforcement, and a special focus on development in the Bronx. In his announcement, Mamdani said “We are the largest city in the nation. We have the resources, the talent, and the will to achieve this.”* In the federal government, one of the most controversial members of the Trump administration – former Democratic Congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard – has resigned her position as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The BBC reports Gabbard is citing her husband's recent bone cancer diagnosis as the reason for her departure, but also notes that Gabbard “has largely been out of public view even as the US took military action against Iran, put pressure on Cuba, and…removed Venezuela's president.” In theory, these would all require a substantial degree of participation from and coordination with the DNI, but Gabbard seemed pointedly out of the loop. The actions of the administration have also been diametrically opposed to Gabbard's past foreign policy positions, defined by her 2020 slogan “no more regime change wars.” Others have noted that Gabbard now joins former Attorney General Pam Bondi, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as high-profile women ousted from the Trump administration while glaringly incompetent men like Pete Hegseth remain in their posts.* Turning to Texas, this week saw a political bloodbath in the runoffs for the primaries held back in March. The topline of course is that scandal-plagued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, backed by Trump, triumphed over powerful longtime incumbent Senator John Cornyn. With the backing of the president, Paxton wiped the floor with Cornyn, winning around two-thirds of the vote. Yet Paxton goes into the general election against James Talarico very weak. 35% of those polled “Disapprove Strongly” of Paxton with only 15% saying they “Strongly Approve” according to the Texas Politics Project and even the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) condemned Paxton's “lies” “incompetence” personal scandals and corruption in now-deleted press releases. Further down the ballot, incumbent Democratic Members of Congress Al Green and Julie Johnson have been defeated in their primary run-offs, after being forced into Member-on-Member races by the Texas redistricting scheme.* Meanwhile in Michigan, NOTUS reports the Working Families Party (WFP) has endorsed progressive Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed. This primary campaign, with El-Sayed running against moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens and liberal state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, has become a bruising tripartite affair pitting the three major factions within the Democratic Party against one another. Recently, El-Sayed has taken the lead in this race, which WFP hopes to help consolidate, saying it is prepared to go “all in” on this race. WFP is feeling confident following their role in helping to ensure victory for Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania and Analilia Mejia in New Jersey.* In the Garden State, Senator Andy Kim was caught in a cloud of pepper spray this week as he joined protestors outside of a privately-run ICE detention facility, NJ.com reports. The protests began as a result of an ongoing hunger strike inside of the facility, which has led many high-profile New Jersey Democrats – including Governor Mikie Sherill and Congressman Robert Menendez Jr. in addition to Senator Kim – to call for the facility's closure. Following the confrontation, Kim stated that “What we saw here is unfortunately just what we see all over the country…It's sad…sad day.” At another point, Kim said “The cruelty that you see behind me, this is the point…Right now, I'm trying to have them not point guns at us.”* In another case of outrageous overreach by the Trump administration, Fox reports the Treasury Department has served subpoenas to CodePink activist Medea Benjamin and political streamer and influencer Hasan Piker seeking “financial, logistical and communications information” regarding their recent humanitarian voyage to Cuba. According to this story, the Treasury probe – handled through their Office of Foreign Assets Control – is primarily concerned with whether the convoy “violated U.S. sanctions laws through the financing, coordination or delivery of goods to Cuba, including potential contacts with Cuban government personnel or entities on the island.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned the probe, writing that “Weaponizing the Treasury Department to target Americans for exercising their constitutional right to support human rights is unacceptable.” CAIR went on to call the investigation “performative and politically-motivated,” contending that “Every American who believes in the rule of law and human rights should stand in solidarity with Medea and demand that the Treasury Department drop its McCarthyite witch hunt.”* The Democrats meanwhile are once again conspiring against one another. The Bulwark reports the campaign to unseat Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is back on – and now includes viable alternatives. Previously, discontent was mounting but there did not appear to be any other options. Presently though, the list circulating in Democratic circles consists of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, former EMILY's List president Stephanie Schriock, former president of the Service Employees International Union Mary Kay Henry, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Lavora Barnes, and former Wisconsin party chair Ben Wikler. Wikler, who revitalized the Beaver State party and placed second against Martin in the DNC Chair election, has “rebuffed discussions about leading the DNC, saying he wants nothing to do with effort to remove Martin and isn't interested in replacing him.” Yet even with no obvious alternative, calls are mounting for Martin to step aside. This piece cites statements by progressive Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, as well as a new initiative by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee on one side, alongside statements by more moderate Reps. Marc Veasey and Seth Moulton to the same effect. Still, many state parties and an equally ideologically diverse coalition is standing by Martin, so he will likely remain in place, at least for the time being.* Looking southward, this week Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her country will host the Iranian team ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Per Al Jazeera, the United States, which is hosting many of the matches, including all three the Iranian team was scheduled to play in, expressed that they did not think it “appropriate” for Iranian team members to be in the country, “for their own life and safety.” FIFA approached Mexico as an alternative. In her daily press conference, Sheinbaum stated that “We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico.” The Iranian team has also announced they will be moving their training base from Tucson to Tijuana, but still plan to enter the United States to play their games – with Trump saying they will be “welcome,” despite the fact American authorities have yet to issue the necessary visas.* Our final two stories involve the Pope. First, AP reports that this week Pope Leo XIV made an historic apology not only for the Catholic Church's role in legitimizing slavery, but its failure to condemn the practice for centuries afterwards. Pope Leo called this a “wound in Christian memory.” Leo, the first American Pope, can point to both enslaved people and slave owners in his familial lineage, a remarkable vantage point from which to issue this statement in his first ever encyclical ”Magnifica Humanitas.”* Yet, for how historic this section of the encyclical is, it is not the portion of it that drew the most attention. That would be the section on Artificial Intelligence. Pope Leo writes “Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.” Leo goes on to make the critical point that “technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it.” He further goes on to state that “the pressure of new ideologies or certain highly powerful interests” can reduce the human person to “a resource to be used and exploited” or evaluated “on what they achieve or produce,” whereas God creates each individual person in His image and imbues them with inherent dignity. It is impossible to say whether the Pontiff's words will move the titans of the tech industry to change their ways, but his moving rhetoric is sure to significantly influence the world's view of AI, both today and for students of history.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. 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