We take the worst bands you remember and give them way more attention than they deserve. Equal parts comedy and storytelling, Polishing Turds will change the way you look at pop music. Behind every bad song there's a good story!
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Every Friday, Ivo Daalder talks with reporters from some of the world’s leading media outlets to get their perspectives on emerging global stories, and how they might unfold.
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True crime stories in the school system – told by a teacher from Australia. For people looking for something different in the true crime genre, other than Ted Bundy or the Zodiac Killer. Diverse and lesser-known stories – an albino student murder in Africa, schoolgirl sexual slavery in Libya, a teacher beheaded in France, Polish teachers executed by the Nazis, just to name a few. School-based tragedies are also featured - a school bus stranded in a snowstorm, a school wiped out by a landslid ...
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Kamala Harris’s Nomination, Netanyahu’s DC Visit, Blinken Heads to Asia
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Poised to be the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has kicked off her campaign after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. How does her nomination change the race, and what impact will she have on foreign policy? Then, as the Israel-Hamas war continues into its ninth month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits DC to discuss…
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Trump-Vance Ticket, Netanyahu in DC, EU Leadership
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Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump announced he would be selecting Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio as his running mate. What does Vance’s background look like, and what does the Trump-Vance ticket mean for the world? Then, as war in Gaza continues, Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Biden in Washington DC next week and…
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NATO Summit, French and British Elections, Iran’s New President
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NATO leaders met this week in Washington, DC to discuss several topics on the 75th anniversary of the summit. Hot topics included Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise of China, and political challenges many alliance members are facing at home. Then, a look at the French and British election results and what they mean for the future of Europe. Plu…
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#55. IMAGINE DRAGONS Part I: Mormons, Lawyers, and Casinos
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Send us a Text Message. Who are Imagine Dragons? Why has their music dominated every mall, stadium, and TV commercial for the past 10 years? Why do old fogies like us find their music so obnoxious?? Perhaps Imagine Dragons are the industry's final attempt to kill rock and roll. Or maybe their music is a sincere expression of their soul and just hap…
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As the UK and French snap elections loom, Matt Kaminski, Sylvie Kauffmann, and Giles Whittell join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss the impact and implications of these elections on Europe, the West, and the world at large. Then, looking ahead at NATO’s 75th anniversary and what we can expect at the upcoming NATO Summit.…
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Ukraine Peace Plans, Putin’s North Korea Visit, Trump’s Foreign Policy
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Last weekend, Ukraine held its first peace summit with an aim of presenting a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia. More than 100 countries and international organizations were present, but despite strong support from the West, Russia and China were absent, and key global powers refused to sign the Ukraine peace document. Then, Putin’s visit to No…
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Voters in 27 countries of the European Union took to the polls last week to elect the next European Parliament. While the far-right parties made major gains in France, Germany, and Italy, the centrists held on for a clear victory. How will these results impact the EU and its member states? Meanwhile, Italy hosts the G7 Summit this week as leaders c…
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Mexico’s New President, Modi’s Third Term, Biden’s Cease-Fire Plan
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Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and the former mayor of Mexico City, is set to become the first female president in the 200-year history of Mexico’s republic. What does her victory mean for Mexico? Then, in another major election across the globe, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third term, though opposition parties gained seats in…
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Send us a Text Message. Live Aid - the 1985 worldwide charity extravaganza - has often been called the "greatest concert of all time." So why is it here getting the Polishing Turds treatment? Well, there's more to Live Aid than the iconic Queen set from Bohemian Rhapsody. There's the disturbing, politically-charged famine that inspired the event in…
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Far-Right European Takeovers, Rafah Strike, Russia-Ukraine War Update
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Far-right parties are on the rise and dominating the polls in Europe. With elections happening in June, can a far-right European Union really happen? Then, dozens of civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, further isolating Israel on the international stage and increasing pressure on the Biden administration to pull back support. Pl…
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Britain's Surprise Election, China's Military Drills, ICC Indictment
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a surprise announcement this week calling for a general election on July 4. Why the sudden decision, and what will follow for the United Kingdom? Then, the International Criminal Court is applying for arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity…
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Putin Visits Xi, Russia’s Kharkiv Advance, Biden-Bibi Split
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China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin met this week in a show of unity, tightening Russia’s strategic alliance with China. What are the geopolitical implications of their “new era” partnership? Then, thousands of Ukrainians have fled border towns in the northeast Kharkiv region as Russian troops advance in new offensive. Plus, the fallout …
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From Warfighting to Humanitarian Operations – A Special Conversation with Chief of Naval Operations
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This week, a special edition of World Review – a conversation with ADM Lisa Franchetti, the Chief of Naval Operations, about the U.S. Navy’s role in this increasingly complex and uncertain world. ADM Franchetti is the first woman to ascend to the top leadership of the U.S. Navy and the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A surface wa…
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US-Saudi Defense Pact, A Weakening Europe, Myanmar’s Civil War
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The United States and Saudi Arabia are nearing a historic deal that could potentially reshape Middle East geopolitics with implications for regional security, diplomatic relations, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, last week French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech issuing a stark warning that Europe faces the poss…
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#54. CHUMBAWAMBA Part IV: Predicting the Future and Torturing James Hetfield
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Send us a Text Message. It's a brand new millennium. The "Tubthumping" heyday is long gone and most people have forgotten Chumbawamba even existed. But that doesn't mean our quirky comrades are down for the count; on the contrary they're ready as ever to confront this modern tech dystopia with their trademark wit and biting social commentary, in ad…
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What’s Next For Ukraine, Scholz and Blinken Visit China
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This week on World Review, Bobby Ghosh, Susan Glasser, and Stefan Kornelius join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss what’s next in Ukraine after Congress approved a $60 billion military aid package. Will this aid boost make an immediate impact? Plus, a look at German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China, followed by Secretary of State Antony Bl…
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Yasmeen Abutaleb, Anton La Guardia, and Peter Spiegel join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to analyze the implications of Iran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel earlier this week and discuss what’s next as tensions boil, sparking fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, after months of delay, House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced …
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Kishida’s State Visit, Biden Criticizes Bibi, Yellen in China
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This week, President Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to discuss Ukraine, AI and security in East Asia emphasizing the Japan-US alliance. Then, Biden criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as the Israel-Hamas war enters its sixth month, deepening the Israel-US rift. Plus, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen concluded her trip to Chi…
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EP 234 - Oxford School Shooting - Parents on Trial
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On November 30th, 2021, just over two years ago, a 15-year-old boy entered his high school with a gun, and went on a shooting spree which killed 4 students and injured many others. He was apprehended at the scene and his trial was recently completed. He was tried as an adult and received life in prison without parole. But this case is far from over…
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#53. CHUMBAWAMBA Part III: Chumba-WANKER!!
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Send us a Text Message. At long last, it's TUBTHUMPING TIME!! After endless digressions through history, politics, and obscure music scenes we finally arrive at Chumbawamba's era-defining hit. What does "Tubthumping" mean? What inspired its composition? Which creepy pederast mogul pushed it onto pop radio? We're gonna tell you everything you wanted…
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Latest Israeli Strikes, Post-Erdogan Turkey, AI Safety
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The World Central Kitchen has suspended operations in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike killed 7 aid workers. Another Israeli airstrike in Damascus is igniting fears of retaliatory strikes from Iran. Meanwhile, Turkey's nationwide local elections dealt Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AK Party a major electoral defeat, signaling a change in Turkey’…
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Moscow Terror Attack, Growing Biden-Netanyahu Tensions
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Last week’s attack on Crocus City Hall was Russia’s deadliest terror attack in almost two decades, killing at least 137 people. The Islamic State took responsibility for the attack, yet Putin suggested Ukraine and the West had a role, connecting it to the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council approved a Gaza ceasefire resol…
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From Sudan to Gaza—A Special Conversation with David Miliband
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The number and severity of humanitarian crises are multiplying and intensifying. To talk about why this is happening and what can be done, the Council’s Ivo Daalder spoke with David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom for a special edition of World Review…
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Russia’s Presidential Election, Famine in Gaza, Haiti Crisis
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Voting in Russia's presidential election has already begun and continues through this weekend. What will another six years of Putin in power mean for the world? Then, exacerbated by Israel restricting the flow of aid, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine. Will the Netanyahu government shift course following intense international pressure, inclu…
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(Part 5 of 5) **WARNING** - This episode contains disturbing audio and content relating to mass suicide and murder. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name “Jonestown”, was a remote settlement in Guyana established by the Peoples Temple, an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. Jonestown became internat…
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#52. CHUMBAWAMBA Part II: Polk Music
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Send us a Text Message. Our heroes continue their wayward march toward improbable fame, satiating their anarchic through dalliances with new genres of music, including dance, pop, reggae, and a mysterious unheard-of one which we apparently think exists. And of course this being Chumbawamba, we've supplied the necessary historical context for each e…
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Trump vs. Biden, Germany's Leaked Audio, Gaza Cease-fire Talks
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Results from Super Tuesday set the stage for a Biden-Trump rematch this November. What does that mean for the world? Germany vows to investigate after a leaked recording emerges between top-ranking German officers on the country’s Russia-Ukraine war strategy, exposing divisions among Western Allies. And pressure mounts for a cease-fire in Gaza befo…
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(Part 4 of 5) **WARNING** - This episode contains disturbing audio and content relating to mass suicide and murder. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name “Jonestown”, was a remote settlement in Guyana established by the Peoples Temple, an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. Jonestown became internat…
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(Part 3 of 5) **WARNING** - This episode contains disturbing audio and content relating to mass suicide and murder. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name “Jonestown”, was a remote settlement in Guyana established by the Peoples Temple, an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. Jonestown became internat…
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In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today, Ukraine is fighting for the country’s survival and is desperate for international military aid. Anton La Guardia, Catherine Philp, and Yaroslav Trofimov join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss Ukraine’s future, and current European and U.S. perspectives on the two-year ann…
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#51. CHUMBAWAMBA Part I: The Musical Influence of Cornflakes
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Send us a Text Message. (Okay FINE we'll tell the actual story of Chumbawamba and not a bunch of obscure noisy punk bands you've never heard of!) Before they were pop superstars, they were a misbegotten collection of misfits from the post-industrial wasteland of Northern England. They lived collectively in a dilapidated squat house, sharing all foo…
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(Part 2 of 5) **WARNING** - This episode contains disturbing audio and content relating to mass suicide and murder. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name “Jonestown”, was a remote settlement in Guyana established by the Peoples Temple, an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. Jonestown became internat…
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Navalny's Death, Israel Strikes Rafah, Concerns in Munich
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The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has strengthened Putin’s impunity. With the death toll nearing 30,000, the WHO warns that the Gaza Strip is now a “death zone.” Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes expand in the region as a new cease-fire deal is underway. World leaders and defense officials met in Munich last week, exposing concerns over the U.S. commi…
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**WARNING** - This episode contains disturbing audio and content relating to suicide. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name "Jonestown", was a remote settlement in Guyana established by the Peoples Temple, an American cult under the leadership of Jim Jones. Jonestown became internationally infamous when,…
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Trump's NATO Remarks, Israel's Rafah Offensive, Pakistan Elections
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Former President Donald Trump faces backlash following recent comments suggesting Russia invade NATO nations, reigniting fears that his re-election would weaken the defense alliance. Tensions continue to grow between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s invasion of Rafah looms. And following controversial parliament…
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Leadership Shakeup in Ukraine, Blinken Back in Mideast, New Northern Ireland Government
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Due to the struggling war effort, President Zelensky is considering replacing Ukraine's military and political leadership. Meanwhile, in Washington, Congress is beginning to search for alternative routes to pass aid to Ukraine. Amid heightened tensions, Blinken heads to the Middle East to discuss a possible cease-fire and hostage deal. Northern Ire…
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#50. CHUMBAWAMBA PART 0: A Crass Course on Anarcho-punk
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Send us a Text Message. In 1997 a smash-hit single called "Tubthumping" took the world by storm. Its authors were an eccentric eight-piece outfit from Leeds, England who kept insisting that they were anarchists. Media and fans alike were confused: what did this feel-good drinking song have to do with politics? And what were a bunch of radicals doin…
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Jordan Drone Strike, US-China Relations, Farmer Protests in Europe
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President Biden vowed to retaliate after a drone strike in Jordan killed three U.S. soldiers but does not want to seek a wider war in the region. U.S. and China held talks in Thailand stabilizing relations between the two countries as a sense of crisis fades. Farmer protests are spreading across Europe over rising costs, unfair competition, and sub…
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Germany's Far Right Protests, Netanyahu Criticism, North Korea’s Unification Renege
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Tens of thousands protest in Germany against the country’s far-right AfD party, following a report that extremists discussed plans for the mass deportation of immigrants. Despite increasing criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his opposition to a two-state solution. Then, in a historic break, North Korea drops from its cons…
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Back in 1991, the rock band Pearl Jam released a song called "Jeremy" based on the life of a high school boy, a song which propelled the fledgling band to stardom. This is Jeremy’s story. Disclaimer - Tyler Allen at the Minds of Madness Podcast - https://mindsofmadnesspodcast.com/ Send voice mail - https://anchor.fm/ap…
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Taiwan Election, New ‘Axis of Evil,’ ICJ Genocide Case
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Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Deborah Amos, and Yaroslav Trofimov join the Council’s Ivo Daalder to discuss the global impact of Taiwan’s presidential election. Then, how Russia's war with Ukraine has formed a new “axis of evil.” Plus, key takeaways from hearings at the International Court of Justice on South Africa's genocide case against Israel.…
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Send us a Text Message. CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSION OF SEXUAL ABUSE, KIDNAPPING, AND OTHER GRUESOME SUBJECT MATTER. Hey guys. Remember Viper, that insane meme rapper who sang about the virtues of smoking crack? Well recently he's been arrested on some truly disturbing charges. This story is so monumentally insane that we had to talk about it separa…
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Blinken in the Middle East, Red Sea Attacks, U.S.-China Relations
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits Israel during a trip across the Middle East, in an effort to reduce tensions in the region. Meanwhile, groups backed by Iran have escalated attacks in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and on international ships in the Red Sea. Plus, how Taiwan's upcoming election could shake up U.S.-China relations even mor…
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EP 227 - UPDATE - Episode 158 - Shoot to Kill
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Today’s episode will provide an update to the story which was covered in Episode 158 - "Shoot to Kill". But first you will first hear a replay of that episode, followed by the details of a trial which was recently completed. A 15 year old boy went on a shooting spree at his own school, which killed 4 people and injured many others. Disclaimer - Tyl…
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Send us a Text Message. Wesley Willis was truly one of the strangest dudes to ever touch a keyboard. A street artist and independent musician from Chicago's south side, Wesley self-produced dozens of CDs before amassing a grassroots cult following among hipsters and music nerds. Wesley was a consummate "outsider artist"; his songs are basically lit…
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Major foreign policy issues continue to unfold around the world, from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to Israel's war with Hamas. More than 60 countries head to the polls this year, including Taiwan, which the U.S. and China are following closely. Plus, populism is on the rise globally. Susan Glasser, Stefan Kornelius, and Peter Spiegel join the Cou…
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EP 226 - UPDATE - Episode 101 - The Murder of Teacher Samuel Paty
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Today’s episode will be providing an update to the story which was covered in episode 101, called Charlie brown. But before providing the update, you will first hear a replay of that episode, followed by the details of a trial which was recently conducted as a result of the incident in that episode. A man by the name of Samuel Paty was a secondary …
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US Pressures Israel, Biggest Stories of 2023, Global Elections
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From Ukraine to Gaza, Yasmeen Abutaleb, Carla Anne Robbins, and Nahal Toosi join World Review with Ivo Daalder to discuss the events that shaped our world this year, and what lies ahead in the pivotal 2024 election year that could shape global order. Plus, is U.S. pressure on Israel working?By Yasmeen Abutaleb, Carla Anne Robbins, Nahal Toosi, Ivo Daalder
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#48 HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2023: A Very Pandering Christmas
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Send us a Text Message. HO HO HO! We're finally back for our annual Holiday Special! This year we're examining all the ways that Christmas music gets adapted by and tailored to various subcultures in our society. Rednecks, truckers, metalheads, vegans -- they all have their own Christmas songs, and we'd like to pay homage to this shameless panderin…
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Zelensky Visits Washington, Biden-Netanyahu Tensions, Poland's Future
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky makes a plea to Congress for more U.S. aid to fight Russia, though chances of passing a deal hang in the balance. The divide between President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu widens after Biden warns that Israel is losing international support for its war against Hamas. And Poland elects a…
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