Podcast Summary
Experimenting with new approaches to peace and international relations: The US faces political drama with Trump's indictment, while Europe and Latin America pioneer feminist foreign policy to challenge traditional power dynamics
The pursuit of peace is not a distant dream, as some countries are experimenting with new approaches like feminist foreign policy. Meanwhile, political drama continues in the United States as former President Donald Trump faces legal troubles over the mishandling of classified documents after leaving office. Trump, who is still the favorite to become the Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election, was indicted following a year-long investigation. The case revolves around documents marked as classified that were taken to Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence and refused to be returned to the justice department. Despite these challenges, Trump maintains his popularity within the Republican Party. Elsewhere, Europe and Latin America are leading the way in feminist foreign policy, aiming to challenge the male-dominated nature of international relations and war and peace negotiations. Tune in to the Things That Go Boom podcast from Inkstick Media and PRX for more insightful discussions on global events.
Trump Expected to Face Charges under Espionage Act: Former President Trump may be indicted for mishandling classified info and obstructing justice under the Espionage Act. The charges could impact his 2023 presidential bid.
Former President Donald Trump is expected to be indicted by the Justice Department for mishandling classified information and potentially obstructing justice. The charges are likely to be brought under the Espionage Act, although the exact allegations are not yet clear. Trump and his team have maintained that he is the victim of a political witch hunt, while some Republicans have expressed support for him. The indictment comes as Trump is seeking the Republican nomination for the presidency again, and it could be a significant development in his legal challenges, which also include investigations into his business dealings and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The seriousness of the charges and their potential impact on Trump's political future remain to be seen.
Donald Trump's Legal Battles: Sexual Assault Case in Miami and Business Records Case in Manhattan: Former President Trump is facing multiple legal cases, including a sexual assault case in Miami and a business records case in Manhattan. Despite ongoing trials, Trump's lead in the Republican primary remains strong, suggesting he could be the next president.
Former President Donald Trump is currently facing multiple legal cases at both the state and federal levels. The most recent development is his upcoming arraignment in Miami on March 21, related to a civil case where he was found liable for sexual assault. Another case in Manhattan involves falsifying business records regarding payments to an adult film star. At the state level in Georgia, there's a case investigating possible election law breaches. Trump's team has cooperated in the Biden classified documents case, unlike Trump's handling of the investigations against him. Some argue there's a double standard, but the key difference is Biden's team's cooperation. Trump's cases have not yet affected his lead in the Republican primary, making it likely he'll be the nominee and potentially the next president, despite ongoing trials. The constitution does not prevent a candidate from running with ongoing or even past controversies.
Wildfires in Canada Cause Hazardous Air Quality in US and Other Parts of the World: Wildfires in Canada lead to hazardous air quality in the US and other regions, while 50 elections are happening globally with peace on the ballot, and there's a push for feminist foreign policy to shift the dynamic of international peacekeeping
Despite ongoing legal cases, Donald Trump is continuing his bid for the presidency in 2024. Meanwhile, in other news, the world is facing unprecedented air quality issues due to wildfires in Canada. These wildfires have resulted in hazardous air quality in parts of the US, particularly in New York, which has experienced its worst air quality since the 1960s. This issue is not limited to North America, as over 50 elections are taking place around the world this year, and in some countries, peace is on the ballot. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards feminist foreign policy, aiming to change the boys-club dynamic of international peacekeeping. The new season of Things That Go Boom podcast will explore this topic further.
Wildfires in Quebec Cause Unprecedented Smog on US East Coast: Wildfires in Quebec, Canada, and a heat dome, led to record-breaking smog on the US East Coast, worsening respiratory conditions and affecting over 60 million people with poor air quality.
The ongoing wildfires in Quebec, Canada, coupled with the atmospheric phenomenon known as a heat dome, have led to unusually high levels of smoke affecting the eastern coast of the United States. This smog, made up of small particles known as PM 2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. The East Coast, which is densely populated and unaccustomed to wildfires and their smoke, is particularly affected. The air quality on June 6, 2023, was the worst in the last decade, with an average Air Quality Index of around 80, surpassing the previous high of 79 recorded in 2021. With over 240 wildfires currently burning out of control in Canada and no end in sight for the heat dome, many cities in the US will continue to experience smoke and poor air quality. Furthermore, global warming is making wildfires more common, adding to the concern for the coming summer.
A woman's claim to be Putin's real mother: A woman named Vera Putina claimed to have given birth to Vladimir Putin, sharing a story of a brief romance with Platon Primakov and raising her son, named Vladimir but called Vova, until he was taken away.
Vera Putina, a vigorous old lady from a farming town, claimed to be the real mother of Vladimir Putin. She shared her story of a brief romantic encounter with Platon Primakov, which resulted in an unwanted pregnancy. Despite receiving a warning letter from Primakov's wife, Vera continued to care for her son, whom she named Vladimir but called Vova. She later married Georgi Ossipashvili, but their marriage was filled with arguments due to Vova's presence. Despite his temper and love for wrestling, Vova was a quiet boy who enjoyed fishing, reading Russian fables, and doing calligraphy. However, Vera had to give up Vova when he was sent to live with his father's family due to her husband's dislike for him. Vera's story remained hidden until Putin's rise to power in 1999.
The Mysterious Origins of Putin's Early Life: Despite conflicting stories about his past, Putin's focus on his political career and disinterest in his Georgian roots left Vera, his alleged foster mother, feeling regret and unable to reconcile.
The early lives of Vera Putina and Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, are shrouded in mystery and contradiction. While Vera believed that Putin was her foster son, born in 1950 and raised in Georgia until he was 9, Putin claimed that his real parents were Vladimir Putin senior and Maria Putina, and that he was born in 1952 in Leningrad. The discrepancies between their stories, as well as Putin's apparent disinterest in his Georgian past and his insistence on referring to his foster mother as his mother, caused deep regret and longing in Vera. Despite her wishes to reconcile, she was unable to bridge the gap between her simple village life and Putin's life in the palace. Meanwhile, in the wider world, the pursuit of peace remains a significant goal, with over 50 elections scheduled for 2024 in various parts of Europe and Latin America. One promising approach is feminist foreign policy, which prioritizes gender equality and women's rights in international relations.
Exploring Women's Roles in War and Peace: The new season of Things That Go Boom highlights the importance of including women's perspectives in war and peacebuilding for better outcomes.
The world of war and peace is largely dominated by men. This is a key issue explored in the new season of Things That Go Boom from Inkstick Media and PRX, which premieres on March 18th. Listeners can find it on their favorite podcast platforms. This imbalance can limit perspectives and hinder progress towards peace. The series aims to shine a light on this issue and provide a platform for underrepresented voices. By examining the experiences of women in war and peacebuilding, the podcast hopes to broaden our understanding of these complex issues and inspire new solutions. It's an important reminder that a more inclusive and diverse approach to international relations can lead to better outcomes for everyone. Tune in to Things That Go Boom to learn more.
