PBS News Hour - World - Strikes kill high-level Iranian officials in another blow to country’s leadership

Iranian officials confirmed that Ali Larijani, a fixture of Iran's regime for decades, was killed by an Israeli airstrike that also killed another top security official. And for the first time in years, a senior U.S. government official has resigned in protest. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

PBS News Hour - World - Who is Joe Kent, the counterterrorism official who resigned over the Iran war?

Joe Kent, the former director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center, resigned from that position in protest on Tuesday. Kent refuted President Trump's statements that Iran presented an imminent threat, and said the war was in Israel's interest, but not the United States'. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

PBS News Hour - World - What Joe Kent’s resignation says about U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism efforts

To discuss Joe Kent's comments about the Iran war and what his resignation says about the intelligence community, Nick Schifrin spoke with Nick Rasmussen. He directed the National Counterterrorism Center under the Obama administration. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

PBS News Hour - World - Middle East analysts assess Iran’s power structure after killing of top official

For perspective on Israel's killing of one of Iran's most senior leaders, Ali Larijani, and the head of Iran's Basij internal security force, Amna Nawaz spoke with Alan Eyre and Joel Rayburn. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Rayburn is a retired Army colonel and is now at the Hudson Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

PBS News Hour - World - LA port chief on how the Iran war is impacting global trade

As the war with Iran continues, businesses and shipping companies are growing increasingly concerned about potential disruptions to the global supply chain. So far, major ports in the U.S. are operating normally, but there are real questions about how long that stability can hold. Geoff Bennett discussed what this could mean for global trade with Gene Seroka of the Port of Los Angeles. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

PBS News Hour - Art Beat - Chicago artists channel creativity into protesting the immigration crackdown

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown has ignited protests nationwide. It has also galvanized grassroots artists and community organizations. Jeffrey Brown reports from Chicago, where artists have been at the center of the movement, using their skills and resources as part of organized dissent. It's part of our series, Art in Action, as part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Newshour - Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war

Joe Kent, the head of the US National Counterterrorism Centre and a long-time Trump supporter, has announced his resignation from the role. He said he could not in good conscience back the administration's war. The BBC’s US State Department correspondent gives us more details on this development.

Also on the programme: At least 100 people are dead after a Pakistani airstrike hit an Afghan hospital; how Fijian bull sharks appear to have preferred swimming companions while avoiding others; and a man living close to the Ukrainian front line tells us what daily life is like as the war with Russia continues.

(Photo: Joe Kent speaking into a microphone. Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

PBS News Hour - World - Venezuela’s historic run meets USA in World Baseball Classic final

The United States takes on Venezuela in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic. The Venezuela team is playing in a WBC final for the first time in their country's history. Geoff Bennett discussed the tournament with Howard Bryant, author of multiple books, including most recently, "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Gist - Mickey Bergman: “Even Maduro Has a Soft Spot”

Mickey Bergman, who negotiates the release of political prisoners, returns to explain how freeing hostages from the world's most hostile regimes runs entirely on emotional intelligence, not geopolitical leverage. He walks through two cases — using Bill Richardson's death to unlock a Venezuelan prisoner release, and a single carefully orchestrated meeting with Myanmar's military junta leader. Bergman also discusses the Gilad Shalit exchange that put Yahya Sinwar back in circulation. Plus, Mike updates the March Madness bracket with injury news: Ali Larijani is out for the tournament. And in the Spiel, why Burger King's Baba O'Riley rebrand is less a comeback than a confession.

Produced by Corey Wara

Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig

Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com

For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/

For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/

For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/

Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/ X https://x.com/pescami TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist

To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠ad-sales@libsyn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist

Consider This from NPR - Anti-Muslim rhetoric rises as Zohran Mamdani embraces his Muslim faith

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has brought his Muslim faith to the center of his political life, but his effort has faced a backlash.


During this Ramadan he’s hosted half a dozen public prayers and celebrations, the latest Monday night when he broke fast with incarcerated men at Rikers Island.

NPR’s Brian Mann reports on how Mamdani’s efforts to celebrate his Muslim faith and the backlash that has accompanied those efforts. 

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Jason Fuller, Sarah Ventre and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Jason DeRose, Andrea de Leon, Daniel Burke and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.


To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy