Syria is holding its first parliamentary elections since the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December -- but the vast majority of the population can't vote and the president is choosing many of the candidates.
Also, can the US-led peace plan for Gaza work? We'll hear about the key negotiations due to begin in Cairo and ask whether it's feasible to expect Hamas to disarm. And a bigger question: when does anti-Zionism equate to anti-Semitism?
Plus a legendary guitar goes on display in a shop in London.
Picture: Voting begins for representatives of Syria's new parliament in Damascus on October 5, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)
On Monday, President Trump outlined his proposal for a peace deal in Gaza, a moment he described as ‘potentially one of the great days ever in civilisation’. In a press conference announcing the plan, the President name-dropped Sir Tony Blair and said the former UK Prime Minister would have a key role in the governance of post-war Gaza. Blair has been part of high-level talks with the US and other parties about ending the conflict. To many in the Middle East he remains a divisive figure who is remembered primarily for his role in the US-led invasion of Iraq. So how did Blair become a central figure in this latest plan to end the war in Gaza, and what does this tell us about diplomacy under Trump 2.0? Asma Khalid speaks to the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale, who charts the story of Blair’s involvement in the Middle East and his warm relationship with President Trump.
Producers: Sam Chantarasak, Viv Jones
Senior news editor: China Collins
Mix: Travis Evans
With Asma Khalid in DC, Tristan Redman in London, and the backing of the BBC’s international newsroom, The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.
Picture: Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
What are the biggest mistakes investors make? Motley Fool Chief Investment Officer Andy Cross and analyst Jason Moser talk with Barry Ritholz, author of How Not to Invest: The ideas, numbers, and behaviors that destroy wealth―and how to avoid them.
Winning the game
Passive vs. active investing
Common mistakes
When to sell
Emotions and investing
Host: Andy Cross, Jason Moser
Producer: Bart Shannon, Mac Greer
Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, "TMF") do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.
We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode
Former ESPN star Sage Steele joins Crystal Bonham on Problematic Women to share her powerful story of walking away from Disney, standing up to cancel culture, and finding freedom on the other side.
In this candid conversation, Sage reflects on the courage it took to speak truth in the face of corporate hypocrisy, the cost of refusing to bow to the Left’s mandates, and the turning point moment after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. They also discuss the strength and grace of Erika Kirk, who has stepped boldly into leadership while inspiring young women across America to live out their faith without fear.
Don’t miss Sage’s story — and why she believes now is the time for bold women and men of faith to stand up.
Drones have been in the headlines a lot lately. On Friday, we reported that Munich saw the latest in a string of airport closures after drones were detected in European airspace. These drones are different from the ones that were in use even a decade ago, as the capabilities of even the cheapest drones have evolved on the battlefields of Ukraine and Russia. And the West is falling behind, something the Trump administration is seeking to address with a potential deal that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s battle-hardened drone tech. Alistair MacDonald, who covers Ukraine and the defense industry for the Journal, discusses the big business of drones, how Ukraine became a leader in the industry and how the West could catch up. Alex Ossola hosts.
Amusement parks are enduring vacation destinations for American families. The rides, the long lines for rides, the concessions, the long lines for concessions — these are practically familial rites of passage. Theme parks are also enormous moneymakers, with industry leaders such as Disney and Universal earning billions of dollars each year from their parks.
In this episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with Brooks Barnes, who writes about show business (including theme parks), and Mekado Murphy, a film editor and thrill-seeker who reports on roller coasters. They talk about the state of the contemporary amusement park and the ups and downs of roller coasters around the world.
On Today’s Episode:
Mekado Murphy is the assistant film editor for The New York Times, and its unofficial roller coaster correspondent.
Brooks Barnes covers Hollywood for The New York Times.
For more than two years, Jennifer Foley has been an advocate for her brother Scott Spivey. But to get the criminal investigation into his death reopened, Jennifer has to convince some of the most powerful leaders in South Carolina that this was not a Stand Your Ground case. WSJ’s Valerie Bauerlein reports.
For thousands of years, humans all around the world have coveted gemstones.
Gemstones have been used as symbols of authority by kings, queens, and emperors, have been central to religious ceremonies, and have served as adornments for the wealthy.
While you may have heard of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, what exactly are they, and where do they come from?
Learn more about gemstones, what they are and how they’ve been used throughout history on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.
Sponsors
Quince
Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order!
Mint Mobile
Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed
Stash
Go to get.stash.com/EVERYTHING to see how you can
receive $25 towards your first stock purchase.
Mary Louise Kelly, host of NPR's All Things Considered, is no stranger to tough conversations with important people. In her new national security podcast, NPR’s Sources and Methods, Kelly brings you inside the Pentagon, State Department, and intelligence community to help you understand America's shifting role in the world, and how events in faraway places matter here at home.
What is civility? Who does it serve? When, if ever, is incivility called for? New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay joins Alex Wagner to discuss the right's recent calls for political civility and why Roxane believes those calls are based on a fantasy of our politics. The two unpack the political discourse in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination and the ongoing government shutdown, talk about Roxane's belief that the "manosphere" has always been with us, and debate whether there's a perfect, polite way to communicate about our differences.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
