As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, Ben, Matt and Noel explore ongoing claims that the Russian government may possess secret "superweapons" capable of changing the course of war. How much of this is sound and fury, signifying nothing? How much of this may lead to new, world-threatening tools of horror? Ben here: it turns out what we mean by "super".
Iran says it has shot down a US fighter jet over the west of the country. Iranian state media has published pictures and videos purporting to show parts of the downed plane and one of the ejector seats. American aircraft and reconnaissance drones are said to be involved in the search, but there has been no official confirmation from the Pentagon or the White House.
Also: Despite President Trump's claims that Iran's military capacity has been decimated by almost five weeks of US-Israeli strikes, Iranian missiles and drones damaged oil, natural gas and water desalination facilities in Gulf nations on Friday. The UN says food prices have risen to their highest level in six months and could increase further if the war in the Middle East continues. A French court has overturned an attempt by the government to ban a Muslim event which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people over the weekend. Burkina Faso's leader has told the people there they can forget about democracy in an interview on national TV. South Sudan is facing a rapidly worsening security and humanitarian crisis. We look at how Easter festivities are going ahead in Jerusalem, despite challenges... and scientists answer a long standing mystery of how octopuses mate.
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Plus: President Trump is seeking an unprecedented $1.5 trillion in defense spending in the next fiscal year. And the U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, blowing past expectations. Alex Ossola hosts.
An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor
However one may turn the matter, one cannot discover any reason why an ideological distortion of truth should be more useful to the bourgeoisie than a correct theory.
The U.S. economy added 178,000 new jobs in March, and the unemployment rate went down. That’s a big improvement from last month’s disappointing jobs report, but there’s more than meets the eye to these numbers. We’ll explain in today’s episode. Also: SpaceX filed paperwork for an IPO, and the company’s high predicted valuation isn’t the only thing making waves. Plus, some food for thought before this weekend’s Final Four basketball games and inevitable betting ads: “This Is Uncomfortable” host Reema Khrais explains the effects of prediction markets on our wallets and our brains.
Economists have described the state of the jobs market as “low hire, low fire.” That means employers are not cutting many jobs, but they're also not adding much either, a dismal prospect for many new college grads. On this edition of Jobs Friday, we go to Howard University in Washington, D.C. to see how graduating seniors are faring.
Divorce rates are steadily rising in many African countries. For example, government data shows the divorce rate in South Africa rose by 8.9% between 2023 and 2024. It increased by 16% in Zambia from 2022 and 2023, according to media reports.
But despite the stigma that still surrounds divorce, attitudes are changing. In Kenya, some high-profile figures have even celebrated separations with “divorce parties,” while the idea of a “divorce glow-up” is gaining traction online.
Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 34-year-old Millicent Bundi from Kenya, who is sharing her post-divorce journey publicly, and Zambia’s Magnus Mando (Mag44) about the challenges of divorce as a gospel singer.
Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo
Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editor: Maryam Abdalla
Despite the claims of the chartalists and modern monetary theory advocates, early American monetary history tells a much different story. In fact, much of the historical evidence illustrates Menger’s theory.
Plus: Amazon will charge independent sellers a new fuel surcharge. And U.S. venture fundraising is strengthening as most investment goes to established megafunds. Danny Lewis hosts.
