K prompts an exploration of the theory that lead exposure created a crime wave -- and possibly explains how this may have created a rash of serial killers. Easy E shares first hand experience as a nurse who can smell not only death, but dozens of other conditions. Flea wonders what aliens see when they observe Earth. Steve-From-Ohio hips the guys to the bizarre story of the 1961 Eagle River Alien Encounter. We won't spoil this strange tale other than to say: space pancakes. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.
The semi-announcement of a Trump-Putin meeting coming as the deadline for punishing sanctions against Russia approaches raises the question of whether the president will go through with those sanctions or delay them. And the tariffs begin, with unknown consequences—but then, the consequences have thus far been surprising. And are we understanding the Democratic bad poll numbers right? Give a listen.
You can use buy now, pay later for almost anything — a couch, new clothes, groceries. FICO now says it will unveil a new version of its credit score this fall, which would include BNPL. But at least two of the big companies that offer these microloans want to know more before sharing data with credit bureaus. Also today: presidential calls for leadership changes at Intel, data on job-finding, and a tariff-squeezed building contractor.
Sweeping new tariffs on more than 90 countries around the world - which US president Donald Trump has advocated for - have come into effect.
Producers of staple goods such as Brazilian coffee say the tariffs will have a big impact on their industry.
Also in the programme: The Kremlin says presidents Trump and Putin will meet in the coming days to talk about Ukraine; and we'll get a rare glimpse into a besieged city, el Fasher in Sudan, where people are starving and terrified.
(Photo shows shipping containers in Frankfurt, Germany on 7 August 2025. Credit: Hannes P Albert/EPA)
What's behind deadly clashes at Uganda’s border with South Sudan?
Why are heatwaves happening more often on the African continent
And plans by Somalia to revive its airline after three decades
Presenter: Charles Gitonga
Producers: Tom Kavanagh in London, Blessing Aderogba with Makuochi Okafor in Lagos and Richard Kagoe in Nairobi
Technical Producer: Chris Ablakwa
Senior Producer: Paul Bakibinga
Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi
The Kremlin has said planning is underway for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump next week, but denied the Russian leader has agreed to a subsequent meeting with the US president and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky. The Trump administration's long-threatened tariffs on around ninety countries have taken effect on imports from dozens of countries, raising the effective US rate to its highest level in nearly a century. Relatives of hostages held in Gaza have set sail towards the territory in a flotilla of eleven boats adorned with flags and protest posters, calling on the Israeli government to stop the war, amid discussion of plans to escalate the military conflict in Gaza. German police have arrested three men suspected of being members of the outlawed Reichsbeurger group and of planning high treason. The families of those killed in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad two months ago, say it's like 'losing him twice' after receiving parts of a stranger's body, instead of their relative. The dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures like botox and what the UK government is doing about it. Why a new investigation into Pompeii has shed new light on what happened after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and why one 90's superhero has joined in with the Trump recruitment drive for ICE agents to ramp up immigration raids and detentions across the United States.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.
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Some Native Americans are already bracing for next year’s semiquincentennial with worries about how patriotism might cloud historical accounts from a Native perspective. Now, the Trump Administration is promoting a program to teach “the first principles of the Founding” in classrooms. The program uses money previously meant to help low-income and underserved students. It’s part of President Donald Trump’s push to end what he says is the “radical indoctrination” of public school students. We’ll talk about what’s being done to include Native voices into an accurate accounting of history.
GUESTS
Jason Dropik (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians), National Indian Education Association (NIEA) executive director
Julia Wakeford (Muscogee and Yuchi), NIEA policy director
Dr. Sandy Grande (Quechua), professor of political science and Native American and Indigenous studies at the University of Connecticut
With President Donald Trump's tariffs in effect, we're now at the highest average level of import taxes since the 1930s — all in the name of boosting American jobs, raising money to pay for government spending, and exercising U.S. influence. But rates could still change as the U.S. finishes trade agreement negotiations and sorts out frameworks for existing deals. Also on the show: We'll parse new data on monetary losses from online scams.
Last week, President Trump ramped up pressure on two favorite targets: elite universities and Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In the “War on Woke U,” the administration landed a $50 million settlement from Brown—the third Ivy to cut a deal—and added Duke and UCLA to the hit list with new civil rights probes and a funding cutoff. Meanwhile, after the Fed held rates steady, Trump escalated his campaign to oust Powell, denouncing him as a “stubborn MORON” on Truth Social.
In this episode, Cato scholars break down the Art of the Forcible Deal. What risks do Trump’s pressure tactics pose for monetary stability? Will they reform broken institutions—or just deepen their politicization? And is Trump’s strongarm approach an aberration, or a preview of the modern presidency’s future?
Featuring Gene Healy, Ryan Bourne, Emily Ekins, and Jeffrey Miron
Show Notes:
David Beckworth, “The Consolidated Government Budget Constraint Does Not Care About Your Fed Independence Feelings,” Substack (July 25, 2025)
Ryan Bourne, “A Case for Federal Deficit Reduction,” Cato Policy Analysis no. 973 (April 18, 2024)
Michael Chapman, “A Win for Liberty: Congress Defunds CPB, NPR, and PBS,” Cato@Liberty (July 23, 2025)
Jeffrey A. Miron and Jacob P. Winter, “Giving Up Federal Funds Would Do Harvard Good,” Harvard Crimson (April 30, 2025)
Norbert Michel and Jai Kedia, “A Check-In on the Fed: Why Politically Motivated Monetary Policy Is Dangerous and Counterproductive,” Cato Video (July 22, 2025)
New tariff rates kick in today for most shipments into the United States. Trump-Putin summit set on Ukraine. United Airlines ground stop. CBS News Correspondent Steve Kathan has today's World News Roundup.
