Lawrence: As long as Biden is president, Trump says don’t secure the southern border

In the latest edition of NPR News Now, Korva Coleman, alongside fellow correspondents Eleanor Beardsley, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, and Brittany Patterson, navigate a world cautiously perched between peace and turmoil. The episode examines the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth day, against a backdrop of international involvement, exemplified by the poignant prisoner exchanges that saw several dual citizens regain their freedom. As the Middle East braces for uncertainty with the potential resumption of hostilities, the episode exposes the intricacies of peace efforts and the complexity of the related diplomatic dance.

But beyond the tense international scene, NPR News Now delves deep into the contentious U.S. political debates over assistance to Ukraine, a matter that has entwined domestic policy with international alliances. Moreover, the program casts light upon a disturbing hate crime investigation in Vermont, where the fabric of the community is tested by an act of violence against Palestinian students. The episode concludes on a reflective note, with preparations for a national memorial service for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Each story, eloquently reported and artfully woven together, underscores the delicate interplay between domestic issues and global events, reminding listeners of the seamless connection between the decisions within our borders and their ripple effects around the world.

Border state governors are busing thousands of immigrants to northern cities to pressure the Biden administration to stop a surge of border crossings. Critics call the gambit cruel and inhumane. But neither side has a plan to fix the underlying problem.

On May 11, Title 42 expired. The controversial, pandemic-era public health order banned migrants from claiming asylum at the US-Mexico border and allowed US agents to rapidly expel them from the country, claiming a risk to public health. Some Americans fear that with the law gone, migrants will overrun the southern border. Others, though, say the rule was ineffective anyway, and now that it’s gone, the US can pass better immigration policies.

Border state governors are busing thousands of immigrants to northern cities to pressure the Biden administration to stop a surge of border crossings. Critics call the gambit cruel and inhumane. But neither side has a plan to fix the underlying problem.

In a thought-provoking episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, host Shawn Ryan joins forces with journalist Luis Chaparro to delve into the dark underbelly of drug cartels and the innovative strategies employed to counter their influence. As they unravel the complexities of psychological operations (psyops) against notorious factions like the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, listeners gain insight into the clandestine tactics of causing internal strife within these criminal enterprises, potentially crippling their foundations from within. The duo meticulously explores how exploiting the vulnerabilities of such organizations might just be the key to disintegrating their legendary power.

As they switch gears, Ryan and Chaparro tackle the alarming rise of synthetic opioids, exemplified by a new menace, Nidacin, discussed for its catastrophic potency surpassing even fentanyl. The episode casts a spotlight on the cartels’ ingenuity in manufacturing and distribution practices, which demand a renewed approach in hindering their financial and operational frameworks. The conversation also maps out the global expanse of cartel networks, revealing their silent but steady encroachment into Europe, Africa, and South America, foretelling an impending shift in organized crime dynamics. The Shawn Ryan Show invites its audience to an engaging and crucial discourse, dissecting the profound societal ripple effects of cartel activities and considering the role of investigative journalism in combating misinformation and public deception.

In a pivotal update from NPR News Now, narrated by Korva Coleman and her colleagues, global politics take the center stage. Listeners will be drawn into the heart of diplomatic maneuvers as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for his long-awaited proposal at the UN Security Council, a momentous occasion for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Furthermore, President Biden’s diplomatic discourse extends beyond Europe, with key dialogues involving Brazil and Israel, highlighting the multifaceted nature of international relations and peace efforts steered by the United States.

The podcast also delves into the gripping developments in the Middle East, as Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on escalating tensions between Israeli forces and Palestinians, offering a sobering account of the current state of conflict and security measures. On the home front, Camila Domonoske sheds light on the U.S. economic scene, from automotive worker strikes to the robustness of car sales amid looming challenges. As noted by the speakers, these diverse narratives from NPR News Now encapsulate a web of interconnected issues from peace propositions, diplomatic engagements, to the pursuit of impartial justice and economic resilience.

Delve into the intricate details of Donald Trump's legal challenges with the latest episode of "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," where seasoned experts Andrew Weissman and Mary McCord meticulously dissect the former president's recent courtroom testimonies. Their captivating dialogue navigates through Trump’s contentious testimony strategies, exploring the fine line between civil and criminal legal implications. The podcast promises a thorough examination of Trump's statements to financial institutions and the critical aspects of his credibility that may candidly transform the legal landscape.

Listeners are in for an enthralling session as Weissman and McCord scrutinize Trump's defiant conduct in the courtroom, drawing parallels to his behavior post-January 6th, and the implications of fraudulent misrepresentations on banks and insurers. The episode further delves into the role of lawyers in upholding judicial transparency and the contentious decisions of certain judges presiding over Trump-related cases. This thought-provoking episode not only sheds light on the implications of legal delay tactics and appeals processes but also invites audience engagement, making "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News" an essential podcast for those keen on the intersections of law, politics, and accountability.

In the landmark 50th episode of "Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News," legal experts Trevor Morrison and Mary McCord take a moment to look back at the journey of their podcast, which has become a beacon for those seeking to understand the impenetrable world of legal affairs. Highlighting historical milestones, like the unprecedented charges against a former U.S. president, the show continues to unravel the legal drama that captivates the nation. From Morrison’s insights into Trump’s strategic victimhood narrative to McCord’s leap from the Department of Justice to podcasting, they prove that every episode is an opportunity for education through dialogue.

Balancing a reflection on past episodes with pressing current issues, the duo dissects Donald Trump's Thanksgiving activities and their possible legal ramifications. As they delve into the Thanksgiving messages steeped in political critique and threats toward the judiciary, Morrison and McCord illuminate the potential danger to the judicial system's independence. Ending on a forward-looking and optimistic tone, the two hosts highlight the podcast's essential role in cultivating a community that values informed legal discourse, signaling commitment to future episodes that promise to dissect the complexities of legal battles awaiting on the horizon.

In The White Man’s Burden, economist, NYU professor, and Brookings Institution senior fellow William Easterly argues that the global humanitarian aid system is fundamentally flawed. His main critique is that the international aid system prioritizes top-down, centralized, and tightly directed aid distribution—all controlled by people in rich countries (primarily the United States and those in Western Europe), far away from the developing world that they're meant to be serving. Because the aid community is so disconnected, it creates big plans and sweeping missions that are overly ambitious and completely unsuited for the reality on the ground, it overlooks local needs and concerns, and it rarely holds itself accountable for its failures.

In this guide, we’ve updated some of Easterly’s statistics, supplemented his ideas with more recent examples, and incorporated alternative and opposing viewpoints from leading experts in the fields of economics, political theory, and business.

According to Gen. H.R. McMaster, the United States views the world through a self-centered lens, assuming that its policy decisions are the main driving force behind global events. Because of this distorted perspective, the US has lost influence on the global stage at a time when authoritarian aggression is on the rise. In Battlegrounds, McMaster, who was US national security adviser in 2017-18, contends that American leaders must learn to see the world through the eyes of the US's adversaries in order to defend against foreign threats and compete in the modern global landscape.

In this guide, we’ll explore McMaster’s criticism of the assumptions driving US foreign policy, his assessment of the threats America faces, and the steps he believes the US must take. We’ll compare McMaster’s views with those of other experts on diplomacy, while placing his assessments in their larger context and updating some of his information based on events since the book’s publication.

In Blowout, journalist and MSNBC commentator Rachel Maddow aims to expose the corruption and exploitation underlying the oil and gas industry. Pointing the finger primarily at Russian politicians like Vladimir Putin and American energy magnates like former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, Maddow contends that over the past 40 years, the industry has wreaked havoc on the environment, developing economies in the third world, and international relations, especially in Eastern Europe. Ultimately, she argues that only full transparency and strict environmental regulation can protect the planet from devastating accidents and corporate greed.

In this guide, we’ll discuss her evidence for how a handful of companies and politicians have exploited oil and gas reserves worldwide, both for profit and to serve dangerous political ends. We’ll also elaborate on how oil and gas have damaged the environment (perhaps permanently), how American energy policy continued to evolve under the Trump and Biden presidencies, and how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 further destabilized the international energy market.