00:00Welcome to Daily World Podcast on June 23rd, 2025.
00:14I'm Angela, here to bring you today's key developments in economics, politics and global headlines.
00:20Let's dive right in.
00:23Hope Leo 14 has condemned President Donald Trump's military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities,
00:29stating that war exacerbates problems and causes lasting harm.
00:34He urged the international community to prioritize peace and diplomacy,
00:38emphasizing the moral responsibility to prevent conflict and protect human dignity.
00:43This marks Pope Leo's first significant global crisis since his appointment,
00:47continuing his advocacy for peaceful resolutions.
00:51In related developments, Iran reportedly transferred nearly all of its highly enriched uranium
00:56to a secret location ahead of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities,
01:01including the underground Fordow site.
01:04Despite damage to these sites, concerns persist as Iran retains enriched uranium stockpiles
01:09and the capability to rebuild its centrifuge infrastructure.
01:13The International Atomic Energy Agency is seeking access to verify Iran's uranium status
01:19amid these geopolitical tensions.
01:21Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited Israel's large Russian-speaking population
01:27as a reason for not providing war aid to Iran while maintaining support for Iran's nuclear energy rights.
01:34This statement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using bodies of Russian soldiers
01:40disguised as Ukrainians in a recent repatriation deal.
01:44In France, a bride was shot dead, and several others injured during a gun attack
01:50at a wedding party in Goult, near Avignon.
01:53Police have arrested two suspects and are searching for a third,
01:57with initial reports suggesting the violence may be linked to drug-related conflicts.
02:03A suicide bomber targeted the Mar-Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dwayale, Syria,
02:08resulting in at least 25 fatalities and over 60 injuries.
02:12The Syrian government has condemned the attack,
02:15attributing it to an Islamic State extremist, and has vowed to combat such threats.
02:21Israel's defense minister announced that the Israeli defense forces
02:25have targeted multiple regime sites in Tehran,
02:28including a countdown clock symbolizing Iran's rhetoric against Israel.
02:32This action is part of ongoing tensions in the region.
02:37Following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities,
02:39Iran's parliament voted to potentially close the Strait of Hormuz,
02:43a critical global oil transit route.
02:45The final decision will rest with Iran's Supreme National Security Council,
02:49and could significantly impact global oil prices.
02:53In the United States, Truth Social faced outages,
02:56shortly after President Trump posted about the military strikes on Iran,
03:00with the cause of the outage still unclear.
03:02Meanwhile, Florida's construction sector is experiencing labor shortages,
03:07due to intensified ICE raids under the Trump administration's immigration policies,
03:12raising concerns about economic impacts.
03:16Ukraine has expressed support for the U.S. strikes on Iran,
03:19calling for a similar stance against Russia.
03:22Israeli officials have indicated a willingness to halt military actions against Iran,
03:26if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ceases hostilities.
03:31In Europe, Germany and Italy are under pressure to repatriate over $245 billion in gold reserves from the U.S.,
03:39reflecting broader anxieties about geopolitical risks.
03:42Meanwhile, a Republican-led effort in the U.S. Senate to block states from enforcing their own AI regulations
03:47has passed a key procedural hurdle, potentially impacting state rights.
03:51Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has warned of Russia preparing new military operations in Europe,
03:58emphasizing the need for continued cooperation with foreign partners to strengthen defense measures.
04:05The U.S. Embassy in Dublin has implemented a new requirement for visa applicants
04:09to provide all social media usernames used in the past five years, raising privacy concerns.
04:16Canada has signed a comprehensive defense agreement with the European Union
04:20to enhance military cooperation, while Spain has reached an agreement with NATO
04:25to avoid increasing military spending to 5% of GDP, allowing for greater fiscal sovereignty.
04:33Finally, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has stated that Albania and Montenegro
04:38should join the European Union before 2030, highlighting the progress made by these countries
04:44and Italy's support in combating corruption to facilitate their accession.
04:50Infectious disease experts at the University of Minnesota are responding to Health Secretary
04:56Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial changes to the Federal Vaccine Advisory Committee, known
05:01as ACIP.
05:03Led by Michael Osterholm, they are forming the Vaccine Integrity Project, an independent panel
05:08aimed at providing unbiased vaccine guidance.
05:11This initiative seeks to collaborate with major medical organizations to ensure trusted vaccine
05:17recommendations, amid concerns that the new ACIP members may hold vaccine-skeptical views
05:22that could jeopardize public health.
05:25A new study highlights that autistic individuals often experience intense joy associated with
05:31their unique traits, such as passionate interests and deep focus.
05:34Researchers found that societal biases and mistreatment are the primary barriers to experiencing this joy,
05:41rather than autism itself.
05:43This emphasizes the need for acceptance, and the creation of sensory-friendly environments
05:48to support the flourishing of autistic individuals.
05:52Concerns have emerged regarding the impact of artificial intelligence
05:56on the critical thinking skills of young people.
05:58A recent article suggests that reliance on AI tools may hinder independent and creative thinking.
06:05The discussion underscores the importance of fostering analytical skills within educational
06:09frameworks to counterbalance the influence of AI technology.
06:14In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has vetoed a bill that would have banned all THC consumable products,
06:21allowing the market for THC-infused vapes, gummies and other goods to continue.
06:25This decision supports the state's billion-dollar industry, despite strict marijuana laws.
06:31Critics of the veto express concerns over the lack of federal oversight,
06:35while supporters highlight the economic benefits and the availability of alternatives
06:38for those not eligible for medical marijuana.
06:42A study from Stanford University reveals that over a third of large scavenger species are declining,
06:49which poses significant health risks by potentially increasing the spread of zoonotic diseases to humans.
06:55The loss of apex scavengers, such as vultures, disrupts ecosystems,
06:59allowing smaller, disease-carrying animals to thrive.
07:03Researchers advocate for improved conservation policies to protect these species
07:07and their vital ecological roles.
07:11Research published in Computers in Human Behavior indicates that the belief that
07:15News Will Find Me is linked to a higher likelihood of sharing fake news on social media.
07:21This passive news consumption, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Instagram,
07:26fosters misinformation sharing.
07:28The study calls for increased media awareness and active information-seeking behaviors
07:33to combat the spread of fake news.
07:35A study led by researchers from Weiste University and the Technical University of Denmark
07:41has found that good sleep quality requires more than general warmth.
07:45It is essential to understand how blankets and clothing affect specific body parts.
07:49Using a heated mannequin and thermal regulation modeling,
07:53the research indicates that different bedding and clothing combinations
07:56can impact skin temperature and heat loss,
07:59providing insights for optimizing sleep environments.
08:01In a first-of-its-kind study, a West Virginia University student discovered microplastics
08:08in every fish sampled from Appalachian streams,
08:11raising significant environmental and potential human health concerns.
08:15The presence of microplastics, linked to agricultural runoff,
08:19highlights the need for public awareness and sustainable solutions
08:22to reduce pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
08:26Scientists at the Australian National University have modeled a novel method
08:31to weaken hurricanes early in their development
08:33by dispersing aerosol particles that disrupt storm formation.
08:37Fine and ultrafine aerosols initially intensify storms,
08:41but ultimately weaken them by cutting off energy inflow.
08:45This approach aims to intervene before storms reach land,
08:48potentially offering a long-term solution
08:50to reduce hurricane damage exacerbated by climate change.
08:56Researchers at Columbia University have developed a CRISPR-based editing method
09:00to classify gene variants in activated PI3K-D syndrome,
09:04a rare immune disorder.
09:06This advancement speeds up diagnosis
09:08and enables precision therapy with the drug lenializa.
09:11The method has identified many previously uncertain variants,
09:15suggesting that this disorder may be more common than previously thought,
09:19potentially benefiting more patients.
09:21A new study reveals that octobuses can detect microbial cues on surfaces,
09:27allowing them to distinguish prey and eggs from inanimate objects.
09:31This discovery highlights a novel way animals sense their environment through microbiomes,
09:36with implications for understanding animal behavior
09:38and cross-kingdom communication.
09:42Concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence in warfare
09:45have been raised, reflecting on the evolution of warfare technology
09:49from traditional weapons to AI.
09:52The discussion emphasizes the moral implications
09:55and the increasing detachment from the human aspect of conflict,
09:59raising questions about the future of warfare
10:01and humanity's ethical responsibilities.
10:05Hungary has become the poorest country in the European Union
10:09in terms of household welfare,
10:11with consumption at only 72% of the EU average,
10:14despite a GDP that exceeds some lower-income nations.
10:17Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban's leadership,
10:20economic output has not translated into improved living standards,
10:24primarily due to low wages, high inflation and political mismanagement.
10:28In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg
10:30lead the EU in actual individual consumption,
10:34underscoring the disparity in living standards across the region.
10:38In the United States,
10:39the Trump family is making significant strides in the cryptocurrency sector,
10:43launching ventures that include a stablecoin,
10:46memocoins and a bitcoin mining company.
10:48President Donald Trump is promoting crypto-friendly policies from the Oval Office,
10:53which raises ethical concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest
10:56between the family's financial interests and government policy.
11:00These ventures have already generated substantial revenue,
11:03and are positioned to benefit from recent legislation,
11:06favoring stablecoins and crypto adoption.
11:08However, President Trump's economic policies
11:12are also contributing to a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar against major currencies.
11:18Cariff hikes, tax cuts that increase deficits,
11:21and pressure on the Federal Reserve
11:22have led to global investors rejecting his agenda,
11:26complicating the U.S.'s ability to finance its deficits.
11:28The U.S. economy is facing renewed inflation risks as oil prices surge,
11:34following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
11:37Prices are expected to rise by about $5 per barrel,
11:41with the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran
11:43possibly pushing prices to $100 per barrel.
11:47This situation could significantly impact gas prices and inflation,
11:51with experts warning that these developments,
11:53alongside trade policies and geopolitical tensions,
11:55may accelerate inflation in the coming months.
11:58In the telecommunications sector,
12:01BT CEO Alison Kirkby has indicated that the adoption of artificial intelligence
12:06could lead to deeper job cuts
12:08beyond the planned reduction of 40,000 to 55,000 workers by 2030,
12:13aiming to save £3 billion.
12:15The company is also considering spinning off its broadband network arm,
12:19OpenReach, if its share price does not improve,
12:22while exploring potential acquisitions like TalkTalk,
12:25which may raise antitrust concerns.
12:28That's a wrap for Daily World Podcast.
12:33I'm Angela.
12:34Keep informed about global developments,
12:36and join us again tomorrow.
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