The John Batchelor Show

Congressional Action Needed for Voting Rights Act Reform Richard Epstein Richard Epstein discusses the Supreme Court arguments concerning the Voting Rights Act of 1965 being used for racial gerrymandering. Epstein argues the issue requires comprehensive legislative reform, not piecemeal court action. He suggests Congress should repeal the 1965 Act and start over with a system that reflects contemporary thinking, although he notes there is no congressional appetite for compromise. 1884 SCOTUS

Corporatism, Rent-Seeking, and the Suffering Consumer Julia Cartwright Julia Cartwright discusses how younger consumers view capitalism negatively due to suffering from corporate practices, distinguishing between capitalism (fine) and corporatism (not fine). Corporatism is the entanglement of government and business, often through rent-seeking (investing in politics for favors, like lobbying). Examples include healthcare lobbying, increased airline flights for officials, and regulatory capture (like the CHIPS and Science Act favoring big tech). 1920 LIMOUSINE

Ephrata Precision Parts as an Economic Bellwether Jim McTague Jim McTague discusses Ephrata Precision Parts, a specialty milling company whose owner, Chuck Daimler, serves 300 customers ranging from aerospace giants to local businesses. Daimler reports that all customers are thriving and placing orders, suggesting the economy is doing very well and is not headed for a recession. 1908 BRADDOCK PA

Challenges in Pig Organ Xenotransplanting Trials Mary Roach Mary Roach discusses xenotransplanting, the use of nonhuman organs, such as those from a pig, to replace failing human organs. This field is very new, with fewer than 10 xenotransplants performed. While one patient survived nine months with a pig kidney, most patients in the eGenesis pig kidney trial have only survived a couple of months.

Wall Street's Favorable View of Rocket Lab Stock Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman reports that Rocket Lab stock received a very favorable review from Wall Street analysts like Morgan Stanley. The company is not yet profitable due to development costs for the Neutron rocket, but analysts view it as a good buy because it has signed numerous new launch contracts, securing its bright future launching low Earth orbit satellites. The Necessity of Coal for AI Data Centers Salena Zito Salena Zito discusses visiting a modern coal mine and the renewed necessity of coal. She emphasizes that AI needs coal, as data centers require reliable, strong base load energy, which is provided by natural gas, nuclear, and coal. Coal is also vital for defense and steel manufacturing, confirming that coal is not dead. 1955

Coal Is Not Dead: The Reliability of Modern Coal Powering AI and Data Centers. Salena Zito discusses her visit to a Pennsylvania coal mine, where coal, once deemed obsolete, is now crucial due to the energy demands of artificial intelligence and data centers. Coal 2.0 acknowledges coal's role as a reliable base energy source alongside natural gas and nuclear power, serving defense and steel manufacturing as well.

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 29224 THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE ESCALATION OF RHETORIC IN THE UKRAINE WAR,.. FIRST HOUR 9-915 US-Russia Summit in Budapest Amid Ukraine Escalation Fears. Anatol Lieven discusses how US President Trump and Russian President Putin agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict following a productive call. The meeting, hosted in Viktor Orbán's Hungary, aims to reduce extreme tensions and avoid direct clashes between Russia and NATO. Discussion points include potential territorial compromise in Donbas and concerns over deploying Tomahawk missiles, which Russia views as a major escalation. 915-930 US-Russia Summit in Budapest Amid Ukraine Escalation Fears. Anatol Lieven discusses how US President Trump and Russian President Putin agreed to meet in Budapest to discuss ending the Ukraine conflict following a productive call. The meeting, hosted in Viktor Orbán's Hungary, aims to reduce extreme tensions and avoid direct clashes between Russia and NATO. Discussion points include potential territorial compromise in Donbas and concerns over deploying Tomahawk missiles, which Russia views as a major escalation. 930-945 China's Tech Espionage and the Difficulty of Reverse Engineering Advanced Chip Tools. Chris Riegel discusses how TSMC and ASML technology face constant threats from Chinese industrial espionage. ASML's chipmaking tools are highly complex, making reverse engineering nearly impossible. Europe is waking up to the risks; recently, the Dutch government seized China-owned chipmaker Nexperia. China is estimated to be two to three years behind US high-end chip technology and requires access to advanced ASML tools to catch up. 945-1000 Hostage Situation and Political Realities in Gaza Ceasefire. Cliff May explains how the Gaza ceasefire focuses on the return of hostages, with 19 (including two Americans) still unaccounted for. Hamas is suspected of withholding hostages to retain bargaining power and resist relinquishing political control in phase two of the peace plan. Rhetoric about regional forces disarming Hamas is dismissed. May notes that in the Middle East, there are only permanent battles, viewing the current truce as a hudna, allowing jihadists to regroup and rearm. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1015-1030 US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1030-1045 US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner...

Russia Debates Orbit and Costs for Post-ISS Space Station. Anatoly Zak explains how Roscosmos faces a debate over the orbit of its new space station: a low-inclination 51-degree orbit or a more expensive near-polar orbit. The polar orbit offers strategic Arctic observation but increases radiation risk and reduces payload capacity. Economic realities may push Roscosmos toward the cheaper 51-degree orbit, possibly using existing ISS infrastructure, to ensure an operational station for cosmonauts by 2031. 1954

Russia Debates Orbit and Costs for Post-ISS Space Station. Anatoly Zak explains how Roscosmos faces a debate over the orbit of its new space station: a low-inclination 51-degree orbit or a more expensive near-polar orbit. The polar orbit offers strategic Arctic observation but increases radiation risk and reduces payload capacity. Economic realities may push Roscosmos toward the cheaper 51-degree orbit, possibly using existing ISS infrastructure, to ensure an operational station for cosmonauts by 2031. 1957

Tariffs Harm Consumers, Reduce Hiring, and Cause Customs Backlogs. Veronique De Rugy explains how tariffs are costing American consumers and businesses over 80% of the expense, leading to higher prices and reduced corporate margins. The tariff policy is harming the job market, causing 40% of CEOs to pause hiring and investments. Customs authorities are overwhelmed by the volume of small packages now requiring assessment, causing significant backlogs and lost goods for consumers. Special interests are expanding the tariff application to derivative products, such as peanut butter packaged in metal containers. 1931

US Military Pressure Campaigns Maduro Amid Silence from Regional Allies. Mary Anastasia O'Grady explains how Venezuela's illegitimate leader, Maduro, faces escalating pressure from the US, including a Navy flotilla, B-52 flights, and authorized CIA operations. The goal is to compel Maduro and his generals, who profit from transnational crime, to flee. The silence from traditional allies like Russia and China suggests they lack political justification to defend Maduro's record. However, Mexico's president offered no comment regarding Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, reflecting leftist sympathies. 1867 FARRAGUT'S FLAGSHIP

Iran's Women-Led Uprising: Origins, Brutality, and Defiance. Nilo Tabrizy discusses how the Iranian women-led uprising, detailed in For the Sun After Long Nights, was triggered by the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini by the morality police. The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi) is the rallying cry. The regime's brutality is severe, suppressing protests through executions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acts as an octopus, maintaining control across society. Defiance continues today, demonstrated by women actively ignoring state-mandated dress codes.

Iran's Women-Led Uprising: Origins, Brutality, and Defiance. Nilo Tabrizy discusses how the Iranian women-led uprising, detailed in For the Sun After Long Nights, was triggered by the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini by the morality police. The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi) is the rallying cry. The regime's brutality is severe, suppressing protests through executions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acts as an octopus, maintaining control across society. Defiance continues today, demonstrated by women actively ignoring state-mandated dress codes. 1898 TEHRAN

Iran's Women-Led Uprising: Origins, Brutality, and Defiance. Nilo Tabrizy discusses how the Iranian women-led uprising, detailed in For the Sun After Long Nights, was triggered by the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini by the morality police. The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi) is the rallying cry. The regime's brutality is severe, suppressing protests through executions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acts as an octopus, maintaining control across society. Defiance continues today, demonstrated by women actively ignoring state-mandated dress codes. 1870

Iran's Women-Led Uprising: Origins, Brutality, and Defiance. Nilo Tabrizy discusses how the Iranian women-led uprising, detailed in For the Sun After Long Nights, was triggered by the 2022 murder of Mahsa Amini by the morality police. The slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi) is the rallying cry. The regime's brutality is severe, suppressing protests through executions. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) acts as an octopus, maintaining control across society. Defiance continues today, demonstrated by women actively ignoring state-mandated dress codes. 1307

US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1913 ARGENTINA

US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1916 AMAZON BORDER

US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1941 ECUADOR

US Escalates Pressure on Maduro Following Machado's Nobel Prize. Evan Ellis discusses how, following the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to opposition leader María Corina Machado, the US escalated pressure on Venezuela. President Trump authorized CIA operations, coupled with naval deployments and B-52 overflights, to pressure the Maduro regime. The goal is triggering a tipping point where Maduro's inner circle calculates that leaving is preferable to facing US action. Separately, Peru's President Boluarte was ousted due to corruption and the nation's struggle with extreme urban violence and illegal mining. 1902 CARACAS

Hostage Situation and Political Realities in Gaza Ceasefire. Cliff May explains how the Gaza ceasefire focuses on the return of hostages, with 19 (including two Americans) still unaccounted for. Hamas is suspected of withholding hostages to retain bargaining power and resist relinquishing political control in phase two of the peace plan. Rhetoric about regional forces disarming Hamas is dismissed. May notes that in the Middle East, there are only permanent battles, viewing the current truce as a hudna, allowing jihadists to regroup and rearm. 1950 BEERSHEBA