About this episode

The episode discusses escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the return of Congress, and a significant Trump family IRS lawsuit settlement.

A drone strike in Romania near the Russia-Ukraine war that injured two people. More strikes exchanged in the Middle East between Iran, the U.S. and beyond. Congress returns to Capitol Hill in a heightened-election season. Escalation runs rampant. But will negotiations find a way?  Meanwhile, an unprecedented Trump-family IRS lawsuit settlement creating a $1.8B “de-weaponization” fund and broad tax-review protections, now meets critical challenge.  00:00 Week of Escalation 01:53 Ukraine Spillover Fears 05:08 Middle East Strikes 07:32 Congress Returns to Fight 11:12 Cabinet on Capitol Hill 13:39 Immigration Funding Standoff 15:26 Trump IRS Lawsuit Basics 18:47 Settlement and Deweaponization Fund 24:52 Judges Challenge Settlement 28:41 Congress Fallout and Guardrails 30:09 Pardons Comparison Explained 33:16 Curiosity Over Commentary 35:48 Wrap Up and Community SUPPORT OUR MISSION: Love nonpartisan news? Want a bigger serving of the serious headlines?  Here’s how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/    Shop our gear!   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarthernews/  Website…

People in this episode

Host: Jenna Lee

Topics covered

• NATO
• Middle East conflict
• Trump family settlement
• Congress
• IRS lawsuit
• drone strike
• negotiations vs escalation

Keywords

• NATO
• Ukraine
• Middle East
• Trump
• IRS
• drone strike
• Congress
• settlement
• negotiations
• escalation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NATO, Iran, U.S., Trump, IRS

Places: Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Middle East

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