WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - The State of the World: Moldova, Marathons, and Money

Episode Date: April 9, 2025

The State of the World breaks down top headlines in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. Key topics include European Union funding for Moldova, a North Korean international marathon, Iranian nuclear talks, and tariffs. 

Hello, my name is Aaron Osborne, and you're listening to the State of the World on Radio Free Hillsdale, WRFH 101.7 FM, where we discussed top highlights from the news in the past week. Starting off this week with Europe, following a transition in European defense spending, the European Union is expected to approve 20 million euros for the Eastern European country of Moldova's lethal defense spending. The movement is significant as Moldova is a neutral country, although the country has been making efforts to join. the European Union. Previous investments have only included non-lethal programs, including European funds for military vehicles, air surveillance, and cybersecurity, according to Radio Free Europe. The investment comes amidst the on-growing Ukraine war. And on April 8th, Ukrainian President Zelensky claimed Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for Russia in Ukraine. This builds on previous allegations of North Korean troops with the same description.

It's been a rocky week for Asia in light of the United States President Donald Trump's recent tariffs, including the possibility of an additional 50% retaliatory tariff on China. However, Japanese markets have seen a slight upturn of about 6% in the past few days in stocks after market decreases earlier in the week. Shifting to the country of North Korea, Pyongyang welcomed hundreds of international runners to their 31st international marathon, which has not taken place, before the COVID pandemic. North Korea welcomed competitors from China, Ethiopia, Morocco, and Romania, according to the Washington Post.

In previous years, the marathon has only welcomed competitors from communist and non-aligned states. Marathon coordinators said that this competition does not mean that Pyongyang is open to tourism and that an exception was made for the competition. North Korea has recently made headlines again for its international involvement, although it is a closed society. The Trump administration has announced a series of talks with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program in the Middle East. The talks were scheduled for mediation by the country of Oman, and President Trump has

previously called on Iran to stop countering terrorism and has threatened to use sanctions and other measures against the Iranian regime. He's also warned of a great danger if these talks do not succeed. Additionally, President Trump is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the Israeli defense forces continue their campaign in Gaza. Hamas continues to stall ceasefire negotiations and hostage releases to Israel there. And last but not least, in Pakistan, Afghan refugees are approaching an April 10th deportation deadline extended from March 31st.

Islamabad reportedly plans to deport as many as 3 million migrants by the end of the year, according to Radio Liberty. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 30 people have died amidst heavy flooding. The flooding is primarily located around the capital of Kinshasa, which is along the second largest river in Africa. In additional Congolese news, the Congolese government has been having private talks with the violent M23 rebel group who've been active in the east of the country. In addition, the Congolese president recently proposed a critical minerals deal with President Trump, according to the president. the Washington Post. President Trump has been pursuing a number of critical minerals deals around the world, including with Ukraine. The nation of Congo has significant gold, diamonds, and

coltan deposits, which have been increasingly under threat due to regional destabilization. Coltan is a key component in computers and cellular devices, and the Wall Street Journal reports that Uganda and Rwanda have sought these minerals from their neighboring Congo in the past several years. Last but not least in the Western Hemisphere, at least 44 people have died and more than 140 have been injured in the Dominican Republic after a roof collapsed on concert goers. The Washington Post reported that a Dominican governor is among the dead. Shifting to the Anglophone Western Hemisphere, the Wall Street Journal reported that Canada is on the brink of a recession following massive unemployment and considerable tariffs under

President Trump. Among other businesses to feel the pinch, an automobile production plant in Ontario has already temporarily laid off almost 5,000 people after a 25% tariff from the United States on automobiles. By contrast, most of Mexico's trade with America remains tariff-free. However, the Wall Street Journal indicates that the tariffs may draw several South American countries like Brazil closer to China, which has already been active in the region, including along the Panama Canal and with other development projects. Thank you for listening to the State of the World on WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.