The Indo Daily

Despite an endless number of problems at home and overseas, Donald Trump and his United States of America are in a celebratory mood.
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The occasion? Trump’s imminent 80th birthday, for one.
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There’s also the small matter of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, or “Freedom 250”, if you’re so inclined.
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Though the actual anniversary isn’t until July 4, the White House – or more specifically, its south lawn – will play host to the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 14 with a card that isn’t quite what Trump promised some time ago.
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Still, there will be plenty of morbid curiosity, if nothing else.
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The event is estimated to cost the UFC around $60m (€52m), and it’s not expected to turn a profit. No big deal, the organisation and its CEO Dana White already have plenty of riches, and though White swears he isn’t political, he enjoys both a long-running friendship and professionally beneficial relationship with the leader of the free world.
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But why is Trump so enamoured by the UFC, and the significantly more choreographed WWE, for that matter?
And has he deliberately moulded himself in the image of an entertainment-focused modern-day gladiator?
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On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by freelance combat sports journalist Philip O’Connor and by the Irish Independent’s Dave Hanratty, to look ahead to the big brawl at the White House.
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If you’ve ever wondered whether your sex life is “normal”, this episode is for you. This episode of The Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli. In this special listener Q&A episode, Jen is joined by sex educator and intimacy coach Grace Alice O’Shea to answer the questions people are often too embarrassed to ask out loud. From awkward body reactions to feeling undesired in a relationship, no topic is off limits. We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniela Klette is one of three members of the “third generation” of the notorious urban guerrilla Red Army Faction (RAF) who had been in hiding since the 1990s. We look at the terror campaign by Germany's Baader-Meinhof gang, whose members killed more than 30 people in the 1970s and 80s and ask if the organisation is having a resurgence?
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Note: This podcast was originally published in March 2024. This week a German court sentenced Daniela Klette to 13 years in prison for her actions as part of the RAF. The podcast does not contain reference to this new update.
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Host: Fionnán Sheehan. Guest: James Jackson.
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We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Occupied Territories Bill is finally heading to the Oireachtas, but the government's decision to exclude services has sparked fierce criticism from opposition parties. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats are celebrating major by-election victories, raising fresh questions about Sinn Féin's position on the left and Holly Cairns' growing appeal. You can listen to Indo Politics a day early by searching Indo Politics wherever you get your podcasts. Host; Mary Regan, Guest; Maeve McTaggart We want to earn your trust and are members of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been well over a month since April 8, when Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in Iran, but now that truce appears to be under real strain.
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This week, tensions between the US and the Middle Eastern country have escalated, with both sides exchanging strikes just as a possible breakthrough in peace talks seemed imminent.
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So, how realistic is the prospect of a peace deal at this point? And, as the situation deteriorates, how has one political figure edged ever closer to the centre of power?
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US secretary of state Marco Rubio has increasingly rowed in behind his president’s foreign-policy agenda, but who exactly is the political hawk turned Trump cheerleader? And how did he climb the Mar-a-Lago ladder to join Trump’s inner circle?
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On today’s The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at the Clinton Institute in UCD, to discuss the latest on Iran and the rise of Marco Rubio.
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­We want to earn your trust and are members of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.