These countries stayed out of the war — but they’re suffering from it - Apple News Today

Apple News Today – Episode Summary (March 24, 2026) Episode Title: These countries stayed out of the war — but they’re suffering from it
Host: Cecilia Ley
Platform: Apple News Today
Date: March 24, 2026

Overview

This episode, hosted by Cecilia Ley, delves into the far-reaching impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on countries not directly involved in the war, particularly focusing on economic and humanitarian fallout resulting from energy disruptions. The episode also explores a fatal LaGuardia Airport crash, a pivotal Supreme Court case on mail-in ballots, and brief headlines including developments at the Department of Homeland Security, a landmark civil verdict against Bill Cosby, and a viral TikTok financial trend.

The Middle East Crisis: Global Ripple Effects

[00:05 – 05:32]

Main Theme:
Countries that remain neutral or uninvolved in the Middle East conflict are experiencing acute hardships, particularly due to oil shortages and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Points & Insights

US-Iran Negotiations:
- President Trump abandoned his initial 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, extending it with an ambiguous five-day period.
- Conflicting signals: Iran publicly denied any negotiations, labeling US claims as “fake news” ([01:10]).
- Indirect communications may have occurred, but outcomes remain unclear.
- Market reaction was positive to Trump’s apparent shift, reflecting hopes for de-escalation.
Oil Shortages & Economic Impact:
- International Energy Agency warns: The world has lost 11 million barrels per day, “more than two major oil shocks put together” ([01:49]).
- Poorer Asian countries are suffering most. Tom Fairless (Wall Street Journal reporter) shares:
  - “In Pakistan, for instance, they've asked schools to close for two weeks. In the Philippines, they've introduced a four day work week... In Vietnam, they've issued a broad call for everyone to work from home.” ([02:47])
  - Thailand’s creative approach: TV presenters model energy saving by removing jackets to discourage air-conditioning ([03:01]).
Risks Beyond Energy—Food Security:
- Fertilizer shortages could threaten food supplies in countries like Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Tanzania ([03:17]).
- World Food Program warns: “If the Middle East conflict continues through June, an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises. This would take global hunger levels to an all time record.” ([03:38])
Richer Countries & Political Fallout:
- Surge in world LNG (liquefied natural gas) prices strains European governments, already moving away from Russian gas.
- Tom Fairless: “The energy crisis in 2022… probably accelerated the fall of governments in Italy and other places and led to a big surge in the far right... It destabilized the politics in Europe. And it still has.” ([04:25])
- US largely insulated as top energy producer, but gas prices and inflation are rising ([04:44]).
Memorable Callbacks:
- Reference to 1970s oil shocks and Jimmy Carter’s televised “wear a sweater” energy appeal ([05:09]).
- “That went down extremely badly with the voters. And he lost in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, who was seen much more as a candidate of abundance.” (Tom Fairless, [05:24])
Short-Term Solutions:
- The US and other countries have tapped emergency oil reserves, but experts say reopening the Strait of Hormuz is critical ([05:32]).

Fatal Crash at LaGuardia Airport

[05:32 – 09:10]

Main Theme:
A rare and deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport highlights the risks of air traffic control miscommunication and system strain.

Key Points & Insights

The Incident:
- Air Canada Express flight collides with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway ([06:55]).
- Eyewitness Rebecca Lecori: “You heard the pilot try to brake… A couple seconds later, it was just a very loud boom and everybody just jolted out of their seats. People hit their heads.” ([07:26])
Crash Details:
- Two pilots killed, dozens injured—first fatality at LaGuardia in over three decades.
- Air traffic controller’s urgent attempt to avert disaster heard on radio: “Frontier 4195. Stop there, please. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.” ([06:48])
Investigation Focus:
- Potential distraction from an unrelated emergency may have led to controllers’ error ([08:06]).
- FAA stresses that major runway incidents are rarely due to a single mistake.
Infrastructure & Staffing Challenges:
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Need to invest in modern air control systems ([08:52]).
- “If we care about air travel safety, we care about having a brand new air traffic control system, the best in the world...”
- Partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security delayed the starting point of the investigation due to slowed specialist travel ([09:10]).

Supreme Court Mail-In Ballot Case

[10:08 – 13:16]

Main Theme:
The Supreme Court reviews a challenge to Mississippi’s mail-in ballot receipt window—potentially impacting voting access in nearly 20 states.

Key Points & Insights

The Statute:
- Mississippi allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five days ([10:31]).
- Republican and Libertarian groups argue this grace period violates federal law requiring a single Election Day—and opens the door to fraud.
- Taylor Vance (Mississippi Today):
  - “This is just an extra cushion or a grace period for local election officials to process these ballots.” ([10:31])
Supreme Court Arguments:
- Justice Samuel Alito questioned whether late-arriving ballots could erode trust:
  - “…confidence in election outcomes can be seriously undermined if the apparent outcome … is radically flipped by acceptance later of a big stash of ballots…” ([11:39])
- Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart retorts:
  - “…they haven't cited a single example of fraud from post election day ballot receipt in this country.” ([12:06])
Potential Impact:
- Striking the law could invalidate similar statutes in at least 18 other states, disproportionately affecting rural and remote voters (especially in Alaska).
- Taylor Vance:
  - “You kind of have one shot to get your ballot right. And if you make a mistake… I think it would be pretty hard for you to vote.” ([12:48])
- Decision expected in June or July.

Quick Headlines

[13:16 – End]

Bill Cosby Civil Verdict:
- Jury awards $60 million to Donna Motzinger, finding Cosby liable for sexual assault in 1972.
- “88 year old Cosby didn't testify but has denied assaulting Motsinger as well as similar claims in a string of civil and criminal cases filed by dozens of women.” ([13:40])
Markwayne Mullen Confirmed for DHS:
- Oklahoma senator to lead the Department of Homeland Security during an agency shutdown; difference in policy approach from predecessor Kristi Noem anticipated.
“Ring My Bell” TikTok Trend:
- Anita Ward’s 1979 disco hit inspires a viral trend: users play the song daily for financial luck.
- Ward tells the Journal:
  - “I don’t really pay much attention to TikTok, but I’m getting royalties and I’m not upset about that.” ([15:12])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Tom Fairless:
- “It's poorer countries that are really getting hit by this and facing the prospect of blackouts and shortages.” ([00:17])
- “In Europe, the energy crisis in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine probably accelerated the fall of governments… and destabilized the politics in Europe.” ([04:25])
World Food Program Official:
- “…an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises. This would take global hunger levels to an all time record.” ([03:38])
Justice Samuel Alito:
- “…confidence in election outcomes can be seriously undermined if the apparent outcome… is radically flipped by acceptance later of a big stash of ballots…” ([11:39])
Anita Ward:
- “I don’t really pay much attention to TikTok, but I’m getting royalties and I’m not upset about that.” ([15:12])

This episode underscores how global crises reverberate unpredictably, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable and raising vital legal and policy questions.

Overview

The Middle East Crisis: Global Ripple Effects

[00:05 – 05:32]

Main Theme:
Countries that remain neutral or uninvolved in the Middle East conflict are experiencing acute hardships, particularly due to oil shortages and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Points & Insights

US-Iran Negotiations:
- President Trump abandoned his initial 48-hour deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, extending it with an ambiguous five-day period.
- Conflicting signals: Iran publicly denied any negotiations, labeling US claims as “fake news” ([01:10]).
- Indirect communications may have occurred, but outcomes remain unclear.
- Market reaction was positive to Trump’s apparent shift, reflecting hopes for de-escalation.
Oil Shortages & Economic Impact:
- International Energy Agency warns: The world has lost 11 million barrels per day, “more than two major oil shocks put together” ([01:49]).
- Poorer Asian countries are suffering most. Tom Fairless (Wall Street Journal reporter) shares:
  - “In Pakistan, for instance, they've asked schools to close for two weeks. In the Philippines, they've introduced a four day work week... In Vietnam, they've issued a broad call for everyone to work from home.” ([02:47])
  - Thailand’s creative approach: TV presenters model energy saving by removing jackets to discourage air-conditioning ([03:01]).
Risks Beyond Energy—Food Security:
- Fertilizer shortages could threaten food supplies in countries like Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Tanzania ([03:17]).
- World Food Program warns: “If the Middle East conflict continues through June, an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises. This would take global hunger levels to an all time record.” ([03:38])
Richer Countries & Political Fallout:
- Surge in world LNG (liquefied natural gas) prices strains European governments, already moving away from Russian gas.
- Tom Fairless: “The energy crisis in 2022… probably accelerated the fall of governments in Italy and other places and led to a big surge in the far right... It destabilized the politics in Europe. And it still has.” ([04:25])
- US largely insulated as top energy producer, but gas prices and inflation are rising ([04:44]).
Memorable Callbacks:
- Reference to 1970s oil shocks and Jimmy Carter’s televised “wear a sweater” energy appeal ([05:09]).
- “That went down extremely badly with the voters. And he lost in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, who was seen much more as a candidate of abundance.” (Tom Fairless, [05:24])
Short-Term Solutions:
- The US and other countries have tapped emergency oil reserves, but experts say reopening the Strait of Hormuz is critical ([05:32]).

Fatal Crash at LaGuardia Airport

[05:32 – 09:10]

Main Theme:
A rare and deadly runway collision at LaGuardia Airport highlights the risks of air traffic control miscommunication and system strain.

Key Points & Insights

The Incident:
- Air Canada Express flight collides with a Port Authority fire truck on the runway ([06:55]).
- Eyewitness Rebecca Lecori: “You heard the pilot try to brake… A couple seconds later, it was just a very loud boom and everybody just jolted out of their seats. People hit their heads.” ([07:26])
Crash Details:
- Two pilots killed, dozens injured—first fatality at LaGuardia in over three decades.
- Air traffic controller’s urgent attempt to avert disaster heard on radio: “Frontier 4195. Stop there, please. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.” ([06:48])
Investigation Focus:
- Potential distraction from an unrelated emergency may have led to controllers’ error ([08:06]).
- FAA stresses that major runway incidents are rarely due to a single mistake.
Infrastructure & Staffing Challenges:
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy: Need to invest in modern air control systems ([08:52]).
- “If we care about air travel safety, we care about having a brand new air traffic control system, the best in the world...”
- Partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security delayed the starting point of the investigation due to slowed specialist travel ([09:10]).

Supreme Court Mail-In Ballot Case

[10:08 – 13:16]

Main Theme:
The Supreme Court reviews a challenge to Mississippi’s mail-in ballot receipt window—potentially impacting voting access in nearly 20 states.

Key Points & Insights

The Statute:
- Mississippi allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five days ([10:31]).
- Republican and Libertarian groups argue this grace period violates federal law requiring a single Election Day—and opens the door to fraud.
- Taylor Vance (Mississippi Today):
  - “This is just an extra cushion or a grace period for local election officials to process these ballots.” ([10:31])
Supreme Court Arguments:
- Justice Samuel Alito questioned whether late-arriving ballots could erode trust:
  - “…confidence in election outcomes can be seriously undermined if the apparent outcome … is radically flipped by acceptance later of a big stash of ballots…” ([11:39])
- Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart retorts:
  - “…they haven't cited a single example of fraud from post election day ballot receipt in this country.” ([12:06])
Potential Impact:
- Striking the law could invalidate similar statutes in at least 18 other states, disproportionately affecting rural and remote voters (especially in Alaska).
- Taylor Vance:
  - “You kind of have one shot to get your ballot right. And if you make a mistake… I think it would be pretty hard for you to vote.” ([12:48])
- Decision expected in June or July.

Quick Headlines

[13:16 – End]

Bill Cosby Civil Verdict:
- Jury awards $60 million to Donna Motzinger, finding Cosby liable for sexual assault in 1972.
- “88 year old Cosby didn't testify but has denied assaulting Motsinger as well as similar claims in a string of civil and criminal cases filed by dozens of women.” ([13:40])
Markwayne Mullen Confirmed for DHS:
- Oklahoma senator to lead the Department of Homeland Security during an agency shutdown; difference in policy approach from predecessor Kristi Noem anticipated.
“Ring My Bell” TikTok Trend:
- Anita Ward’s 1979 disco hit inspires a viral trend: users play the song daily for financial luck.
- Ward tells the Journal:
  - “I don’t really pay much attention to TikTok, but I’m getting royalties and I’m not upset about that.” ([15:12])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

Tom Fairless:
- “It's poorer countries that are really getting hit by this and facing the prospect of blackouts and shortages.” ([00:17])
- “In Europe, the energy crisis in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine probably accelerated the fall of governments… and destabilized the politics in Europe.” ([04:25])
World Food Program Official:
- “…an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises. This would take global hunger levels to an all time record.” ([03:38])
Justice Samuel Alito:
- “…confidence in election outcomes can be seriously undermined if the apparent outcome… is radically flipped by acceptance later of a big stash of ballots…” ([11:39])
Anita Ward:
- “I don’t really pay much attention to TikTok, but I’m getting royalties and I’m not upset about that.” ([15:12])

This episode underscores how global crises reverberate unpredictably, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable and raising vital legal and policy questions.