3.6.25 An analysis of President Trump’s address, Ukrainian refugees in Germany, and the price of eggs

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It Episode: 3.6.25 – An Analysis of President Trump’s Address, Ukrainian Refugees in Germany, and the Price of Eggs
Release Date: March 6, 2025

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Overview

In this episode of The World and Everything In It, WORLD Radio delves into three major topics impacting the global and domestic landscape: President Donald Trump’s recent historic address to Congress, the escalating price of eggs in the United States, and the experiences of Ukrainian refugees settling in Germany. The episode features in-depth discussions, expert analyses, and personal stories that provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these pressing issues.

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President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

Historic Address and Immediate Reactions

President Donald Trump delivered a record-breaking 100-minute speech to Congress, outlining his vision for the future and contrasting his policies with those of his predecessors. The speech, which began with an energetic start despite disruptions, emphasized his administration's achievements and future initiatives.

• Disruption During the Speech:
  [06:06] Cliff May reports, “President Trump's joint address to Congress started off with a ruckus.” Democrat Congressman Al Green was removed for interrupting, signaling heightened partisan tensions.

• Trump's Policy Highlights:
  [06:22] Donald Trump stated, “Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken more than 400 executive actions. A record of to restore common sense, safety, optimism and wealth all across our wonderful land.”

Trade Policies and Tariffs

A significant portion of Trump's address focused on trade policies, particularly the imposition of tariffs on Mexico, China, and Canada. He justified these measures as necessary responses to issues like fentanyl trafficking.

• Response to Canadian Tariffs:
  [01:19] Trump remarked, “And there's a lot of speculation as to whether they mean to do us harm with this,” referring to Canada's stance on tariffs.

• Exemptions for Automakers:
  [02:00] White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt explained, “At the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage.”

Foreign Policy and Supreme Court Ruling

Trump touched upon foreign policy issues, including ceasefire talks with Hamas and a Supreme Court decision affecting foreign aid.

• Ceasefire Talks with Hamas:
  [02:26] Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas: “release all of the hostages now or, quote, it's over for you.”

• Supreme Court Decision on Foreign Aid:
  [03:09] The Supreme Court declined to block a lower court ruling, mandating the Trump administration to release nearly $200 billion in foreign aid. Justice Samuel Alito criticized the decision as “an act of judicial hubris.”

Alleged ISIS Terrorist and Congressional Developments

The episode also covers the trial of Mohamed Sharafollah, accused of orchestrating a deadly bombing in Afghanistan, and the recent passing of Congressman Sylvester Turner.

Trump’s Joint Address: Public and Expert Reactions

Carolina Lumeta and Cal Thomas provide analyses of the joint address, highlighting its partisan nature and the lack of bipartisan support during the event.

• Expert Analysis by Cal Thomas:
  [27:55] Thomas describes the speech as “a deliberately divisive speech” aimed at rallying Trump’s core supporters while undermining Democratic policies. He notes, “Polls show the public are mostly with him, especially in his quest to downsize bloated government.”

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Surging Egg Prices: Causes and Consumer Impact

Consumer Experiences

The price of eggs has nearly doubled, reaching over $8 per dozen, causing significant strain for both consumers and farmers.

• Shoppers Feeling the Pinch:
  [12:29] Paul Butler narrates, “Shoppers roam the aisles of Louisville's Value Market Mid City Mall. One aisle is empty. The egg aisle, where the cheapest carton is currently $4.99.”

• Consumer Adjustments:
  [12:52] Steve Johnson shares, “I might buy a half a dozen. Every four or five months.”

Underlying Causes

Experts identify several factors contributing to the egg shortage and price hike.

• Avian Influenza Impact:
  [13:34] Diagnostic pathologist Yuko Sato explains, “With the spread of avian influenza in recent years, sick chickens are dead chickens. It’s like the Ebola of poultry.”

• State Policies and Production Challenges:
  [14:04] Andy Herrig of the Food Industry Association points out, “Nine states require retailers and restaurants to sell eggs from cage-free operations,” limiting supply.

Policy Responses and Solutions

Legislative actions are being taken to mitigate the shortage.

• Regulatory Adjustments:
  [15:04] Howard Watts introduced a bill to loosen cage-free regulations temporarily, allowing the sale of non-standard eggs to increase supply. [15:29] Watts emphasizes, “We needed to provide this flexibility quickly so that we can hopefully start getting the price of groceries down for folks.”

• Supporting Local Farms:
  [17:12] Isaac Hebert, a local farmer, notes increased demand but highlights the challenges in scaling production: “It takes six months to eight months to bring in more chicks.”

Future Outlook

While some experts predict a potential stabilization in egg prices by April, the immediate focus remains on supporting small-scale farmers and adjusting to supply chain disruptions.

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Ukrainian Refugees in Germany: Building New Lives

Personal Stories and Community Support

The conflict in Ukraine has displaced over 1.2 million individuals, with Germany hosting the largest number of refugees. Personal accounts highlight the struggles and resilience of these refugees.

• Olena Alona Lemeshko’s Journey:
  [20:59] Olena shares, “It's really difficult because for me, it's a new start. I didn't know German, but now I know,” emphasizing the challenges of rebuilding life in a foreign country.

• Community Initiatives – Speech Cafe:
  [22:06] Olena describes, “They come to put their classroom knowledge to use where they don't have to be perfect. And everyone else is learning too,” showcasing the role of community centers in facilitating language learning and social integration.

Challenges Faced

Refugees grapple with language barriers, unemployment, and the emotional toll of displacement.

• Access to Healthcare and Housing:
  [24:17] Vera Shlichkov recounts the urgent need for medical assistance upon arrival, highlighting the initial hardships refugees face.

• Economic and Social Integration:
  [26:00] Olena emphasizes, “I think about that. Ich speak foreign language. Oh, that's cool,” illustrating the gradual adaptation and networking within the refugee community.

Long-Term Prospects

Despite uncertainties about the future, initiatives like language cafes and supportive communities aid in the refugees’ integration and hope for a stable life, regardless of whether they return to Ukraine or remain in Germany.

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Tribute: James Harrison – The Man with the Golden Arm

Legacy of a Hero

The episode pays homage to James Harrison, an Australian blood donor who donated nearly 1,200 times over more than six decades. His rare antibody discovery has saved over two million lives.

• Personal Reflections:
  [19:24] Sylvester Turner remarks, “I was always looking forward to donating... He helped save my life,” highlighting the personal impact of Harrison’s generosity.

• Community Impact:
  [19:52] Mary Muncie notes, “His life-saving legacy lives on in every life he helped save,” encapsulating Harrison’s enduring contribution to humanity.

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Conclusion

This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a multifaceted exploration of significant current events, from the political maneuvers of President Trump and their implications, to the socioeconomic challenges posed by rising egg prices, and the heartfelt stories of Ukrainian refugees forging new lives in Germany. Complemented by a heartfelt tribute to a life-saving donor, the episode underscores the interconnectedness of global and domestic issues, providing listeners with both information and inspiration.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mary Reichert (00:05): “Good morning. More reaction from President Donald Trump's speech outlining his vision for the years ahead.”

• Donald Trump (06:22): “Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken more than 400 executive actions. A record of to restore common sense, safety, optimism and wealth all across our wonderful land.”

• Olena Alona Lemeshko (22:06): “They come to put their classroom knowledge to use where they don't have to be perfect. And everyone else is learning too.”

• Cal Thomas (27:55): “Polls show the public are mostly with him, especially in his quest to downsize bloated government.”

• Cliff May (06:10): “Mr. Green, take your seat. Take your seat, sir.”

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key themes and discussions from the episode, providing listeners with a clear and engaging overview of the content without needing to access the full transcript.

Transcript

[Mary Reichert]

Good morning. More reaction from President Donald Trump's speech outlining his vision for the years ahead.

[Myrna Brown]

Also, what's with the price of eggs? We'll hear from experts and shoppers feeling the pinch. And Ukrainians escaping war. Many are settling in Germany. But for how long?

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

It's really difficult because for me, it's a new start.

[Myrna Brown]

And Count Thomas says this week's presidential speech was a study in Contra.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, March 6th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Good morning.

[Mary Reichert]

Up next, Kent Covington has today's news.

[Kent Covington]

President Trump says he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday. The prime minister tried once more unsuccessfully, to change Trump's mind about new trade tariffs. Trump says the import taxes are in response to deadly fentanyl flowing across US Borders, with most of that originating in China. White House adviser Peter Navarro what we want to see is Canada and Mexico crack down on China, China for whatever reason.

[Donald Trump]

And there's a lot of speculation as to whether they mean to do us harm with this.

[Kent Covington]

They don't seem to care. The president says he believes Trudeau is merely trying to leverage tariffs as a political issue. To remain in power in Canada, Trump imposed 25% taxes on Mexican and most Canadian imports, though that number is 10% on Canadian energy. Separately, U.S. reciprocal tariffs are set to go into effect on April 2 to match those imposed by any other trading partner, including our neighboring countries. But three big US Automakers will get a short reprieve. Gm, Ford and Stellantis. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt.

[Caroline Levitt]

At the request of the companies associated with usmca, the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage.

[Kent Covington]

The USMCA has a trade pact with Mexico and Canada enacted during Trump's first term. Levitt also fielded questions Wednesday about Israel. Hamas ceasefire talks. Right around the same time President Trump met in the Oval Office with recently release east former Hamas hostages.

[Caroline Levitt]

These are ongoing talks and discussions. I am not going to detail them here. There are American lives at stake. I would defer you to the Department.

[Cliff May]

Of State for further details, but those.

[Kent Covington]

Talks might not be progressing as well as hoped. Later in the afternoon, President Trump issued what he called one last warning to Hamas. He said, release all of the hostages now or, quote, it's over for you. He said if the terror group does not comply. His words, I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job. Not a single Hamas member will be safe. A sharply divided Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to block a lower court ruling, effectively ordering the Trump administration to pay out billions in foreign aid. World's Mary Muncie has more.

[Caroline Levitt]

The administration had frozen the nearly $200 billion in payments at the USAID agency as it conducts a thorough audit of spending. But some groups sued over the freeze, saying the payments were for work already done. And U.S. district Judge Amir Ali sided with the plaintiffs. The Supreme Court says the judge must now clarify exactly what money the administration has to pay out. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett voted with the court's three liberal justices in Wednesday's 54 decision. Justice Samuel Alito spoke for the dissent, saying Ali lacks the authority to order the payments. Alito wrote that he is stunned. The court is rewarding, quote, an act of judicial hubris. For WORLD I'm Mary Muncie.

[Kent Covington]

An alleged ISIS terrorist faced a judge in Virginia yesterday, three and a half years after a bombing at Afghanistan's Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. troops. Mohamed Sharafollah is accused of planning that attack during the chaotic withdrawal of US Troops. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the president told him to hunt down the people responsible.

[Caroline Levitt]

One of the first things that he.

[Kent Covington]

Told me as CIA director was to.

[Sylvester Turner]

Make this a priority on counterterrorism to.

[Kent Covington]

Find the people responsible. Roughly 170 Afghan civilians also died in that 2021 attack. Democratic U.S. congressman and former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has died at the age of 70, just two months after taking office. A spokesperson said the congressman was taken to a hospital in Washington, D.C. and later died at his home on Wednesday. The cause of death was not immediately known. He had previously undergone treatment for bone cancer in his jaw. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, digging into the egg shortage, plus how Ukrainian refugees are settling into the countries that have welcomed them. This is the world and everything.

[Sylvester Turner]

It's.

[Mary Reichert]

Thursday the 6th of March. This is World radio and we thank you for listening. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Up next, more reactions to an historic address to Congress. President Donald Trump delivered a record breaking 100 minute speech to lawmakers on Tuesday. He covered pressing conflicts both at home and abroad, setting the tone for the years ahead. World's Carolina Lumeta has the story.

[Kent Covington]

Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions.

[Cliff May]

President Trump's joint address to Congress started off with a ruckus.

[Kent Covington]

Mr. Green, take your seat. Take your seat, sir.

[Cliff May]

Congressman Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, stood and shouted over the President, prompting the sergeant at arms to remove him from the chamber.

[Kent Covington]

Mr. President, you continue.

[Donald Trump]

Thank you. Over the past six weeks, I have signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken more than 400 executive actions. A record of to restore common sense, safety, optimism and wealth all across our wonderful land.

[Cliff May]

Most newly sworn in presidents address a joint session of Congress in their first few months in office. Trump used his time to contrast his policies with those of his predecessor.

[Donald Trump]

And we quickly achieved the lowest numbers of illegal border crossers ever recorded. Thank you. The media and our friends in the Democrat Party kept saying we needed new legislation, we must have legislation to secure the border. But it turned out that all we really needed was a new president.

[Cliff May]

Trump invited 15 guests to sit in the gallery with first lady Melania Trump and called on them throughout his speech. One of them, Mark Fogel, is an American history teacher who was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian penal colony.

[Donald Trump]

The previous administration barely lifted a finger to help him. They knew he was innocent, but they had no idea where to begin. But last summer I promised his 95 year old mother Malfean that we would bring her boy safely back home after 22 days in office. I did just that. And they are here tonight.

[Cliff May]

The night also featured some heartwarming moments. Like when Trump held up an executive order to rename a wildlife sanctuary after a 12 year old Texas girl who was murdered by illegal immigrants last year. He also granted a lifelong dream to DJ Daniel, a 13 year old boy battling brain cancer.

[Donald Trump]

And tonight, DJ we're going to do you the biggest honor of them all. I am asking our new Secret Service director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States Secret Service.

[Cliff May]

Despite recent tensions with world leaders, foreign policy played only a small role in the speech. Trump repeated that he would impose tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada. He said he wanted to reclaim the Panama Canal and possibly Greenland.

[Kent Covington]

I'm not sure that President Trump knows what his next steps are.

[Cliff May]

Cliff May is the founder and president of the foundation for Defense of Democracies.

[Kent Covington]

I think he often plays it by ear. He improvises.

[Cliff May]

He says. The Panama Canal discussion shows Trump is continuing a habit of throwing out ideas to jumpstart foreign policy conversations.

[Kent Covington]

And he did mention again that BlackRock had bought the ports on either end. And he was glad. And he said there's more to come. I don't know what that more to come is. Again, I'm not sure he does. I'm not sure Secretary of State Marco Rubio does.

[Cliff May]

May says he appreciated Trump's emphasis in his speech on border security. He says it marked a departure from the Biden administration's adoption of open immigration policies.

[Kent Covington]

There was this concept that American citizens don't own this land. Our borders should be open for anybody who wants to come and they should get here and they should have housing and health care and all manner of other things. Kind of very nice.

[Cliff May]

Unlike in his first term address in 2017, Trump did not call on both parties to come together on legislation. He called some Democratic lawmakers names and complained that nothing he does will satisfy them. Robert Rowland is a professor at the University of Kansas who studies presidential rhetoric.

[Kent Covington]

He essentially gave a rally speech that was aimed only at his core supporters. It is aimed at others, but only in the sense of creating them as a as a foil that he plays off against.

[Cliff May]

Members of Congress from both parties have a tradition of protesting presidents from the opposing party. During a national address last year, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia shouted at President Biden and other members heckled him throughout his speech. On Tuesday night, nearly all the Democratic members walked out before the end of Trump's remarks.

[Kent Covington]

I think the Democrats, a little bit like President Trump, were speaking almost totally.

[Paul Butler]

To their own supporters.

[Kent Covington]

They were preaching to the saved. I thought the wiser Democrats were the ones who sat there and didn't react because I do think the pictures just reinforce for Trump supporters that he's fighting.

[Cliff May]

For them, rowland said. Democrats did not launch an effective protest. Some booed Trump during his speech or held up small signs that read False or no Kings or lies. Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer ordered their conference not to obstruct the speech of those who complied. They did not respond to any of Trump's points.

[Kent Covington]

I think in the long run, the Democrats much better argument would be that he that President Trump is in fact not fighting for them. He's fighting for the billionaire class. But I think the protests last night kind of undercut that message.

[Donald Trump]

My fellow Americans, get ready for an incredible future because the golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing that has ever been been seen before. Thank you, God bless you and God bless America.

[Cliff May]

Reporting for world, I'm Carolina Lumeta.

[Myrna Brown]

Coming up next on THE WORLD and everything in it, what's driving egg prices? In February, the national average for a dozen large Grade A eggs nearly doubled from January, soaring past $8 a carton. That's a steep this time last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[Mary Reichert]

So what's behind this surge and how are Farmers and shoppers handling the scramble. World's Paul Butler has the story.

[Paul Butler]

Shoppers roam the aisles of Louisville's Value Market Mid City Mall. One aisle is empty. The egg aisle, where the cheapest Carton is currently $4.99. That's about 30% more than Steve Johnson paid three weeks ago.

[Sylvester Turner]

The low end eggs were running I think $3.79. And it was a week or 10 days later I came back and they were running $4.99.

[Paul Butler]

Johnson buys a dozen eggs every other week.

[Sylvester Turner]

I eat a fair amount of eggs and right now I'm not stopping. I'm going to continue to buy eggs, at least for now.

[Paul Butler]

But he does say he might have to cut back on the number of omelets that he makes.

[Sylvester Turner]

I might buy a half a dozen.

[Kent Covington]

Every four or five months.

[Paul Butler]

Ken Spicer works at the store's deli counter. He's hopeful that prices will drop soon.

[Kent Covington]

I don't agree with it, but it.

[Donald Trump]

Will come down because the man is in mass.

[Sylvester Turner]

That's a little political.

[Paul Butler]

The man he's referring to is President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, he's promised to bring down the cost of eggs, but it's going to take a lot more than an executive order to make it happen. A key culprit for rising prices is.

[Caroline Levitt]

Hpai highly pathogenic avian influenza.

[Paul Butler]

Yuko Sato is a diagnostic pathologist at the Iowa State University Veterinary lab. She says that with the spread of avian influenza in recent years, sick chickens are dead chickens.

[Caroline Levitt]

You're dealing with a virus, two birds that is going to be almost 100% fatality rate. So it's like the Ebola of poultry.

[Paul Butler]

When farmers detect the avian flu in a flock, the USDA recommends killing the entire flock to minimize risk of spread to other farms.

[Sylvester Turner]

Now we're over 150 million birds that were depopulated.

[Paul Butler]

After depopulation, farms must then pass health inspections, then wait an additional 21 days before getting new chickens. But the effect on egg production isn't over. It takes time for chickens to mature to the point of laying eggs large enough to satisfy consumers.

[Cliff May]

So they start laying these tiny peewee eggs and they gradually get larger as.

[Caroline Levitt]

They continue to lay eggs.

[Cliff May]

So until it gets to the market.

[Caroline Levitt]

It may take a couple weeks for them to get to that size.

[Paul Butler]

State policies have also crimped supply. Nine require retailers and restaurants to sell eggs from cage free operations. Andy Herrig studies tax and trade policy for the Food industry association.

[Kent Covington]

About 70% of egg production is what would be called standard housing And a little bit less than 30 is cage free. So it is a much smaller supply.

[Paul Butler]

You're drawing from some states are reviewing those cage free laws.

[Kent Covington]

My name is Howard Watts and I represent Assembly District 15 in the Nevada State Legislature.

[Paul Butler]

In February, Watts introduced a bill to temporarily loosen regulations to increase supply during avian flu outbreaks.

[Cliff May]

It allows the sale of eggs that.

[Kent Covington]

Are not sourced from cage free facilities.

[Paul Butler]

The bill received unanimous support from both houses with the governor signing the bill soon after.

[Cliff May]

You know, we needed to provide this.

[Kent Covington]

Flexibility quickly so that we can hopefully.

[Cliff May]

Start getting the price of groceries down for folks.

[Paul Butler]

The law also allows smaller egg producers to sell non standard eggs to meet demand, including grade B. While policies loosening restrictions may help supply, there are several other pressures that affect egg prices that laws alone won't address. For instance, unseasonably cold weather.

[Sylvester Turner]

Yeah, I don't know how it is.

[Paul Butler]

In other parts of the country, but here in Kentucky, whenever a forecast has snow, Steve McLean works with the Kentucky Grocers and Convenience Store association, there is.

[Sylvester Turner]

A run at the grocery store on staples like milk, bread and eggs, I.

[Paul Butler]

Guess to make a lot of French toast. The cost of feed and transportation further complicates the problem. Andy Herrig once again, so it is.

[Kent Covington]

It is more expensive to raise the layers than it was two years ago.

[Paul Butler]

Combine a run on groceries with half empty delivery trucks arriving late at store docks. It's no surprise that grocers are struggling to keep their shelves stocked. But it's not all bleak news. Herrig assures consumers that while there is an egg shortage, now is not the time to stock up.

[Kent Covington]

And what we always encourage people to do is buy what you need, obviously, but think of your friends and neighbors out there and make sure there's enough for them. There's going to be plenty of eggs.

[Paul Butler]

Some customers are turning to local farmers like Isaac Hebert for fresh eggs and lower prices. He lives just outside of Arlington, Illinois.

[Kent Covington]

We've got a list out three weeks out right now for eggs. I've had people come right out and tell me that they're coming to us because our eggs are cheaper than they are in the grocery store.

[Paul Butler]

Hebert currently serves 20 to 25 regular customers. But the increase in demand has him wondering if he should increase his small.

[Kent Covington]

Flock because you can't just scale up this overnight. It takes six months to eight months to bring in more chicks, get them up to laying good and have eggs available.

[Paul Butler]

Hebert doesn't know what will happen when egg prices come back down. The USDA predicts that that could happen after April. Regardless, Hebert hopes the eventual increase in supply will won't end the interest in buying eggs straight from the local farm.

[Kent Covington]

So I hope that people will continue to support these small farms.

[Paul Butler]

Reporting for world, I'm Paul Butler in Louisville, Kentucky and Arlington, Illinois.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from the new living translation accurate, understandable and audibly enjoyable. NewLivingTranslation.com and from Covenant College in Georgia, providing an uncompromising biblical education where students explore calling and career more at Covenant.

[Paul Butler]

Eduardo World.

[Myrna Brown]

For more than 60 years, Australian James Harrison showed up every two weeks to donate blood nearly 1200 times. As a teen, Harrison needed transfusions after long surgery and he vowed to give back. Then doctors discovered his blood contained a rare antibody that could prevent rhesus disease, a condition that threatens unborn babies. His donations helped create a treatment credited with saving over 2 million lives, including his own grandsons. Audio from NPR from 2015 I was.

[Sylvester Turner]

Always looking forward to donating right from the operation because I don't know how many people that took to save my.

[Kent Covington]

Life, but I never met them, didn't know them.

[Myrna Brown]

His generosity earned him the nickname the man with the Golden Arm.

[Sylvester Turner]

Some people say, oh, you're a hero. But I'm in a safe room donating blood. They give me a cup of coffee.

[Paul Butler]

And something to nibble on and then.

[Sylvester Turner]

I just go on my way. No problem, no hardship.

[Myrna Brown]

Harrison and donated until age limits forced him to stop. He died last month at the age of 88, but his life saving legacy lives on in every life he helped save. It's the World and everything in it. Today is Thursday, March 6th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming next on the World and Everything in it. Fitting in Last week marks three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, forcing thousands of people to flee their homeland. Many have landed in countries around the world, but Germany is the leading destination.

[Myrna Brown]

Many arrive speaking no German, having no jobs and owning little more than the clothes on their backs. World's Mary Muncie takes us to Germany, where Ukrainian refugees are working to build a new life.

[Caroline Levitt]

Two weeks ago, three Ukrainians, a Russian and a German sat around a coffee table trying to learn a new board game in German. They're at a speech cafe where a group of people who first language is not German meet in a community center room to learn the language together. The game is supposed to help them learn grocery store vocabulary words. Maria is Russian, but she speaks fluent German. She's pointing to different grocery items on cards and having the others say the words aloud. She generally leads the cafe, but it wasn't her idea. First idea was for Olena Alona Lemeshko. She's a Ukrainian refugee. When she first arrived in Germany three years ago, she didn't know the language. Today she helps others in the same situation and make a new life away from home. She's making tea while the others figure out the game.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

They said, oh, we need more practice in German. And we started like Sprach Cafe. For people, it's like language cafe.

[Caroline Levitt]

They come to put their classroom knowledge to use where they don't have to be perfect. And everyone else is learning too. Sometimes as many as 30 people squeeze into the two small rooms. There's one from Macedonia, another from Greece and many from Ukraine. Lameshko arrived in Germany in March of 2022. She's one of more than 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees in the country and the number keeps growing. Germany has the most Ukrainian refugees of any country in the world, partly because it has a refugee friendly system. When the war started, Lemeshko's town back in Ukraine was one of the first to feel the effects. We talked over tea and cake in her new home in Germany and I.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

Called my friends and asked about may I come to your village? Because I was alone.

[Caroline Levitt]

She's not married and doesn't have any children. She stayed with her friends as the war crept closer. But after a few weeks, Lemeshko and her friends decided to leave. The first place she went was an American missionary's house in Germany. She filled out asylum paperwork, applied for medical insurance and took language classes.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

It's really difficult because for me it's new. Start looking for apartment, job, everything, friends, everything.

[Caroline Levitt]

In the last few months, Lemeshko passed her German exams, found a job at a kindergarten and found an apartment. Her transition was smoother than many.

[Cliff May]

Hello, I'm Mary. I'm Vera.

[Caroline Levitt]

Vera Shlichkov is Lemeshko's friend and met us at her house.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

I lived in Silidovo. It's a city 40km from Donetsk where the war began.

[Caroline Levitt]

Shlykov is married and when the war started, all three of her children were seven and younger. @ the time, they didn't know anyone abroad and it was hard for men to leave the country. But after about two months the war became too much and they packed up a few suitcases and left.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

And we come in the city, they are sick.

[Caroline Levitt]

All three of her children and Sleechkov herself had an infection and needed antibiotics. Not only that, but her children hadn't eaten in days because of the stress of leaving Ukraine.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

About me, I don't think. I think just about my children, how I can help. I saw my children don't want eat, don't want nothing.

[Caroline Levitt]

She didn't know German, only a little English. They didn't have insurance yet, and it would have been too expensive to go to the doctor without it. If they could even get in.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

I can't make anything. Nothing. And I don't know. I don't know what I must. What must you do? What must I do?

[Caroline Levitt]

After a few days of this, she asked for help in a WhatsApp group for refugees. They helped her get in contact with the right people so they could pay for a doctor's visit. And eventually they did get in. Then, nine days after they arrived, the government set them up with housing and language classes. Sleechkov and her children started going to the Speech Cafe a few months ago. Once Slichkov passes her German exams, she'll be able to help support her family, something she thinks the Speech Cafe will help her do.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

A lot of people should work and learn language. It's really difficult. It's really hard.

[Caroline Levitt]

During our interview, Lameshko and Slichkov would speak Ukrainian and Russian to each other, English to me, and sometimes slip into German when they couldn't remember an English word.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

I think about that. Ich speak foreign language. Oh, that's cool.

[Caroline Levitt]

They both say learning German is not just for finding work or navigating a foreign country. It's also about building community.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

I didn't know Vera, but now I know.

[Caroline Levitt]

Lameshko says the cafe has helped her to connect with people from all over the world.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

We have a lot Ukrainian people here, but I have not a lot friends from these people. It's important to have not just people from your culture, your country, but you have something valuable.

[Caroline Levitt]

Both Lameshko and Slichkov don't know when or if they'll go back to Ukraine or what will be there for them if they do. But Lemeshko says uncertainty is just a part of life.

[Olena Alona Lemeshko]

I didn't like have line between before and then. You know, it's like another. In Ukraine. I had also bad days and good days. It's not like worst or best, it's like different, just like life.

[Caroline Levitt]

Reporting for World, I'm Mary Muncie in Vilsack, Germany.

[Myrna Brown]

Are there any rivers flowing? Today is Thursday, March 6th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it From Listener Supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Now world commentator Cal Thomas weighs in on Tuesday night's presidential address.

[Sylvester Turner]

It was a partisan speech. It was an optimistic speech. It was a long speech. It was a deliberately divisive speech when it came to policies pushed by the Democrats as opposed to policies endorsed by Republicans. And it was at times a funny speech as President Trump pointed to Democrats and the silly signs raised by some, blasting them for all sorts of things when they had the power. It was also full of empathy for victims of migrant crime. President Trump brought some of the widows and daughters whose husbands and fathers were taken from them by gang members. Gang members who had committed repeated crimes but were let go after being arrested in Democrat led states with sanctions, sanctuary cities. As if to rile Senate Democrats who wouldn't vote for a bill protecting women's sports, Trump invited a woman who suffered traumatic brain injury after being hit with a volleyball. The player on the other side of the net who spiked the ball was a male, yet played with women on the opposite team. Perhaps the sweetest moment of the night was when Trump authorized the Secret Service to bestow the title of agent on a young boy who was given five years to live after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He always wanted to be a police officer. The boy hustled, who gave him an official identification card. His proud father lifted him up for all to see. Incredibly, all the Democrats remained seated, stoic and would not applaud anything. Not the boy with brain cancer, not families of murder victims, not even the first lady when she entered the chamber. So deep is their hatred for President Trump, who is running circles around them with the speed of his policy initiatives. Some held up signs reminiscent of that TV ad for a pharmaceutical company that treats depression. The woman in the ad carries a round sign with an upside down smiley face that appears to be the face of today's Democrat Party. They're being beaten by Trump at every turn. Polls show the public are mostly with him, especially in his quest to downsize bloated government. That's where Democrats are these days. A lowlight during the speech was when Texas Democrat Representative Al Green began yelling and interrupting the president. Green, who has filed articles of impeachment against Trump already. They're going nowhere. Was escorted out of the chamber by the sergeant at arms as Speaker Mike Johnson pounded his gavel and called for decorum. It is supremely ironic that Democrats are criticizing the economy when it was the previous administration that caused inflation and accompanying high prices. It took Ronald Reagan two years after all to turn around the bad economy of Jimmy Carter. The headline was kept until almost the end of the speech. President Trump announced he had received a letter from Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky saying he is ready for negotiations to end the war with Russia and a willingness to mine Ukrainian minerals to help repay the US for its multi billion dollar contribution to the war. Trump said he had heard strong signals from Russia that Vladimir Putin is ready for peace. We'll see about that. It was a good night for Trump and Republicans. All the Democrats and their media allies could do is look like they were attending a funeral. They have nothing else to show the country except policy failures from the last four years. I'm Cal Thomas.

[Mary Reichert]

Tomorrow, John Stonestreet is back for Culture Friday. Also, our music reviewer Arsenio Ortezza spotlights fresh releases you won't want to miss. And World's editor in chief shares what we've learned from our latest focus groups. That and more tomorrow. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Our thanks to the World Journalism Institute Mid Career class for their help in writing today's egg story. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible says, for from God's fullness we have all received grace upon grace. Verse 16 of John, chapter 1 Go now in grace and peace.