The World and Everything In It – Episode Summary: May 9, 2025
Episode Title: Journalism that sows confusion, the music of Lance Cowan and Nina Hagen, plus Word Play
Host: WORLD Radio
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Headlines
Election of the First American Pope
The episode opens with significant news from the Vatican. Kent Covington reports that white smoke from the Sistine Chapel signaled the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, hailing from Robert Prevost. Arsenio Orteza highlights the pope's optimistic message:
"God loves everyone. Evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God."
(02:23)
Pope Leo XIV, a 69-year-old missionary from Chicago and a citizen of Peru, emphasizes themes of peace, dialogue, and evangelism in his inaugural address. U.S. officials, including State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, promptly congratulated the new pontiff, reflecting the international significance of this event.
New US-UK Trade Agreement
Kent Covington details President Trump's announcement of a new trade deal with the United Kingdom, aimed at reducing non-tariff barriers that have historically disadvantaged American products. Arsenio Orteza underscores the mutual benefits:
"With this deal, the UK joins the United States in affirming that reciprocity and fairness is an essential and vital principle of international trade."
(03:03)
Key aspects of the agreement include reducing tariffs on British cars from 27.5% to 10% and eliminating tariffs on steel and aluminum. George Grant adds:
"This is going to boost trade between and across our countries. It's going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs."
(03:35)
U.S.-China Trade Relations and Ukraine Conflict
The discussion shifts to Trump's plans to engage with China, aiming to negotiate substantive trade talks and potentially reduce the 145% tariff on Chinese imports by over half. Arsenio Orteza comments on the economic motivations:
"We'd like to see China opened up so we can compete in China and, you know, give people something that they've..."
(03:05)
In parallel, efforts to resolve the Ukraine-Russia conflict continue. Kent Covington reports that despite promises from Vladimir Putin to halt attacks during Europe Victory Day, Ukrainian forces accuse Russia of violating ceasefire agreements by targeting Sumy region.
Overhaul of U.S. Air Traffic Control
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announces a multi-billion dollar initiative to modernize the U.S. air traffic control system following recent catastrophic plane crashes and technical failures. The plan includes:
- Establishing six new air traffic control centers
- Upgrading technology with fiber, wireless, and satellite systems
- Replacing outdated radars
- Increasing the number of airports equipped to reduce runway near-misses
George Grant expresses concern over potential delays during the transition:
"Hours or their flights cancelled, a system..."
(05:47)
Culture Friday
Pulitzer Prize Controversy: ProPublica's Abortion Story
John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast, joins the discussion to critique ProPublica's Pulitzer-winning story, which claims that pro-life laws are leading doctors to withhold treatment from pregnant women fearing prosecution. John asserts:
"The doctors that Leah spoke to in her reporting say they have no hesitation about treating complications like miscarriage or sepsis. But the media narrative is that doctors are paralyzed by fear."
(08:39)
He emphasizes the role of pro-life activists in combating misinformation:
"Pro lifers need to commit themselves to a couple things. Number one is never going along with lies and not going along with confusion. We have to continue to bring clarity as much as possible."
(10:18)
Strategies in the Transgender Movement Debate
The conversation shifts to Katie Faust's analysis in World Opinions, suggesting that child protection arguments, rather than appeals to religious liberty, have effectively countered the transgender movement's cultural momentum. John Stonestreet concurs:
"Should we have been louder and clearer about the inevitable and potential harms to children because of changing and redefining marriage? The answer is absolutely yes."
(11:16)
He critiques previous strategies centered on religious liberty as primarily defensive rather than offensive, advocating for a stronger focus on protecting children to counteract progressive narratives.
Colorado's Kelly Loving Act
Nick Iker references a recent World report on Colorado's legislative actions, where a Democratic supermajority in the state senate expedited the Kelly Loving Act. Despite removing the custody clause, the act criminalizes misgendering and deadnaming. John Stonestreet expresses cautious optimism:
"It is better that they showed up than if they didn't... But this is deadly. You know, you take out half the cyanide in a poison cocktail, it still might be enough to kill you."
(14:30)
He warns of the long-term implications of such legislation, indicating that even partial victories can set dangerous precedents for state control and social fabric integrity.
Trump DOJ's Stance on Mifepristone Lawsuit
Kent Covington brings attention to the Trump Administration's Department of Justice position aligning with the Biden DOJ in dismissing a lawsuit by three GOP-led states aimed at restricting access to the abortion drug mifepristone. John Stonestreet criticizes this stance:
"Mifepristone is something that kills babies and does it in a way that harms women. This is not something we can ever be okay with."
(16:32)
He attributes the DOJ's position to either President Trump's campaign promises or a misinterpretation of scientific data, emphasizing the moral imperative to oppose such measures.
Music Segment: Unexpected Artists and Reimagined Classics
Arsenio Orteza explores the surprising musical ventures of Lance Cowan, a longtime music publicist who defied expectations by releasing a sophomore album, Against the Grain, following his debut So Far So Good. Cowan's transition from PR to artist challenges industry norms, earning praise for maintaining the quality and depth of his storytelling through country-inflected melodies.
Additionally, Orteza delves into Nina Hagen's album Personal Jesus, originally released in 2010, now reissued for its 15th anniversary with an extra track. Hagen's evolution from a punk icon to a sincere artist post-baptism in a Protestant Reformed church is highlighted, showcasing her ability to blend eccentricity with heartfelt expression.
Wordplay: The Perils of English Plurals
George Grant presents a detailed exploration of the complexities inherent in English plurals. He outlines various irregularities and exceptions, such as:
- Regular Plurals: "pens" vs. "pencils"
- Irregular Plurals: "mouse" → "mice", "goose" → "geese", "louse" → "lice"
- Identical Singular and Plural: "sheep", "deer"
- Complex Plurals: "criterion" → "criteria", "medium" → "medium", "appendix" → "appendices"
Grant underscores the challenges these irregularities pose for both native speakers and those learning English as a second language, highlighting the language’s polyglot nature and extensive borrowing from other tongues.
Awards and Acknowledgements
Nick Iker announces the Cordell Prize, a writing competition for young journalists aged 18 to 29, focusing on stories that highlight faith and overcoming adversity. Submissions should be published within the past year, adhere to AP style, and be at least 2,000 words. Monetary prizes range from $500 to $2,500, with submissions due by the end of the month. More information is available at WNG.org Cordell.
The episode concludes with heartfelt acknowledgments to the dedicated team members who contribute to the program's success, including names like David Bonson, Leo Braceno, Anna Johansen Brown, and others, ensuring listeners recognize the collective effort behind The World and Everything In It.
Closing Reflections
Myrna Brown and Nick Iker wrap up the episode with inspirational reflections grounded in biblical scripture, reinforcing the program's commitment to biblically objective journalism that aims to inform, educate, and inspire its audience.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the May 9, 2025, episode of "The World and Everything In It," offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the day's topics without the inclusion of advertisements or non-content segments.