This episode explores several pressing global issues. The first segment focuses on the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and the junta's response, which prioritized bombing resistance fighters over aiding its own citizens, hindering international aid efforts. Against this backdrop of conflict, Su Lin Wong, an Asia correspondent, highlights the challenges of assessing the true extent of the disaster due to information control and infrastructure damage. More significantly, the junta's actions demonstrate a disregard for civilian well-being, prioritizing power consolidation over humanitarian relief. The discussion then pivots to the Trump administration's decision to cut funding for federally funded broadcasters like Voice of America, impacting global access to unbiased news and information, particularly in countries with restricted media. For instance, Chinese and Russian state media openly celebrated this decision, highlighting the geopolitical implications. Finally, the podcast examines The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index, revealing Sweden as the best place to be a working woman in 2025 and highlighting global disparities in gender equality, particularly concerning parental leave and childcare costs. This underscores the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the need for policy changes to support working women worldwide.
