The John Batchelor Show

Guest: Bob Zimmerman. A standard solar conjunction has caused a temporary communication blackout with Mars rovers, a routine event for which spacecraft are prepared. In other scientific developments, astronomers have detected the wake of a companion star moving through the atmosphere of Betelgeuse, while new archaeological evidence suggests Neanderthals possessed the technology to create fire 400,000 years ago, pushing back the known timeline for this capability significantly.1959

Guest: Bob Zimmerman. The global launch industry achieved record numbers led by SpaceX, which Zimmerman argues has effectively become the true American space program by launching 90% of all payload mass and funding its own Mars ambitions through Starlink revenue. While China utilizes state-supervised pseudo-capitalism to keep pace, the commercial sector is booming with competitors like Rocket Lab and multiple companies developing private space stations, creating a new market for orbital debris cleanup services.1941

Guest: Joseph Sternberg. In Europe, France faces continued political paralysis that may require a decisive election between the right and left, whereas Germany's center-right government under Chancellor Merz is reclaiming the initiative by addressing immigration and economic growth. Meanwhile, Japan's move to normalize interest rates could trigger a massive repatriation of capital that impacts global markets, while in the UK, Prime Minister Starmer faces a difficult year of economic stagnation, surviving largely because there is no clear alternative to his leadership.October 18701

Guest: Joseph Sternberg. Sternberg analyzes the recent U.S. invasion of Venezuela, noting that while the event disrupted predictions, its global significance ultimately depends on the subsequent U.S. decisions regarding regime support and governance in Caracas. Turning to domestic politics, Sternberg predicts the 2026 midterms will be unusually significant as both parties face internal identity crises, with Democrats torn between centrist and socialist wings and Republicans struggling to define their future path as the Trump era eventually concludes.1900 Venezuela

Guest: Gregory Copley. King Charles III is demonstrating resilience by outworking other royals and returning to full duties despite his ongoing cancer treatment, while steadfastly ignoring the distraction of gossip surrounding Prince Harry and Prince Andrew. The King faces a challenging year managing a relationship with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose government Copley describes as hostile to the monarchy and struggling with a tattered economy and a severe illegal migration crisis.1828 BANK OF ENGLAND