Many of the world’s most important urban areas are on coastlines or rivers, putting them at risk of rising sea levels. Rapid urbanisation and climate change are conspiring to make this threat more ...urgent. How can cities adapt to avoid catastrophe? The Economist’s Benjamin Sutherland explores how well new flood defences work in Venice and why Venetians are pondering raising the city’s foundations. Alizée Jean-Baptiste, The Economist’s Asia podcast producer, visits Jakarta, to investigate why Indonesia’s government is choosing to build an entirely new capital city, in a new location, in their attempt to adapt to future flooding. Plus, Catherine Brahic, our environment editor, explores the political and economic considerations needed to save cities. Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor, hosts. For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The deal to raise America’s debt ceiling is finally done. The government will now be able to resume borrowing money to pay its bills, and avoid a default. The last-minute agreement will suspend the ...debt ceiling and flatten some categories of spending for two years, until after the next election. Why does America has this pointless, exhausting ritual? And how can Congress get rid of it? The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch assesses the impact of the agreement. We go back to a previous wrangling over the debt ceiling. And The Economist’s James Bennet surmises the political implications of the deal. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For a 30-day digital subscription go to economist.com/podcastoffer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With the lifting of Title 42, America is once again forced to consider its border policy, just as Democrat-run cities struggle to find shelter for busloads of migrants sent north from the US-Mexico ...border. What responsibilities do states and cities far from the border have? And with Congress frozen, what can President Biden actually do? Doris Meissner of the Migration Policy Institute talks through the dilemmas facing the Biden administration and Rosemarie Ward reports from the town of Newburgh, where migrants are being sent from New York City shelters. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. For access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe: economist.com/USpodWe would love to hear from you. Please fill out our listener survey at economist.com/uspodsurvey. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/podcastoffer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The vast majority of the energy used on Earth comes from fossil fuels. But as governments enact climate-friendly policies, electric grids need to be decarbonised, by using renewable-energy sources. ...And much more electricity needs to be generated too—to power transport, homes and heavy industry. Despite its urgency, redesigning electric grids is both a political and technological challenge. How can such a revolution happen? Host Kenneth Cukier explores the mechanics of how electric grids work and how to upgrade them with The Economist’s Hal Hodson. Hal travels to Drax, a power station in the north of England, to visualise this supersized circuit with Bruce Heppenstall, the plant’s director. Plus, Hal asks Gerhard Salge, the chief technology officer of Hitachi Energy, how the latest generation of high voltage direct current cables will transform energy systems. If you love Babbage, why not work with us? We’re hiring for an Assistant Audio Producer to work on the show. Apply by May 15th. For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and sign up for our weekly science newsletter at economist.com/simplyscience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Israel is marking its 75th anniversary. America has always been its closest foreign ally, but that relationship has seldom been easy. That’s true now: progressive Democrats are questioning the ...party’s innate pro-Israel stance, and Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial judicial reforms have met with open disapproval from the White House. What might relations look like in another 75 years? The Economist’s Josie Delap assesses the impact of Netanyahu’s judicial plans. We go back to a eulogy given by an American leader for his Israeli counterpart. And The Economist’s Anshel Pfeffer considers what influence American Jews have over Israeli politics. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and James Bennet. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lake Mead is shrinking. The receding shoreline of the country’s largest reservoir has laid bare the American West’s vulnerability to climate change. But last May, it revealed something else: a body ...shoved into a barrel. With all the signs of a mob-hit, the murder is a symbol of what Sin City used to be, but also hints at how the city could evolve again. In this special episode, The Economist’s Aryn Braun examines what this mystery can tell us about Las Vegas’s past and future. The investigation takes her to a casino, a speakeasy and a lab full of skulls. She talks to Congressman Ruben Gallego, former Mayor–and mafia lawyer–Oscar Goodman and the Mob Museum’s Geoff Schumacher. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A year on from Russia’s invasion, Joe Biden has made it clear: America’s backing for Ukraine “will not waver”. But Ukraine needs more than strong words. Does America have the will and the means to ...back Ukraine for as long as it takes? And what does its commitment in Europe mean for America’s readiness to help defend allies elsewhere? The Economist’s Anton La Guardia tells us how the battle in Ukraine compares to other recent conflicts. The Economist’s Jon Fasman visits a munitions plant in Pennsylvania. And Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General David Berger considers the prospect of war in the Pacific. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. Do you have a question for the Checks and Balance team? Email us at podcasts@economist.com with “Checks Q&A” in the subject line and we’ll answer it in a special upcoming episode. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“If China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country.” In his state-of-the-union speech earlier this week, Joe Biden promised to deal with any threat from China. The House has ...voted unanimously to condemn the CCP for flying a spy balloon over America. What’s next for Sino-American relations? Congressman Darin LaHood shares the plans of a new select committee on China. We go back to the time a plane rather than a balloon caused a crisis. And The Economist’s David Rennie brings us the view from Beijing. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
House Republicans hope that by delving into Hunter Biden’s business dealings they’ll find a trail of wrongdoing leading back to the president. Is this just the usual partisan mudslinging? Or will the ...Hunter Biden saga spell trouble for Joe Biden? Andrew Rice from New York magazine tells us what is on Hunter Biden’s laptop. The Economist’s James Bennet remembers the time a president’s brother caused trouble. And Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna explains why she wants to investigate the Biden family. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. You can read the New York magazine piece we mention, by Andrew Rice and Olivia Nuzzi, hereYou can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Reports of the slow death of American incomes have been exaggerated. Since the turn of the millennium, hourly earnings have grown steadily in real terms. While those at the top have taken most of the ...gains, in the past few years, the poorest have done well too. Where does that leave those in the middle? What’s behind the two decades of growing incomes? And why hasn’t a richer population brought a more contented politics? The Economist’s Simon Rabinovitch explains the latest data on incomes–and why it can be tricky to calculate. We go back to another time where economic perceptions and reality were far apart. And Betsey Stevenson, of the University of Michigan, discusses what all this means for income inequality. John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon. You can now find every episode of Checks and Balance in one place and sign up to our weekly newsletter. For full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at economist.com/uspod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
