Several European countries, including the UK, have blamed the Kremlin for the killing of the Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny. They say his murder was likely carried out, using a poison developed from a toxin in a rare frog. We get reaction to these updates from a friend of Navalny’s, alongside on Oscar-winning director who produced a documentary on him.
Also in the programme: Mass rape survivor Gisele Pelicot speaks to the BBC about trauma and healing ahead of her memoir being published; and an an exciting paleontological discovery has been made in Costa Rica.
(Photo: Flowers lay near a portrait of Russian late opposition leader Alexei Navalny in front of the Russian embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, February 2024. Credit: David Mdzinarishvili, EPA-EFE, REX, Shutterstock).
It’s Valentine’s Day, and there’s nothing more romantic than talking about money with your partner. Well, maybe not. But it is important because studies show that financial acrimony can lead to marital disharmony. Soon after they got married, Motley Fool Money host Robert Brokamp and his wife, Elizabeth, wrote what they called their financial manifesto – an agreement about how they’d manage money as a couple. Twenty-six years and four kids later, Robert and Elizabeth discuss what was in it, what worked, and what didn't. Also in this episode: -The dowdy Dow has its day, crossing 50,000 and beating the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq over the past few months -The job market is giving mixed signals, with the unemployment rate dropping – but so are job openings -The CBO projects that Uncle Sam’s debt-to-GDP ratio will exceed its all-time high over the coming years -Send us your tips, tricks, and recommendations for monitoring your finances and maintaining money harmony as a couple Host: Robert Brokamp Guest: Elizabeth Brokamp Engineer: Bart Shannon
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On this Saturday edition of The Gist, we present "One From The Future." Mike joins Ruy Teixeira on the Liberal Patriot podcast to discuss a brewing theory regarding the mechanics of political change. They debate the utility of the "Scalpel" (technocratic, targeted cuts) versus the "Chainsaw" (the Elon Musk/DOGE approach of massive disruption). Plus, a look at why Democrats are better at mobilizing than organizing, the trap of "The Omnicause," and the re-branding of objectivity in modern journalism.
Produced by Corey Wara
Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig
Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com
The US Secretary of State has told the Munich Security Conference that Washington is seeking to "revitalise" its alliance with European countries. Marco Rubio said the US would always be a "child of Europe", insisting that his country wants to preserve that relationship rather than end it. The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she was "very much reassured" by his remarks, adding that Europe "needs to step up" and take more responsibility for its own security. A day earlier, the leaders of Germany and France had warned of frictions in the transatlantic alliance.
Also in the programme: Newshour's Lyse Doucet speaks to traders at a market in Iran about protests, the dire economy and the possibility of a nuclear deal; and on Valentine's Day - we talk about the science behind a good kiss.
(Credit: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks to a meeting of G7 foreign ministers at the Munich Security Conference, Germany, February 14, 2026. Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters)
Quickie with Evan: Erich von Däniken dies at 90; News Items: Review of ADHD Treatment, Religious Nones, EPA Ends Endangerment Ruling, The Physics of the Quintuple Jump, Crotchgate; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: More on the yellow sun, The Turkey Illusion; Science or Fiction
We meet a Ghanaian woman who is challenging stereotypes of beauty and disability by modelling with her prosthetic leg wrapped in colourful kente fabric. Abena Christine Jon'el had her leg amputated when she was just two years old because of an aggressive form of cancer. She says she's fought through so much to survive that she's determined to fight for anyone who's ever felt defeated by life.
Also: A mobile gaming app that's helping teenagers in Brazil learn how to support their friends with mental health issues.
A scheme teaching gardening skills to prisoners in the UK to help cut the numbers who reoffend after their release.
The Washington museum curator who's adopted Gen Z slang to get younger people interested in its works of art. Alison Luchs has attracted over nine million views with two social media posts, and is challenging others to submit similar videos about other exhibits.
Plus big baby elephant news, some unusual guard animals, and how one new family helped bring an entire community together, just by showing they cared.
Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.
(Photo: Abena Christine Jon'el on the catwalk in Ghana. Credit: Vino Studio / Nineteen57 Events)
We get the latest from the Munich Security Conference, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a speech before European leaders. We also look at the reasons behind why the FDA rejected Moderna's new flu vaccine and how that decision could shape future clinical trials. Plus, we'll look at the what happened with U.S Olympic figure skater Illia Malinin, dubbed the "Quad God," on the ice yesterday. Tipped to win the gold, Malinin didn't end up even medaling.
What do software companies, wealth-management firms and the trucking business all have in common? And why are blue-chip stocks like Walmart outperforming the market? Plus, how did a former karaoke company sink transportation stocks? Host Hannah Erin Lang discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.
