The "midnight regulating" that marks the end of every presidential administration is in full swing. But even much of the regulating done over the past several months can be undone quickly in the opening weeks of a Trump Administration. Other regulatory changes may be more challenging. Susan E. Dudley directs the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center.
Warrior monks, crusaders and the mysterious origins of modern banking. You might think banks are so central to every economy that they have always existed. And they have, sort of. But the true story of the origins of modern banking is – as Tim Harford explains – as surprising and mysterious as the plot of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code.
(Photo: Temple Church in London. Credit: Kiev Victor/Shutterstock)
Forgotten Superheroes of Science: Barbara Liskov; News Items: Trust of Scientists and GMOs, Cryogenic Energy Storage, Deorbiting Space Junk; What's the Word: In Situ; Your Questions and E-mails: Premium Gas, Porn Follow Up; Science or Fiction
What infrastructure fixes would deliver the biggest economic boost? And why isn't that the focus of any revamp of American infrastructure? Randal O'Toole comments.
Most of us want to be nice. But is it all it's cracked up to be? It's a question that's been nagging at listener Tony in Illinois, USA, for over 25 years. While studying at university, the lecturer asked him whether competing or co-operating was the best strategy for success – essentially, does it pay to work together or should we sharpen our elbows and look after number one?
Nastaran Tavakoli-Far goes in search of answers. She talks to a local hero about why he puts his life on the line for others, and visits a neuroscientist to find out what happens in the brain when we help others. Her quest also leads her to question whether women really are the more co-operative sex and how an animal called a kudu might reveal how human co-operation evolved in the first place.
Do you have a question we can turn into a programme? Email us at crowdscience@bbc.co.uk
(Image: John Cook from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Credit: Anna Lacey / BBC)
The current world order is fragile, and President-elect Donald Trump has shown himself to be sensitive, antagonistic, and gleeful about turning existing dynamics upside-down. How could this affect the United States’ role in defusing international conflicts? Dan De Luce, chief national security correspondent for Foreign Policy magazine, runs through a few scenarios. “The executive branch has expanded dramatically,” said De Luce. “We are a long way from where we were when this country was founded and the president has enormous power in foreign policy.” For the Spiel, the big headlines of 2017.
How do our expectations about how police ought to do their jobs line up with how police actually do their jobs? Emily Ekins is author of "Policing in America."
The Fed raises interest rates. Chipotle makes big changes in the boardroom. Yahoo! gets hacked. And Pier 1 stuns Wall Street. Plus, CNBC's Carl Quintanilla talks about the business of binge-watching and previews the year ahead. Get a free preview of our brand new service Motley Fool Explorer at GoExplorer.Fool.com .
