More or Less: Behind the Stats - Defence Spending, Rare Earths and Trunk Truths

Has the US really sent Ukraine $350 billion for its war effort? Is a $500billion cut of Ukraine?s rare earth minerals a good deal? How will the UK fund the governments ambitions to raise defence spending to 3%? But most important of all - how many muscles are in an elephant?s trunk?

Presenter: Tim Harford Series Producer: Charlotte McDonald Reporter: Lizzy McNeill Producers: Nathan Gower and Josh McMinn Sound Mix: James Beard Editor: Richard Vadon Production Co-Ordinator: Brenda Brown

Pod Save America - The State Of the Union Is … Long

Donald Trump makes history—by delivering the longest Joint Address ever, clocking in at an exhausting 99 minutes of blame, grievance, and sappy stunts. Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy break down all the biggest—and weirdest—moments, from warning of a "disturbance" from the new tariffs, to invading Greenland and cutting off funding for transgender mice (yes, really). Plus, they debate how Rep. Al Green's protest will play, the strengths and weaknesses of Sen. Elissa Slotkin's rebuttal, and what Democrats should do now.

 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Indicator from Planet Money - Is the Panama Canal a rip-off?

Who pays to use the Panama Canal and how much? These questions are part of the tensions between the U.S. and Panama after President Trump threatened to take over the canal. We look at the global shipping lane's fee structure in light of the president's claim that the U.S. is getting ripped off.

Related episodes:
A drought, a jam, a canal — Panama!
Add to cart: Greenland (Apple / Spotify)

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Consider This from NPR - How Trump’s foreign policy is reshaping the world order

After the Trump-Zelenskyy blow-up on Friday, European leaders held emergency talks in London to put together a roadmap to peace.

Then, on Tuesday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal called ReArm Europe. The roughly $840 billion plan would quickly build up defense budgets in Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.S. seems to continue to align itself with Russia.

President Trump is upending the U.S.-led order that has dominated global politics for the better part of a century. What does that mean for Ukraine – and for America?

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Consider This from NPR - How Trump’s foreign policy is reshaping the world order

After the Trump-Zelenskyy blow-up on Friday, European leaders held emergency talks in London to put together a roadmap to peace.

Then, on Tuesday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal called ReArm Europe. The roughly $840 billion plan would quickly build up defense budgets in Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.S. seems to continue to align itself with Russia.

President Trump is upending the U.S.-led order that has dominated global politics for the better part of a century. What does that mean for Ukraine – and for America?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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The Commentary Magazine Podcast - Why Does Trump Want to Raise Prices?

The tariffs now imposed on Mexico, Canada, and China threaten to hit Americans in the pocketbook, and given the results of the last election, we discuss why the president would be pursuing this policy when he should be doing what he can to lower prices. And where should "honor" enter into it when talking about American commitments and American alliances? Give a listen.

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Pod Save America - Trump’s Ukraine Fallout and Crypto Grift

The fallout continues from Friday's trainwreck of an Oval Office meeting between Trump, JD Vance, and Volodymyr Zelensky. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down whether things have improved or spiraled further since Friday's meeting—and whether we're witnessing the collapse of the postwar order. Plus, Trump vows that his tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect, Elon Musk calls Social Security a "Ponzi scheme," and the White House announces a "Crypto Strategic Reserve" to stockpile five cryptocurrencies. Hmm, could it possibly be grift?

 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The Indicator from Planet Money - Can the Federal Reserve stay independent?

President Trump has been on an executive order-signing spree since returning to office, with 76 so far. Today we look at two of them. Can the Fed really split up independent and non-independent roles? And what does DOGE's cost-cutting streak add up to?

Related episodes:
Slender Starbucks, Medicaid at risk, and the gold card visa (Apple / Spotify)
What happens with billions in research funding goes away (Apple / Spotify)
Should presidents have more say over interest rates? (Apple / Spotify)

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Fact-checking by
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