Short Wave - Elections: A Big Math Problem

Ahead of Election Day tomorrow, millions of ballots are being cast in statewide, local and special elections. So, today, we're revisiting an episode asking: What would happen if the rules of our electoral system were changed? Producer Hannah Chinn reported on that very question, and today, with host Emily Kwong, they dive into three voting methods that are representative of alternative voting systems. They look at where these systems have been implemented, how they work and what they may mean for future elections. 

Want to hear more about how math could change our lives? Email us at shortwave@npr.org and we might cover your idea on a future episode! 

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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - The Redistricting Arms Race Is On

Fearing a Democratic-led House of Representatives, Donald Trump set off a state-redistricting arms race when he asked Texas to find him five more safe GOP seats. This triggered California to go hunting for five more Democratic seats, and states like North Carolina and Missouri to search for other seats in the margins. But in some states, Trump’s demands are running into rare Republican resistance.

Guest: Ari Berman, voting rights reporter at Mother Jones. 

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Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther.


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NPR's Book of the Day - Karine Jean-Pierre’s new memoir ‘Independent’ explains why she left the Democrats

For almost three years, Karine Jean-Pierre was White House press secretary for the Biden-Harris administration. Her new memoir, Independent, explains her recent decision to leave the Democratic Party and identify as an independent. In today’s episode, Jean-Pierre joins NPR’s Michel Martin for a conversation about Democratic disunity, former President Biden’s health, and why she says her former party has failed Black women.


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Global News Podcast - Trump’s military action threat alarms Nigeria

Donald Trump has suggested the US could deploy troops to Nigeria or carry out air strikes to stop what he called the killing of Christians by Islamist insurgents. Unfounded claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria have been circulating in American right-wing religious circles for months. A Nigerian presidential adviser said jihadists in the Muslim-majority north of the country were attacking all religious communities, but that Abuja would welcome US help in tackling the Islamist insurgents.

Also: the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash has told the BBC that he feels he is the luckiest man alive. Officials in Iran warn the main source of drinking water for residents of Tehran is at risk of running dry within two weeks. Flight delays continue across the US, as air traffic controllers working without pay due to the government shutdown are now calling in sick. The Maldives brings in the world's only generational smoking ban, and cricket fans across India celebrate the women's national side winning their first ever World Cup.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

It Could Happen Here - Occulture, Technomancy vs Tradition, and the Role of Magick in 2025

Garrison talks with a panel of magicians at the Occulture conference in Berlin to discuss digital technomancy vs. traditional magical practices and debate the ability of occultism to shape politics and culture in contemporary society.

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Good Bad Billionaire - Diane Hendricks: Building a fortune

Diane Hendricks rose from a teenage mother on a Wisconsin dairy farm to become America’s richest self-made woman, building a $22 billion fortune through roofing giant ABC Supply.

BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng trace her journey from selling homes to leading the largest roofing supplies company in the US. From renovating properties to reshaping her hometown of Beloit, Hendricks’ story is one of grit, ambition, and political influence.

Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, before asking the audience to decide if they are good, bad, or just billionaires.

The Economics of Everyday Things - 113. Laundromats

A day on the job includes hundreds of quarters, giant balls of lint, and fishing weird stuff out of machines. Zachary Crockett throws in a load.

 

 


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Consider This from NPR - Trump calls alleged smugglers ‘unlawful combatants’. That term has a history.

The legal definition of the term 'unlawful combatants' was used to justify detaining people at Guantanamo indefinitely, without ever charging them with a crime. Now, the president is using it to describe the alleged drug smugglers that the military is targeting with boat strikes.

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This episode was produced by Avery Keatley and Gabriel Sanchez. It was edited by Ahmad Damen. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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