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Bill Gates discusses his decision to accelerate the spending of the Gates Foundation's assets, totaling over $200 billion, with the goal of sunsetting the foundation by 2045. He explains his motivation for giving away his wealth faster, highlighting opportunities for impact in global health and agriculture. Gates also addresses the concerning cuts in U.S. foreign aid and his perspective on the responsibility of enormous wealth, maintaining optimism for future progress.
This episode explores the election of the first American pope, Pope Leo XIV. It delves into the conclave experience, the cardinals' personal reflections, and the significance of Pope Leo choosing his name in honor of Leo XIII. The discussion also covers Pope Leo's initial messages on social justice, AI, global issues, and the challenges facing the Catholic Church, including the rise of the religiously unaffiliated.
Veteran NPR correspondent Sylvia Poggioli discusses the challenges of covering the Vatican, using St. Peter's Square's architecture as a metaphor for its opaque nature. She shares experiences with the Vatican press office, the difficulty of accessing officials, and how different popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—handled media and communication, often causing unexpected stirs.
NPR correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu reports on the devastation in Khartoum after two years of civil war in Sudan. The report details the destruction of the city, including the looting of the National Museum and the brutal treatment of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Despite the widespread damage, signs of life and resilience emerge as residents begin to rebuild.
For the first time, the Catholic Church has elected an American pope, Robert Prevost, who has taken the name Leo XIV. This episode explores the surprise of his election, his extensive international and administrative background, and how his papacy might follow or diverge from Pope Francis's path. Experts discuss the symbolism of his chosen name, his potential stance on social issues, and the unique position of an American pope on the global stage during a significant geopolitical moment.
This episode of Consider This explores the recent air traffic control breakdown at Newark Airport and the broader issues plaguing the U.S. air traffic control system. David Grizzle, former COO of the FAA, discusses the outdated technology, staff shortages, and funding challenges that have contributed to the problem. Despite these issues, Grizzle asserts that flying remains safe but emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and modernization.
Este episodio examina el futuro del acercamiento de la Iglesia Católica a la comunidad LGBTQ tras el papado de Francisco. El Padre James Martin analiza el legado de Francisco, incluyendo gestos de bienvenida y bendiciones a parejas del mismo sexo, mientras reconoce la tensión entre las diferentes perspectivas dentro de la iglesia. Martin enfatiza la importancia del encuentro para superar la homofobia y confía en que el Espíritu Santo guiará la elección del próximo Papa.
President Trump's spending cuts are affecting communities across the country, including those that strongly supported him. This episode visits Rising Sun, Maryland, where critical FEMA grants for flood mitigation and wastewater treatment were canceled, causing frustration among residents. It also explores Emmitsburg, Maryland, home to the National Fire Academy, where abrupt class cancellations concern locals about economic impact and emergency preparedness. Many affected residents are Trump voters who agree with cutting waste but disagree with these specific targets.
This episode of Consider This explores the upcoming conclave to select the next pope, featuring insights from Cardinal Timothy Dolan and NPR's Sylvia Poggioli. The discussion covers the rituals, secrecy, and internal dynamics of the conclave, including the various factions and potential candidates. It also examines the challenges facing the Catholic Church and the factors influencing the Cardinals' decision-making process.
Over the past few months, world leaders and diplomats have talked about grand plans for ending the war in Ukraine. But what about daily life there right now? For our reporter's notebook series, we'll get on the ground with NPR correspondent Joanna Kakissis, who's been living and working in Ukraine for almost the entire war. We'll hear how everyday Ukrainians have adapted to a new normal. People go to work and kids go to school, but most nights Russian attacks continue. For sponsor-free episodes ...
Former Justice Department lawyer John Yoo discusses the legal justifications for detaining individuals indefinitely overseas, comparing the Bush administration's approach at Guantanamo Bay to the Trump administration's policy of deporting migrants to maximum security prisons in El Salvador. Yoo highlights key legal differences, including the argument over whether a state of war exists and the right to due process, and touches upon the relevance of the "torture memos" in the context of conditions in Salvadoran prisons.
This episode of Consider This explores the potential impact of President Trump's auto tariffs on the car industry and consumers. NPR speaks with Ford CEO Jim Farley about Ford's strategy, localization of parts, and the balance between affordability and domestic job creation. Farley discusses the uncertainty surrounding car prices and Ford's commitment to U.S. manufacturing.
President Trump is pushing the boundaries of executive power in nearly every area of policy. From his trade war, to immigration, to education, to the reductions in the federal workforce. Many of his actions are direct challenges to the Courts and to Congress. Those two branches of government are designed to act as checks on the president. Trump has governed largely by unilateral executive action... and left lawmakers on the sidelines. NPR's Juana Summers talks with political correspondents Mara ...
An NPR investigation reveals how President Trump has used government power to target over 100 perceived enemies since returning to office. The targets include political opponents, former officials, law firms, and media, facing consequences ranging from investigations to firings. While some actions have been challenged in court, critics argue it represents an assault on fundamental rights and an attempt to silence opposition, though the administration claims it's about accountability.
About one in 31 children in the U.S. has been identified with autism spectrum disorder, according to CDC data released this month . When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussed these findings, he declared that autism is a rapidly growing "epidemic" in the U.S. and vowed to identify the "environmental toxin" he says is to blame. Which of Kennedy's remarks rang true to those in the autism community? Jill Escher is the president of the National Council on Severe Autism, ...
This episode explores how Donald Trump's policies and rhetoric have impacted Canada's federal election and its relationship with the United States. Featuring insights from former Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy, the discussion covers the loss of trust, the rise of Canadian nationalism, and potential strategies for navigating an increasingly hostile relationship. Axworthy highlights the need for Canada to develop collaborations with other countries and adapt to a changing global order.
Daniel Burke discusses a little-known period in Pope Francis's life, his 'dark night' of exile from the Jesuit order. This challenging time shaped his papacy, fostering a sense of mercy and humility towards outcasts. The interview explores how this experience transformed him into a more compassionate and understanding leader.
Whether a "chainsaw," per Elon Musk, or "scalpel," as President Trump has said — the Trump administration is making deep cuts to the federal government within its first 100 days. And Trump has appointed personal allies with little experience in government to key cabinet positions. For the civil servants working to enact the missions of these government agencies, that's often meant another word: "chaos." NPR correspondents Tom Bowman, Michele Kelemen and Selena Simmons-Duffin recap what they are ...
When you think of a successful protest movement, most Americans probably think of the American Civil Rights movement, and the March on Washington in 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr. standing behind a podium on the steps of the Lincoln memorial delivered his most famous speech and a line that would come to define the goals of the Civil Rights Movement. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act just nine months after the March. A year after that Johnson signed the National Voting Rights Ac...
On March 23, the death toll in Gaza surpassed 50,000 people killed by Israeli fire in the war with Hamas. This is the story of 15 people who were killed the same day. There were airstrikes across the territory, and in the south Israeli troops opened fire on a crew of emergency workers in ambulances and a firetruck. At first, the Israeli military said the vehicles were "advancing suspiciously" toward troops, "without headlights or emergency signals." It said the soldiers had eliminated a number o...
This episode explores the Federal Reserve's critical job of stabilizing the economy and its commitment to independence, particularly under Chair Jerome Powell. It details President Trump's public attacks and threats against Powell following the Fed Chair's comments on the negative economic impact of tariffs. The discussion covers the challenges this political pressure and the trade war pose for the Fed's ability to manage inflation and growth, referencing the IMF's gloomy forecast and market reactions.
This episode discusses the immediate aftermath of the death of Pope Francis I, including the ancient rituals that follow a papal death. It then delves into the process of electing a new pope, known as the Conclave. An expert breaks down how the College of Cardinals meets, the dynamics and factors that influence their decision, and what to expect regarding the timing and outcome of this historic selection.
Viktor Orban is in his fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister of Hungary. In that time, he has dismantled democratic checks and balances, taken control of the country's media, civil society and universities, and consolidated power in him and his Fidesz party. NPR's Rob Schmitz looks at how Orban's step-by-step dismantling of Hungary's democracy has become a point of fascination for political scientists around the world, including those advising the Trump administration. For sponsor-free episo...
This week, two federal judges handling separate immigration cases escalated their attempts to get the Trump administration to comply with court orders. One case involves President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act, the 18th-century wartime law, to deport migrants without due process. The other is about the wrongful deportation, also without due process, of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and the government's refusal to bring him back to the U.S. The growing conflicts point to a potential constitutional...
When it comes to the cost of raising a child from infancy to the age of 17 in the United States – it's hard to settle on a precise figure. There's one thing we do know – it's going to be expensive. By some estimates, raising a kid, who was born in 2015, could cost a middle class family close to $320,000 over 17 years. That money goes to childcare, healthcare, food, clothes, education, transportation, activities, toys, and a lot more. All of those things will be affected – one way or another – by...
The Trump administration's move to send immigrants to a maximum security prison in El Salvador is the subject of multiple on-going fights in court. But in an Oval Office meeting with the Salvadoran president this week, President Trump was already looking ahead. "We also have homegrown criminals that push people into subways, that hit elderly ladies on the back of the head with a baseball bat when they're not looking, that are absolute monsters. I'd like to include them in the group of people to ...
President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency team, or DOGE, appears to be grabbing sensitive data from all over the government. A whistleblower has come forward by filing an official disclosure to Congress about concerning activity on the systems at one independent federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board. Elon Musk says DOGE is searching for savings throughout the government. But is the data being accessed valuable? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for C on...
Measles is an extremely contagious disease. It's also extremely preventable. There's a vaccine. It's highly effective. For decades it has made measles outbreaks in the U.S. relatively rare, and measles deaths rarer still. But the U.S. has now seen more than 700 measles cases this year , and 3 deaths so far with active outbreaks across six states. The federal response is under scrutiny because Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has made a career spreading false informatio...
This episode discusses the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, and the legal implications this case has on due process and government power. Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Tribe explains how the government's actions raise concerns about the potential for indefinite detention and deportation of anyone, including U.S. citizens, without legal recourse. The episode explores the Supreme Court's involvement and the Trump administration's response, highlighting the dangers to individual liberties.
For weeks, President Trump has been targeting certain law firms with executive orders. Some have fought back, but others have cut deals to avoid the damage. For our weekly Reporter's Notebook series, we dive into this legal drama with NPR's Justice Correspondent Ryan Lucas, to see how this use of executive power is changing the landscape of the American legal system. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for C onsider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Email us at consid...
