Tag Archives: February 2022

Political Analysis: Putin’s War, Economic Fallout From Invasion, Taiwan

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, where will Vladimir Putin stop? Plus, the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine (10:35) and how parallels with Taiwan are shaping Asian views of the conflict (16:35).

Science: Saving Children From Cancer, Greenhouse Gases, SpaceX Missions

Children with some of the most aggressive forms of cancer are being saved by a personalised medicine treatment programme in Australia. The Zero Childhood Cancer Program has saved more than 150 children who would’ve otherwise died. The team shares a moving interview with one of the parents. 

Lichens evolve even more slowly than you might think. The team examines new research into the abundant Trebouxia genus of lichen which appears to take around a million years to adapt to changing climate conditions.

Enhanced weathering – using ground-up rocks to draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere – is one of a number of technological carbon capture solutions being tested to try and mitigate against global warming. The team speaks to Professor David Beerling of the University of Sheffield, one of the scientists in the UK leading the development of this technique.

SpaceX has a suite of three missions planned to launch in its Polaris programme. The first aims to take its Dragon crew capsule higher into orbit than anyone has flown since the Apollo moon missions. The team shares what we know so far.

And they find out whether adult human brains can actually grow new neurons. Spoiler: it doesn’t look good.

Morning News: Olympic Skating Scandal, Smart Headlights, Pandemic

Russian skater Kamila Valieva was still allowed to compete despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Olympic games. She was a heavy favorite for the gold – but ended up coming in fourth place yesterday. 

What does this say about the integrity of the Olympic games — and what does it mean for the future of figure skating?

  • Plus, smart headlights coming to U.S. cars could make American roads safer.
  • And, how the pandemic is giving us economic lessons in real time.

Guests: The Washington Post’s figure skating analyst Robert Samuels and Axios’ Joann Muller and Emily Peck.