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Early voting is underway in the two Georgia runoffs that could decide the fate of the Senate next year. POLITICO’s James Arkin gives an on-the-ground look at what voters there are thinking — and how visits from the President and President-elect are putting national politics front and center in the state. Plus, the Electoral College affirms Biden’s victory. And the FTC probes nine social media and...

Several federal unemployment programs are set to run out the day after Christmas, cutting millions of Americans off from their financial lifelines if Congress doesn’t pass another relief package. But even if lawmakers do come to a deal this week and renew the programs, antiquated state systems will still cause missed checks across the country. POLITICO’s Rebecca Rainey breaks down why we ended up...

What will it take to secure access to the critical minerals we need for the future — and can we solve one environmental challenge without creating a new one? Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk to political leaders around the world about what they are doing to shore up access to critical minerals. Luiza Savage is the host of "Global Translations".Ryan Heath is a host of "Global Translations". A...

16 years ago, "The Facebook" was just another college student's idea. Now, federal and state authorities say the social media giant is, well, too giant — and they want to break it up. POLITICO's Leah Nylen explains how the company went from dorm room to antitrust lawsuit. Plus, Trump issues sweeping new asylum rules. And Schumer urges Republicans to cancel a hearing on the election. Leah Nylen cov...

President-elect Joe Biden has chosen the officials who will be at the center of his administration’s Covid response. POLITICO’s Tyler Pager and Dan Diamond break down how the picks for Biden’s health team were made — and what sort of turbulence they could face during the confirmation process. Plus, YouTube says it will remove videos claiming mass fraud changed the election results. And the House p...

If you felt FOMO while watching British seniors receive coronavirus vaccinations on Tuesday, you’re not alone. Host Jeremy Siegel talks with POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle about why Britain beat the U.S. to those first doses — and when we can expect FDA authorization. Plus, Biden pledges to vaccinate tens of millions and reopen schools in his first 100 days. And the Supreme Court rejects an effort to...

President Trump has passed more than 400 changes to U.S. immigration policy since he took office. Undoing all of that is going to be a major challenge for President-Elect Joe Biden — politically and logistically. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar explains why some of Trump’s immigration policies could end up sticking around for years. Plus, New York City could see new shutdowns next week. And federal investi...

Last semester didn’t go too well. But colleges and universities across the country are looking for a do-over in the Spring. POLITICO’s Juan Perez reports on how schools are trying to beat coronavirus next semester — and what lessons they’ve learned from the past year. Plus, the U.K. plans to start vaccinations Tuesday. And Trump says Giuliani has tested positive for Covid. Juan Perez Jr. is an edu...

To understand how essential critical minerals are to our world, we turn to a case study: cobalt. This mineral is proving key to the future of green energy, defense and high tech manufacturing — not to mention electric vehicles. But cobalt has its challenges. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath look at China’s dominant role in global cobalt mining and the serious problems that can arise if other coun...

Despite warnings from the CDC, air travel soared over Thanksgiving week — and even more people are expected to travel in the coming weeks ahead of the holidays. POLITICO’s Sam Mintz breaks down what we know — and don’t know — about the safety of airplanes during the pandemic. Plus, Trump extends the National Guard’s Covid funding. And Fauci defends the FDA’s vaccine approval process. Sam Mintz is...

It’s a split-screen response: President Trump is virtually silent on the pandemic, while President-elect Biden is preparing to take office during the darkest period of the outbreak. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond breaks down how the two leaders’ teams are coordinating — and not — as the transition approaches. Plus, Obama urges people to trust a vaccine once its approved by health top officials. And Sen. D...

You can’t please everyone … especially when you’re putting together a team to run the federal government. POLITICO’s Megan Cassella looks at why Biden’s promise to have a cabinet that “looks like America” hasn’t turned out the way advocates had hoped — and what sort of turbulence his nominees could face in the Senate. Plus, lawmakers finally move on Covid relief, but a deal remains elusive. And a...

When he ran for president in 2016, Trump promised he would revisit America's role in NATO and the World Health Organization, as well as the Iran nuclear deal. And true to his word, he rattled the world's biggest organizations — often pulling the US from its ranks. POLITICO's Nahal Toosi reports on how Trump reshaped US relations in the Middle East and shook up global alliances — and what challenge...

Since the 1980s, Donald Trump has enjoyed criticizing American presidents and ruminating on how he might do things better. It probably won't be too different once President-elect Biden takes office in January. POLITICO's Michael Kruse breaks down what to expect from Trump after the White House — and why his refusal to admit defeat could be a launching point for a possible 2024 run. Michael Kruse ...

Trump's win in 2016 sent American allies and adversaries to a panic, not knowing what to expect when dealing with the United States over the next four years. But was his term at the White House as messy as world leaders expected? POLITICO's foreign affairs reporter Nahal Toosi analyzes Trump's policy with China, Russia, and North Korea. Nahal Toosi is a foreign affairs reporter for POLITICO.Carlos...

Covid cases are soaring, businesses are staring at a gloomy winter, millions of Americans are struggling and Congress ..... well, they’re on recess. POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris breaks down why there’s still no deal on another round of coronavirus relief — and what role President-Elect Biden will play in future negotiations. Plus, the Trump administration lets Biden move forward with the transition. An...

As the virus rages across the country, schools are shutting down again — or remain shuttered — even though they haven't turned out to be the super-spreader sites experts feared. At the same time, many bars and restaurants remain open for business. POLITICO's Nirvi Shah explains how the situation is reigniting a heated debate over pandemic priorities. Plus, the CDC recommends travelers get tested b...

The technologies that protect us, move us and power our daily lives require mining minerals and metals in distant places. But access to these essential materials is increasingly under threat. Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk with experts who are sounding the alarm. Luiza Savage is the host of Global Translations. Ryan Heath is a host of Global Translations. Annie Rees is a producer for POLIT...

Short answer: No. Long answer: Listen to the episode. POLITICO’s Zach Montellaro breaks down the convoluted Electoral College process between now and December 14th, when the results become official, and why there’s virtually nothing that could change the fact that Joe Biden is the President-Elect. Plus, Biden is set to meet with Pelosi and Schumer in Delaware. And the Trump administration moves to...

It’s a weird moment in the pandemic: There’s promising news about vaccines and at-home testing … and a nationwide surge in cases that’s only expected to get worse in the coming weeks. POLITICO’s Adam Cancryn and Dan Diamond break down the state of the Covid crisis and what’s next with the holidays just around the corner. Plus, the nation’s largest public school system shuts down in-person learning...

Black Lives Matter leaders turned out the vote and helped secure President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory. Now they want a piece of the political action. POLITICO’s Maya King reports on why that might be tough — especially under a Republican-controlled Senate. Plus, 46 percent say of voters say Trump should concede 'right away.' And the Senate blocks Trump’s nominee to the Fed. Maya King is a politics...

Joe Biden won the election more than a week ago. But the General Services Administration — the agency that certifies presidential transitions — is still blocking Biden's transition team from accessing government resources. POLITICO's Alex Thompson breaks down why the GSA is holding things up and whether it could affect the Covid response. Plus, the White House orders the Pentagon to begin planning...

President-Elect Joe Biden says he wants to overhaul the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Step one: Get the nation to mask up. Easy, right? Not when a bloc of GOP governors remain opposed to the idea. POLITICO's Dan Goldberg explains how Biden is set to face some major turbulence from red states when he takes the reins in January. Plus, John Bolton calls Trump's recent firings "destru...

Over the next couple months, President-Elect Joe Biden needs to put together a team to help him rebuild a shattered economy, fight a global pandemic and recover from one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history. Sounds easy, right? POLITICO's Megan Cassella breaks down who is in contention for some of the toughest jobs in the nation. Plus, federal health officials announce a vaccine agreem...

Pfizer says preliminary data on its Covid vaccine shows 90 percent effectiveness. Pretty awesome, but does that mean we're on the road back to normal life? It's complicated. POLITICO's Sarah Owermohle and Dan Diamond explain why. Plus, Texas hits 1 million cases. And the CDC says masks protect the wearer, not just other people. Sarah Owermohle covers drug policy for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is health...