Anna Hehir: Banning the most dangerous autonomous weapons

Electors around the country are heading to their state capitol buildings today to formalize President-elect Joe Biden’s election win. It’s normally a big ceremonial event, where guests and members of the public are welcome to watch the vote. But this year - masks, social distancing and police escorts will make it look a lot different. Plus, an explainer on Brexit’s latest delay. And, we take you inside a Michigan warehouse shipping out the vaccine. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Dave Lawler and Joann Muller. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: States prepare for pandemic-era Electoral College meeting U.K. and EU agree to extend Brexit trade talks Delivery companies are bringing holiday gifts — and vaccines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Dec 202010min

It's been a busy week for President-Elect Biden, who is in the middle of naming his cabinet picks. Marcia Fudge for Housing and Urban Development, Xavier Becerra for Health and Human Services, and retired general Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary. But some of those announcements are getting a lot of backlash. Plus, enforcing who gets a COVID vaccine first. And, Jonathan Swan’s scoop on President Trump’s expansive pardon plans. Guests: Axios' Hans Nichols, Caitlin Owens and Jonathan Swan. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: Biden faces battle to land Austin at Pentagon Jumping the line for a vaccine will be pretty easy Scoop: Trump plots mass pardons, even to people not asking The Geminids are coming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Dec 202010min

On Wednesday, both the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of attorneys general from 48 States and territories filed lawsuits against Facebook. The two parallel sets of lawsuits accused the company of violating anti-trust laws by creating a monopoly on social media, using the company's vast amount of money and data to stifle competition. Plus, the investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes. And, big tech's racism problem. Guests: Axios' Scott Rosenberg, Mike Allen and Ina Fried. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: FTC and states sue Facebook for illegally stifling competition Hunter Biden says he’s under federal tax investigation Scoop: Google CEO pledges to investigate exit of top AI ethicist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Dec 202010min

Congress is getting closer to passing a stimulus bill. The focus now is on an over $900 billion plan that will include more unemployment benefits, money for schools and aid for small businesses. Both Republicans and Democrats seem ready to compromise - but for many small businesses, it might be too little too late. Plus, American hospitals are in a covid crisis. And, the pandemic has expedited the streaming revolution. Guests: Axios' Dion Rabouin, Sam Baker and Sara Fischer. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: Why Congress is doubling down on the Paycheck Protection Program Coronavirus hospitalizations top 100,000 for the first time Hollywood engulfed by streaming drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Dec 202010min

For over a year, Axios has been investigating a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who cultivated extensive ties with local and national U.S. politicians, including a sitting congressman. Today, we present a special episode: the story of the alleged intelligence operation, which offers a rare glimpse into the lengths Beijing will go to access U.S. political circles. Guests: Axios' Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Axios Codebook author Zach Dorfman of the Aspen Institute, former Cupertino, CA mayor Gilbert Wong, former CIA intelligence official Rodney Faraon and Alameda County chief-of-staff Shawn Wilson. Credits: This story was edited by Alison Snyder, Scott Rosenberg and Sara Goo. This special podcast episode was produced by Dan Bobkoff and Carol Wu and mixed by Alex Sugiura. Special thanks to Mike Allen, Qian Gao and Naomi Shavin. Go deeper: Exclusive: Suspected Chinese spy targeted California politicians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Dec 202020min

xThe past four years have been marked by hardline immigration policies. Now in his final days in office, President Donald Trump is trying to cement his legacy on immigration. Plus, the fate of the Senate hangs on Georgia. And, how power is shifting in philanthropy. Guests: Axios' Stef Kight, Mike Allen and Felix Salmon. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: Biden's Day 1 challenges: The immigration reset Trump's election misinformation casts shadow over Georgia Senate debate Philanthropy Deep Dive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Dec 202010min

Two weeks ago, The Wayne County Board of Canvassers in Michigan met to certify the presidential election results and both Republican members refused. The two Democratic canvassers voted to approve the results. That meant it was a tie. A few hours later, the Republicans relented - there was another vote, and the certification happened. It wasn’t just these Republicans in Michigan. A Republican Secretary of State in Georgia, a Republican county supervisor in Arizona and Republican-appointed judges in Pennsylvania were among the state and local officials who ended up validating Joe Biden’s presidential win over Donald Trump in the presidential election. Did it all come down to these few people? Plus, President Trump wants to auction drilling rights in Alaska’s Arctic Wildlife Refuge. And, a new genealogy database dedicated to enslaved people and their stories. Guests: Noah Feldman, constitutional law professor at Harvard University, Axios' Ben Geman and Russell Contreras. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: The walls close in on Trump Trump sets auction for Arctic refuge drilling rights before Biden takes office First look: Slavery ancestor project expands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 Dec 202010min

We're getting closer to the vaccine finish line with three promising candidates. Distributing this vaccine will be a challenge everywhere but especially in states that have large rural areas like Alabama where a three-phase plan to get the state vaccinated is being finalized next week. Plus, the logic behind the CDC’s new quarantine guidelines. And, the new hope for creating smart cities. Guests: Alabama Public Health state health officer Dr. Scott Harris and Axios' Sam Baker and Jennifer Kingson. Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Dan Bobkoff, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Alex Sugiura and Naomi Shavin. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. Go deeper: U.S. exceeds 100,000 COVID-related hospitalizations for the first time U.K. first nation to clear Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for mass rollout CDC to cut guidance on quarantine period for coronavirus exposure New hope for 'smart cities' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Dec 202011min