From the BBC World Service: Voters in Turkey head to the polls on Sunday for a runoff second-round presidential election. We look at the likelihood of a win for incumbent President Erdogan. Plus, pasta prices in Italy have soared over the past year due to high energy costs, bad weather and supply chain disruption; but there may be some good news on the horizon.

The conventional wisdom of old said that more often than not, buying a place to live is cheaper than renting. That’s no longer the case except for four major U.S. cities — Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland and Houston. We look at how housing prices have gotten so high and why they’re likely to stay elevated. Plus, the AI boom is driving up demand for microchips, but there are still barriers the industry faces like geopolitical tensions and supply chains. And finally, the BBC reports on a proposal in Spain to subsidize bars in rural towns, which often serve as a community social hubs in the countryside.

Microsoft and intelligence agencies are warning that a hacking group sponsored by the Chinese government has infiltrated critical infrastructure in the U.S. We look at the evolving situation and what’s been said so far. Plus, Germany’s economy has fallen into a technical recession after two straight quarters of negative growth driven by low consumer spending. And, voters in Turkey go to the polls again this weekend to vote in the presidential runoff election — older people are considering how high inflation could affect their economic wellbeing. 

From the BBC World Service: A recession is commonly defined as the economy shrinking in two successive quarters — that’s just what’s happened to Germany, mainly because higher energy prices have hit household budgets and that’s put the brakes on spending. It’s Europe’s biggest economy, so what’s the wider impact? Plus, the International Monetary Fund has approved a multi-billion dollar loan for Ivory Coast. And, we hear from rural Spain where a plan is being considered to help subsidize bars in depopulated areas which have become vital community hubs in a country where 90% of the population lives in urban areas.

It’s finally happening. After a slew of setbacks, Netflix has finally released details on its password-sharing crackdown, including an $8 per month fee for people wanting to share account details outside of their respective households. We look into how slowing subscriber growth has played into the company’s decision. Plus, the BBC reports on France’s new law prohibiting short-haul flights between destinations that also have a train connection that would take under 2.5 hours. And, we talk with Yeshiva University professor Abraham Ravid about the origins of the Hollywood writers’ strike. 

A new report from the Fed paints an alarming picture for many people’s personal finances — a growing number of Americans are deciding to forgo healthcare coverage because of the cost. We look at what that means for people’s well-being and what it says about the economy. Plus, enrollment at community colleges is up this year, especially in programs that focus on the culinary arts. And finally, a chat with Steven Durlauf, professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, about new research that delves into how generational wealth is created.

From the BBC World Service: A few years ago, France came up with an idea to cut carbon emissions — reduce some short domestic flights and that’s now been signed into law. It affects flights where there’s an option to take a train in less than two-and-a-half hours instead. But how comprehensive and impactful will it really be? And, another industry under scrutiny is steelmaking which is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. We hear from a project in northern Sweden where they’re trying to do away with old carbon-intensive coal-fired blast furnaces.

As negotiators try to avert a U.S. government debt default, there are questions about what spending would be first on the chopping block in a doomsday scenario. We look at how a potential debt limit breach could play out, starting with benefit checks and public sector salaries. Plus, a check-in with Dr. David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at JPMorgan Funds, about how investors think the Fed should act at its next interest-rate-setting meeting. And finally, This is Uncomfortable host Reema Khrais tells us about the podcast’s most recent season delving into the business of women selling their eggs. 

TikTok has filed the first legal challenge against Montana’s near-total ban on the social media platform since the law was enacted earlier this month. We look at what both sides are likely to argue in the upcoming court battle. Plus, electric-vehicle makers are looking to shore up their supplies of lithium, a key ingredient in batteries, as competition for the resource intensifies. And finally, work requirements for social benefit programs like SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, are on the table as the White House and Congress race toward a deal to raise the debt ceiling.