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Civil war in Myanmar is hampering relief efforts after the devastating earthquake on Friday, as the ruling military regime intensifies attacks on resistance fighters. The impact of Donald Trump’s attempt to silence “ Voice of America ” and other federally-funded broadcasters (8:45). And, “The Economist” reveals the best places to be a working woman in 2025 in its annual glass-ceiling index (17:37). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscrib...
No surprises here: The Economist reckons tariffs are a terrible trade tool. But what is most clearly harming American businesses and scaring off investors is persistent uncertainty about them. Our correspondent sees the effects of one non-military donor to Ukraine: help not to fight but to preserve something worth fighting for (10:57). And why “ Adolescence ” tops Netflix’s viewing numbers the world over (19:54). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more informatio...
For Europe’s hard-right politicians, Donald Trump’s second White House bid looked like validation and opportunity. Now that he is in it, the tensions and trade-offs are becoming clear . The Houthis’ grip over Yemen and the Red Sea is only strengthening , even as other Iranian proxies are waning (10:03). And a look at the boom in Christian entertainment (15:51). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vis...
The Conservative Party, led by a Trump-tinged populist, once had the polls locked up. That is changing radically now that Donald Trump is seen as a threat to the nation. Amid America’s foreign-policy misfires, China might choose to smooth diplomatic feathers and make friends; instead it, too, is muscle-flexing (8:14). And an unsettling new book typifies a rise in dystopian fiction (13:45). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Ec...
Put aside for the moment the outrageous security breach of a journalist being brought in on classified military planning: a leaked group chat reveals much about the Trump administration’s transactional, anti-European ethos. The story of a Nigerian senator shows how vile politics can be for the country’s women (10:23). And why not to be too bothered by colleagues stealing your ideas (16:26). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access E...
The ceasefire in Gaza is in tatters ; the campaign against Hizbullah is flaring up again. Yet the most telling battles are those happening inside Israel. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, is coolly dealing with the fitful aggression of her northern neighbour (10:25). And our obituaries editor pays tribute to Richard Fortey , a fossil obsessive who spent a career telling the world about trilobites (16:50). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information a...
America’s international intelligence-sharing relationships have been decades in the making and rely not on a treaty but trust. Could Donald Trump damage the powerful spy alliance? Why we may soon be buying cutting-edge medicines developed in China (11:00). And introducing a new regular feature, “ What to watch this weekend ” (17:39). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access ...
Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested just days before he was likely to be elected leader of Turkey’s opposition. Where does this leave Turkish democracy? What Panama’s concessions teach us about how to deal with Donald Trump (9:49). And how zoos help hospitals treat venomous snakebites (19:16). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page o...
Donald Trump hoped Vladimir Putin would agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Instead he made marginal concessions , then launched a missile attack. Our correspondent assesses the implications. Tesla’s falling sales are not just down to Elon Musk’s politics (9:42). And a flowering of literary erotica (15:40). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vi...
After Israel launched dozens of missiles into Gaza overnight, what does this mean for the prospect of a lasting ceasefire ? As two stranded astronauts are rescued from the International Space Station, our correspondent explains how private investment has changed space exploration (9:10). And a cutesy animation wins plaudits from the Chinese Communist Party (18:09). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more ...
Donald Trump’s team has called the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “the most incompetent and arrogant agency” in the federal government. Our correspondent talks to staff who fear that jobs and crucial public-health projects are under threat. Is silver the new gold (10:56)? And why live albums are staging a comeback (15:50). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access...
The International Criminal Court has arrested Rodrigo Duterte, a former president of the Philippines. The case highlights both the strengths and the weaknesses of international justice. We examine the spate of bombings plaguing Sweden—carried out by young people who are in it for the money (8:18). And remembering Athol Fugard , a playwright who spoke truth to power in South Africa’s apartheid era (17:04). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about ...
The Trump administration’s dedication to tariffs now seems more fervent than the first time around. Markets are noticing . We ask what might temper the trade war. Europe’s once-fringe hard-right parties are now leading polls , even if not yet leading governments; we look at where things are headed (11:07). And tackling the mythology behind people’s very first and very last words (16:47). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Econ...
The ceasefire proposal hatched by American negotiators and agreed by Ukraine is now a matter for Russia to consider. We ask how the not-yet-a-breakthrough will land in both countries. Our correspondents ask one of NATO’s very-top brass about Europe’s defence stance and how it should shift (10:44). And the shockingly life-shortening effects of loneliness (18:55). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please vi...
Horrifying attacks on Alawites, the sect of deposed leader Bashar al-Assad, throw into question the power—or the will—of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s leader, to maintain peace . For the first time in decades it now makes more sense to pay off a mortgage early (10:36). And high-end satellite data, once the preserve only of spies, could soon be available to all (16:19). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, p...
The governing Liberal party is enjoying a stunning turnaround in the polls, and now it has a new leader. We ask how Mark Carney will tussle with Donald Trump’s tariffs and taunts. China has a vibrant new wintertime economic sector: skiing and snowy tourism (10:45). And a tribute to Rose Girone , knitter extraordinaire and the oldest known Holocaust survivor (17:22). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, pleas...
After a turbulent seven days , how will President Volodymyr Zelensky tackle the domestic and international challenges ahead? Our correspondent attends “Ode to Resilience”, a concert of defiance in Ukraine (9:55). And how “The Economist” reported on the Allies’ advance across Europe in the second world war: a sample from our interactive archive (18:22). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information a...
The leader of Turkey’s Kurdish rebels has called on the group to disband. That could end one of the world’s longest running conflicts. How tariffs and political volatility may affect the American economy (10:16). And the craze for eating caviar … with chicken nuggets (18:33). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch ou...
American presidents often use their first meeting with Congress as a chance to lay out their agenda for the next four years. Donald Trump, by contrast, treated last night’s address like a campaign rally. Meet Ecuador’s tenacious anti-corruption champion (12:18). And co-host Jason Palmer plays an AI bot of Magnus Carlsen at chess (21:39). Jason Palmer v AI Magnus Carlsen: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3 Qe7 5. Nxd4 d5 6. Bb5 Qxe4+ 7. Ne2 Qxg2 8. Rg1 Qe4 9. Nd2 Qe7 10. b3 Nf6 11. Ba3 Qxa3 12....
In an effort to bring Ukraine to the negotiating table, America has paused military help to the war-torn country. What will this mean on the ground? Our correspondent explores a new cryptocurrency craze, visiting Turkey’s bazaars to meet people trading goods using stablecoins (9:43). And why the Louvre is staging its first fashion gala (16:00). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how...
This episode of The Intelligence covers European efforts to address the Ukraine crisis after a public dispute between Trump and Zelensky. It also discusses Mexico's attempts to stem the flow of fentanyl into the US, examining the challenges and limited success of these efforts. Finally, the episode commemorates Muhsin Hendricks, the first openly gay imam, highlighting his ministry and advocacy for LGBTQ+ Muslims.
This week European leaders have lined up to charm Donald Trump. But the broad smiles belie a bigger fear: what would it mean for the continent’s security if America forsakes its security guarantees ? What the pull-out of French forces will mean for Africa (10:56). And the Maha Kumbh Mela shows how piety became political in India (18:55). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to acc...
As the baby-boom generation starts to die and economic growth slows many more people are getting rich from family wealth. Are we returning to the age of Jane Austen? The latest EIU Democracy Index reveals what a bumper election year did to country rankings (9:36). And our correspondent takes an ice bath (16:40). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, p...
The first phase of Gaza’s ceasefire is near its end , but planning for the even more fraught second phase has hardly begun. What chance for near-term peace? We examine the harmful outcomes from the Trump administration’s slashing funding for America’s science institutions (9:45). And “I’m Still Here”, an Oscar-tipped film, confronts Brazilians with a dark past many had chosen to forget (18:35). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to acce...
The meeting between France’s and America’s presidents had a familiarly chummy feel. We ask whether Emmanuel Macron’s charm offensive might have changed Donald Trump’s mind on security matters. Norway’s stocks of wild salmon are in trouble—owing in part to their farmed brethren (9:42). And how the Michelin Guide is trying to maintain its tastemaking primacy (17:20). Additional audio courtesy of @eatingwithtod. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information ab...
Instead of needing three parties to cobble together a majority, the country’s two traditional main ones have the numbers . What to expect once the talks are done? Donald Trump claims America has supported Ukraine far more than Europe has; we comb through the data that prove him wrong (10:38). And a job opening for fans of pomp, circumstance and wearing tights (19:06). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, ple...
Europe must move boldly as the American-led world order shatters beneath it; we explain how. Many people view the freedom to work from home as a perk. Some academics reckon there should be, in effect, a tax on it (10:41). And we pay tribute to Pableaux Johnson , a New Orleans fixture who understood that supper was more about company than food (18:02). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQ...
Africa’s young are educated, ambitious side-hustlers. But they are hampered by their economies and dispirited by their politicians. How to harness their vast potential? America’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is, in a real-world accounting , not actually budging the budget much (8:25). And why Germans take more days off sick than other Europeans do (15:48). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+...
The possibilities for an inevitable coalition government are a head-spinning colour wheel of party logos. We look at the most likely outcomes , and the smaller parties that may well play kingmakers. A series of scandals in Japan has propelled the country to a belated #MeToo crisis (10:35). And London’s once-abundant pie shops struggle with changing tastes and relocating clientele (16:53). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Eco...
We investigate China’s under-the-radar push to get other countries to change their official language on Taiwan’s independence. Would it make a difference in a bid to reunify by force? The case of a nurse jailed for killing babies exposes deep problems with British justice (10:10). And how top footballers get a smaller slice of their clubs’ take than they once did (17:35). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+,...
