A new bill threatening the independence of anti-corruption agencies has brought Ukrainians onto the streets and rattled international observers. London’s electric bikes are making it ever more a cycling city —and plugging longstanding transport gaps. And a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne , who did perhaps more than anyone to found the genre of heavy metal. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs ...
Jul 24, 2025•24 min
Overall, more people are dying from cancer. But a closer look at the numbers reveals just how much success modern medicine has had at making the disease less deadly. The spiraling fortunes of Kraft Heinz since its formation from a merger is a sign of a wider malaise in the food industry. And Germany’s football-playing parliamentarians cannot keep politics off the pitch . Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, ...
Jul 23, 2025•22 min
Even as Western countries band together to condemn Israel’s actions, aid remains at a trickle and the war is expanding into a central-Gazan city. We ask how the horrors might end. As with many technologies before it, many worry artificial intelligence will ultimately dumb down its human users; will it ? And why so many American men are injecting testosterone . Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visi...
Jul 22, 2025•25 min
The Liberal Democratic Party, which has dominated the country’s politics for seven decades, just got a pasting at the polls—again. We ask why staid politics are getting swiftly messy . Iceland is a NATO member in a volatile region; at last it must consider raising its own army . And the tricky balance of company culture, job satisfaction and working from home. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visi...
Jul 21, 2025•23 min
Once again, commercial vessels sailing in the Red Sea are being attacked. Our correspondent explains why Houthi rebels , an Iranian-backed militia in Yemen, have regrouped. The islands of Tuvalu are sinking. Now Australia is offering residents the world’s first “climate visas”. And remembering Dutch agronomist Simon Groot . 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 ...
Jul 18, 2025•26 min
UK universities are internationally renowned, but their finances are in a mess. Our correspondent offers a lesson in how to fix them. Why an amateur football league is thriving in China. And what Superman tells us about American foreign policy. Listeners of “The Intelligence” get 15% off our business writing and storytelling course. Visit economist.com/writingcourse and use code INTELLIGENCE Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Ec...
Jul 17, 2025•21 min
Where did the world’s most devastating weapon come from? In a four-part series, we go behind the scenes at America's nuclear laboratories to understand how a scientific-mystery story about the ingredients of matter led to a world-changing (and second-world-war -ending) bomb less than five decades later. Nuclear weapons have been central to geopolitical power ever since. Now America is seeking to modernise its stockpile and, in doing so, its scientists are pushing the frontiers of extreme physics...
Jul 16, 2025•44 min
The business model of the internet is built on people visiting sites to find out information. As Artificial Intelligence changes how we navigate the web, our correspondent weighs the long-term consequences. Meet Austria’s “accidental chancellor” Christian Stocker. And fancy a beach holiday in North Korea ? 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 ...
Jul 16, 2025•23 min
For months, Donald Trump has appeared to back Vladimir Putin. Now, frustrated at the lack of a ceasefire and fed up with Russia, the US president is offering to send weapons to Kyiv. Trust-busters are investigating a whiff of price-fixing in the perfume industry. And why bilingual people may have healthier brains. 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+,...
Jul 15, 2025•23 min
After Thailand’s constitutional court suspended the country’s prime minister, our correspondent explains the need for fresh elections to avoid economic stagnation – and the possibility of the army stepping in. More celebrities are setting up businesses. And what the sea slug can teach us about evolution. 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...
Jul 14, 2025•21 min
On December 8th, 2024, rebels swept into Damascus and ousted Syria's dictator, Bashar al-Assad. One of the first things they did was open up the prisons. Syrians who disappeared years earlier began to emerge from their grim detention cells. Would missing American journalist Austin Tice be among them? In a new three-part series on The Weekend Intelligence , Middle East correspondent, Gareth Browne investigates what happened to Austin and explores what his story reveals about Assad's Republic of F...
Jul 12, 2025•39 min
Growth is abysmal; wages are low. But seen from the outside, Britain is a great place to contract services and buy bargain-basement bonds. We explore the opportunities amid the challenges. After months of reporting, our correspondent shares what he learned about Austin Tice , a missing American journalist. And our obituaries editor remembers Jimmy Swaggart , a famed and fallible televangelist. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to acces...
Jul 11, 2025•23 min
Immigration is a political lightning rod in part because the ageing global asylum pact is no longer fit for purpose. We examine how best to update it. As paycheques for top-notch AI researchers go stratospheric, demand for rank-and-file coders is quickly cooling . And what a gimmicky free show in London reveals about the city and the nature of modern fame. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit ou...
Jul 10, 2025•22 min
Once again President Donald Trump extended the deadline for spine-stiffening tariffs to go into effect on trading partners. We look at the effects of all the uncertainty. Brazil once dominated the world of football; we ask where it went wrong and assess the route to a comeback. And England’s historic obsession with trim, green lawns is fading (except at Wimbledon). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please...
Jul 09, 2025•22 min
Anglo-French relations have not been so good since before the Brexit vote. Beneath the state-visit pageantry, though, there is much co-operation for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss. Gangs have infiltrated many of Latin America’s mining operations—with violent results . And an ode to Britain’s Shipping Forecast, an inscrutable radio feature that is turning 100 . Additional audio courtesy of Alexander Seale @alexseale. Get a world of insights by subscribing to ...
Jul 08, 2025•21 min
While Israel and Hamas officials discuss a ceasefire via mediators in Qatar, a key meeting will take place at the White House today, when Israel’s prime minister talks to the US president. Why the Chinese Communist Party is removing alcohol from official events. And remembering John Robbins , who spurned his family’s ice-cream business to be a health campaigner. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more inf...
Jul 07, 2025•21 min
After a landslide victory and promises for radical renewal, Britain’s Labour government is failing in policy and popularity. Our correspondents explain why. Nearly a year after the despotic prime minister of Bangladesh fled, an interview with its new leader on the country’s complex challenges. And why other carmakers struggle to catch up with Ferrari . Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information a...
Jul 04, 2025•28 min
OnlyFans transformed the online porn industry by making users subscribe for adult content. Now it is rumoured to be up for sale: who might buy it? As the Dalai Lama turns 90, he has announced that he will reincarnate after his death. That will change China-Tibet relations. And how luxury fruit became the latest fashion craze. 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 Economis...
Jul 03, 2025•23 min
As Donald Trump’s landmark legislation narrowly passes the Senate, our correspondent analyses the long-term political and economic consequences. Why foreign fighters are heading to the front line in Ukraine. And how congestion charging transformed the streets of New York. 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 our vi...
Jul 02, 2025•24 min
She was once the great hope for Myanmar. Though Aung San Suu Kyi fell from grace – and now sits in jail – she still has much support. How LifeWise, a Christian group, is changing religious education in America. And what to make of butter yellow , the colour of the moment. 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 our vi...
Jul 01, 2025•21 min
After decades of conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, last week Donald Trump brokered a truce in the Oval Office. Our correspondent analyses the prospects for a lasting reconciliation. Why Mark Zuckerberg wants to spend $14bn on an AI hiring spree at Meta. And is the manosphere dangerous or a moral panic? 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 Econ...
Jun 30, 2025•25 min
Yesterday’s arrest of a notorious gang leader is a win for Daniel Noboa. He assures our journalists he can beat back rampant transnational gangs without trampling democracy. The torrent of big geopolitical news has, perhaps surprisingly, not much moved the markets; we ask why. And the next instalment of our “ Archive 1945 ” project revisits the founding of the United Nations. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcas...
Jun 27, 2025•26 min
We examine the path of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , once a bookish cleric underrated by everyone—including himself. He has hung on to power perhaps in part by not making decisions at crucial points. Our finance correspondent looks at the shifting wisdom on how best to manage an inheritance . And why India’s addresses are so long, complex and ultimately costly. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit ou...
Jun 26, 2025•24 min
Western brands used to define cool and luxurious in China. No longer. Now consumers are turning to homegrown brands , some of which are becoming global tastemakers. Across Africa the Christian conservative movement is gaining ground fast —with a little help from American brethren. And why Britain is such a locus for the nuts and bolts of Formula 1. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs p...
Jun 25, 2025•23 min
Iran’s strikes both before and apparently after a ceasefire began seem to threaten peace. If it holds, what will that mean for Iran’s ambitions, and for the wider region? A meeting of NATO-country leaders seems precision-engineered to appease the alliance’s most fickle member. And why Germany is considering cancelling one of its many public holidays. Additional audio courtesy of Chatham House's “Independent Thinking” podcast. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For mo...
Jun 24, 2025•25 min
The picturesque town of Corning in upstate New York doesn’t look like the site of bleeding-edge innovation. But inventions by a 174-year-old glass company there have changed the modern world, thanks in part to some blunt advice from Steve Jobs. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information abo...
Jun 23, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 13
After America’s strikes intended to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme, one question is whether they succeeded . Another is how Iran will respond; all of its options are bad ones . In the West people have been shedding religion for decades, but that secularist shift now seems to be slowing . And what is driving the decline of inverted commas (aka “quotation marks”). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please ...
Jun 23, 2025•22 min
The most consequential decision of Donald Trump’s presidency is now on pause for two weeks. We examine how the choice pits two sides of Mr Trump against one another. India is an advanced-manufacturing powerhouse, but can it become a hub for high-tech innovation, too? And as “Jaws” turns 50 our correspondent says its hero is probably not who you remember. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our ...
Jun 20, 2025•24 min
The workplace wisdom that a university degree is a sure-fire key to success is very much in question —and the trend started long before AI began eating jobs. Russia has launched yet another summer offensive in Ukraine, and appears to be going for broke . And our journalists share their picks for the year’s best books so far. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video e...
Jun 19, 2025•23 min
Political assassinations. Troops on city streets. National protests . We examine the edgy mood inside America through the lens of past periods of intense, violent partisanship. Our correspondent sees two motives for the visit to Greenland by Emmanuel Macron, France’s president: one aimed at Donald Trump and another at Europe’s self-conception. And what AI learned from scans of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to ...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min
