Our editor-in-chief and Jerusalem correspondent pay a visit to Israel’s halls of power, finding that long-whispered dissent is spilling into the open. An Italian subsidy for green home improvements was ripe for abuse by design; the bill has now come due and it is enormous (14:28). And how “Bridgerton”, a sort-of period drama, has made string quartets fashionable again (21:00). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economis...
May 24, 2024•27 min
When it comes to the chips used in artificial intelligence, one firm has the market locked up. We look at the rivals minded to steal Nvidia’s crown. The death toll from the war in Gaza has been disputed since the start; we cut through the numbers to find a reliable estimate (10:19). And our correspondent examines the great rematches of fiction (16:07). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit...
May 23, 2024•24 min
Domestic divisions are already complicating the daunting task William Lai Ching-te has set himself: strengthening Taiwan while maintaining its ambiguous geopolitical status quo. With more and more big firms choosing to stay private—with good reason—the stockmarket is shrinking (09:37). And dating apps are putting an end to the lonely-hearts advertisement (16:47). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, p...
May 22, 2024•23 min
The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court has caused outrage by requesting arrest warrants for both Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Hamas’s leaders. China’s young people, on the lookout for safe ways to invest modest sums, have settled on collecting little gold beans (13:20). And Hawaii may soon have the first official state gesture (17:04). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, p...
May 21, 2024•24 min
The death of Ebrahim Raisi will spark succession battles both for the presidency and for supreme leader-in-waiting. What kind of Iran will result? Accusations and evidence of Chinese espionage are stacking up in and raising tensions with Britain (9:57). And how the careers advisers of TikTok are shaping the future of job-hunting (18:54). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page ...
May 20, 2024•26 min
Mumbai is famously an open city, known for welcoming all comers, regardless of colour, caste, or creed. But as the city goes about building its future, Economist correspondent Leo Mirani, a proud Mumbaikar, fears his city’s character is being buried beneath the rubble. In this episode of the Weekend Intelligence Leo contemplates how all this construction will change his beloved Bombay, and who the Mumbai of the future is really designed for. Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Econo...
May 18, 2024•47 min
A bid to squeeze money from social-media platforms that link to news content has backfired: what was intended to help publishers is instead harming them . America’s workers still work more than Europe’s; what is changing is where they do it (9:44). And remembering Shirley Conran, whose books were more than merely saucy: they helped women with everything from money to mathematics (16:22). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to acce...
May 17, 2024•24 min
An attempt on Robert Fico’s life comes at a time of deep-running polarisation in his country—much of which is his own doing. A vote today among auto workers in America’s historically union-unfriendly south will indicate whether an organised-labour revolution can take hold (9:26). And the perception of time varies depending on what you are looking at (17:24). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please...
May 16, 2024•24 min
Michael Cohen has been testifying in Donald Trump’s hush-money trial . Did the former president’s fixer provide what the prosecution had hoped for? The Middle East has a militia problem . Many of the region’s governments are too weak to keep them down; others simply let them in (10:36). And investigating whether there is more or less sex on the silver screen these days (19:06). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economi...
May 15, 2024•26 min
At a hidden command centre our correspondent finds deflated but defiant soldiers . Fight against Russia now, they say, or fight for Russia against Europe later. With inflation poised to play a critical role in America’s election, we ask why voters despise it even though it can signal rude economic health (11:58). And how a century-old novella called “ The Vortex ” pioneered eco-literature (19:23). Get a world of insights for 50% off—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about h...
May 14, 2024•25 min
A chat with the deputy boss of Ukraine’s military intelligence reveals concerns about a dearth of weapons—but the struggle to get new recruits is also proving problematic . The Chinese Communist Party is still hounding experts whose work might expose its pandemic missteps, including the scientist who first sequenced the covid-19 virus (11:24). And why the Japanese still buy so many CDs (17:14). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to...
May 13, 2024•23 min
Sarah Birke and Aryn Braun report frequently on tensions at the border between America and Mexico—even more so during a year in which both countries have elections. But rarely do you hear from the people who experience life on the border every day, and learn how that has changed. In this episode of the Weekend Intelligence Sarah and Aryn tell the story of the world’s only professional bi-national baseball team, Los Tecolotes de los dos Laredos. It is a tale of a team—and a community—striving for...
May 11, 2024•50 min
The battles for supremacy in chipmaking and green technology industries are raging on. Re-electing Donald Trump will likely make America’s approach even more anti-China, and a move towards autarky comes with costs. How the landmarked Seaport Tower has pitted preservationists against developers (10:18). And a tribute to the zoologist who really, really loved giraffes (18:18). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+...
May 10, 2024•26 min
Lawrence Wong will only be the city-state’s fourth leader since its independence. Our foreign editor asks him how he hopes to balance diplomatic relationships with America and China, maintain economic success, and strengthen the country’s democracy. The impact of climate change on archaeology (11:31). And, a new biopic takes on one of the most lucrative, distinctive pieces of classical music (17:26). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscr...
May 09, 2024•25 min
Narendra Modi’s reputation for prosperity is likely to propel him to a third term. But for India’s economic successes to last, the country needs a set of new reforms . Despite a host of sanctions from the West, Russia still has a booming arms industry . Where are all the weapons coming from (09:50)? And, the perils of trying to work on a plane (13:54). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information a...
May 08, 2024•20 min
The ceasefire deal , which Hamas has agreed to, prompted celebrations in Gaza. But Binyamin Netanyahu isn’t satisfied and the fighting continues. Video game adaptations are getting better, and becoming a more popular choice with Hollywood’s directors (10:01). And the best-selling literary love-child of romance and fantasy (14:27). 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 Eco...
May 07, 2024•21 min
Thirty years of democracy have not led to uniform prosperity, and nearly everyone disagrees about the equality of opportunity. How will the disenchantment manifest at the polls? How two small Texas towns became the patent-law centre of America (12:16). And a tribute to Eleanor Coppola , mastermind of the award-winning behind-the-scenes look at her husband’s epic, “Apocalypse Now” (19:26). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Econo...
May 06, 2024•28 min
France’s president is known for pronouncements of grand scope with one eye toward history. But when our journalists visited him at his residence his assessment of the state of the world was bleak—a dark, prophetic call to arms . In this special episode, we ask whether his view is accurate, whether his proposed solutions would work and whether he is the person to enact them. Read the full transcript of our interview here . Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science ...
May 03, 2024•29 min
When you look around the world, and at a wider set of measures, Generation Z are far better off than the popular narrative would have you believe. We examine what India’s push to soup up its nukes means for the global arms race (09:30). And even as global fertility rates fall, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a relative baby boom (17:11). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how t...
May 02, 2024•21 min
A dramatic overnight raid in New York City was just one sign that protests at American universities are set to continue —a clear historical echo in an already-fraught election year. We ask why a niche newspaper run by Japan’s communist party has so much influence (13:05). And a study of new books on loneliness reveals both the benefits and drawbacks of solitude (20:39). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . Fo...
May 01, 2024•27 min
The dengue-fever case counts now break regional records every year—and the structural reasons behind the spike suggest this sometimes-deadly virus will soon threaten more of the world. Breaches and security holes keep revealing how much of the internet’s innards are maintained by volunteers ; we ask why (09:45). And the case for moving over , not up, at work (17:10). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For m...
Apr 30, 2024•23 min
The ruling military junta that seized power in a coup in 2021 is losing ground , slowly—and the rebels are now thinking about what happens if they win. We examine the structural reasons behind Britain’s dearth of industrial robots (10:22). And climate change boosts Canada’s yields of maple syrup , but also threatens to make them unpredictable (15:44). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information ...
Apr 29, 2024•22 min
As Parliament has now agreed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, many members of the ruling Conservative party want to quit the court that tried to block it. It would be yet another costly mistake. Earth’s largest refrigerator, Antarctica , is defrosting. What does this mean for the rest of the world (09:24)? And a tribute to the American journalist held captive by Hizbullah for almost 7 years (17:50). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscr...
Apr 26, 2024•26 min
Ravaged by a civil war, Sudan could see a nationwide famine by August. With humanitarian aid being blocked on both sides, it is increasingly difficult to get supplies to those who need them the most. How to protect an endangered language (09:01). And, why domestic cats have become an existential threat to Scottish wildcats (14:43). Additional audio courtesy of the Endangered Language Alliance Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to E...
Apr 25, 2024•19 min
Police clashes with protesters at Columbia University have spilled over into other institutions, raising the question of how to protect free speech on campuses. Given America’s history with students’ anti-war protests going awry, should politicians be worried? Why most British voters now think Brexit was a mistake (we did warn you!) (08:53) And, could new tech protect whales from speeding ships (15:45)? Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Sub...
Apr 24, 2024•21 min
The companies behind this wonder of tech are facing allegations of using copyrighted material to build their large language models (LLMs). But will the courts consider it fair use? Why ex-inmates are so likely to die just after they leave prison (10:15). And, the case for booing in sports (16:13). 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...
Apr 23, 2024•21 min
At a time when Russia has been making significant gains, an allocated $61bn of aid for Ukraine will be felt on the battlefield almost instantly. Will it help turn the course of the war? In a world of endless supply chain disruptions , how can businesses shore up against the costs (11:26)? And the appeal of two-month-old stew (18:37). 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 ...
Apr 22, 2024•24 min
A missile has reportedly struck a site in the Islamic Republic. If this is retaliation for Iran’s most recent attacks, then it is a muted response. But is there still a risk of escalation? As India’s election kicks off, a look into why the opposition is likely to have a poor showing (09:07). And, a tribute to the first foreign-born grand champion of sumo (19:15). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more in...
Apr 19, 2024•27 min
Governments particularly in the rich world are struggling to get young people in uniform. Will some form of conscription become necessary? In America, how remote working husbands may be liberating their wives (10:19). And, the generational hunting prowess of the killer whale (16:53). 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 ...
Apr 18, 2024•24 min
All over the world, young men are identifying more with the political right, even as women drift more to the left. What is behind the gulf, and how to close it ? The seeming drop in crime in Naples is not because the notorious mafia activity has disappeared— it has evolved (10:11). And exploring the history and the present of the flat white (17:08). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information ab...
Apr 17, 2024•22 min
