The hard right has taken Germany into uncharted territory , winning one state election and racking up a large share in another. The far left is on the march too. Is Germany dividing into East and West again? Motorbike taxis are transforming Africa’s cities (11:10). And how farmers in Spain are delivering truffles to your dinner plate (18:11). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how t...
Sep 02, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Water scarcity is growing even in parts of the world that used to be drought-free. Since most countries waste vast quantities of water, charging for it would help. Our correspondent travelled to America’s northern border to report on illegal crossings from Canada (8:57). And the life of biological anthropologist Helen Fisher , who studied the science behind love (16:41). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcast...
Aug 30, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast The American chip designer has become one of the world’s most valuable companies on the back of the AI revolution. But there are some contradictions in Nvidia’s plans for the future . California’s iconic Highway 1 is under threat (10:46). And why Europeans are spurning nudity (20:41). 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...
Aug 29, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Pavel Durov sits in a French cell waiting to find out if he will be charged, our correspondent probes the links between Telegram and Russia. What central bankers and monetary policy specialists have been talking about at their annual jamboree at Jackson Hole (9:16). And we answer another listener question : how might Artificial Intelligence help people with disabilities (16:19)? Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Po...
Aug 28, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since the invasion of Ukraine, the West has deployed massive economic restrictions on Russian trade. So why is Russia’s economy growing? A survivor’s story from the forgotten conflict in Sudan (10:47). And Turkey tries to rid its streets of stray dogs (17:56). 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 video explaini...
Aug 27, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Snack-food companies have long shown their adaptability to changing diets . How could the rise of appetite-suppressing drugs and fears about ultra-processed foods change the food we consume? How hearing aids and other lifestyle choices can reduce your risk of dementia (11:00). And why it’s time to revive the siesta (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 to access Economist ...
Aug 26, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of The Weekend Intelligence , Africa correspondent Tom Gardner tells the story of 21st century Sudan. A story bookended by war. Darfur, a state which captured the world’s attention in the early 2000s has once again become an epicentre of violence, disease and famine. Over 25 million people are starving. A fifth of the population has been forced to flee their homes. This latest war is one of unprecedented proportions and yet it is an ignored war, deprived of attention by a world w...
Aug 24, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast After an electric week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Kamala Harris now faces the real test in her bid to be president. Can she convince American voters? In the third part of our series on dating apps, we visit Brazil, China and Pakistan (10:24). And our obituaries editor celebrates the life of Wally Amos , the American king of cookies (19:06). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more in...
Aug 23, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Predicting political violence is a painstaking job. Now AI is helping analysts look for clues and throwing up fascinating insights into the shifts that may indicate a strike is coming. Why Cuba could be heading towards economic and social collapse (11:01). And our correspondent visits Odessa where Ukrainians are rediscovering the beach (18:54). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how...
Aug 22, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mpox is spreading fast across Africa, yet public information campaigns are scant and vaccines in short supply. Is a new pandemic in the offing? Strategists are pondering a new potential threat from Russia: the possibility that it could detonate a nuclear weapon in space (09:42). And an Economist correspondent answers another of your questions about Artificial Intelligence (18:16). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economi...
Aug 21, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast While many people fear the risk of a wider war breaking out in the Middle East, a parallel battle is already ongoing – in the digital sphere. Can China challenge a long-standing duopoly in the airline industry (10:16)? And the latest Carrie Bradshaw index tells us where Americans can afford a solo apartment. Just don’t set your heart on New York… (17:22) Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information...
Aug 20, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Democrats convene in Chicago, polls suggest Kamala Harris is ahead by a whisker in the US presidential race. Can the party sustain the momentum? In hospital, your recovery may depend not just on diagnostic technology or the drugs you take, but whether your doctor is a woman (10:11). And new research into elephant communication suggests the creatures may have something akin to names (16:34). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to ...
Aug 19, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Inflation, interest rates and jobless numbers are on healthy trends; markets are gaining back ground. As the spectre of global recession fades we ask why fear has persisted. In the second instalment of our series on dating we look at what singles are doing beyond the apps (10:23). And a tribute to Joss Naylor , Britain’s legend of fell running (18:51). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FA...
Aug 16, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Peace talks in Doha have a chance at progress even in Hamas’s absence. The outcome could determine the scope of Iran’s promised retaliations against Israel. New research suggests Mars may have an ocean’s worth of water deep in its crust (10:30). And Colombia’s bid to sate the global hunger for more sources of vanilla (18:14). 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 ...
Aug 15, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Skilled immigrants bring more than just their expertise to job markets. But governments miss opportunities to attract them—or make them feel entirely unwelcome. In America it seems like the standard tip fraction just keeps going up and up (11:36). Where will it end? And as part of our “ schools briefs ” primer on AI, we answer your questions, starting with facial recognition (18:28). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economis...
Aug 14, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Corporate investment in artificial-intelligence infrastructure reaches $1.4trn by some estimates. We ask what might threaten the expected windfalls that justify the spending. A Japanese mine’s bid to be listed by UNESCO was made harder because it ignores South Korean wartime forced labour (10:49). And why a nicotine pouch has so many fans on America’s right (18:03). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, pleas...
Aug 13, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Part of Russia is under foreign control for the first time since the second world war. We ask about the strategy behind the surprise raid —which may not be the last. The Paris Olympics were, all told, a tremendous success, with some lessons for future games (11:47). And the 3-D holographic displays coming to a car dashboard near you (20:35). 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 ...
Aug 12, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast The rich world is experiencing record migrant flows —and the attendant social upheaval. Finding immigration policies that are not economically ruinous is damnably hard. Our three-part series starts to unpack why people are so fed up with the big dating apps (11:10). And the head-spinning history of how break(danc)ing became an Olympic sport (18:44). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs ...
Aug 09, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tourists are getting decidedly less-warm welcomes in popular spots, but blunt anti-tourism policies are self-defeating. We look at how to maintain benefits for both the visitors and the visited. As Russia tries to avoid another military draft, a slick recruitment drive seems to be bringing in new troops (09:22). And fatigue with smartphones is leading to a fashion for dumb ones (15:22). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Econo...
Aug 08, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim Walz, a folksy Midwesterner who came late to politics, is on the Democratic ticket. We ask how he got there and whether he was the best tactical pick. A visit to Lebanon reveals a sense of foreboding, as a sharper war between Israel and Hizbullah seems inevitable (11:04). And the executives who just don’t know when to quit (19:53). 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 ...
Aug 07, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sheikh Hasina, who led the country for 20 of the past 28 years with an increasingly authoritarian grip, was ultimately undone by student protests that would not be quelled. China may be world-leading in autonomous taxis —but our ride in one is not without complications (9:00). And remembering Thomas Neff , who rid the world of a third of its nukes (16:38). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit ou...
Aug 06, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Unrest across the country has been driven in part by the provably false claims of right-wing provocateurs. We examine the real concerns underlying the violence, and how to end it swiftly . Japanese politics had until recently been anachronistically tame; not so now that the social-media populists have arrived (10:18). And the notable parallels between “House of the Dragon” and modern politics (18:00). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how ...
Aug 05, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast The biggest exchange of prisoners between Russia and the West since the Cold War included opposition leaders, journalists and prisoners of conscience. Our correspondent accompanies America’s defence secretary on a tour of Asia designed to bolster military alliances (12:17). And why King Charles counts his swans every year (21:15). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to acce...
Aug 02, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast As domestic demand in China slows, and the West puts up trade and political barriers, Chinese firms are shifting their focus to poorer parts of the world. After Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensify, our correspondent visits a wrecked power plant (9:10). And how t he doner kebab became a cultural touchstone (17:00). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to ac...
Aug 01, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast After the killing of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh, what are the prospects for ceasefire talks in the region? In Venezuela Nicolas Maduro has declared victory in presidential elections, but the opposition says the vote was rigged and protests have erupted on the streets (9:41). And why cooking may not be as healthy as you think (18:03). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information a...
Jul 31, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast The dearth of fixed-line infrastructure that allowed the continent to leapfrog into the mobile-phone age now holds it back. We ask how to ensure the even spread of AI’s dividends. A stinking Seine has delayed the Olympic triathlon, but the river could one day help clean up Paris (7:09). And how “The Blair Witch Project” changed horror films (14:33). Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology— Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more informatio...
Jul 30, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast After an airstrike killed 12 children in Israel-controlled territory at the weekend, retaliation in Lebanon seems inevitable. The end result could be a war on multiple fronts. British prisons are in crisis, so what should the new Labour government do (10:07)? And for the past 50 years, the Kronos quartet in America has brought together musical traditions to redefine classical music (22:48). Additional music copyright Nonesuch Records, Black Angels I. Departure & II. Absence by George Crumb, Bloo...
Jul 29, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the Olympics begin, more people than ever will be watching via streaming services. We examine the changing viewing habits transforming sport’s role in the broadcast business. The sentencing of Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist, reveals the empty, performative nature of justice in Russia today (11:10). And the internet has dubbed Kamala Harris “ brat ”—and that is a kind of compliment (18:34). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how...
Jul 26, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Anyone hoping to glean hints of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s plans for the Gaza war and its aftermath will have been disappointed: it was a political speech aimed at Israelis. Nigerians spend more than anyone on food, as a fraction of income. We look at the factors making the squeeze even tighter (11:44). And Starbucks franchises as community-level drivers of innovation (18:28). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how to access ...
Jul 25, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast From tunnels to tanks to drones, Gaza’s horrors provide object lessons in urban warfare. We ask what Western forces will be learning about their own future conflicts. Silicon Valley types may relish the prospect of J. D. Vance, a former tech investor, becoming America’s vice-president—but it should in fact worry them (10:15). And the superstitious forces affecting Hong Kong’s property sector (18:57). Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+ . For more information about how t...
Jul 24, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
