The Intelligence from The Economist
The Economist 1 938 episodes Nov 11, 2026
Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told.
Episodes
Let’s get this party restarted: Republicans reel from the midterms
As Donald Trump’s party absorbs a sobering defeat at the ballot box, politicians are in reflective mood. Is Trumpism over? Parents across income groups are spending more to get their children ahead, but it might be for naught. And the dramas trying to turn viewers against the underdog.Guests and host:Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefVinjeru Mkandawire, news editorAndrew Miller, special corre
When chips are down: Nvidia CEO’s risky relationship
The liaison has become more than just family business as Jensen Huang’s lover is allegedly a Chinese spy. The FBI and Nvidia’s board are investigating, but what will become of the man at the centre of the AI boom? The deadly Ebola epidemic is spreading unchecked beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo. And a rural American cooking contest reveals much about food culture.Guests and host:Henry Trick
All eyes on Eisenkot: Israel’s could-be prime minister
The president has tasked the former general – and Binyamin Netanyahu’s strongest rival – with building a new government. With just six weeks and barely a third of the Knesset seats on his side, will he succeed? Russia has a stalled front line with Ukraine but is bombarding harder from the air. And why the sale of the world’s oldest biographical reference annual matters.Guests and host:Anshel Pfeff
“Britain is back”: an interview with Andy Burnham
Ahead of the G20 summit in Manchester, Britain’s prime minister sets out his foreign-policy plans. From reviewing EU links, to brokering the relationship between America and China, he is making big promises. To Russia’s delight, war is eroding Ukraine's population. And a tribute to a renowned American labour leader. Watch extended clips from Insider hereGuests and host:Hugo Gye, Britain politi
Forever young: the business of longevity drugs
The success of GLP-1s has prompted biotechs to approach the challenge differently. After years of false starts and disappointing results, longevity drugs could be on the horizon. Do immigrants from some countries commit more sex crimes? And the big business of miniatures. Guests and host:Shailesh Chitnis, global business writerJames Fransham, data correspondentSascha Lowdermilk, culture internỌrẹ
Not in Kansas any more: Republicans get a thrashing
In the end, the result was clear and uncontested: Democrats had an astonishingly good night. Our editors and correspondents across America report on the proceedings, and we ask what comes next—for Democrats, for Republicans and for Trumpism more widely.Guests and host:Edward Carr, deputy editorCharlotte Howard, United States editorRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentDaniel Knowles, Midwest corr
Fertile ambitions: scientists’ plans to slow the biological clock
Two European startups are tackling the chromosomal abnormalities that make it difficult for older women to get pregnant. Their innovations might also prevent younger women from miscarrying. Belarusian culture looks increasingly Russian. And the world is taking a liking to biltong.Guests and host:Catherine Brahic, environment editorKatie Bryant, senior video producerJohn McDermott, chief Africa cor
Off to the races: our American-midterms preview
Ahead of tomorrow’s legislative elections we consider the chances of a “blue wave”, the most influential demographics this time around and whether to expect election-administration trouble. Young people are deciding that bricks-and-mortar investment is not as dependable as the stocks-and-shares kind. And 100 years on from his death Harry Houdini still has lessons to teach about getting and staying
Silver-year strongman: 25 years of Narendra Modi
We examine the record of the man at the helm of India’s government. As protests pose a fresh threat, where will he take the country next? From New Hampshire to Virginia, our American-midterms series takes you to the races you might be missing. And the life of Winston Churchill’s last personal secretary. Guests and host:Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefDaniella Raz, US correspondentAnn Wroe, obitu
Effective non-altruism: Elon Musk’s foundation
The world’s richest person does not say much nice about philanthropy, and his foundation does not say much about itself. Our correspondent digs deeper. The next stop for our midterm-elections series is Kansas, where a Republican-seeming Democrat has an unlikely shot at the Senate. And an examination of the received wisdom about how many steps to walk in a day.Guests and host:Avantika Chilkoti, glo
Bye bye Bibi? Israel’s election results
Binyamin Netanyahu has underperformed but so has his main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot. Who will form a government? We decipher what the messy results mean for Israel. Our American-midterms series heads south to Georgia. And how film critics and audiences have agreed to disagree.Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentDoug Dowson, data journalistỌrẹ Og
Act of Claude: Anthropic’s IPO bid
It would be the first public listing from a frontier-AI firm—and perhaps the largest IPO of all time. We comb through the filing to understand how the company is thinking about itself and its industry. Our American-midterms series continues in the battleground state of Alaska. And scientists consider how to redefine the second. Guests and host:Miles Kruppa, technology correspondentAryn Braun, West
From this day, fourth: Lula’s surprise win
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, staged a historic comeback to win a fourth term. We ask how he did it, and what he must do next. Each day this week our correspondents in America are focusing on crucial midterm-election races; today we start in Texas. And tote-bag economics: why so many businesses are getting in on selling merchandise.Guests and host:Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chiefRe
Songs of disenchantment: the sorrow of Nigeria
Nigeria is suffering a worsening security crisis, compounded by a lean harvest, global aid cuts and rising energy prices. So why is President Bola Tinubu likely to win January’s election? Europe is struggling to develop a rival to Starlink and reduce reliance on American satellites. And our obituaries editor recalls the improbable career of author and conman Jeffrey Archer.Watch extended clips fro
Dunes and gloom: MBS’s annus horribilis
This week, Muhammad bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, was forced to postpone his annual investment summit. His other big bets on the kingdom’s future are also floundering. Sam Bankman-Fried, a crypto-billionaire supporter of effective altruism, calls our correspondent from prison. And things look hazy in Singapore and other Asian countries. Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East corr
Cash test: can Europe support Ukraine alone?
Donald Trump’s administration is turning against Ukraine. But as European powers confront trouble at home, they are struggling to replace American support. Are US private science institutions entering a golden age? And the climb in art crime.Guests and host:Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editorShera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondentVendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondentRosie Blau, co-
Disorder of magnitude: France’s riots
What started as student protests ballooned into national lawlessness. The disorder plays into the hands of France’s political extremes; expect more of it. In Zimbabwe white farmers are returning to work land taken by Robert Mugabe a quarter-century ago. And our columnist considers the delicate wording that might indemnify AI firms if the bots happen to wipe out humanity. Guests and host:Sophie Ped
Independence eh? Canada’s referendum
The province of Alberta will vote on secession today. It is unlikely to go ahead, but the separatist vibe is just one of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s many headaches. Our correspondent examines China’s efforts toward brain-computer interfaces, finding the country is closing the gap with America. And Britain’s “bug superhighways” link up the shrinking number of lush insect habitats.Guests and host:R
Schrödinger’s chat: can AI and scientists co-exist?
In recent weeks, AI has solved hundreds of previously unanswered maths problems. Our correspondents ask if machines can do the same in other areas of science and what role human researchers may play. Why crisps are getting chunkier and chocolate chewier. And celebrating the life and work of author Annie Dillard. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Alex Hern, AI writerAlok Jha, s
An interview with Alice Weidel
Under Alice Weidel’s leadership the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing populist party, has been riding high. A series of successes in state elections have brought it closer than ever to power at national level. Ms Weidel is perhaps best known for her calls for “remigration” and criticism of Germany’s support for Ukraine. She spoke to The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes,
Who wants to be a millennial? Generation comeback
Their struggles to get jobs or buy homes once propelled political movements. Now many millennials are out-earning their parents and in positions of power. Our correspondent explains the transformation. Sophisticated tech tools are being used to sway voters in Israel. And why you should hold your tongue to high standards.Guests and host:Callum Williams, senior economics writerAnshel Pfeffer, Israel
Kicking Kyiv: Trump’s doubtful deals
Donald Trump claims to have brokered a deal to import Russian diesel and an energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. As attacks on Kyiv continue, our deputy editor says Trump is risking Ukraine’s future for a mid-term bounce. India’s government is failing to quell Gen Z protests. And how song binds us together and brings joy. Guests and host:Edward Carr, deputy editor of The EconomistKira Huju
Unrest in peace: misery in Gaza
A year ago Donald Trump created the Board of Peace to rebuild Gaza. Yet for many Palestinians, life is even harder, as the ceasefire is repeatedly violated, crime is rising and poverty rife. Why record labels are in a spin over AI music. And Japan is struggling to benefit from the global matcha boom.Guests and host:Nicolas Pelham, Middle East correspondentHenry Tricks, US technology and media edit
Saudi under siege: Houthis attack airport
This weekend, Yemeni rebels struck Saudi Arabia’s international airport in the deadliest attack on a Gulf Arab country since the Iran war began in February. Our correspondent reports from Riyadh. How European manufacturers are adjusting to high energy prices and war. And the revival of writing by hand.Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentGuy Scriven, global business writerCait
Saving your bacon: healthy-eating policy evolves
Decades of messaging have not worked, so governments are trying new ways to get citizens to eat well, from scary labelling to taxing the junkiest foods. Will it work? The death of a plague researcher in Russia is made more mysterious by the government’s resolute lack of transparency. And a tribute to Cyril Hilsum, the inventor behind ubiquitous flat-screen displays. Watch extended clips from Insid
Valley of the shadow of debt: bond-market jitters
Bond yields across the rich world keep ticking up. We take a global look at where the risks are mounting most, and just how much worry is warranted. What might have once seemed fanciful is becoming real: delivering daylight to dark parts of the world using mirrors in space. And the fatal earnestness of “The Social Reckoning”. Guests and host:Alex Domash, economics correspondentTim Cross, senior sc
Gilets jeunes? France’s school protests
What started as a small protest about conditions of a school and of schooling has mushroomed, and tapped into national anxieties that may prove hard to tame. In the context of the “Cornell 7” case we examine Title IX, the statute that should protect students—but that is failing. And how peddling superstitions to financiers is big business in India. Guests and host:Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
House call: Spain’s snap election
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is gambling that anger about housing might solidify his mandate in a snap poll. Most probably it will instead add to the rightward shift in European politics. America’s beef prices have never been higher, so why is it that the meatpackers have it so tough? And the battery technology to improve medical diagnostics you can swallow. Listen to our episode of “Babbage” on e
Here comes the son? Brazil’s election tips rightward
Flávio Bolsonaro, populist-right son of the imprisoned coup architect Jair, received the most votes in the presidential first round. We ask why Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent, fell behind—and what is at stake when they go head-to-head. We examine Americans’ growing anger at automatic number-plate-reading cameras. And the demanding but lucrative business of nannying the children of the su
Coffer stop: AI may shrink tax base
If Artificial Intelligence results in job losses or lower salaries, government revenues will fall. Our correspondent explains how best to tax the windfalls from AI. Paint is a surprisingly cheap way to cool buildings. And remembering the life of Stanislas Hutin, who revealed France’s barbarity in Algeria.Watch extended clips from Insider hereGuests and host:Callum Williams, senior economics writer
Trial and terror: Russia escalates Kyiv campaign
Russia has embarked on a new campaign to quell Ukraine, focused on supermarkets, playgrounds and other civilian targets. Our correspondent reports on the toll on daily life in Kyiv. Despite the backlash against “pervert glasses”, companies continue to develop AI-enabled smart specs. And how the pen changed history.Guests and host:Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondentHenry Tricks, US technology edi
Cheques and the City: Premier League disgrace
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching over 100 rules. What penalty will the Premier League exact? Russia’s increasingly brazen attempts to provoke and undermine Europe. And why cute Chiikawa, star of a Japanese blockbuster, gives comfort in anxious times. Subscribers can listen to “Kidulting” on “The Weekend Intelligence”Guests and host:Sonny Loughran, Britain cor
Brazil rut: Lula v Bolsonaro, again
On October 4th, Brazil faces a polarising general election: re-elect the octogenarian incumbent or pick the son of a former president jailed for attempting a coup. In some countries honour culture holds women back from even entering the workplace. And why artists are banning phones from concerts. Guests and host:Ana Lankes, Brazil correspondentRobert Guest, deputy editorVicky Jessop, culture write
Foiled plot: did Iran plan British base attack?
Five men are in custody under suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after being arrested near a British military base used by American aircraft. This could mark a significant escalation in Iranian hybrid warfare. What oil firms are doing with their profits from the Gulf conflict. And why women’s wages rise after their male managers have daughters.Guests and host:Matthew Symonds, contribut
Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit
Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars. Watch extended clips from Insider here
Home disadvantage: risks in housing markets
Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time. Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed. And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th. Guests and host:Callum Williams, senior economics writerJosh Spencer, Asia news editor
National front-runner: who can beat Le Pen?
Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo
The mob rule: criminality consumes South Africa
An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.Guests and host:John McDermott, chief Afri
Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker
Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep. Guests and host:Tom Nuttall, B
Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand
After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem. Watch extended clips from Insider Guests and host:Alex Turner, defence editorAv
Rise and shine: Warsh’s Fed rate test
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023. For the central bank’s new chair Kevin Warsh, that decision was a test both of monetary policy and politics. A governor’s election in Okinawa is a boon to Japan’s military ambitions. And why summer is a casualty of climate change.Guests and host:Archie Hall, acting economics editorMoeka Iida, East Asia reporterAndrew
The end of the world is AI? An existential threat
Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator. And why cheese is getting more popular in India. Guests and host:Alex Hern, AI writerTom Wainwright, culture correspondentTom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”J
Islamism in Britain: what is the threat?
Though a growing share of the British population is anxious about Islam, they have no reason to be. Islamism, a fringe ideology that believes government and society should be guided by Islamic principles, is the real concern. America cracks down on multinationals’ efforts to shift profits overseas. And why corporate training videos are virtually useless.Guests and host:Sonny Loughran, Britain corr
Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance
After years of stalemate, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are taking territory, including on a Red Sea strait. We ask what has changed, and how the shift fits into the wider regional conflict. As America’s midterm elections approach, we examine the fragmentation of the coalition that put Donald Trump back in office. And we ask how much nepotism matters in Hollywood today.Listen to what matters most, f
The Weekend Intelligence: Shire folk - Episode 1: Tommy's Town
For 15 years, the British media dismissed Tommy Robinson as a far-right extremist. We kept him off our televisions, and out of our newspapers. Today his rallies attract tens of thousands of followers and he has the ear of the world’s richest man.Shire Folk is the story of how some of the most powerful people in America came to see Britain—and Islam—through the eyes of a fringe football hoolig
Out-numbered: AI’s contentious maths milestone
OpenAI’s claim to have solved one of the great problems in mathematics has itself created problems. We ask why the breakthrough has shaken the field. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11 we examine the vast counterterrorism machinery that followed in America, and nascent efforts to pare those powers back. And remembering Guo Lanying, a Chinese singer who championed traditional opera.Watch extended clip
Working through it: the AI jobs boom dawns
The labour data are in from America and a trend is becoming clearer: on balance AI is starting to create more jobs than it hoovers up. Despite advancements of just about every other kind, China cannot seem to escape its food-safety problems. We ask why not. And why Kenya’s ants have become the target of smugglers.Guests and host:Alex Domash, economics correspondentGabriel Crossley, China correspon
Chainsaw sputtering: Milei’s experiment falters
President Javier Milei has tamed inflation and improved the lot of many Argentines. But an election season approaches, and the promised economic and wage growth are not materialising. As LIV Golf files for bankruptcy, we ask where it went wrong in trying to disrupt the sport. And the growth that is good for India’s people is bad for its elephants.Guests and host:Kinley Salmon, Latin America corres
School of shock: teenagers get dimmer
International tests in maths and reading show that 15-year-olds today score what 14-year-olds would have done a decade ago. Our correspondent explains the long-term decline. Is Miami’s thriving economic growth sustainable? And why Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show is a microcosm of Britain. Guests and host:Mark Johnson, senior editorCerian Richmond Jones, international economics corr
All right on the night: AfD’s victory
Alternative for Germany won an even larger share of the vote than expected in yesterday’s state election. What does the far-right nationalist party’s success mean for Germany and Europe? The climate case for limiting vapour trails from aeroplanes. And why South Korean youths are turning to Buddhism. Guests and host:Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chiefOliver Morton, planetary affairs editorSoobin
Bargaining chips: Nvidia is the bank of AI
Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, has shifted strategy to boost demand for its chips. Our correspondent assesses the opportunities and risks. Knife crime in Britain moves to rural pastures. And our obituaries editor recounts the life of Frank Smith, who died in prison aged 101. Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interviewGuests and host:Shailesh Chitnis,
Ire and ICE: the toll of America’s deportations
Donald Trump’s stance on immigration helped him win the presidency. Our correspondent asks if a backlash against the campaign could damage Republican midterm prospects. Reddit is struggling in an age of AI. And the enduring beauty of the Bayeux tapestry.Guests and host:Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, business correspondentAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorRosie Blau, co-host
Right in front: AfD could win German state
On Sunday, Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right nationalist party to win a state election since the end of the second world war. Is Britain right to worry about Palantir handling government contracts? And could the Chinese learn to love chocolate? Guests and host:Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondentGeorgia Banjo, Britain correspondentDon Weinland, China business and fi
After the flood: Nepal’s ongoing rescue
After the devastating flash flood last week, our correspondent explains why the country is so ill-equipped to deal with the crisis. Does AI stop children from learning? And why Japanese ongaku kissa, or listening bars, are so popular abroad.Guests and host:Kira Hiju, Asia correspondentMichelle Hennessy, graphic detail editorAaron Coultate, head of newslettersRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligenc
Stars in their AIs: tech is changing Hollywood
Behind the scenes, Artificial Intelligence is playing a growing role in every aspect of film-making, from script-writing and production-planning to shot-generation and editing. As the number of people covered by Obamacare falls, our correspondent ponders the future of the healthcare programme. And the secret thrill of American country dancing in France.Guests and host:Henry Tricks, US technology e
Bots on the ground: China leads humanoid race
Our correspondent goes inside a Chinese robot facility to see thousands of droids being taught to complete useful tasks. Is it worth the time and money? How Meta’s $17bn settlement at its blockbuster trial could change teen social-media use. And 75 years of the Paris bookshop Shakespeare and Company.Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interviewGuests and host:Don Weinla
Big shot: does a cancer vaccine work?
Personalised vaccines could offer a breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Our correspondent analyses the latest trial. Canada’s oil market is flourishing, despite the trade war. And, why we will always love Dolly Parton.Guests and host:Natasha Loder, health editorSarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligen
Slip the surly bonds? Scott Bessent goes on a yield trip
Amid record-tickling yields, the bond markets are now trying to make sense of what Scott Bessent, America’s Treasury secretary, has announced—a move that might put him on a collision course with the Federal Reserve. We ask why it is so easy for hackers to infiltrate America’s water infrastructure. And understanding a political lineage through the new British prime minister’s accent.Guests and host
Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran
After much hullabaloo America announced its “Operation Economic Outcast”, a new tranche of sanctions. It is thin gruel, and might in fact invite military reprisals from Iran. Call centres form a large part of the economy of the Philippines; surprisingly, AI is not stopping the industry’s rise. And a data-led look at which cities offer the best (relative) paycheques. Guests and host:Fras
Elbows up, again: a US-Canada trade flare-up
Promising trade talks imploded after a literal 11th-hour change from the American side. We examine the new trade barriers being erected, and the complex calculation for Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Japan Gen X workers are even still bearing the costs of an economic bubble-burst from the 1990s. And how fates of civilisations have turned on sieges throughout history. Guests and host:Hal Hodso
I, robot? AI and consciousness
The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it? We dive into the data that reveal a surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz, translator and tireless defender of her father, Ezra Pound. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:
An interview with Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari is a big-ideas guy. Known for penning tomes that tackle broad sweeps of history, the historian-cum-philosopher has now turned his attention to AI. He joins Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, for The Insider, our video show for premium subscribers. They discuss why Mr Harari believes AIs will come to control civilisation—and what it might mean to be human in th
Bombs and bombshells: Zelensky under pressure
From anti-corruption probes to a disgruntled ex-minister calling for elections to disrupted grain shipments, headaches are mounting for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. China has until now coped with a patchy, pricey system for mental-health treatment. The government is now getting serious about plugging the gaps. And why a debate over “Paw Patrol” is more than just culture-war madness.&nbs
Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain
Orexins are peptides involved in the body’s sleep-wake system—and are big pharma’s next big thing. Like multi-purpose GLPs, they may have far more uses than just regulating shuteye. We ask why Japan’s post-war innovation boom petered out, and what must be done to breed more unicorns. And why procrastination seems to be on the rise, and how to beat it.Guests and host:Shailesh Chitnis, global busine
Settler bet: a West Bank flashpoint
Israeli settlers have been clashing more and more with Palestinians in the West Bank, often with government backing. We examine the forces at play in what could soon be yet another battlefront. India’s proliferating civil codes are creating insuperable legal contradictions for a multi-faith people. And answering some letters addressed to our “agony uncle” columnist. Guests and host:Anshel Pfe
It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski
To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots.Guests and host:Andrew Miller, special correspondentOliv
Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits
Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche.Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk intervie
Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela
After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food may be slowing. And how many hours of Wagner opera would you sit through? Guests and host:Kinley Salmon, Latin America corresponde
Pump and circumstance: is China the new OPEC?
The Iran war triggered the largest supply shock in the history of petroleum, yet prices never rose as high as feared. Our correspondent explains how action taken by China steadied global oil flows. Why Brazil has such strict laws on racist language. And the legendary lager of Laos. Guests and host:Matthieu Favas, commodities editorAna Lankes, Brazil bureau chiefVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia corres
Spring, then fall: a weakened Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood won power and influence in the Arab Spring of 2011. Now autocrats are resurgent and its leaders are in jail or exile. Elon Musk says Europe is more dangerous than America. Is he right? And the puzzling popularity of padel.Guests and host:Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondentJames Fransham, data journalistHamish Clayton, Britain writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligen
Under strAIn: breaking the British state
Britons are turning to artificial intelligence to file objections to state institutions, and claim their dues. The resulting deluge of complaints and demands may overwhelm bureaucracies. Should Catholic priests have to report child abuse disclosed in confession? And the perfect height gap in a relationship. Guests and host:Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editorRebecca Jackson, US Sou
Outsider chance: ending Sudan’s proxy war
We look at the peace that has settled over Khartoum, the ruined capital. War rages on elsewhere, and a slim chance at a settlement rests largely with the belligerents’ foreign patrons. We ask why President Donald Trump has picked a fight over a new bridge between Canada and America. And remembering Betye Saar, who provided profound second lives for discarded objects. Watch extended clips from
Socialist mobility: a telling Michigan vote
We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use.Guests and host:John Prideaux, executive editor and
Taking the shine off: albedo and global temperatures
Fewer clouds, shrinking ice caps, changing pollutants: all result in less of the sun’s energy being reflected back into space. Which is more bad news for a changing climate. Our correspondent explains why so much more of the world’s cocaine is passing through west Africa. And the data that reveal Americans’ discomfort about wives earning more than their husbands.Guests and host:Oliver Morton, plan
In arms’ way: Gaza-deal sticking points
President Donald Trump’s claim that Hamas had agreed to disarm in Gaza was, at best, premature. We examine the sticking points of a lasting deal. New-business applications are on a tear in America. We ask why so many people are working for themselves—but not doing much hiring. And the enduring popularity of radio in Africa, aided rather than degraded by social media. Guests and host:Anshel Pf
Taken littorally: Spain’s sudden crisis in Ceuta
The deadly rush of migrants into the Spanish exclave has deep roots in a wider North African conflict—and implications for a far wider European fight about immigration. Our India columnist presents an incomplete list of falling objects as a way to examine public-safety failures. And a data dive that reveals how AI writing is forever shifting.Guests and host:Michael Reid, Spain correspondent and wr
Omission accomplished: why the Iran-war cycle spins on
From impasse in Iran to still-unresolved conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, a trend is clear: President Donald Trump’s scant, early plans for peace do not actually forge a path to it. Our correspondent says that in the driverless-car future, it will often be Chinese AI behind the wheel. And remembering Wally Funk, who never relinquished her ambition to become an astronaut. Watch extended clips fr
Working memory: the surprising decline of dementia
A dive into the data reveals that, despite dire past predictions, the prevalence of dementia is actually waning. We take a look at Pix, a beloved Brazilian digital-payments system, and why it so bothers President Donald Trump. And we attend one of the concerts that reveals how the appeal of emo music is holding strong across generations. Guests and host:Jonathan Rosenthal, international corre
Brave New whirl: Turkey’s opposition overhaul
An ousted former opposition leader started a new party—called the New Party. We assess its chances at the ballot box, and under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s thumb. A surrogacy scandal in Germany has prompted a government reshuffle, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz left holding the proverbial baby. And how traditional career advice is falling short for Gen Z. Guests and host:Piotr Zale
Burning questions: a more fire-prone world
Wildfires in France and Spain are only growing worse by the day. We examine what can be done as a future of more fires, and worse ones, becomes more assured. A dig into data on women at work shows several indicators starting to move in the wrong direction. And the American cities rethinking how to handle their after-dark economies.Guests and host:Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editorVinjeru Mkan
