Dicky birds: the next pandemic?

2024-07-08

A tactical ploy to diminish the chances for Marine Le Pen’s hard-right National Rally has worked—a surprise result that puts the left in front, but no party in charge (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/07/07/a-shock-election-result-in-france-puts-the-left-in-the-lead?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners). Despite sporting passions in Africa, continental leagues have fizzled; a passion for basketball

2024-07-03

As heatwaves become more frequent (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/06/26/simple-steps-to-stop-people-dying-from-heatwaves) and intense, they exacerbate existing inequalities. The poor, sick and elderly are particularly vulnerable. How should governments respond? Universities depend on the high fees international students pay. Now Indian scholars are replacing (https://www.economist.com/international/2024/06/20/brainy-indians-are-piling-into-western-universities) the diminishing flow of Chinese ones (10:00). And full-body deodorant is all the rage (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/05/23/americans-are-fretting-over-their-body-odour): find out if you should be using it (16:15).

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2024-07-01

Marine Le Pen’s far-right party made great gains in the first round of France’s parliamentary election (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/06/30/a-crushing-blow-for-emmanuel-macrons-centrist-alliance). The left did too. We ask what this means for France and President Emmanuel Macron. Thailand will soon legalise same-sex marriage (https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/06/20/thailand-legalises-same-sex-marriage), but in other areas, democratic freedoms are being threatened (10:20). And penalty shoot-outs are agony (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/06/14/the-secret-to-taking-better-penalties) for players, coaches and spectators. Can technology help (16:20)?

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2024-06-24

After decades as a scientific also-ran, China is becoming a superpower (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/06/13/how-worrying-is-the-rapid-rise-of-chinese-science?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners) particularly in the physical sciences. We examine the risks and opportunities that poses for the West. Our correspondent looks into why denizens of the Mediterranean live so long (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/06/20/why-southern-europeans-will-soon-be-the-longest-lived-people-in-the-world?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners)

2024-06-20

No energy source has ever increased as fast as solar photovoltaics. The technology will transform humanity’s energy consumption–even when the sun doesn’t shine. Many people associate champagne with success but wine collectors often shun it. Now global sales are fizzing (10:51).