Current affairs: how batteries will green the grid
2024-09-05
Though we use more renewable energy than ever before, electricity grids need ways to cope with intermittent wind or solar power. Innovations that make batteries to store that energy bigger, cheaper (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/01/clean-energys-next-trillion-dollar-business?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) and more efficient can help. Why tourists are flocking to Asia (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/15/the-global-tourism-boom-is-shifting-to-asia?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) (9:41). And a listener asks
The sound of fury: pressure builds within Israel
2024-09-03
The recovery of six hostages from Gaza has provoked mass demonstrations on the streets of Israel and a general strike. But Israel’s government (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/29/have-israels-far-right-religious-nationalists-peaked?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) refuses to bow to pressure and a ceasefire deal remains elusive. Why are women less likely (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/08/21/why-dont-women-use-artificial-intelligence?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) to use AI than men
The boot is on the other foot: Ukraine’s surprise incursion
2024-08-12
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 (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/11/ukraines-shock-raid-deep-inside-russia-rages-on?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)—which may not be the last. The Paris Olympics were, all told, a tremendous success, with some lessons (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/10/pariss-stunning-vision-for-the-olympics-wins-a-gold-medal?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) for future games (11:47). And the
Yuan direction: Chinese firms head south
2024-08-01
As domestic demand in China slows, and the West puts up trade and political barriers, Chinese firms are shifting (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/01/chinese-companies-are-winning-the-global-south?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) their focus to poorer parts of the world. After Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure intensify, our correspondent visits a wrecked power plant (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/07/15/half-ukraines-power-is-knocked-out-winter-is-coming?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) (9:10). And
Is Putin running out of soldiers?
2024-07-23
The Russian army is suffering its highest casualties since it invaded Ukraine. Is Putin running out of soldiers to keep his war going?
#warinukraine #zelensky #putin
Sign up to The Economist’s defence newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI
How many Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine? https://econ.st/3zRgeGm
Russia’s vast stocks of Soviet-era weaponry are running out https://econ.st/4cROYWG
Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine’s drones https://econ.st/4d7t3v7
When will Ukraine join NATO? https://econ.st/3YaEVYv
The Kremlin is rewriting Wikipedia https://econ.st/3y9rDRg
Dicky birds: the next pandemic?
2024-07-19
The scars of the covid pandemic are still raw, but now a virus spreading (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/07/17/h5n1-avian-flu-could-cause-a-human-pandemic?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) among farm animals could leap to humans. Could bird flu become the next pandemic? White women are sometimes absolved of blame in the crime of slavery in America (9:50). Research suggests
Meet Keir Starmer, Britain’s next prime minister
2024-07-05
He will become Britain’s prime minister—but voters remain unsure what he stands for. So who is the real Sir Keir Starmer?
00:00 – Who is Keir Starmer?
00:39 – His life before politics
01:38 – His political rise
02:38 – His politics
#breakingnews #breaking
Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI
See our UK general election coverage: https://econ.st/3RW6Hnt
What’s happening in Britain?: https://econ.st/4cLnm5l
Keir Starmer should be Britain’s next prime minister: https://econ.st/3RVeJgi
Sir Keir Starmer, bureaucrat first, politician second: https://econ.st/3zCH5Wm
Who are generation K: https://econ.st/3zCH050
Keir Starmer, the post-populist: https://econ.st/3zD1RFm
Doing their not-own thing: “generation rent”
2024-06-11
Across the rich world millions spend more than a third of their disposable income on rent. We ask why policymakers have such terrible ideas (https://www.economist.com/international/2024/05/29/is-your-rent-ever-going-to-fall?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) on easing the pressure. America’s bid to crimp TikTok has raised a flurry of issues (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/05/30/the-side-effects-of-the-tiktok-tussle?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) far graver than social-media scrolling (9:53). And why pop stars are
6 pings