Why does Elon Musk want to put data centres in space? | The Economist

2026-02-12

Across the world calls to make the wealthy pay more tax are growing louder. But do those policies actually deliver? And are they fair? Our top economics editors dig into the evidence and confront the ethical questions about inequality.

#economics #tax #finance #usa #inequality

00:00 – How taxes on the rich have changed over time
04:10 – What counts as “rich”?
04:44 – Is the tax system too progressive or not progressive enough?

Watch the full show: https://econ.st/4txH6mb
Sign up to the Insider newsletter: https://econ.st/4nOyzIb

Subscribe to The Economist: https://www.economist.com/subscribe
Download our app: https://www.economist.com/get-the-app

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeconomist/
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEconomist

2026-02-07

In reality it’s one of the safest major cities in the world.

2025-12-24

Do you think kids spend too much time on their phones? You might be worrying about the wrong age group. Tom Wainwright, our media editor, reveals which generation is the most square-eyed.

2025-11-01

Can Donald Trump and Xi Jinping’s truce really last? China and America have been at economic loggerheads for years over international trade. Jeremy Page, our Chief China correspondent, and Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, discuss what the two leaders promised, what they left out, and whether the deal can stand the test of time.

00:00: Why was Donald Trump in South Korea?
00:30: What did China say after Trump called the meeting “amazing”?
01:10: So what exactly did they agree on?
02:49: What remains outstanding — what’s not in the deal?
04:14: How does this deal stack up against Trump’s other Asia tour agreements?
06:28: Will this new deal with China actually hold?

#TheEconomist #Trump #China

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/4qIRDJV
Donald Trump and Xi

2025-10-28

Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are threatening the longstanding values of the European Union. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and former prime minister of Estonia, speaks to our geopolitics editor, David Rennie, about how the union can navigate an increasingly turbulent and hostile world.

#putin #trump #xijinping

00:00 – Introduction
00:07 – How China views the Russia-Ukraine war
01:20 – Europe’s economic influence over China
03:24 – Could the EU use its anti-coercion instrument?
05:05 – How the EU can navigate a world dominated by strongmen

Watch the full interview: https://econ.st/3X18TMA

Brussels feels like a city preparing for war: https://econ.st/4oLCrKd

How strongmen mastered the art of dividing Europe:

2025-10-27

Many of the jobs that graduates will end up doing don’t even exist yet. In the age of AI, what are the best subjects to study?

Video supported by @mishcondereya

2025-09-10

What do Americans really think of Donald Trump? John Prideaux, our US editor, breaks down the latest data to find out how popular the president is.

2025-09-03

Why are strip clubs in Britain vanishing? Rosie Blau, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, and our writer, Rohan Banerjee, pull back the curtain on adult entertainment lounges and what the future might hold for them.

00:00 – What are strip clubs really like?
01:23 – Who goes to strip clubs?
02:08 – Are strip clubs doing well?
02:40 – How many strip clubs are left in the UK?
03:23 – Why did you go to a strip club in Norwich?
03:52 – What restrictions are coming from local councils?
04:42 – Is government regulation a good thing?

Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/4oZQkVT
British authorities are cracking down on strip clubs: https://econ.st/41vyqQY
Sign up to our weekly newsletter: https://econ.st/3J0xzBr
Sign up to our business and technology newsletter: