Category Archive: 5.) The Economist

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How gene editing could reduce the cost of cosmetics

2022-06-23

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The cosmetics business has exploited natural resources for centuries. With consumers now demanding more sustainable products, gene-editing technology could give the industry a makeover—and make cosmetics cheaper. 00:00 - Could gene editing make cosmetics more sustainable? 01:01 - Hunting sharks for skincare 02:58 - How does synthetic biology work? 05:39 - What is the environmental cost of plant-based cosmetics? 07:45 - Can engineered microbes...

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Alien life: are we about to find it?

2022-06-16

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The thought of finding alien life has fascinated people since the time of the ancient Greeks—but developments in astrobiology could be about to turn this possibility into reality. How do you hunt for life beyond Earth—and might this be the decade when we find it? 00:00 - Is there life beyond Earth? 00:56 - How has the search for life evolved? 02:36 - What signs of life are scientists looking for? 03:48 - What are biosignatures? 04:28 - How to find...

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War in Ukraine: is Putin ill? | The Economist

2022-06-15

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Speculation about Vladimir Putin’s health has intensified since the start of the war in Ukraine—including rumours of blood cancer, Parkinson’s and paranoia. Could the Russian dictator be seriously ill? 00:00 - Is Putin sick? 00:52 - What’s driving the speculations of Putin’s ill health? 03:24 - What do the rumours suggest about Putin's power? 04:16 - The future of the Kremlin Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest coverage:...

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How does raising interest rates control inflation? | The Economist

2022-06-09

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When central banks raise interest rates, the impact is felt far and wide. Mortgages become more expensive, house prices might fall and unemployment can rise. So why do central banks do it? This film tells you why. 00:00 - Why should you care about rising interest rates? 00:45 - What are interest rates? 01:36 - What do central banks do? 02:14 - Why do central banks raise interest rates? 03:12 - How do raised interest rates affect consumers? 04:30 -...

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War in Ukraine: how has the world changed? | The Economist

2022-05-31

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It’s been more than three months since Russian tanks rolled across the border into Ukraine. The global impact—from the isolation of Russia to the hit on the world economy—has been far-reaching. Our experts explain how the invasion has fundamentally changed the world for the foreseeable future. 0:00 - The Ukraine war: three months that shook the world 0:45 - In what ways has the world been affected? 2:54 - Russia’s struggles in Ukraine 4:18 -...

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China in Africa: should the West be worried? | The Economist

2022-05-26

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In the past 20 years, China has built ever closer bonds with African nations. It has spent billions transforming infrastructure across the continent, and extending its influence into politics and society. It even placed its only overseas military base there. How worried should the West be? 00:00 - China in Africa: should the West be worried? 00:50 - The start of the relationship: transforming Africa’s infrastructure 02:49 - Africa’s diplomatic...

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Could Ethiopia’s war in Tigray spark conflict with Sudan? | The Economist

2022-05-19

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Recent events have revived a century-old border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan over al-Fashaga—a fertile region that both countries claim as their own. Could these tensions throw the entire region into conflict? 00:00 - The border dispute: Sudan and Ethiopia 00:58 - The history of the dispute 02:33 - How does Abiy Ahmed worsen tensions 03:55 - Trouble in Tigray 04:38 - The return of civil war in Ethiopia 05:07 - Sudan reclaims al-Fashaga...

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War in Ukraine: the emerging global food crisis | The Economist

2022-05-17

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The impact of the war in Ukraine is spreading across the world — global food supplies are now threatened. The Economist’s experts consider the consequences, and discuss how the addition of Finland and Sweden will change the NATO alliance. 0:00 - War in Ukraine: the global impact 1:30 - How Ukraine's agriculture is adapting to the war 2:20 - The world depends on Ukrainian and Russian exports 4:22 - The war’s impact on global supply chains 5:10 -...

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Why oligarchs choose London for their dirty money | The Economist

2022-05-12

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Britain is one of the best places in the world to launder dirty money. Our new film tells you why—and asks whether that's likely to change. 00:00 - Welcome to Londongrad 01:07 - Londongrad by design: a history 04:28 - How does British law help money laundering? 06:57 - How dirty money is hidden in property 09:26 - Why Britain's anti-corruption efforts fall short 10:49 - Does oligarch money actually benefit Britain? 12:08 - How can Britain get it...

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War in Ukraine: why is Russia’s army so weak? | The Economist

2022-05-09

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As Russia celebrates Victory Day, our defence correspondent considers why the Russian army has performed so badly in Ukraine. 00:00 - The poor performance of Russia’s armed forces in Ukraine 00:40 - Why has the Russian army struggled in Ukraine? 02:00 - What’s behind Russia’s brutal warfare? 03:27 - Donbas: the next frontier Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest coverage: https://econ.st/38atDfd Russian soldiers appear to be dying...

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Abortion and the Supreme Court: what’s at stake? | The Economist

2022-05-06

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A leaked draft opinion suggests the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the right to abortion in America. If this ruling goes ahead, women's rights are in danger. 00:00 - Abortion rights are under threat 00:45 - Why the leak was unprecedented 01:35 - Women’s rights and lives are in danger 02:22 - Will this be the first constitutional right to be erased? 02:50 - Could other constitutional rights be struck down? 04:16 - Are Americans losing trust...

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Press freedom: why you should be worried | The Economist

2022-05-03

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Global press freedom is facing its greatest challenge in decades—not just in authoritarian countries, but in democracies too. Governments are using more subtle tactics to muzzle the media. What’s going on and why is it so worrying? 00:00 – Introduction: global press freedom is in decline 01:08 – How journalists are being harassed and silenced in India 04:00 – The decline of press freedom in democracies 06:53 – Press freedom in Malta: the murder...

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Rape in the British military: women speak out | The Economist

2022-04-28

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Almost two-thirds of women in the British armed forces have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination, yet few report their experience because of a culture of fear and impunity. What creates this culture, and how can it be addressed? 00:00 - Sexual harrassment in the British armed forces 01:17 - A culture of sexual harrassment 05:03 - Harassment can lead to serious assault 06:59 - Why women are often silenced by the military 10:30...

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Dr Fauci: follow the science | The Economist

2022-04-26

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Death threats, misinformation and dedication to public service: Dr Anthony Fauci discusses his personal experiences of the covid–19 pandemic with The Economist’s deputy editor, Edward Carr. 00:00 - Who is Dr Anthony Fauci? 00:38 - Should scientists be apolitical? 01:30 - The importance of political neutrality 03:55 - Being a scientist in public service 05:30 - Has science become politicised? Watch the full discussion here:...

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Climate change technology: is shading the earth too risky? | The Economist

2022-04-21

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If the world is getting too hot, why not give it some shade? Solar geoengineering could halt global warming, but there are risks to this controversial technology. 00:00 - Is solar geoengineering worth the risks? 00:41 - On the frontline of climate change 01:40 - What is solar geoengineering? 02:05 - Why the Saami Council stopped a research project 03:33 - Why we need more research 05:05 - The risk of global political tension 06:12 - The risk of...

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Crypto: a beginner’s guide | The Economist

2022-04-19

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Cryptocurrencies, decentralised finance and blockchain technology—what do these terms really mean? The Economist’s finance correspondents guide us through the key concepts of crypto. 00:00 - Crypto can be confusing 00:19 - What is crypto? 01:08 - What is a blockchain? 02:05 - What is mining? 03:15 - What is Bitcoin? 04:00 - What is Ethereum? 04:44 - What is an NFT? 05:41 - How to understand crypto Watch the full discussion here:...

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Brexit: What will happen to Ireland? | The Economist

2022-04-14

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The border between Northern Ireland and the Republic is one of the most contentious in the world. But what really divides Ireland? And after Brexit, is Irish unification a real possibility? 00:00 Ireland’s irregular border 00:45 Ireland’s history divided 02:31 Caught on the wrong side 04:36 The Troubles 06:30 Working towards peace 07:44 New divisions, old tensions Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter to keep up to date with our latest...

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War in Ukraine: The Economist interviews Tony Blair | The Economist

2022-04-12

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Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister, talks to Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, about the war in Ukraine. He gives his opinions on how to deal with Vladimir Putin, the retreat of Western foreign policy and the future of geopolitics. 00:00 - The evolution of Vladimir Putin 01:52 - The wake up call for the West 02:20 - Consequences of Western retreat 05:09 - Is peace with Putin possible? 06:17 - What should the West’s...

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War in Ukraine: the journey to interview President Zelensky | The Economist

2022-04-09

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On March 25th, Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, was granted rare access to President Volodymyr Zelensky's war room in Kyiv. In this exclusive interview he reveals the inside story of his transformation into a wartime leader - and what he thinks of Ukraine's chances. 00:00 - The realities of a war zone 01:05 - Our visit with President Zelensky 01:36 - Can Ukraine win? 02:59 - What is the current military situation? Watch...

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Why the French are fed up (and what it means for Macron) | The Economist

2022-04-08

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The French are miserable. Normally this means defeat for sitting presidents, but Macron is still just about leading in the polls. So what's going on? 00:00 - The French are fed up 01:03 - Has Macron boosted France’s economy? 02:02 - Why are the French so discontent? 02:57 - Why do voters lack confidence in Macron? 03:52 - A deeply divided France 05:32 - Why voters are flocking to political extremes 07:34 - France’s fragmented politics View...

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