Current affairs: how batteries will green the grid

2024-08-15

Peace talks in Doha have a chance at progress even in Hamas’s absence. The outcome could determine the scope of Iran’s promised retaliations (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/07/israeli-aircraft-buzz-beirut-as-the-drums-of-war-bang-loud?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) against Israel. New research suggests Mars may have an ocean’s worth of water deep in its crust (https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2024/08/13/the-significance-of-liquid-water-on-mars?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) (10:30). And

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024-06-05

Narendra Modi, the strongman of India, will have to compromise now his party has lost its majority (https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/06/04/a-shock-election-result-in-india-humbles-narendra-modi). What does the surprise result mean for the country? As some foreign investors shy away from Africa, the continent’s private sector (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/05/23/africa-inc-is-ready-to-roar) is serving domestic customers to fill that hole (10:02). And how mastering circus stunts (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/08/to-stay-fit-future-moon-dwellers-will-need-special-workouts) could help future moon-dwellers exercise (16:42).

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