Plainly reigns but on a plane to Spain: Venezuela’s leader

2024-09-05

What happens to your brain when you burn out? This is the science behind thinking too hard.

00:00 – Does thinking make you tired?
00:21 – What biochemical changes take place?
00:51 – What is glutamate?
01:13 – How to stop burnout?

How thinking hard makes the brain tired: https://econ.st/3TfP0A5

Pity the modern manager—burnt-out, distracted and overloaded: https://econ.st/3B0VVGR

How to keep the brain healthy: https://econ.st/4cU1YdP

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2024-09-04

We take a look at the grim conditions in and prospects for the frontlines in the country’s east and north. But not all of the fighting is military in nature. We examine a far wider cultural revival going on (10:59), in music and fashion and long-forgotten ingredients and methods of Ukrainian cuisine (19:13). “Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow” sung by Andriy Khlyvnyuk

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2024-09-02

The hard right has taken Germany into uncharted territory (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/09/01/the-hard-right-takes-germany-into-uncharted-territory?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), winning one state election and racking up a large share in another. The far left is on the march too. Is Germany dividing into East and West again? Motorbike taxis (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/15/cheap-asian-motorcycles-are-transforming-african-cities?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) are transforming Africa’s cities

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

2024-06-11

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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