Veep show: America meets J.D. Vance

2024-07-12

Artificial intelligence is already making a difference (https://www.economist.com/briefing/2024/06/20/how-ai-is-changing-warfare?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) in the theatre of war, and more involvement will certainly come. That raises a host of thorny ethical issues. In some cases, scientists just clocked (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/07/11/freeze-dried-chromosomes-can-survive-for-thousands-of-years?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), extinct beasts’ DNA can be extraordinarily well preserved—revealing

2024-06-28

America’s president had one primary task at last night’s debate: to close down speculation about his mental faculties. It went so poorly (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/06/28/joe-bidens-horrific-debate-performance-casts-his-entire-candidacy-into-doubt?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) his whole campaign is now in doubt. Tentative results from a newish instrument give tantalising hints

2024-06-18

The post-war generation reaped the benefits of peace and prosperity. Yet rather than spend that bounty, retired boomers are hoarding their riches (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/05/26/baby-boomers-are-loaded-why-are-they-so-stingy)–and upending economists’ expectations. The science of menstruation is baffling, partly because most animals don’t do it. Now clever innovations (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/29/progress-on-the-science-of-menstruation-at-last) may help improve women’s health (9:13). And how old-fashioned wind-power is blowing new life (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/05/21/a-new-age-of-sail-begins) into the shipping industry–and cutting its emissions (16:13).

Listen to what matters most, from global

2024-06-13

America’s upbeat assessment of a ceasefire deal masks deep divides (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/06/12/hamas-and-israel-are-still-far-apart-over-a-ceasefire-deal?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) that may not, in fact, be bridgeable. There are nevertheless reasons for optimism. Our data team digs into the accusation that the New York Times’s bestseller list is biased (https://www.economist.com/culture/2024/06/11/is-the-new-york-times-bestseller-list-politically-biased?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

2024-06-10

Hard-right parties did well in Europe’s parliamentary elections—so well in France that President Emmanuel Macron called (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/06/09/as-the-french-hard-right-triumphs-in-eu-elections-macron-calls-snap-vote?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) a risky snap election. Elsewhere, though, the political centre held. We examine the policies that are getting America’s many chronically truant students

2024-05-31

The former president was found guilty (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/05/30/the-disgrace-of-a-former-american-president?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 all 34 charges of falsifying business records. But his convictions leave lots of room for appeals, and for supporters to cry foul. South Africa’s ruling party is set to lose its majority in its worst electoral performance since Nelson Mandela’s victory. What might a coalition look like (09:28)? And, we say goodbye to Ore (17:08).

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For more information about how

2024-05-30

Ahead of a general election (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/05/22/rishi-sunaks-election-call-makes-no-sense-but-is-good-news?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) in July, we reflect on 14 years of Conservative rule. It’s not a great record, but will the prime minister be able to spin it on the campaign trail? Latin America is still being torn apart by some of the world’s worst gang violence