Chip wreck: Intel is on the rocks

From The Economist. One of America’s stalwart tech giants is on the ropes, having first missed the move to mobile and then the one to AI. We ask what fate awaits it. Our correspondent meets with Vadym Sukharevsky (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/07/22/vadym-sukharevsky-the-man-in-charge-of-ukraines-drones?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), head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces—the world’s first drone commander (9:05). And what is behind Donald…

Don wan: Harris keeps Trump tame

From The Economist. The vice-president turned in a confident if imperfect performance, leaving Donald Trump flustered (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/09/11/kamala-harris-makes-donald-trump-look-out-of-his-depth?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). But will it change anything? A global shortfall of blood plasma is hampering the development of new medicines; we argue for some simple market forces that could plug the gap (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/29/people-should-be-paid-for-blood-plasma?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) (11:40). And how Nigerians are slimming (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/29/a-nigerians-guide-to-weddings-during-the-cozzie-livs?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)…

Mario druthers: Draghi’s plan for Europe

From The Economist. The EU’s unofficial chief technocrat issued a doorstop of a report outlining how the bloc can boost growth (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/09/09/can-anything-spark-europes-economy-back-to-life?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) and keep up in a changing world. Is it all too ambitious? Mexico’s lame-duck president has one last project in mind: undermining the judiciary (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/08/29/amlos-dangerous-last-blast-threatens-mexico?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) (10:44). And as the film “Fight Club” turns…

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

From The Economist. Nicolás Maduro has stolen an election, again—but this time the rightful winner felt so threatened that he has fled to Spain (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/08/29/nicolas-maduro-digs-in-with-the-help-of-a-pliant-supreme-court?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). We ask what happens next. A valedictory dispatch (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/22/why-americas-tech-giants-have-got-bigger-and-stronger?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) from our global business columnist asks why the forces of “creative destruction” seem to have faded (10:27). And the youth clubs…

Grand Barnier: France’s new prime minister

From The Economist. Two months ago, French politics was thrown into crisis after a snap election left no party with a clear majority. Michel Barnier (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/09/05/turmoil-awaits-michel-barnier-frances-new-prime-minister?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), the new prime minister, has a huge task ahead. Donald Trump’s campaign took time to adjust to the nomination of Kamala Harris. Now he’s on the attack (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/09/04/the-trump-campaign-unleashes-a-barrage-of-negative-advertisements?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) again…

Current affairs: how batteries will green the grid

From The Economist. Though we use more renewable energy than ever before, electricity grids need ways to cope with intermittent wind or solar power. Innovations that make batteries to store that energy bigger, cheaper (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/09/01/clean-energys-next-trillion-dollar-business?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) and more efficient can help. Why tourists are flocking to Asia (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/15/the-global-tourism-boom-is-shifting-to-asia?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) (9:41). And a listener asks how we should…

Beyond the bullets: we go to Ukraine

From The Economist. 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…

The sound of fury: pressure builds within Israel

From The Economist. The recovery of six hostages from Gaza has provoked mass demonstrations on the streets of Israel and a general strike. But Israel’s government (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/29/have-israels-far-right-religious-nationalists-peaked?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) refuses to bow to pressure and a ceasefire deal remains elusive. Why are women less likely (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/08/21/why-dont-women-use-artificial-intelligence?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) to use AI than men (10:27)? And how to make Mars…

Extremes come true: Germany’s far-right triumph

From The Economist. 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 (11:10). And how farmers in Spain are…

For whom the well tolls: Why we must price water

From The Economist. Water scarcity is growing even in parts of the world that used to be drought-free. Since most countries waste (https://www.economist.com/international/2024/08/26/the-poisonous-global-politics-of-water?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) vast quantities of water, charging for it would help. Our correspondent travelled to America’s northern border (https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/08/21/behind-the-surge-in-migrants-crossing-at-americas-northern-border?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) to report on illegal crossings from Canada (8:57). And the life of biological anthropologist Helen…

Nvincible? What could curb Nvidia’s supremacy

From The Economist. The American chip designer has become one of the world’s most valuable companies on the back of the AI revolution. But there are some contradictions in Nvidia’s plans for the future (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/26/what-could-stop-the-nvidia-frenzy?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). California’s iconic Highway 1 is under threat (https://www.economist.com/interactive/united-states/2024/07/30/the-demise-of-an-iconic-american-highway?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) (10:46). And why Europeans are spurning nudity (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/15/the-great-cover-up-europe-is-losing-its-penchant-for-public-nudity?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) (20:41). Listen to what…

Cryptic message: why arrest Telegram’s founder?

From The Economist. As Pavel Durov (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/27/the-arrest-of-telegrams-founder-rattles-social-media?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) sits in a French cell waiting to find out if he will be charged, our correspondent probes the links between Telegram and Russia. What central bankers and monetary policy specialists have been talking about at their annual jamboree at Jackson Hole (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/08/27/vast-government-debts-are-riskier-than-they-appear?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) (9:16). And we answer another listener…

Block busters: how Russia flouts sanctions

From The Economist. Since the invasion of Ukraine, the West has deployed massive economic restrictions (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/19/the-mysterious-middlemen-helping-russias-war-machine?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 Russian trade. So why is Russia’s economy growing? A survivor’s story from the forgotten conflict (https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2024/08/24/the-war-the-world-ignores?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 Sudan (10:47). And Turkey tries to rid its streets of stray dogs (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/08/turkeys-president-refuses-to-let-sleeping-dogs-lie?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) (17:56). Listen to what matters most, from global…

The chips are down: will diet drugs devour junk food?

From The Economist. Snack-food companies have long shown their adaptability to changing diets (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/18/can-big-food-adapt-to-healthier-diets?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). How could the rise of appetite-suppressing drugs and fears about ultra-processed foods change the food we consume? How hearing aids and other lifestyle choices can reduce your risk of dementia (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/08/05/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-developing-dementia?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) (11:00). And why it’s time to revive the siesta (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/08/08/the-siesta-is-still-a-serious-business-in-europes-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)…

KamaChameleon: What does Harris stand for?

From The Economist. After an electric week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Kamala Harris now faces the real test (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/22/kamala-harris-can-beat-donald-trump-but-how-would-she-govern?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 her bid to be president. Can she convince American voters? In the third part of our series on dating apps, we visit Brazil, China and Pakistan (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/08/why-people-have-fallen-out-of-love-with-dating-apps?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) (10:24). And our obituaries editor…

Electric eye: AI is helping fight terrorists

From The Economist. Predicting political violence is a painstaking job. Now AI is helping analysts (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/07/31/how-america-built-an-ai-tool-to-predict-taliban-attacks?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) look for clues and throwing up fascinating insights into the shifts that may indicate a strike is coming. Why Cuba could be heading towards economic and social collapse (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/07/21/cuba-is-out-of-supplies-and-out-of-ideas?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) (11:01). And our correspondent visits Odessa where Ukrainians are rediscovering…

The human strain: can mpox be contained?

From The Economist. Mpox is spreading fast across Africa, yet public information campaigns are scant and vaccines in short supply. Is a new pandemic in the offing? Strategists are pondering a new potential threat from Russia: the possibility that it could detonate a nuclear weapon in space (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/06/27/the-race-to-prevent-satellite-armageddon?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) (09:42). And an Economist correspondent answers another…

Byte by byte: Iran and Israel’s escalating cyberwar

From The Economist. While many people fear the risk of a wider war breaking out in the Middle East, a parallel battle (https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/08/15/irans-electronic-confrontation-with-israel?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) is already ongoing – in the digital sphere. Can China challenge a long-standing duopoly (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/07/25/can-china-smash-the-airbus-boeing-duopoly?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 airline industry (10:16)? And the latest Carrie Bradshaw index (https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/08/04/our-carrie-bradshaw-index-where-americans-can-afford-to-live-solo?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) tells us where Americans can…

Hail Harris: the Democratic convention begins

From The Economist. As Democrats convene in Chicago, polls suggest Kamala Harris (https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/15/our-forecast-puts-kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-neck-and-neck?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) is ahead by a whisker in the US presidential race. Can the party sustain the momentum? In hospital, your recovery may depend not just on diagnostic technology or the drugs you take, but whether your doctor is a woman (https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2024/08/07/do-women-make-better-doctors-than-men?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) (10:11). And…

Landing padded: the global-recession risk

From The Economist. Inflation, interest rates and jobless numbers are on healthy trends; markets are gaining back ground. As the spectre of global recession fades (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/08/07/a-global-recession-is-not-in-prospect?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) we ask why fear has persisted. In the second instalment of our series on dating (https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/08/why-people-have-fallen-out-of-love-with-dating-apps?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) we look at what singles are doing beyond the apps (10:23). And a…

One peace at a time: Gaza, Israel and Iran

From The Economist. 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 Colombia’s bid (https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2024/08/08/colombia-prepares-for-a-vanilla-boom?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) to sate the global hunger…

Bait the hook! Fishing in the global talent pool

From The Economist. Skilled immigrants bring more than just their expertise to job markets. But governments miss opportunities to attract them—or make them feel entirely unwelcome. In America it seems like the standard tip fraction just keeps going up and up (https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2024/06/20/is-america-approaching-peak-tip?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) (11:36). Where will it end? And as part of our “schools briefs (https://www.economist.com/schools-brief?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)”…