Core blimey: what’s up at Apple?

After Israel launches an all-out assault on Iran without clear US backing, our correspondent explains how the conflict could escalate. The Trump administration has reduced America’s readiness for hurricane season. And what FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup will mean for football. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany was once the economic powerhouse of Europe. But since 2019 its economy has barely grown. The country is now under new leadership—but is Friedrich Merz the man to pull Germany out of its perma-slump? Hosts: Ethan Wu and Mike Bird. Guests: The Economist’s Christian Odendahl; Monika Schnitzer, chair of the German Council of Economic Experts; and Philippa Sigl-Glöckner, founder of Dezernat Zukunft, a macro-finance think tank. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The all-famous Murdoch clan is engaged in a fierce battle over control of the family’s media companies. Our correspondent explains why turmoil at the top has not deterred investors. After decades of fruitless research into Alzheimer’s, there are finally some new drugs in the pipeline. And pop songs are getting shorter.   Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For centuries, male children were prized as heirs and breadwinners. Now the desire to have boys is diminishing and some parents would rather have a girl. What Germany’s expanded armed forces mean for Europe. And if coffee can benefit your health, how many mugs should you consume a day?    Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the Chinese diaspora’s most celebrated artists grew up poor but surrounded by literature and art. After a string of books in her native language Xiaolu Guo found her creativity constrained. In London she began writing and making films in English—most recently a reworking of “Moby Dick”. After half a life inside China and half outside, she has illuminating views on art, love, youth and womanhood.  Rosie Blau, a former China correspondent for The Economist and a co-host of “The Intelligence”, our daily news podcast, visits Ms Guo at her home. They explore the author’s formative years, her bewildering move to the West and her thoughts on Chinese art and society today. Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.  For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.