Checks and Balance: Twenty years later

International tests in maths and reading show that 15-year-olds today score what 14-year-olds would have done a decade ago. Our correspondent explains the long-term decline. Is Miami’s thriving economic growth sustainable? And why Jeremy Vine’s BBC Radio 2 show is a microcosm of Britain.    Guests and host: Mark Johnson, senior editorCerian Richmond Jones, international economics correspondentSonny Loughran, Britain correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  PISA, education, test scores, exams, aptitudeMiami, Trump, Florida, hurricaneJeremy Vine, Radio 2, BBC Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative for Germany won an even larger share of the vote than expected in yesterday’s state election. What does the far-right nationalist party’s success mean for Germany and Europe? The climate case for limiting vapour trails from aeroplanes. And why South Korean youths are turning to Buddhism.  Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chiefOliver Morton, planetary affairs editorSoobin Kim, Korea writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  AfD, Alternative for Germany, Alternative für Deutschlandcontrails, aviation, climate scienceSouth Korea, Buddhism Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, has shifted strategy to boost demand for its chips. Our correspondent assesses the opportunities and risks. Knife crime in Britain moves to rural pastures. And our obituaries editor recounts the life of Frank Smith, who died in prison aged 101.  Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interview Guests and host: Shailesh Chitnis, global business writerSonny Loughran, Britain correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Nvidia, AI, Jensen HuangKnife crime, county lines, drug marketFrank Smith, electric chair, death row Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s stance on immigration helped him win the presidency. Our correspondent asks if a backlash against the campaign could damage Republican midterm prospects. Reddit is struggling in an age of AI. And the enduring beauty of the Bayeux tapestry. Guests and host: Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, business correspondentAlexandra Suich Bass, culture editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Deportation, ICE, immigration, MinneapolisReddit, Google, AIBayeux tapestry, 1066, British Museum Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right nationalist party to win a state election since the end of the second world war. Is Britain right to worry about Palantir handling government contracts? And could the Chinese learn to love chocolate?  Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, chief Germany correspondentGeorgia Banjo, Britain correspondentDon Weinland, China business and finance editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Germany, AfD, Alternative for Germany, Saxony-AnhaltPalantir, NHSChina, chocolate  Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.