The Intelligence from The Economist

As Russia’s war in Ukraine nears four years, there has been no let up in the fighting on the battlefield. Yet there is some optimism that negotiations could yield a ceasefire. Our correspondent joins a Colombian drug raid to destroy a cocaine laboratory in the Amazon. And is crime in London really soaring?  Guests and host: Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondentClaire McQue, Latin America writerSonny Loughran, Britain writer Topics covered:  Ukraine peace prospectsColombia’s war on drugsCrime in London 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 toppling of authoritarian leader Sheikh Hassina in Bangladesh in 2024 was celebrated as a triumph for democracy. Tomorrow the country finally heads to the polls. Our correspondent weighs the choice. Can Mars and other bleak planets be made fit for human habitation? And why AI bots are applying for human jobs.  To find out how to have sex in space, listen to this episode of “The Weekend Intelligence”.  Guests and host: Rosie Blau and Jason Palmer, co-hosts of “The Intelligence”Mark Johnson, senior writerOliver Morton, senior editorShera Avi-Yonah, business writer Topics covered:  Bangladesh’s electionAstrobiologyHow AI changes job recruitment 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.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls for his resignation from a senior party member. He has survived – but Britain’s prime minister is now fighting for his political survival. Assisted dying legislation is catching up with public opinion in America. And what happens when skiing meets rodeo?  Guests and host: Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Sacha Nauta, Britain editorStevie Hertz, US policy correspondentAryn Braun, West Coast corrrespondent Topics covered:  Keir Starmer’s political futureAssisted dying in AmericaThe sport of skijoring   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.

Takaichi Sanae’s gamble to call a general election has paid off. How will the prime minister’s thumping victory change Japan? New legislation in Republican states could imperil academic freedom. And why “Taxi Driver” resonates 50 years after the film’s release. Guests and host: Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Noah Sneider, East Asia bureau chiefRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentAndrew Miller, author of The Economist’s Back Story column on culture Topics covered:  Japan’s electionUniversity censorship in AmericaFifty years of “Taxi Driver” For more on Japan’s economy, listen to last week’s episode of Money Talks 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.

This week Elon Musk announced the merger of two of his companies: SpaceX and xAI, which makes chatbots. Is the new firm viable? As migrant workers return home for lunar new year, the Chinese Communist Party tells migrant workers not to stay for too long. And our culture editor’s hot take on “Heated Rivalry”. 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.