Bear hug? China’s take on Ukraine

For 15 years, the British media dismissed Tommy Robinson as a far-right extremist. We kept him off our televisions, and out of our newspapers.  Today his rallies attract tens of thousands of followers and he has the ear of the world’s richest man. Shire Folk is the story of how some of the most powerful people in America came to see Britain—and Islam—through the eyes of a fringe football hooligan. Topics covered: Radical IslamGangsEnglish Defence League 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 This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at [email protected]. Read more about how we are using AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI’s claim to have solved one of the great problems in mathematics has itself created problems. We ask why the breakthrough has shaken the field. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11 we examine the vast counterterrorism machinery that followed in America, and nascent efforts to pare those powers back. And remembering Guo Lanying, a Chinese singer who championed traditional opera. Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Sam Wikeley, science correspondentSam Beal, Washington correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  mathematics, AI, Millennium Prize Problems9/11 anniversary, counterterrorism lawGuo Lanying, Chinese opera 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.

The labour data are in from America and a trend is becoming clearer: on balance AI is starting to create more jobs than it hoovers up. Despite advancements of just about every other kind, China cannot seem to escape its food-safety problems. We ask why not. And why Kenya’s ants have become the target of smugglers. Guests and host: Alex Domash, economics correspondentGabriel Crossley, China correspondentCarla Subirana, news editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  AI, labour statistics, labour marketChina, regulation, food safetyants, smuggling, Kenya 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.

President Javier Milei has tamed inflation and improved the lot of many Argentines. But an election season approaches, and the promised economic and wage growth are not materialising. As LIV Golf files for bankruptcy, we ask where it went wrong in trying to disrupt the sport. And the growth that is good for India’s people is bad for its elephants. Guests and host: Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondentHenry Tricks, US technology editorAbhishek Kumar, India writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  Argentina, Javier Mileigolf, LIV Golf, Saudi ArabiaIndia, elephants 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.

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.