Economist Podcasts

Russia has embarked on a new campaign to quell Ukraine, focused on supermarkets, playgrounds and other civilian targets. Our correspondent reports on the toll on daily life in Kyiv. Despite the backlash against “pervert glasses”, companies continue to develop AI-enabled smart specs. And how the pen changed history.

Guests and host:

• Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
• Henry Tricks, US technology editor
• Catherine Nixey, Britain correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Ukraine, Kyiv, civilian targets
• Smart glasses, Meta, pervert glasses
• Fountain pen, Simon Garfield

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An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching over 100 rules. What penalty will the Premier League exact? Russia’s increasingly brazen attempts to provoke and undermine Europe. And why cute Chiikawa, star of a Japanese blockbuster, gives comfort in anxious times.

Subscribers can listen to “Kidulting” on “The Weekend Intelligence”

Guests and host:

• Sonny Loughran, Britain correspondent
• Jonathan Rosenthal, international correspondent
• Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Man City, Abu Dhabi, Premier League
• Russia, Europe, grey-zone, drone
• Chiikawa, kawaii, manga

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On October 4th, Brazil faces a polarising general election: re-elect the octogenarian incumbent or pick the son of a former president jailed for attempting a coup. In some countries honour culture holds women back from even entering the workplace. And why artists are banning phones from concerts.

Guests and host:

• Ana Lankes, Brazil correspondent
• Robert Guest, deputy editor
• Vicky Jessop, culture writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Brazil, Lula, Bolsonaro
• Women, honour culture, equality
• Phone-free, concerts, gigs

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Five men are in custody under suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after being arrested near a British military base used by American aircraft. This could mark a significant escalation in Iranian hybrid warfare. What oil firms are doing with their profits from the Gulf conflict. And why women’s wages rise after their male managers have daughters.

Guests and host:

• Matthew Symonds, contributing editor
• Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
• Michelle Hennessy, graphic detail editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Fairford, Iran, hybrid warfare, terrorist attack
• Oil, oil prices, Iran
• Gender-pay gap, fatherhood, daughters

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Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering Bob Mackie, daring dressmaker to the stars.

Watch extended clips from Insider here

Guests and host:

• Simon Rabinovich, Beijing bureau chief
• Georgia Banjo, Britain correspondent
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, trade war, diplomacy
• Tommy Robinson, American politics, Texas
• Bob Mackie, fashion

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Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time. Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed. And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th.

Guests and host:

• Callum Williams, senior economics writer
• Josh Spencer, Asia news editor
• Andrew Miller, special correspondent
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• housing markets, bond yields, interest rates
• Australia, social media bans
• “Fauda”, October 7th

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Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging. A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian citizens. And how Argentina’s supply of horses and cowboys led to world dominance in polo.

Guests and host:

• Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief
• Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
• Hamish Clayton, culture writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• French politics, Marine Le Pen
• India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, Hindu nationalism
• Argentina, polo

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An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad, at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

Guests and host:

• John McDermott, chief Africa correspondent
• Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
• Alexandra Suich Bass, culture editor
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• South Africa, organised crime, criminal justice
• wearable tech, Oura rings
• Lucas Museum

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Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the science says about blue-light exposure and sleep. 

Guests and host:

• Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief
• Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondent
• Sam Wikeley, science correspondent
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• German politics, Friedrich Merz, AfD, Die Linke
• African stockmarkets, Aliko Dangote
• sleep science, blue light

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After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem. Watch extended clips from Insider 

Guests and host:

• Alex Turner, defence editor
• Avantika Chilkoti, global business writer
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered: 

• Ukraine, drones, Shahed, Kyiv
• Alcohol, beer, aperol
• Gloria Steinem, feminism

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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