The Intelligence from The Economist

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is gambling that anger about housing might solidify his mandate in a snap poll. Most probably it will instead add to the rightward shift in European politics. America’s beef prices have never been higher, so why is it that the meatpackers have it so tough? And the battery technology to improve medical diagnostics you can swallow.

Listen to our episode of “Babbage” on edible electronics here.

Guests and host:

• Michael Reid, Spain correspondent and writer at large
• Bella King, news editor
• David Adam, science writer
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Spanish politics, housing crisis, Pedro Sánchez
• America’s meat industry, meatpackers
• medical diagnostics, edible electronics, battery technology

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Flávio Bolsonaro, populist-right son of the imprisoned coup architect Jair, received the most votes in the presidential first round. We ask why Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the incumbent, fell behind—and what is at stake when they go head-to-head. We examine Americans’ growing anger at automatic number-plate-reading cameras. And the demanding but lucrative business of nannying the children of the super-rich.

Guests and host:

• Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief
• Hollie Berman, news editor
• Alice Fulwood, US business editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
• Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• Brazilian election, Lula, Bolsonaro, populist-right politics
• Flock cameras, American law enforcement, privacy, surveillance
• childcare, plutocrats

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If Artificial Intelligence results in job losses or lower salaries, government revenues will fall. Our correspondent explains how best to tax the windfalls from AI. Paint is a surprisingly cheap way to cool buildings. And remembering the life of Stanislas Hutin, who revealed France’s barbarity in Algeria.

Watch extended clips from Insider here

Guests and host:

• Callum Williams, senior economics writer
• Nikita Ostrovsky, science writer
• Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
• Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

• AI, tax, wealth tax, consumption tax
• Climate change, paint, adaptation
• Stanislas Hutin, Algeria, France, war crimes

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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