A once-fringe far-right party looks close to power—and serves as another sign of a broad and worrying pro-Russia trend in central European politics. Meanwhile Jean-Marie Le Pen, who established the far-right party now close to power in France, has died; our correspondent reflects on his legacy (10:05). And our series The World Ahead examines financial inclusion in Latin America (16:07).  

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In the end Justin Trudeau could not resist the internal pressure. We ask why the liberal standard-bearer got pushed out, and what comes next. Ten years after terrorists raided the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French newspaper, our correspondent speaks with its unbowed editor (10:10). And our series The World Ahead examines the nexus of AI and the pharmaceutical industry (19:08).  

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Israel continued to pound Gaza, even as ceasefire negotiations began in Qatar. The familiar dynamic will soon be interrupted by a new American administration. Our analysis shows that Nordic firms have markedly better fundamentals than the European average; we examine what’s behind all that success (10:18). And our series The World Ahead considers how democracy will fare in Asia in 2025 (18:37). 

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There are three types of economics-minded people in Donald Trump’s incoming administration. We ask whether they are likely to collaborate or to compete. Tourism clearly adds to emissions, but new numbers show just how fast that fraction is rising (9:58). And the next in our The World Ahead series reveals a familiar planetary phenomenon that will disappear in 2025 (17:07).   

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The country is on its third president in as many weeks—a deep political crisis only made worse by the most deadly air disaster in South Korean history. A change to how Brazil’s football teams are run has lured investment galore, making for a potential rival to England’s top league (9:49). And why movie studios are so keen on plumbing video-game franchises (16:59).

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There is no simplistic split of sentiment about Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. But what most Russians want is a return to normal that now seems impossible. Our The World Ahead series continues with a look at what is to come in British politics (9:16). And the delicate business of handing out nicknames—for people and for brands (17:30).

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In some places, votes resulted in political chaos; in others they showed a promising shift away from identity politics. Our deputy editor looks back on 2024’s pile of polls. Looking ahead, we examine the Chinese cities that will come into their own in 2025 (11:36). And the changing economics of Poland’s traditional “milk bars” (16:29). 

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After a single term and a landslide loss to Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter’s presidency was judged unduly harshly. What matters, though, are the principles he held dear for all his 100 years. The first of our series The World Ahead outlines the big trends coming in 2025 (11:39). And a reading list for those who want to know how Elon Musk thinks (20:42). 

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From a legendary baseball slugger to a beloved comic actor, from Scottish politicians to America’s sex therapist to the leader of Russia’s resistance: our shows have marked the deaths of many noteworthy figures throughout 2024. Our obituaries editor and correspondents reflect on lives that changed the world—not all of them in good ways. 

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Some people read books to escape. Others turn to them for instruction. As the new year looms, our correspondents – and listeners – consider which titles can help forecast what’s coming next. Picks include “Rainbows End” by Vernor Vinge, “Nuclear War” by Annie Jacobsen, “Not the End of the World” by Hannah Richie and “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey. 

This is a full list of the books mentioned in the show:

“Rainbow’s End, A Deepness in the Sky and A Fire upon the Deep” by Vernor Vinge

“Ageless” by Andrew Steele

“War” by Bob Woodward

“Nuclear War: A Scenario” by Annie Jackobson

“1984” by George Orwell

“On Freedom and On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder

“A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers

“Qualityland” from Marc-Uwe Kling

“Ministry of the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson

“Severance” by Ling Ma

“Land of Milk and Money” by C Pam Zhang

“The Broken Earth Trilogy” by NK Jemisin

“Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie

“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey

“The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” by Carson McCullers

“Ancillary Justice” (The Imperial Rasch Series) by Ann Leckie

“The Battle of Dorking” by Sir George Chesney

“War of the Worlds" by HG Wells

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