To critics, Britain’s Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots.Guests and host:Andrew Miller, special correspondentOliver Morton, planetary affairs editorCaitlin Talbot, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Zack Polanski, Britain’s Green PartySpudCells, synthetic biologytravel agents, luxury travelListen 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.

Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche.Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interview. Guests and host:Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefClaire McQue, Latin America writerAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctionsColombia, earthquake, EspriellaNirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalancheListen 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.

After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food may be slowing. And how many hours of Wagner opera would you sit through?  Guests and host:Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, business correspondentBrook Unger, senior digital editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Venezuela, Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, MachadoFast food, McDonalds, burgersWagner, “Ring” cycle, classical musicListen 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 Iran war triggered the largest supply shock in the history of petroleum, yet prices never rose as high as feared. Our correspondent explains how action taken by China steadied global oil flows. Why Brazil has such strict laws on racist language. And the legendary lager of Laos. Guests and host:Matthieu Favas, commodities editorAna Lankes, Brazil bureau chiefVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: China, Iran, oil supplies, OPEC, crudeBrazil, hate speech, racismLaos, Beerlao, beer, lagerListen 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 Muslim Brotherhood won power and influence in the Arab Spring of 2011. Now autocrats are resurgent and its leaders are in jail or exile. Elon Musk says Europe is more dangerous than America. Is he right? And the puzzling popularity of padel.Guests and host:Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondentJames Fransham, data journalistHamish Clayton, Britain writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Muslim Brotherhood, Islamism, Arab SpringElon Musk, Insider, Europe, crime, Padel, tennis, racket sportsListen 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.

Britons are turning to artificial intelligence to file objections to state institutions, and claim their dues. The resulting deluge of complaints and demands may overwhelm bureaucracies. Should Catholic priests have to report child abuse disclosed in confession? And the perfect height gap in a relationship. Guests and host:Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editorRebecca Jackson, US Southern correspondentDoug Dowson, data journalistRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: AI, agentic flooding, bureaucracyCatholic church, confessions, child abuseShort kings, short men, height differentialListen 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.

We look at the peace that has settled over Khartoum, the ruined capital. War rages on elsewhere, and a slim chance at a settlement rests largely with the belligerents’ foreign patrons. We ask why President Donald Trump has picked a fight over a new bridge between Canada and America. And remembering Betye Saar, who provided profound second lives for discarded objects. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Tom Gardner, Africa correspondentAnnie Crabill, senior digital editorAnn Wroe, obituaries editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Sudan war, proxy war, geopolitics Canada-America relations, Gordie Howe BridgeBetye Saar, artListen 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.

We examine one of America’s primary races, in which a sharply lefty candidate beat the establishment figure. What does that reveal about changes in the Democratic Party? For decades China’s Yangtze River was a polluted, overfished mess. We look at the wins from cleaning it up—and who loses. And a fond look back at postcards as they fade from use.Guests and host:John Prideaux, executive editor and host, “Checks and Balance”Gabriel Crossley, China correspondentCatherine Nixey, Britain correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: America’s primary season, Democratic Socialists of America, Michigan, Abdul El-SayedChina, Yangtze River, remediationpostcards, second world war, British historyListen 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.

Fewer clouds, shrinking ice caps, changing pollutants: all result in less of the sun’s energy being reflected back into space. Which is more bad news for a changing climate. Our correspondent explains why so much more of the world’s cocaine is passing through west Africa. And the data that reveal Americans’ discomfort about wives earning more than their husbands.Guests and host:Oliver Morton, planetary-affairs editorỌrẹ Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondentDoug Dowson, data journalistRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: climate change, albedo, global temperaturesAfrica, cocaine, smugglingwage equality, gender pay gapListen 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 Donald Trump’s claim that Hamas had agreed to disarm in Gaza was, at best, premature. We examine the sticking points of a lasting deal. New-business applications are on a tear in America. We ask why so many people are working for themselves—but not doing much hiring. And the enduring popularity of radio in Africa, aided rather than degraded by social media. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, business correspondentWilliam Finlator, contributor to The EconomistJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Board of PeaceAmerican business, entrepreneurshipAfrica, media, radioListen 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.