Jeremy Page, Asia diplomatic editor for The Economist, dives into China's stealthy efforts to reshape global perceptions of Taiwan. He discusses the implications of shifting U.S. foreign policy and the potential risks of military aggression. The conversation also touches on a controversial case in British justice involving nurse Lucy Letby, highlighting systemic flaws, and explores the changing landscape of football earnings, illustrating how today’s stars are navigating a transformed economic environment.
China is leveraging diplomatic influence to promote its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, complicating international responses to potential military actions.
The case of Lucy Letby reveals serious flaws in the British criminal justice system, raising concerns about the validity of her circumstantial conviction.
The case of Lucy Letby highlights significant concerns regarding the integrity of the British criminal justice system. Found guilty of murdering seven infants while working as a nurse, Letby's conviction relies heavily on circumstantial evidence and expert testimony that raises doubts about its validity. Critics point out that the reliance on flawed statistical evidence and questionable medical judgments led to the wrongful conclusions about her actions. With emerging evidence suggesting that the neonatal unit had systemic issues and unsafe conditions, there are growing fears that Letby may be a victim of a grave miscarriage of justice.
Shifting Dynamics in Football Players' Salaries
The financial landscape of top-tier football clubs is increasingly lucrative, yet star players are not reaping the rewards relative to previous generations. For instance, while Kylian Mbappe's reported earnings of €45 million annually are impressive, they mirror the earnings of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid a decade ago, showcasing stagnation. Additionally, players like Erling Haaland are earning less than their predecessors despite breaking performance records, suggesting an imbalance in revenue distribution. This raises questions about how the financial boom in football is impacting player salaries and what future earnings opportunities may exist for younger athletes.
China's Growing Influence on Taiwan's International Standing
China is actively strengthening its diplomatic influence over Taiwan by nudging other countries to endorse its sovereignty claims and unify without necessarily advocating for peaceful methods. This push has seen 119 countries publicly endorse the 'One China' principle, with key nations in the global south shifting their positions in China’s favor. These changes coincide with China's extensive investments and infrastructure projects, part of its Belt and Road Initiative, which many nations now rely on. As China's assertiveness grows, there are concerns that this could complicate international responses to any potential military actions against Taiwan, indicating a crucial geopolitical shift.
We investigate China’s under-the-radar push to get other countries to change their official language on Taiwan’s independence. Would it make a difference in a bid to reunify by force? The case of a nurse jailed for killing babies exposes deep problems with British justice (10:10). And how top footballers get a smaller slice of their clubs’ take than they once did (17:35).