The Intelligence from The Economist

Decades of messaging have not worked, so governments are trying new ways to get citizens to eat well, from scary labelling to taxing the junkiest foods. Will it work? The death of a plague researcher in Russia is made more mysterious by the government’s resolute lack of transparency. And a tribute to Cyril Hilsum, the inventor behind ubiquitous flat-screen displays. Watch extended clips from Insider here.Guests and host:Slavea Chankova, health-care correspondentAlex Turner, defence editorAnn Wroe, obituaries editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: diet, public health, health policyRussia, plague, bioweaponsCyril Hilsum, liquid crystals, flat-screen displaysListen 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.

Alex Domash, an economics correspondent focused on debt and markets, examines surging bond yields, AI investment and France’s fiscal troubles. Tim Cross, a science and technology writer, explores satellites that could beam sunlight onto Earth after dark, from disaster relief to farming, and the risks to wildlife and astronomy. Tom Wainwright, a culture correspondent, reviews Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning” and Facebook’s moderation dilemma.

Sophie Pedder, The Economist’s Paris bureau chief, covers France’s school protests as local grievances become national unrest. Stevie Hertz, a U.S. policy correspondent, examines the Cornell Seven case and Title IX’s troubled campus process. Abhishek Kumar, an India writer, explores astrology’s booming role in finance, from stock picks to executive hiring.

Michael Reid, The Economist’s Spain correspondent, examines Pedro Sánchez’s snap election, the housing crisis and Europe’s rightward shift. News editor Bella King explores why soaring beef prices are squeezing American meatpackers and how drought drives cattle cycles. Science writer David Adam reveals swallowable sensors and dissolvable batteries that could transform medical diagnostics.

Ana Lankes, The Economist’s Brazil bureau chief, examines Flávio Bolsonaro’s first-round surge, his father’s political comeback and Brazil’s rightward turn. Alice Fulwood, the magazine’s US business editor, explores America’s backlash against license-plate surveillance and the high-pressure, six-figure world of nannying for the super-rich.

Callum Williams, The Economist’s senior economics writer, explores how AI could erode labour-tax revenues and reshape taxation. Nikita Ostrovsky, a science and technology writer, examines reflective aerogel paint that cools buildings without electricity. Ann Wroe, an obituaries editor and literary biographer, remembers Stanislas Hutin, whose testimony exposed torture and colonial brutality during France’s war in Algeria.

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 correspondentHenry Tricks, US technology editorCatherine Nixey, Britain correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Ukraine, Kyiv, civilian targetsSmart 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonny Loughran, a Britain correspondent, examines Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches and the Premier League’s possible penalties. Jonathan Rosenthal, an international security correspondent, explores Russia’s escalating grey-zone attacks across Europe. Moeka Iida, an East Asia culture and economics reporter, explains Chiikawa’s global appeal, from kawaii merchandise to its anxious yet comforting world.

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 correspondentRobert Guest, deputy editorVicky Jessop, culture writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Brazil, Lula, BolsonaroWomen, honour culture, equalityPhone-free, concerts, gigsListen 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.

Matthew Symonds, an international-security analyst, examines a suspected Iranian plot near RAF Fairford and the risks of escalating hybrid warfare. Commodities editor Matthieu Favas explores oil firms’ soaring profits, investment pressures and the energy transition. Data-journalism editor Michelle Hennessy discusses research on daughters, workplace bias and women’s pay.