Editor's Picks from The Economist

Governments must regulate synthetic biology to guard against uncontrollable disasters, such as mirror pathogen outbreaks. Topics covered:Mirror lifeBiotechnologyBioweaponsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Surging public debt and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence threaten to disrupt rich-world tax systems. Topics covered:Tax policyArtificial intelligenceLabour incomeListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

While the philosophy rightly champions AI safety and empirical rigour, the prospect of a small, empowered elite putting it into practice is alarming.Topics covered:Effective altruismArtificial intelligencePhilosophyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Italy’s remarkably low rate of fentanyl overdoses could be the result of an informal veto by organised crime groups.Topics covered:Italy’s MafiaFentanylControlled substances Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

The rapport between America’s president and Venezuela's interim leader bodes ill for the country’s democratic prospects.Topics covered:VenezuelaOil investmentDemocracyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Financial markets are starting to price in milder AI threats. But they are ill-equipped to insure against catastrophic risks. Topics covered:Artificial intelligence Financial marketsExistential threatsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

As American power retreats, the region is left exposed to instability and competing rivals.Topics covered:Middle EastIran warAmerican hegemonyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

Record numbers of graduates are entering a sluggish economy. As millions of young adults are left without job prospects, some have turned to pretending to work.Topics covered:Youth unemployment in ChinaThe Pretend to Work CompanyChinese economyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.