Editor's Picks from The Economist

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Business and markets are saturated with millenarian worldviews. From artificial intelligence to defence technology, companies are cashing in on the fear of global catastrophe.Topics covered:Artificial intelligenceDefence technologySpaceXListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Europe is wary of admitting a poor and institutionally weak country into its club. In reality, leaving a powerful and resentful Ukraine out in the cold is far more dangerous. Topics covered:Ukraine warEuropean UnionUkrainian accession to the EUListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. A new brand of socialism is rapidly gaining popularity among the young. The “me-first” doctrine is a threat to prosperity.Topics covered:SocialismWealth taxationCost of livingListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Europe's baby-boomers built vast wealth through cheap housing and generous state pensions. A shrinking generation of young workers is now being forced to foot the bill. Topics covered:Baby-boomersWelfare stateDemographic economicsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Chinese companies have dominated global solar-panel production. But this manufacturing triumph has inadvertently pushed the country's own clean-energy sector to the brink.Topics covered:Solar energyRenewable technologyEnergy marketsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. China once relied on its rich Asian neighbours for high-tech components, but it now competes across the entire supply chain. Taiwan, South Korea and Japan must rethink their reliance on export-driven growth. Topics covered:Asian economiesManufacturingChipmakingListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. As cheap, deadly technology proliferates, world leaders must realise that wars of choice are becoming increasingly foolish. Topics covered:Defence technologyArtificial intelligenceLaws of warListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Disney previously turned its flagship film franchise into TV fodder, but Star Wars is now returning to cinemas. Much is riding on how it fares. Topics covered:Star WarsDisneyThe Mandalorian and GroguListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.