Editor's Picks from The Economist

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Russia’s biggest industrialist warns that Vladimir Putin’s rule will cause domestic collapse. He sets out how to avoid the worst outcomes.Topics covered:Vladimir PutinWar in UkraineAndrey MelnichenkoListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Rental electric bikes have become divisive on modern city streets. Are they a triumph of liberal capitalism, or a public nuisance? Topics covered:Micro-mobility firmsConvenience economyLiberalismListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. American sanctions have forced Cuba's ruling party to introduce a slate of capitalist shake-ups. Cubans remain sceptical.Topics covered:Cuba SanctionsPrivatisationListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. America’s government is struggling to regulate the world's most powerful AI models. Lawmakers should move away from erratic bans of the technology. Topics covered:AI regulationAnthropic’s FableOpenAI’s GPT-5.6 SolListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. As America marks its 250th birthday, deep political divisions have many citizens fearing the country is trapped in persistent turmoil. Yet history suggests the country has a powerful capacity to reinvent itself.Topics covered:United StatesIndependence DayDemocracyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Asia’s population is ageing quickly, and rates of elder abuse and abandonment are rising. Rather than build out welfare systems, the region’s governments are forcing children to care for their parents.Topics covered:Demographic shift Elder careSocial policyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. A new crop of right-wing presidents is rapidly aligning Latin America with Donald Trump. Although they promise security, they threaten to erode their countries’ democracies.Topics covered:Latin AmericaCivil libertiesSecuritisationListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. Measures of academic competency are falling among young people in America. In response, universities are dumbing things down. It’s time they raised their standards of both instruction and admission. Topics covered:Higher educationGrade inflationApprenticeshipsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe 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 backlash against artificial intelligence is spreading across the West. Governments must find ways to share the benefits of AI as widely as possible.Topics covered:AI regulationData centresTechnology sectorListen 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.