Editor's Picks from The Economist

While Gen Z and Millennials complain the most about the hardship their generations endure, it seems that Gen X may be the real losers. As the cohort enters the "u-bend of life", the data suggest that they're miserable.Listen 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.

When Donald Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia for a state visit on May 13, he will be entering a very different country to the one he visited eight years ago.Listen 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.

Vladimir Putin's belligerence could threaten NATO. But to stand up to Russia, Europe needs to do more than support Ukraine's war effort—it must prepare for what comes next.Listen 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.

Wine pairing is a classic part of any fine dining experience. But what about a water pairing? A recent summit in Atlanta seeks to elevate the most basic beverage.Listen 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.

Thinking about your mortgage as part of your investment portfolio might not seem intuitive. But, as our Buttonwood column argues, it should be thought of as an asset along with cash, stocks, and bonds.Listen 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.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union, had been expected to become Germany's new leader today, but he unexpectedly fell short of a majority in the initial parliament vote. Our profile of the politician considers his career and character.Listen 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.

As tensions between China and America increase, Taiwan is caught in the middle. Could Donald Trump's isolationism lead to China’s dominance over the island?Listen 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. The streaming era made binge-watching the cultural norm. Now, the same services are returning to a release format that favours delayed gratification.Listen 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. Artificial Intelligence is improving at a remarkable pace, gaining a variety of new capabilities. Surprisingly, and perhaps alarmingly, one of them seems to be deception.Listen 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.