Editor's Picks from 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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.

A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. As the American government ramps up deportations, scammers are preying on desperate immigrants. From impersonating lawyers to staging fake hearings, these criminals are swindling migrants out of the American dream.Topics covered:Scams Immigrants in AmericaImmigration lawListen 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 artificial intelligence models become increasingly sophisticated and capable, they are also becoming more expensive. Some businesses are struggling to cover the skyrocketing cost of computing tokens.Topics covered:Tokenmaxxing AI for businessTech industryListen 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. India is courting foreign capital to fuel its rapidly growing economy. However, global investors remain wary of the country's dynastic corporate leadership.Topics covered:Indian economyFamily businessesJio IPOListen 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.

The value of Chinese Biotech A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. China has become a global powerhouse for cutting-edge pharmaceutical research. America’s misguided attempts to shut out Chinese biotechnology threaten the worldwide search for new cures.Topics covered:Chinese biotechnologyPharmaceutical researchMedical scienceListen 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.