The singular focus on the metaverse of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s boss, fretted investors. But in the past year he has pulled off a spectacularly <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2023/10/26/ai-has-rescued-mark-zuckerberg-from-a-metaverse-size-hole?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">timely turnaround</a>. We look at what is driving an <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2023/11/09/illegal-gold-is-booming-in-south-america?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">illegal-gold rush</a> in Venezuela as a lens on a wider, regional concern (9:48). And why North Korea’s women’s football team provides such <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/10/26/north-koreas-secret-sporting-weapon?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">good propaganda</a> (16:48). Sign up for a <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: As Zuck would have it

Our correspondent speaks with the Africa head of the Red Cross who has borne witness to the war, famine and genocide that continue—unrelenting and <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/11/16/the-world-is-ignoring-war-genocide-and-famine-in-sudan?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">largely ignored</a>—in Sudan. As Ukraine’s men are sent off to war, the country’s women are <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/11/12/as-ukrainian-men-head-off-to-fight-women-take-up-their-jobs?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">upending its labour market</a>; we meet some newly minted miners (10:07). And how the age at which careers peak <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/10/06/at-what-age-do-you-hit-the-peak-of-your-career?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">is changing</a> (18:34).&nbsp;Today is the last day of our Black Friday sale: sign up to <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Economist Podcasts+</a> for half price—just two dollars, pounds or euros a month for access to all our award-winning shows. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: eyewitness to slaughter in Sudan

This is the <a href="https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/07/27/china-wants-to-choose-the-next-dalai-lama-he-has-other-plans" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">story</a> of the Dalai Lama’s succession. A tale about the battle over an esoteric religious process - the transmigration of souls - that pits the world’s superpowers against each other and will decide the future of an ancient civilization. This is a subscriber-only episode. To listen, sign up for a <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">video</a> explaining how to link your account

The Weekend Intelligence: The Dalai-lemma

Look past short-term stumbles: there are <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/11/16/will-japan-rediscover-its-dynamism?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plenty of reasons</a> to think Japan may spin out of its decades-long deflationary spiral. But how to avoid another false dawn? A visit to a mine in Zimbabwe reveals <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/11/09/china-is-winning-africas-white-gold-rush-for-lithium?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how valuable lithium is becoming</a> to the continent—and China’s role in securing it (13:09). And remembering a “Rosie the Riveter” who kept riveting <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2023/11/22/elinor-otto-did-not-realise-what-giant-strides-she-was-making-for-women?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">until age 95</a> (21:38). Until Monday November 27th you can sign up to <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Economist Podcasts+</a> for half price in our Black Friday sale. For just two dollars, pounds or euros a month you’ll get access to get all our award-winning podcasts. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: Land of the rising sums

Geert Wilders campaigned on leaving the European Union, closing the borders, and even suggested banning Islam. The Dutch surprisingly voted for him anyway. But without a majority, can he form a government? WeWork is a flawed company, but their bankruptcy reflects greater <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/07/the-fall-of-wework-shows-the-deepening-cracks-in-property?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">turmoil in real estate</a> (10:10). And, how <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/11/03/athletics-should-embrace-super-shoes?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hyper-bouncy shoes</a> are giving runners an edge (17:42). Sign up for a <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+. And from today until Monday 27th November you can sign up to Economist Podcasts+ for half price in our Black Friday sale. For just two dollars, or pounds or euros a month you’ll get access to get all our award-winning podcasts. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: a far-right victory in the Netherlands

After weeks of <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/11/22/israel-strikes-a-hostage-deal-but-promises-the-gaza-war-isnt-over?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">negotiations</a>, Hamas has agreed to release some hostages. In exchange, there will be a four-day pause in fighting. But then what? Americans really love their <a href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/11/09/in-praise-of-americas-car-addiction?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cars</a> and dependence on them is making the country fairer (09:34). And what Netflix’s <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2023/11/21/what-squid-game-the-challenge-reveals-about-the-state-of-tv?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">latest spin-off</a> reveals about the changing trends in TV (15:56).&nbsp; Sign up for a <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: Israel and Hamas’s hostage deal

It is still unclear why the board of OpenAI fired him last week, but hundreds of staff are revolting anyway. The debacle reveals a <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2023/11/19/the-sam-altman-drama-points-to-a-deeper-split-in-the-tech-world?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sizeable rift</a> between the tech companies at the forefront of AI development. Canadians typically consider themselves pro-<a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2023/11/02/canadians-are-starting-to-sour-on-migration?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">immigration</a>. Is the tide changing (10:45)? And the books you didn’t know were <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-economist-reads/2023/11/03/six-books-you-didnt-know-were-propaganda?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">propaganda</a> (18:49). Sign up for a <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.

The Intelligence: Sam Altman and the divide in the AI world

He is a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” and in a run-off, the people have entrusted this political firebrand to shake the country out of economic malaise. <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2023/11/20/is-argentinas-new-president-too-divisive-to-fix-a-broken-economy?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Will he deliver</a>? Hamas has an intricate network of tunnels under Gaza, but <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/11/08/israel-hopes-technology-will-help-it-fight-in-hamass-tunnels?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">new tech</a> could help Israel fight them (10:48). And what AI can glean from <a href="https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2023/10/25/ai-can-catalogue-a-forests-inhabitants-simply-by-listening?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">listening to the forests</a> (19:03). Additional audio courtesy of Jörg Müller Sign up for a <a href="http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account. Podcast transcripts are available upon request at podcasts@economist.com. We are committed to improving accessibility even further and are exploring new ways to expand our podcast-transcript offering.

The Intelligence: can Milei cure malaise in Argentina?

When separatists took over the town of Torez in Ukraine they came for Oleh first. In our latest episode, 1843 reporter Liz Cookman tells Jason Palmer <a href="https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/08/31/he-was-tortured-for-standing-up-for-ukraine-now-he-lives-alone-in-a-forest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Oleh’s story</a> and the story of a traumatised nation. This is a subscriber-only episode. To listen, sign up for a <a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">free trial</a> of Economist Podcasts+If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TlDbL-4vU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">video</a> explaining how to link your account

The Weekend Intelligence: The man in the forest

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Get a daily burst of global illumination from The Economist’s worldwide network of correspondents as they dig past the headlines to get to the stories beneath—and to stories that aren’t making headlines, but should be. Published daily, our reporters provide a unique perspective on an expansive range of geopolitical issues and events shaping the world. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ now and get 50% off your subscription with our limited time offer. You will not be charged until Economist Podcasts+ launches. Visit <a href="www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.economist.com/podcastsplus-intelligence</a> to join.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> at <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts</a>

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