The Intelligence from The Economist

Elon Musk has taken an abiding interest in Britain, and a hard line against its prime minister. It reveals a division within British politics that may hold lessons for elsewhere. Our series The World Ahead concludes by assessing Europe’s security challenges in 2025 (11:14). And remembering Chiung Yao, whose many novels taught the Chinese all about romantic love (19:25).Get a world of insights by subscribing 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 world’s most populous country is at the front line of climate change. Our deputy editor explores the many ways it is adapting—because it must. Our series The World Ahead continues by examining the plausibility of the incoming Trump administration’s policy promises (10:26). And the robots that can at last help with grape harvesting (18:26).Get a world of insights by subscribing 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 once-fringe far-right party looks close to power—and serves as another sign of a broad and worrying pro-Russia trend in central European politics. Meanwhile Jean-Marie Le Pen, who established the far-right party now close to power in France, has died; our correspondent reflects on his legacy (10:05). And our series The World Ahead examines financial inclusion in Latin America (16:07).  Get a world of insights by subscribing 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.

In the end Justin Trudeau could not resist the internal pressure. We ask why the liberal standard-bearer got pushed out, and what comes next. Ten years after terrorists raided the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French newspaper, our correspondent speaks with its unbowed editor (10:10). And our series The World Ahead examines the nexus of AI and the pharmaceutical industry (19:08).  Get a world of insights by subscribing 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.

Israel continued to pound Gaza, even as ceasefire negotiations began in Qatar. The familiar dynamic will soon be interrupted by a new American administration. Our analysis shows that Nordic firms have markedly better fundamentals than the European average; we examine what’s behind all that success (10:18). And our series The World Ahead considers how democracy will fare in Asia in 2025 (18:37). Get a world of insights by subscribing 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.

Kern County, and its biggest city, Bakersfield were built on oil. There is Petrol Road, north of Oildale. The Standard School district down the street is named after J.D. Rockefeller’s petroleum empire. The mascot for Bakersfield high school is the Drillers. But these echoes of mid-20th century America are quietly fading. In the necessary push to transition California to greener options, the state is determined to end oil. And then what? Aryn Braun reports from Bakersfield on what happens when the drilling stops.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.Music by Blue dot and Epidemic

There are three types of economics-minded people in Donald Trump’s incoming administration. We ask whether they are likely to collaborate or to compete. Tourism clearly adds to emissions, but new numbers show just how fast that fraction is rising (9:58). And the next in our The World Ahead series reveals a familiar planetary phenomenon that will disappear in 2025 (17:07).   Get a world of insights by subscribing 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 country is on its third president in as many weeks—a deep political crisis only made worse by the most deadly air disaster in South Korean history. A change to how Brazil’s football teams are run has lured investment galore, making for a potential rival to England’s top league (9:49). And why movie studios are so keen on plumbing video-game franchises (16:59).Get a world of insights by subscribing 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.

There is no simplistic split of sentiment about Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine. But what most Russians want is a return to normal that now seems impossible. Our The World Ahead series continues with a look at what is to come in British politics (9:16). And the delicate business of handing out nicknames—for people and for brands (17:30).Get a world of insights by subscribing 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.