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The Intelligence from The Economist
Veep state: the running mates debate
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After JD Vance and Tim Walz squared off against each in last night’s vice-presidential debate, our correspondent assesses their performance – and its effect on the US election. In Britain the pro-European cause is popular, but its advocates are ineffective (10:53). And why the gleam of a Michelin star may tarnish (19:18).
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The Weekend Intelligence: Scamming the scammers
45:49|As criminal operations become more sophisticated scamming has grown into a huge and lucrative business. Americans are estimated to have lost a staggering $12.5 billion to cyber fraud last year, according to the FBI. Throw into the mix a tricky international policing environment, and the problem can often seem unsolvable. Enter, the scam-baiters. In recent years, vigilante justice has undergone something of a rebrand. The pitchforks and baying mobs have been traded in for youtube videos and viral content. In this episode of The Weekend Intelligence, Barclay Bram enters the world of the anti-scammers, and investigates the murky ethics of taking the law into your own hands.Turn up the PA: the last in our swing-state series
23:51|Our series concludes with an examination of the state with the most electoral-college votes: Pennsylvania. It is practically a must-win for either candidate—and it is on a knife-edge. As more and more people become influencers, fame is becoming more fickle and the entire economics of influencers is shifting (10:43). And how Gen Z is resurrecting goth culture (17:25).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.Tax driver: Labour’s budget
22:25|Rachel Reeves’s first budget as chancellor of the exchequer saw the biggest tax rises in decades, as well as promises of high spending and investment. Our correspondent explains what the announcement means for Britain. How Hurricane Helene may affect the election in North Carolina, a month after the storm (10:58). And the most disgusting dish you can add a pickle to (16:53). 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.Hot shot: the wider promise of weight-loss jabs
23:58|First they treated diabetes. Then obesity. Now GLP-1 drugs are being tested on a range of other diseases too. Though the US economy is roaring, many Americans are glum about its prospects. How could that affect the election (9:02)? And our podcast on why Chinese migrants are making perilous journeys through the jungle to reach America (16:55).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.Ukraine reaction: Russia deploys North Koreans
25:14|Russia is advancing in Ukraine, has more troops and more weapons. In Kyiv and beyond, questions are being raised about the future. Why does America make it so hard to vote in the election from overseas? And what Britain’s citizenship test says about the country (19:52). 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.Timed bombs: Israel’s pre-election attack on Iran
23:43|Israel has been expected to attack Iran for weeks. Why was the assault at the weekend more limited than some expected? How Artificial Intelligence could improve customer service (9:54). And why the LIV tour, which shook up the world of golf, may merge with its competitor (17:37).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.The Weekend Intelligence: The Apology
49:42|The subject of reparations - making amends for wrongs, is a topic which has been building momentum over the past decade. And last week it was especially relevant as the Commonwealth heads of government got together to discuss how they think Britain owes them financial reparations, and apologies, for enslaving their people over one hundred and fifty years ago.This is a subject we covered on The Weekend Intelligence in October 2023, in our third episode. In it our reporter Charlie McCann travelled to Guyana with the Gladstone family whose ancestors owned thousands of slaves in the country formerly known as Demerara. In the episode Charlie asks what it means to inherit guilt and how you go about apologising for the past.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.The Weekend Intelligence: Presidents, precedents and probability
42:36|It’s a week and a half until Americans go to the polls. Early voting has begun in several states and it’s on a knife edge. But, for the first time in two months, our in-house forecast model has Donald Trump in the lead, winning 54 in 100 simulated elections. Election models can and do get things wrong, see: the United States presidential election in 2016. So how can we be sure that ours is accurate?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.Follow the leader: who will run Hamas?
24:55|There is a vacuum at the top of Hamas following the killing of the militant group’s commander in Gaza. Our correspondent tells us about two of the men who could replace him. How black voters may swing the presidential election in Georgia (9:34). And remembering Turkish activist Fethullah Gulen (17:37).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.