A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, beware the bossy state, Britain’s party-animal prime minister (11:45) and, why America and China are one military accident away from disaster (18:00)  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:www.economist.com/podcastoffer  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to talk to Mr Putin, the rise of performative work (9:45) and the lingering effects of covid-19 on elite footballers (15:00)  Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, how to think about the threat to American democracy, which economies have done best and worst during the pandemic (10:33) and whether video games really are addictive (17:34)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A taste of the special Christmas double issue of The Economist. This week: Hong Kong’s parents face up to an uncertain future for their children. And the rise and rise of an unfairly ignored building material—corrugated iron (14:50) Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the Christmas double issue of The Economist. This week: has the new normal already arrived? Plus, meet the lords of the metaverse (10:10) and, a century apart, two men with very different dreams contend for Europe’s future (17:50). Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions:www.economist.com/podcastoffer   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.