Leeward: we meet South Korea’s probable president

After dramatic scenes in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol has been detained on insurrection charges, stemming from his attempt to impose martial law in December. But, says our correspondent, the political and economic fallout is not over. The craze for plastic surgery reaches some surprising body parts (7:46). And a visit to the world’s most disciplined primary schools – in Japan (16:40).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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Jan 22min

Though central banks have cut interest rates, uncertainty about the future has sent yields sky-high. Our correspondent explains why expectations diverge from the economic data, and the impact on borrowers. Donald Trump’s desire to control Greenland using economic or military force provoked outrage. But could America buy the country (9:01)? And why Singapore’s iconic hawker centres are under threat (17:41). 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Jan 23min

Among the lessons emerging from California’s devastating fires is the idea that insurers cannot price risk on past data: the climate-change future is already here. Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for defence secretary, has some misguided notions about women on the battlefield (10:10). And examining children’s literature: should it be all sugar and spice—or more real-world, where not everything’s nice (19:28)?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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Jan 26min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 Jan 27min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Jan 25min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Jan 22min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Jan 25min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Jan 25min