
4. Hostages
In episode 4 of our podcast, Arkady Ostrovsky talks to the actor Chulpan Khamatova whose work has brought her up close with Russia’s leaders
Chulpan Khamatova is one of Russia’s best-loved actors. Once courted by Vladimir Putin, she now lives in exile in Latvia. Her work and fame brought access to the key protagonists in Russia’s recent past. It’s a unique vantage point to contemplate the nature of evil—and its antidote.

The Intelligence
The global asylum system is broken—this is how to fix it
Also on the daily podcast: the rise of superstar coders and a free London performance puts a spotlight on modern fame
21:49

Editor’s Picks
The delusions plagueing Britain’s warming summers
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
08:02

Babbage
Scientists are using AI to invent proteins from scratch
Our podcast on science and technology. Scientists can design and make novel proteins. One day they may even be able to build entire genomes.
38:17
The Intelligence
Another delay of hostilities in Trump’s global trade war
Also on the daily podcast: Brazil’s broken football machine and England falls out of love with its lawns
21:53
Editor’s Picks
An insight into Jeff Bezos’s approach to life
A handpicked article read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist
07:12
Drum Tower
China is closing the gap with America in high-tech weaponry
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, we examine the role Chinese weapons played in the recent India-Pakistan conflict—and what it means for the future of warfare
43:56