2024-03-19
33 分钟It's Monday, the 18th of March, 2024.
I'm Jason Palmer, co-host of The Intelligence, The Economist's daily news and current affairs podcast.
Welcome to Editor's Picks, where you can hear three highlights from the weekly edition of The Economist read aloud.
Our cover in most of the world looks at America's economy, which continues to defy expectations.
That's down to a variety of factors, including stimulus investments and an expanding workforce.
But sky-high interest rates, sticky inflation and geopolitical tensions still hang over the economy, and November's presidential election could be the biggest threat to growth.
Our cover in Europe, meanwhile, considers the threat of a startlingly resilient Russia.
From expansion into the Baltics to space nukes, Vladimir Putin's ambitions stretch far beyond Russia's borders.
The West, we argue, needs to go much further in defending itself.
And finally, the paradox of China's climate policy.
While the country is the world's top source of green technology, it's also the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide.
So where does that leave it on the green barometer?
Before you hear those stories, we have an announcement for listeners.
From April 1st, no fooling, editor's picks will be published every weekday, when we'll bring you one article read aloud from the latest edition of The Economist.
Now on with today's episode.
First up, America's bafflingly booming economy.
You have to marvel at America's economy.
Not long ago, it was widely thought to be on the brink of recession.
Instead, it ended 2023 nearly 3% larger than 12 months earlier, having enjoyed one of the boomier years of the century so far.
And it continues to defy expectations.