This week’s flurry of diplomacy aims to address what Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, says he wants. He cannot get it. Does an invasion of Ukraine hang in the balance?
At an annual jamboree of economists our correspondent finds an unusual focus on the future—in particular the future of home working. And why Cuba has an enormous trade in grey-market garlic.
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).
The Omicron variant is behind the new record for daily infections in the United States, but there are scientists who say it isn’t as bad as some may think.
A jury found British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of facilitating the abuse of underage girls at the hands of wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. And, President Vladimir Putin has requested a phone call with President Joe Biden amid heightened tension on the Russian border with Ukraine.
The FDA has approved the emergency use of Pfizer’s antiviral COVID pill. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol wants to question Representative Jim Jordan.
And, the world is watching President Vladimir Putin’s annual year-end press conference a little closer this year as tensions rise on the border with Ukraine.
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the consequences of Russia’s new era of repression, why too many are still denied the right to die assisted dying (09:19) and why Turkey is deporting refugees for eating bananas (17:09).
Watch The Economist’s new documentary film, “Fearless: the women fighting Putin”
Five stories to know for June 17, 2021:
1. The Biden-Putin summit in Geneva highlighted huge differences but also small gains. Russia said arms control talks agreed with the U.S. should start within weeks.
2. U.S. Senate Democrats are scrambling to unite around a sweeping election reform bill that they aim to bring to a vote next week, in the face of Republican opposition and state moves to pass laws placing new restrictions on voting.
3. Biden is set to sign a bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating the end of legal enslavement of Black Americans.
4. Chinese state media quoted a disease expert saying the COVID-19 origins probe should shift to the United States after a study showed the disease could have been circulating there as early as December 2019. China’s top diplomat, said the idea that coronavirus escaped from a Wuhan laboratory is an “absurd story.”
5. Five hundred Hong Kong police officers sifted through reporters’ computers and notebooks at pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, alleging that Apple Daily articles violate the national security law
Five stories to know for June 16, 2021:
1. U.S. President Joe Biden meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva for their first face to face since he took office. Disagreements remain between the U.S. and Russia. Expectations for any breakthroughs are low.
2. Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza after Hamas launched fire balloons at Israel earlier in the day, which sparked fires. Tensions are high after an Israeli nationalist march in Jerusalem
3. The U.S. Senate voted to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
4. Taiwan reported a record incursion of Chinese aircraft after the G7 scolded Beijing and called for peace in the Taiwan Strait.
5. Fireworks lit up New York state as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. NY reported that 70% of adults have received at least one vaccine dose.
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, Putin’s next move, the pandemic in India (10:20) and the rise of the robot critic (18:35).
A look at how Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains control over the country and critics like Alexey Navalny.
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We unpack Washington’s sanctions on Moscow after the Biden administration accuses Russian intelligence of poisoning Alexei Navalny. Plus: we look at what’s in the latest UK budget for arts and culture, and round up the latest tech news.
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