For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires

For bucks’ sake: the rise of self-made billionaires

Many people, including politicians, love to hate the super-rich, and assume they have gamed the system. Yet our correspondent reports that a growing share of today’s wealthiest earned their money providing goods and services we all want. A new crackdown on scam compounds [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/07/16/a-real-but-selective-crackdown-on-cambodias-scam-industry?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] in Cambodia. And lessons from the ultimate political animal, Downing Street’s Larry the Cat [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/07/16/lessons-from-a-cat-about-to-outlast-yet-another-prime-minister?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners].  Watch “The Insider [https://www.economist.com/insider/the-insider/an-interview-with-elon-musk?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]” interview with Elon Musk from 6pm BST, 1pm EST.  Listen to our podcast series “Scam Inc [https://www.economist.com/audio/podcasts/scam-inc?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]”.  Guests and host: * Callum Williams, senior economics writer * Sue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent * Chris Impey, co-editor of “The Intelligence” * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Billionaires, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Taylor Swift * Scams, scam compounds, Cambodia * Larry the Cat, Andy Burnham, Downing Street Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Kyiv brawl: Ukraine’s top general fired

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has fired the commander-in-chief [https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/07/20/ukraines-top-general-could-be-on-the-way-out?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] of the armed forces, Oleksandr Syrsky. That follows days of protests at his sacking of the defence minister. Our correspondent analyses the fallout. America’s murder rate is falling, so why are cops killing [https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/06/21/american-police-killings-are-rising-even-as-murder-rates-fall?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] more people? And a shift in the Japanese taboo [https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/07/14/haunted-houses-are-in-demand-in-japan?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] on living in homes where people have died. Guests and host: * Shashank Joshi, defence editor * Daniel Knowles, US Midwest correspondent * Moeka Iida, East Asia reporter * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Fedorov, Syrsky, Zelensky, Ukraine * Police killings, gun crime, murder * Japan, haunted houses, jiko bukken Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Hard cedar: Lebanon seeks Trump’s help

Today, Lebanon’s president Joseph Aoun [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/20/lebanons-president-wants-donald-trumps-help-to-rebuild-the-country?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] visits the White House to ask for Donald Trump’s help rebuilding the country. Our correspondent reports from his recent trip to Lebanon on the challenges it faces. Threats to Red Bull [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/07/13/how-high-can-red-bull-fly?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]’s magnificent marketing machine. And why the age gap [https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/03/10/trophy-wives-are-out-of-fashion?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] between the wealthiest men and their wives is shrinking. Guests and host: * Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondent * Vendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondent * Doug Dowson, data journalist * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Lebanon, Beirut, Joseph Aoun, Hizbullah * Red Bull, energy drinks, extreme sports * Trophy wives, age gap, misogyny Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A firm Andy: what are new British PM’s plans?

Andy Burnham [https://www.economist.com/britain/2026/07/19/how-britains-new-prime-minister-can-revive-labour?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners] faces tough challenges as Britain’s new prime minister, both within his party and the country at large. Our correspondent analyses his prospects. After years of strife, how can Syria be rebuilt [https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/07/07/rebuilding-syria-will-cost-over-200bn-bombs-are-not-helping?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]? And food markets have changed New York. Guests and host: * Hugo Gye, Britain political correspondent * Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondent * Annie Crabill, senior digital editor * Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer, prime minister * Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa, Assad * New York, street markets, farmers’ markets Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

You’ve come a long way, Bibi: Israel’s crucial election

Binyamin Netanyahu’s government will, unusually, serve out its full term. What comes after October’s election will decide what kind of Israel will emerge [https://www.economist.com/briefing/2026/07/16/israels-future-hangs-in-the-balance?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners]. Our correspondent asks whether the World Cup will be remembered more for the dramas on the pitch or off it. And a tribute to A23a [https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/07/02/a23a-had-more-adventures-than-most?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners], the world’s largest iceberg, after it melts away at last. Guests and host: * Josie Delap, Middle East editor * Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondent * Ann Wroe, obituaries editor * Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered:  * Israeli election, Binyamin Netanyahu * World Cup * icebergs, climate Watch extended clips from Insider here [https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&utm_source=economist&utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&utm_term=sa.arc-isi]. And listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist [https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.