Delivered before breakfast, The Economist Morning Briefing tells you what’s on the global agenda in the coming day, what to look out for in business, finance and politics and, most importantly, what to make of it. Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions, including the full Economist Morning Briefing: https://www.economist.com/briefingoffer Digital subscribers to The Economist should log in at https://briefing.economist.com for access to the full Economist Morning Briefing.
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The Economist Morning Briefing podcast is an excellent source of daily news and analysis. It provides thoughtful and global coverage, ensuring that listeners are well-informed on the go. The fact that full weekly editions of The Economist are also available on audio is a fantastic feature that sets this podcast apart from others. With its concise and straight-to-the-point format, it is perfect for those who need to stay updated but have limited time. Additionally, the podcast deserves praise for its commitment to accountability - if there's a mistake in their coverage, they issue a quick apology at the end of the episode.
However, one drawback of The Economist Morning Briefing podcast is its irregular delivery. There are times when episodes are not released for several days in a row, leaving listeners without their daily dose of news. In contrast, platforms like Spotify always ensure timely releases of podcasts. This inconsistency can be frustrating for dedicated listeners and the team behind this podcast should strive to improve on this front.
In conclusion, The Economist Morning Briefing podcast is a highly recommended news source for those who want concise yet comprehensive coverage. Its commitment to accuracy and accountability sets it apart from other podcasts in the genre. While there may be some room for improvement in terms of consistent delivery, overall it provides valuable insights that keep listeners informed about global events.

China's defence ministry said it was investigating Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, two high-level military officials Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A senior Iranian cleric close to the ruling establishment threatened retaliation against American-linked assets across the Middle East if America attacks Iran, state media reported Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump unveiled an American-led “Board of Peace” meant to oversee ceasefires and post-war reconstruction, initially in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump said he had agreed “the framework of a future deal” on Greenland after a “very productive” meeting with Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary-general. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump insisted that America needed Greenland for “security” in a rambling press conference lasting nearly two hours. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The eight European countries threatened with more tariffs by Donald Trump if they obstruct him over Greenland issued a strongly-worded joint statement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump announced that he would impose escalating tariffs on Denmark and other European countries that fail to support his bid to purchase Greenland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Several European leaders have spoken out over the American president's threats to seize Greenland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America agreed to cap tariffs on Taiwanese imports at 15% in exchange for the island's chipmakers (including the world's largest, TSMC) investing $500bn in their American operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump claimed “the killing in Iran is stopping”, and that the regime has “no plan” to execute anti-government protesters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump urged protesters in Iran to “TAKE OVER” state institutions, saying that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY” as nationwide protests continued. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump said that countries “doing business” with Iran would face immediate new tariffs of 25%. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America's Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, the chairman of the Federal Reserve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk hit back at critics of his social-media platform X, saying they are looking for “any excuse for censorship” after the site's AI tool, Grok, sparked outrage for allowing users to generate sexualised images of people without their consent (including children) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting oil executives at the White House, Donald Trump said that he expects the firms to spend at least $100bn in Venezuela Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The presidents of Germany and France both criticised Donald Trump's foreign policy in the wake of the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's dictator, and his repeated threats to take over Greenland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American forces seized an empty oil tanker that is part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House said it was considering “a range of options” to acquire Greenland and that using military force is “always an option”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of drug-trafficking in a federal court in Manhattan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A senior minister in Venezuela's interim government confirmed its support for Nicolás Maduro, the country's president captured in an American operation a day earlier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iranian media reported that several people had died in clashes between protesters and security forces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump said he was withdrawing the National Guard from three American cities—Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon—where state and local officials objected to their presence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United Arab Emirates said it would pull out its remaining troops from Yemen after Saudi Arabia backed calls for a withdrawal of Emirati forces within 24 hours. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Binyamin Netanyahu heralded Israel's partnership with America as “second to none”, after meeting Donald Trump in Florida to discuss the ceasefire in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigeria's government said that American strikes hit two Islamic State-linked camps in north-western Nigeria on Thursday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Precious metals are set for a sparkling end of the year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Ellison, Oracle's chairman and one of the world's richest people, pledged a personal guarantee of roughly $40bn to backstop Paramount's takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America's coastguard reportedly boarded a second oil tanker this weekend off the coast of Venezuela, although details remain sketchy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea coast, targeting the port of Pivdennyi and infrastructure in the Odessa region Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European Union leaders reached a deal to loan Ukraine €90bn ($106bn) for the next two years, after marathon talks in Brussels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warner Bros Discovery's board rejected a hostile $108bn takeover bid from Paramount, warning shareholders that it imposed “significant risks”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America's economy added 64,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest in over four years, up from 4.4% in September. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor, said there was a “real chance” of peace in Ukraine, following a second day of negotiations in Berlin between officials from Ukraine, America and Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian police said the attackers behind a mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney were a father and son. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belarus released 123 prisoners as part of an American-brokered deal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wall Street stock indices fell on Friday amid fresh fears of a potential artificial-intelligence bubble Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White House said that an oil tanker it seized off the coast of Venezuela would be sent to an American port, where the vessel's cargo will be obtained by following “a legal process”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Federal Reserve lowered the central bank's headline interest-rate range by a quarter of a percentage point, to 3.5-3.75%. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said he would present a “refined” peace plan to America “in the near future” following a summit with European leaders in London and a visit to Italy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paramount made a $108bn all-cash offer to buy Warner Bros Discovery in an attempt to thwart Netflix's bid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesman, said that America's new National Security Strategy was “largely consistent with our vision”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.