David Meidan managed to get one person out of Gaza in 2011 - now he’s trying to free 240. In an interview with the Israeli intelligence officer, Yossi Melman discovers the hurdles of negotiating with the enemy. Read by Jonathan Booth.

1843

Israel’s top hostage negotiator on dealing with Hamas

A fired CEO, middle-finger emojis, and the battle royale over the future of artificial intelligence. The Wall Street Journal explores the power struggle behind the recent corporate turmoil at OpenAI. Read by Sean Crisden.

The Wall Street Journal

Behind the scenes of Sam Altman’s showdown at OpenAI

Many of Trump's recent statements illustrate a profoundly un-American set of ideas hiding in the plain light of day, David A. Graham writes. Read by Sean Crisden.

The Atlantic

Trump isn’t merely unhinged

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode, we're talking about the world of work, and the expectations and attitudes of the latest generation to enter the workplace.

Gen Z is already done with the 9 to 5. The Financial Times argues that - while it's easy to ridicule young professionals shocked by the realities of the daily grind - it masks the truth that many feel the same way.

Then, a new TikTok trend sees young women eschewing hustle culture to focus on life outside work. The Guardian reflects on this shift in attitudes towards work, with young workers prioritising work-life balance and monthly wages over ambitious careers.

Informed

Why Gen Z are revisiting work boundaries

The British chancellor’s Autumn Statement comes as the country appears consigned to high taxes and poor public services, regardless of the election result in 2024. George Parker and Sam Fleming reflect on the need for reforms to boost economic growth and the political challenges in implementing these measures. Read by Emma Powell.

Financial Times

Stagnation nation: governing the UK when 'there is no money’

After neo-Nazi protests in Charlottesville, white supremacists were mainly confined to fringe websites. Musk’s purchase of Twitter changed that. The Washington Post examines why the loosening of content moderation on X has propelled antisemitism to unprecedented levels. Read by Marni Penning.

The Washington Post

Antisemitism was rising online. Then Elon Musk's X supercharged it

Despite the sanctions facing the country, Kim Jong-Un is revitalising growth in North Korea. Christian Davies explains how his alliances with Russia and China - alongside the developments in nuclear weapons - are strengthening the dictator's influence. Read by Simon Mattacks.

Kim Jong Un’s comeback

ChatGPT is one of the most successful tech products of all time. It also broke OpenAI in half. In 10 interviews with current and former OpenAI staffers, Karen Hao and Charlie Warzel reveal how the chatbot led to Sam Altman’s weekend of chaos. Read by Karl Miller.

Inside the chaos at OpenAI 

The summit between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping was a sign of progress after a period of high tensions. But the roots of the growing rivalry remain. The Financial Times examines the outcomes of recent talks between the leaders of the world’s two superpowers. Read by Simon Mattacks.


A hint of thaw in the new cold war

There are two ways to look at The Crown. One is as a soap opera with added sceptres—the other is as an excellent, if impromptu, education in what history is and what it is not. The Economist reflects on the new season.

The Economist

Much of “The Crown” is nonsense

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode...

What does the shocking success of Geert Wilders' far-right PVV party in Dutch elections mean for the nation and its relationship with the rest of Europe?

First, the Financial Times examines how Geert Wilders reflects the normalisation of far-right politics and the appeal of his anti-immigrant stance. However, it remains uncertain whether Wilders can form a government.

Then, the emergence of the PVV as the biggest in the Dutch elections highlighted both the media's and the outgoing government's failure to recognise the threat. The Guardian explores how the victory of Wilders and the negotiations to form a coalition will impact Dutch and European politics, with the Netherlands likely to change its role and policy within the EU.

How The Netherlands under-estimated the far-right

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode, we're talking about the climate crisis.

Research conducted by ​Oxfam reveals that twelve billionaires produce more greenhouse gas emissions from their luxury purchases and investments than 2.1 million homes combined. The Guardian highlights the colossal environmental impact of the super-rich.

Then, for Bloomberg Opinion, Lara Williams argues that better communication about the environmental crisis is essential to galvanizing support to reverse the trend.

Why being rich is bad for the planet

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode...

We look at Argentina's new leader, Javier Milei, and his radical plans to transform the country.

However, there are concerns about potential risks and uncertainties associated with these measures. Bloomberg reflects on the future of Argentina's trade partnerships and its program with the IMF under the new president.

Then, Milei faces significant obstacles in implementing his radical program to shrink the government and dollarize the economy. The Financial Times reveals that a lack of a congressional majority and the dire economic situation may hinder his ability to enact more radical proposals in the short term.

A new era for Argentina under Javier Milei

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode...

We look at the dramatic turn of events at OpenAI and the personalities at the centre of it.

Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI's chief scientist, orchestrated a board coup that resulted in the firing of CEO Sam Altman. The Wall Street Journal explores Sutskever's contributions to artificial intelligence and how he came to lead this rebellion. 

Then, Sam Altman returned to OpenAI by captivating staff and investors alike as the leader of the generative AI revolution. The Financial Times reflects on why he is now a central figure in the multibillion-dollar generative AI industry, and how his fate now holds the power to determine its future.

The personalities behind OpenAI's public drama

The OpenAI saga marked a significant shift in the industry towards greater commercial pragmatism. The Economist reflects on why Sam Altman's return to OpenAI could lead to more competition and choice for AI users. 

With Sam Altman’s return, a shift in AI from idealism to pragmatism

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter.

Discover the news beyond the headlines with Curio. Every morning, host Manish Verma selects analytical and thought-provoking articles from the world's leading publications, leaving you better informed and ready for your day.

In today's episode...

We take a look at the positive news on inflation and examine how these financial milestones fail to resonate with voters.

Falling inflation across industrialized countries opens the door for central banks to start cutting interest rates in 2024. The Wall Street Journal reflects on how this cut could affect the global market and relieve struggling economies.

Then, Joe Biden is trying to sell voters on his ‘Bidenomics’ plan to reindustrialise the U.S. and create jobs. But inflation remains the most pressing problem for many voters. The Financial Times reflects on how a new poll underlines the president’s struggle to overcome the impact of inflation on voters’ economic outlook.

Inflation turns a corner, but people are still feeling the pinch

Our daily selection of the global stories that really matter is presented by our host, Manish Verma.

In today's episode, we take a look at the latest challenges facing Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Vladimir Putin is girding for a long war and Ukraine needs momentum to break the stalemate. The Washington Post argues that the West can help Ukraine regain momentum and restore morale.

Then, Ukraine's presidential election is due in March 2024. Bloomberg's Editorial Board argues that it is impractical and risky to hold the scheduled ​presidential elections.

A stalemate and an election: inside Ukraine's latest challenges 

OpenAI's unusual corporate structure gave a small group of people the power to remove Sam Altman as CEO. Paresh Dave highlights the challenges of balancing the need for financial investment with the mission of developing safe and beneficial AI. Read by Michael Satow.

WIRED

How OpenAI’s bizarre structure gave 4 people the power to fire Sam Altman

The historic deal between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ended the strikes but left Hollywood’s future in limbo. Chris Lee discusses how corporate entertainment’s identity crisis is far from resolved. Read by Ron Butler.

Vulture

What does Hollywood want to be?

The fast-growing platform OnlyFans represents the creator economy at its most bluntly transactional, where sex is just another unit of content to monetize. Drew Harwell takes a deep dive inside the $16 million empire. Read by Ron Butler.

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