As Donald Trump removes bans on <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/04/02/lift-sanctions-to-give-syria-a-chance-of-rebuilding?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" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">trade with Syria</a> and meets its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, our correspondent analyses the implications. Two feuding political dynasties in the&nbsp;Philippines use mid-term elections as a proxy battle (10:03). And introducing <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/04/24/they-sing-and-dance-but-rarely-show-their-faces-meet-vtubers?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" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">V-Tubers</a>, creators behind live-streams of cartoon avatars coming to a screen near you (18:42).Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—<a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+</a>For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our <a href="https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQs page</a> or watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczo71bg1uY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our video</a> explaining how to link your account.&nbsp;

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