Dhaka matters: an election for Bangladesh

The podcast episode covers Bangladesh's upcoming general election, the first competitive vote since 2008, highlighting the key contenders: Jamaat, an Islamist party, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tariq Rahman. Rahman's controversial past and allegations of corruption are discussed, alongside Jamaat's appeal as a reform option despite concerns about their Islamist views. The episode also explores the significant economic challenges facing the new government, including preparing for graduation from the group of least developed countries, increasing government revenue, and addressing fraught relations with India. Additionally, the podcast explores the concept of applied astrobiology, which focuses on making other planets habitable by using microbes to create ecosystems that can produce food, pharmaceuticals, and building materials. It also touches upon the impact of AI on job applications, including the rise of fake applications and the measures companies are taking to combat them.