A tax or attacks: how the Houthis fund themselves

This news podcast discusses three main topics. First, it reports on the increasing threat to global trade posed by Houthi attacks in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, highlighting the unusual practice of obtaining safe passage via email and the significant economic impact, including a 70% collapse in shipping volumes through the Suez Canal. Second, the podcast analyzes the rapid advancements in Chinese artificial intelligence, noting that Chinese companies are producing competitive AI models at a fraction of the cost of their Western counterparts, potentially shifting the global AI landscape. Finally, it features a segment on a luxury rum distillery in Ghana, showcasing an entrepreneur's efforts to create a high-end African spirit and highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the global alcohol market. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the significant economic and geopolitical implications of these events.