Editor’s Picks: January 16th 2020

<p>A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the consequences of the West's obsession with <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/01/16/the-wests-biggest-economic-policy-mistake" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeownership</a>. (8:58) Vladimir <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2020/01/16/how-vladimir-putin-is-preparing-to-rule-for-ever" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Putin’s</a> power grab. (14:08) And, Harry, Meghan and Marx—why <a href="https://www.economist.com/britain/2020/01/16/harry-meghan-and-marx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brand Sussex</a> represents the biggest threat to the monarchy so far</p><p><br></p><p>Please subscribe to The Economist for full access to print, digital and audio editions: <a href="www.economist.com/radiooffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/radiooffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>