The Economist Radio (All audio)

Britain’s prime minister has just days to assemble a Plan B for Brexit. She is short on time, popular ideas and political allies. The leaders of France and Germany will sign a treaty aimed at greater harmony, but that reveals greater discord. And, China’s GDP will be dented not only by trade woes with America but also graver economic worries.

Deborah Lipstadt made headlines for facing down a libel charge from the English author David Irving after she accused him of Holocaust denial. Anne McElvoy asks her about the return of “the oldest hatred”. They discuss how the Pittsburgh massacre changed what it is to be Jewish in America. And, from Larry David to “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”, when is it ok to joke about Jewishness?

We discuss CERN’s latest plans for a successor to the Large Hadron Collider. Also, our healthcare editor explains how scientists hope to develop vaccines more quickly for unexpected viruses. And, how altering the genetic code of E.coli is leading to groundbreaking research on cancer drugs. Kenneth Cukier hosts.

Will the government shutdown in America cause long-lasting economic damage? Henry Tricks reports on how robots and automation will help Chinese firms cope with rising wages and the trade war. Also, what fuelled the huge growth of Canada's state pension fund and what can it teach other countries? Philip Coggan hosts

Could China become a scientific superpower? Plus, the perils of competitive parenting and a movement for gender equality in European street names. Josie Delap hosts