In this podcast episode, we dive into three key topics: the trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the questionable value of master's degrees, and The Economist's culture team's top book recommendations for 2024. Netanyahu's trial has entered its defense phase, but it’s complicated by his political struggles and ongoing regional conflicts. Meanwhile, recent data reveals that many master's degrees may not provide the financial returns people expect, highlighting the need for more transparency in higher education. Lastly, we explore a selection of noteworthy books released in 2024, covering genres from biography to literary history and fiction.