Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker
Summary
This episode examines the political crisis facing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after his CDU failed to enter a state parliament, highlighting the rise of populist parties on both the left and right. The show also explores the surge in African stock markets, driven by retail investors using fintech apps and the historic IPO of Aliko Dangote’s refinery. Finally, science correspondent Sam Whiteley debunks the "blue light" myth, explaining that while bright light disrupts sleep, the specific impact of blue wavelengths is overstated and less critical than overall brightness.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Hotels.com and Perk
Introduction and episode overview
German state elections and political fallout for Chancellor Merz
Sponsors: Scrib and Capital One
African stock markets boom and Dangote's historic IPO
The science behind blue light and sleep quality
Closing and Capital One sponsorship
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