Hello and welcome to the Intelligence from the Economist. I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Thailand's recent swings between military coups and leadership by one storied, populous

family look set to continue in this weekend's election. But it isn't clear the will of

the people will prevail and emboldened voters might not take that sitting down.

And what fits in a backpack can be set up in minutes and causes Russia's forces to squander

missiles and ammunition in Ukraine. Tanks, not real tanks, inflatable ones.

First up though.

Miss Carol, can we have a statement please?

Robert, can we please have a statement? We've been here the whole time.

We haven't tried. Just one statement please.

It's the first major legal judgment against former president Donald Trump.

E. Jean Carroll, a magazine journalist, had brought a civil case, employing a law she helped

to bring about against Mr. Trump, accusing him of rape in the 1990s.

A jury unanimously agreed yesterday that he was liable for the lesser charge of sexual assault.

They also agreed that he defamed Miss Carol for having called her a liar and worse in bringing the allegations.

Mr. Trump continues to fume, to deny, to distract and through his lawyer to fight on.

I think it's an inconsistent verdict, right? And it's something that obviously would be another issue for real.

But the issue for the appeals were late really months ago when things like, you know, Donald Trump's.

Miss Carol's partial victory may yet empower more of Mr. Trump's accusers, and it's going to cost him,

at least financially. All told, the jury awarded her about $5 million.

Whether his repugnant behavior will cost him politically is, has ever an open question.

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