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.

Diseases and pathogens are ravaging the world's trees. That's always been the case, but the spread is very much on the rise.

We take a look at this situation in Britain and find the fundamental problem.

Trees just aren't supposed to move.

And think of a movie or television show set in a hotel.

It isn't hard. Hotels provide a ready

supply of total strangers in close proximity, and filmmakers love all the drama or horror or

comedy that can provide.

First up, though. Today, America's Supreme Court begins its work again, the first full term with all three of former President Donald Trump's appointees.

I, Neil M. Borsuch. Brett and Cabinnell.

Amy Coney Barrett, you solemnly swear that I will support. Inside the court, plenty of big topics await.

Guns, religious rights, possibly affirmative action.

But outside the court, arguments are already heating up.

Our party!

On Saturday, more than 600 demonstrations took place across America in support

of abortion rights. In Washington, one reached the steps of the court itself. The protests

come after the justices declined to stop a Texas law going into effect that will ban abortions after around six weeks.

When it happened, I thought, Supreme Court's going to have to knock it down again.

And when they didn't, it just goes to show why elections matter.

And so we have to get back out of the streets.

What precedes this very full docket are accusations that the court is being politicized,

more than usual, and the judges haven't even had the chance to rest up.

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