Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

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

Jihadist violence has long been growing in the Sahel, the continent-wide southern rim of the Sahara Desert.

But now the jihadists are spilling into neighboring states, staking out trade routes, allying with other insurgents, and exploiting ethnic tensions.

The prisons in one of those neighboring states, Burkina Faso, are increasingly crowded as authorities round up suspected jihadists.

But, thanks to a local charity's work, some inmates are leaving prisons as musical stars with record deals.

First up, though.

Okay?

Yes.

Well, good morning, everyone.

We did it.

Today, after the longest European Union summit in two decades, the continent's leaders finally hammered out a deal for a 750 billion euro coronavirus recovery package.

Europe is strong, Europe is united.

Key to the agreement was something once unthinkable, common debt.

For the first time ever, European countries will raise money by selling bonds collectively instead of individually.

These are, of course, difficult negotiations in very difficult times for all Europeans.

This is a good deal. This is a strong deal.

As the Council's president, Charles said, getting the 27 member countries to agree wasn't easy.

There were splits between those hardest hit by the outbreak, such as Spain and Italy.

And those more concerned about the costs of the recovery plan, the self-described

frugal four, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria.

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