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.

After years of on-again, off-again deal-making, America will sell a pile of its F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.

Relations with America are quietly improving, and it's telling that even the island's more pro-China party approves of the sale.

Beijing, of course, doesn't.

And there's a plump, flightless bird in New Zealand called the Kakapo.

They're cute and critically endangered.

But this year, their numbers are booming, in part because scientists are going to exceptional lengths to save them.

But first...

The pressure is rising in the battle between Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his opponents, in Parliament among the British people and even in his own conservative party.

Today, the popular head of its Scottish branch Ruth Davidson announced her resignation.

Yesterday, Mr Johnson sparked outrage by announcing a suspension of Parliament for five weeks.

The closure drastically shortens the time lawmakers could use to try to stop Britain leaving the European Union without a deal on until 31st.

The response from opposition politicians was furious.

I think today what would happen in history is the day UK democracy died.

The Prime Minister is doing a sort of smashing grab on our democracy, in order to force through no de-lexic from the European Union.

Last night, thousands of people gathered outside Parliament to protest against what many described as a coup.

Boris Johnson isn't even elected.

I hate him just appointed by some crusty old Tory members.

He's abusing our democracy while shutting Parliament down so that him and his rich friends can push through Brexit. It's disgraceful.

He's using a system of parliamentary power to ultimately ride through Brexit.

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