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.

This year's big AEA meeting of economists was unusual in its focus on the future rather than

making sense of the past. Our correspondent heard lots of research on homeworking and what it'll

mean for employees, companies, even politics. And imagine this, banks that have to close temporarily

to process piles upon piles of cash.

It happens frequently in Cuba.

And the source of all that money?

Sellers of garlic.

But first... This is the beginning of a diplomatic process.

We welcome the fact that the Russian Federation is taking part in this dialogue with us.

We think it's important.

American and Russian officials talked for nearly eight hours yesterday.

There was little to suggest progress in addressing the mounting tensions that brought them to the table,

but both sides agreed to keep negotiating.

We're saying, We're saying to the United States of America to the maximum responsibility but both sides agreed to keep negotiating. We're using. We're using the United States of America to maximum

responsibility in the next moment.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Raabkov, said we urge the United

States to be as responsible as possible at this moment.

The risks of escalating the confrontation can't be overestimated.

NATO diplomats will join negotiations tomorrow in Brussels,

...