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.

Global shipping levels have been slumping in the past few years. The problem is the shipping industry didn't seem to notice, building massive new ships and ports.

We pay a visit to Rotterdam, one of the world's largest ports, and find that things are pretty quiet.

And, OMG, the internet is ruining language.

Well, that's what the purists say.

Our language columnist sees it another way.

Online communications correspond to neither written language nor common speech.

It's a whole new world.

Wide web.

Loll.

But first... In Venezuela, the contest between democracy and dictatorship has reached a dangerous impasse.

Nicolas Maduro's despotic regime clings on after a series of setbacks for the opposition.

The mood today is nothing like the optimism that took hold six months ago.

In January, opposition leader Juan Guaido burst onto the international scene with a dramatic bid for change.

As the head of the opposition-controlled legislature, he declared himself interim president.

After a rigged election, had given Mr. Maduro another term in office.

Thousands took to the streets to support Mr. Guaido.

From relative obscurity, he has become the living embodiment of a dream.

Abroad, he won recognition as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

Now we have a new leader, Juan Guido, in Venezuela,

who has promised to bring elections and constitutional order back to Venezuela.

And fresh American oil sanctions put pressure on the regime.

...