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.

It took one referendum, four long years, and countless hours of tense negotiations for Britain to leave the European Union.

Our diplomatic editor surveys the scene, laying out how the country can make the most of its history and influence on the global stage.

And in Britain later, it's Burns Night, celebrating the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's National Bard.

A great deal of haggis will be eaten because he just loved the stuff.

But there's some not very well-known history behind it that you'd be wise not to tell the Scots.

First up, though.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets in more than 100 towns and cities across the country in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Protesters there chanted Putin is a thief as well as freedom to Navalny.

Chilling videos emerged of police beating and kicking demonstrators,

but the response was not one of out-and-out brutality.

More than 3,000 arrests were made,

and even Mr. Navalny's wife was briefly detained.

The demonstrations were sparked by Mr. Navalny's arrest

on spurious charges just as soon as he returned from Germany last week.

But protesters were also fired up by a two-hour video,

narrated by Mr. Navalny and released a day later.

It depicts a lavish secret palace on the Black Sea, allegedly built for President Vladimir Putin and funded with dodgy money.

Allegations the Kremlin dismissed as just rumor. Mr. Putin remains in a tough spot, with disgy money. Allegations the Kremlin dismissed as just rumor.

Mr. Putin remains in a tough spot,

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