Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

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

In Slovakia, an anti-corruption platform has propelled a former media tycoon into power, and even he was surprised.

A coalition government is set to be revealed, but can it agree on all the reforms the country needs besides getting rid of graft?

And plenty of people will tell you that speaking more than one language comes with social benefits.

Some studies also suggest you get a brain boost.

Maybe.

No matter, says our language columnist, learn another language because it's useful and fun.

But first...

In response to the biggest outbreak of COVID-19 outside China, authorities in Italy have instituted the biggest lockdown outside China.

Over the weekend, regions in the north accounting for a quarter

of the country's population were told to stay put. And last night, the Italian Prime Minister

Giuseppe Conte extended limitations on travel, sporting events and public gatherings to the entire

country, saying simply that there is no time.

Reactions to climbing infection numbers are spooking markets and governments the world over.

Yesterday, American stocks had their worst day since the financial crisis, jolted further after Saudi Arabia launched into an unexpected oil

price war.

Brent Crude fell the furthest since the first Gulf War. The coronavirus is exposing fragility everywhere,

in governments, health systems, supply chains, and markets that just weeks ago were hitting

record highs.

The outbreaks are forcing government's hands on taking extreme measures, with approval from

...