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A surfeit of empathy would seem a poor explanation for Democrats’ dismal approval ratings, even as Donald Trump alienates most Americans by enriching himself, gilding Washington and waging war without a strategy
How the American right came to hate empathy…while practising its oldest formbit.lySix years after the covid pandemic, Miami and San Francisco have seen a reversal in their fortunes. There are a few reasons why
The tide turns for a Florida darling and California loserMiami faces new problems as San Francisco makes a comebackbit.lyIt is unclear what has been gained from Donald Trump’s spat with Canada over a new bridge connecting the two countries
How to turn solutions into problemsLessons from a fight over a bridge between America and Canadabit.ly“I will be the first person to tell you that we cannot eliminate all animal testing right now,” says Cory Booker. Listen to “The Weekend Intelligence” to hear why the Democratic senator still thinks most animal research is unnecessary
The war on animal researchHow a powerful activist group is threatening sciencebit.lyTilman Fertitta, a Texan billionaire and America’s ambassador to Italy, has turned his $450m superyacht into an unofficial embassy
In Italy, America does business on the ambassador’s yachtA billionaire diplomat’s floating statecraftbit.lyOur choices include a lawyer confronting ghosts on a haunted estate and a Western pop duo performing in communist China. Register for free to read the full list
What to watch this weekThree recommendations about journeys—and one show you shouldn’t embark onbit.lyTread in one of the world’s poorest countries, and tragic consequences from the end of USAID emerge. Register to learn why estimating the human cost is not simple, however bit.ly/4yNreyz Illustration: Álvaro Bernis
USAID once doled out $60bn, or roughly a quarter of foreign aid globally. Despite Elon Musk’s claims, the abruptness of its closure cost lives, and permanent cuts will cost more
How many people are dying as a result of USAID’s demise?Fewer than academics imagine, but more than Elon Musk will admitbit.lyThe thawing relations between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky represent a remarkable turnaround since their bust-up in the Oval Office last year. We explain what has changed
Donald Trump is warming to Volodymyr ZelenskyThe man with “no cards” plays a deft handbit.lyThe Economist has compiled a list of the best books published so far this year. They cover everything from fussy eating to Elon Musk
The best books of 2026 so farWhether you are tight on time or have loads of it, here are our ideas for summer readingbit.lyLam Wing-kee was arrested and told Hong Kong had forgotten about him. But the Chinese police had lied. The bookseller’s story brought protesters to the streets and was broadcast to the world
Lam Wing-kee, the bookseller who would not admit defeatThe Hong Kong bookseller died on July 2nd, aged 70bit.lyBaby boomers have been fortunate on almost every score. But not on life expectancy. A single chart shows why they have missed out on extra years
Boomers have the good life, but it could be longerA single chart shows why they have missed out on extra yearsbit.lyAndy Burnham has the same tastes—whether it comes to music, football or fashion—as his predecessors. Register for free to learn how he uses them to show how different he is
The indie establishmentWhat happens when the alternative becomes the mainstream?bit.lyThe firing of Karim Khan as chief prosecutor is unlikely to tackle the deep troubles facing the court, including American sanctions against some of its staff
The International Criminal Court puts its house in orderBut a new chief prosecutor will not end its troublesbit.lyHundreds of thousands of hectares have been scorched in both countries. The city of Bordeaux remains on high alert, and the region is bracing for fresh heatwaves
France and Spain are suffering their biggest wildfires on recordBordeaux is on alert, and worse is yet to comebit.lyIf the European welfare state looks like a pyramid scheme, its pharaohs are the “baby boomers”. We explain how the cohort has pulled off an intergenerational heist
How the boomers screwed EuropeThe huge rock ’n’ roll generation is sticking its few kids with the billbit.lyImagine there is an explosion at an infectious-disease research facility, where scientists genetically alter pathogens. That is the scenario presented in a new book by Annie Jacobsen
The terrifying threat of a genetically engineered plagueAnnie Jacobsen imagines the repercussions of a leak from a Russian laboratorybit.lyFaced with a new and much more popular Labour leader, the populists in opposition parties have struggled in the Manchester by-election this time
Andy Burnham passes his first testOpposition parties are struggling as Bev Craig of the new-look Labour Party wins in Manchesterbit.lyLots of people love gambling, lots of gamblers frequent crypto exchanges and perpetual futures are great gambling tools. Register for free to find out why these peculiar products are hitting the mainstream
Retail investors should beware perpetual futuresThese peculiar products, popular in the crypto world, are hitting the mainstreambit.lyBaby-boomers are keeping their bad habits into retirement
Why people over the age of 55 are the new problem generationBaby-boomers are keeping their bad habits into retirementbit.ly