The Economist | Independent journalism
From the gilded age to the golden age | The new American imperialism
Donald Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to call for new American territory—including Mars
Business
OpenAI’s latest model will change the economics of software
The more reasoning it does, the more computer power it uses
Middle East & Africa
Turkey is determined to expand its influence in the new Syria
That could cause tensions with the Arab world—and Israel
Britain
Britain’s family courts are opening up to reporters
Transparency and privacy can work together
The world in brief
Donald Trump signed an executive order granting “full pardons” to some 1,500 January 6th rioters, whom he had earlier described as “hostages”...
Mr Trump stalled on his promise to immediately introduce hefty tariffs, prompting the dollar to slide for a short time...
Marco Rubio became the first member of Mr Trump’s prospective cabinet to be confirmed...
The Houthis said their attacks on ships in the Red Sea would target only those directly linked to Israel, as the second day of the ceasefire in Gaza took hold...
Canada has adopted assisted dying faster than anywhere on Earth
The province of Quebec now allows those with deteriorating illnesses to request an assisted death in advance
Banyan: Can Donald Trump maintain Joe Biden’s network of Asian alliances?
Discipline and creativity will help, but so will China’s actions
Are big cities overrated?
New economic research suggests so
Germany is going nuts for Dubai chocolate
Will the hype last?
World news
Russian pilots appear to be hunting Ukrainian civilians
Residents of Kherson are dodging murderous drones
Much of the damage from the LA fires could have been averted
The lesson of the tragedy is that better incentives will keep people safe
A protest against America’s TikTok ban is mired in contradiction
Another Chinese app is not the alternative some young Americans think it is
From Greenland to Panama and Mexico, leaders are in shock
As Donald Trump eyes fine new pieces of real estate in the Americas and beyond
Business, finance and economics
One of the biggest energy IPOs in a decade could be around the corner
Venture Global, a large American gas exporter, is going public
Britain’s government has spooked markets and riled businesses
Tax rises were inevitable. Such a shaky start was not
Rising bond yields should spur governments to go for growth
The bond sell-off may partly reflect America’s productivity boom
Will Donald Trump unleash Wall Street?
Bankers have plenty of reason to be hopeful
The Trump administration
Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Penn and the hunt for an American hostage
A controversial trip to Syria in 2017 produced a possible sighting of Austin Tice, an imprisoned journalist
Trumpism is becoming more pragmatic, argues Reihan Salam
But not all of the incoming president’s backers buy it
How far will Donald Trump go to get rid of illegal immigrants?
It is his signature policy, but the obstacles are daunting
How hard is it to run the Pentagon?
A look at the responsibilities Donald Trump is giving to Pete Hegseth, a former platoon leader
More highlights
Astrology is booming, thanks to technology and younger enthusiasts
Gen Z is full of stargazing users
1843 magazine | The wealth whisperers who save super-rich families from themselves
A new caste of consultants is helping to avoid “Succession”-style crises
Are mystics kooks or valuable disrupters?
A realist’s refreshing take on mysticism
Sex and Snow White: how Grimm should children’s books be?
The German authors suggest very, but today trends run the opposite way
The World Ahead 2025
Europe in 2025
The uncertain outlook for European security
Go it alone on defence, stick with America or try to muddle through?
Superforecasters in 2025
What the “superforecasters” predict for major events in 2025
The experts at Good Judgment weigh in on the coming year
China in 2025
Which are China’s cities of the future?
Those on the second and third tiers are thriving
By Invitation: Culture in 2025
Tristram Hunt explains why museums are turning themselves inside out
Opening up museums’ storehouses can improve transparency and accountability, says the director of the V&A
Russia and the world
India’s Faustian pact with Russia is strengthening
The gamble behind $17bn of fresh deals with the Kremlin on oil and arms
Time is not on Russia’s side, argues Finland’s foreign minister
Elina Valtonen calls for a lower oil-price cap and tougher measures against Russia’s shadow fleet
Finland’s seizure of a tanker shows how to fight Russian sabotage
The growing threat to undersea cables demands a robust response
Keep the Caucasus safe from Russia
Georgia’s protesters and president need help
Stories most read by subscribers
Featured read
Want to spend time with a different American president?
Five presidential biographies to distract you from the news
Edition: January 18th 2025
The Trump doctrine: America’s new foreign policy
Donald Trump: deporter-in-chief
Could a man who makes ugly promises of mass expulsion actually fix America’s immigration system?
Five reasons to fret about the EU
Europe is at its most vulnerable in decades
Battle and the sexes: women in combat
Donald Trump’s nominee for defence secretary wants women off the battlefield
Putting a price on Greenland
An American purchase of the territory could be the deal of the century
The World Ahead 2025
Future-gazing analysis, predictions and speculation
The perils of the world’s third nuclear age
The South China Sea could become a major flashpoint in 2025
Pressure to migrate is increasing—but so is the backlash
India’s economy will soon overtake Japan’s
The year ahead will be perilous for Emmanuel Macron’s government
How the world lines up, from wars to whales
Special reports: January 11th 2025
The Africa gap
The economic gap between Africa and the rest of the world is getting wider, says John McDermott
The economic gap between Africa and the rest of the world is growing
Africa is undergoing social change without economic transformation
Africa has too many businesses, too little business
Africa has too many businesses, too little business
African elites should align themselves with their countries’ needs
The African investment environment is at its worst in years
To catch up economically, Africa must think big
