The Economist
@economist.com
News and analysis with a global perspective. We’re here to help you understand the world around you. Subscribe here: https://econ.st/4fAeu4q
Pinned
The Economist
@economist.com
· Nov 18
👋 Hello, Bluesky! go.bsky.app/VP5EvGW
As bans on petrol-powered blowers spread, and Democrats and Republicans compete all the harder for the votes of residents of leafy suburbs, rancour will surely grow
Leaf blowers are the latest thing dividing Americans
An argument that pitches neighbour against neighbour
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
As bans on petrol-powered blowers spread, and Democrats and Republicans compete all the harder for the votes of residents of leafy suburbs, rancour will surely grow
Whether Ukraine gets a much-needed loan depends largely on the EU’s big countries persuading Belgium to agree with the plan. The fight has become a crucial test of European resolve
A crisis over using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
It’s an old-style Euro punch-up in a deadly new context
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Whether Ukraine gets a much-needed loan depends largely on the EU’s big countries persuading Belgium to agree with the plan. The fight has become a crucial test of European resolve
Breathing through the mouth can lead to problems. This might suggest that some people would benefit from taping their mouths shut at night. Alas, the evidence does not bear this out econ.st/48PYWs9
Illustration: Cristina Spanò
Illustration: Cristina Spanò
December 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Breathing through the mouth can lead to problems. This might suggest that some people would benefit from taping their mouths shut at night. Alas, the evidence does not bear this out econ.st/48PYWs9
Illustration: Cristina Spanò
Illustration: Cristina Spanò
The European Commission has unveiled a long-awaited proposal to use frozen Russian assets to underpin a loan to Ukraine. Yet Belgium, where most of the assets are held, is not on board
A crisis over using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine
It’s an old-style Euro punch-up in a deadly new context
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The European Commission has unveiled a long-awaited proposal to use frozen Russian assets to underpin a loan to Ukraine. Yet Belgium, where most of the assets are held, is not on board
As well as helping to identify people with autism, research into genetics offer tantalising clues as to how the condition may play out on a biological level
Why autism should not be treated as a single condition
A better understanding of its biology will lead to better interventions
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 7:40 PM
As well as helping to identify people with autism, research into genetics offer tantalising clues as to how the condition may play out on a biological level
India has spent the past three years buying cut-price Russian oil, reducing its import bill while helping Vladimir Putin fund his war. But that arrangement appears to be coming to an end as a result of American sanctions
Donald Trump looms over Vladimir Putin’s visit to India
America’s president is helping to make Indo-Russian relations great again
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
India has spent the past three years buying cut-price Russian oil, reducing its import bill while helping Vladimir Putin fund his war. But that arrangement appears to be coming to an end as a result of American sanctions
You may not like the word, but you are living with it. And it is probably here to stay econ.st/3MlQ0lw
Illustration: Julia Dufossé
Illustration: Julia Dufossé
December 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
You may not like the word, but you are living with it. And it is probably here to stay econ.st/3MlQ0lw
Illustration: Julia Dufossé
Illustration: Julia Dufossé
To get a sense of whether there is indeed an exodus of Brits, we have done some number-crunching. Here’s what we found
Are Brits really leaving the country in droves?
No. We estimate that emigration is lower now than it was five years ago
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM
To get a sense of whether there is indeed an exodus of Brits, we have done some number-crunching. Here’s what we found
The past two years have done much to vindicate the pessimistic view towards developments in the Middle East. But lately there has been cause for hope. We explain why in The World Ahead
The Middle East will not be all progress or all disaster in 2026
In Gaza, Israel and beyond things could go well, or badly, but are most likely to be somewhere in the middle. Here are three scenarios for the coming year
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The past two years have done much to vindicate the pessimistic view towards developments in the Middle East. But lately there has been cause for hope. We explain why in The World Ahead
However you answer reflects not only your industry and national culture—it also sends a signal about your own priorities econ.st/4iHKKET
December 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
However you answer reflects not only your industry and national culture—it also sends a signal about your own priorities econ.st/4iHKKET
The government is planning to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, in a bid to tackle the vast backlog of cases in the criminal courts
Britain’s plan to curb jury trials is a sharp break with tradition
It is a desperate response to a disastrous backlog in the courts
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The government is planning to curtail jury trials in England and Wales, in a bid to tackle the vast backlog of cases in the criminal courts
What to do about Obamacare subsidies has become a microcosm of divisions in the Republican coalition, reaching into debates on affordability, concerns about the deficit and even abortion
Republicans still don’t know what to do with Obamacare
Expiring subsidies are a big political headache
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What to do about Obamacare subsidies has become a microcosm of divisions in the Republican coalition, reaching into debates on affordability, concerns about the deficit and even abortion
“Instead of a single, reformed rules-based trading system, a mosaic of partial agreements and creative ‘docking’ arrangements between blocs could develop” in the coming year, argues Mark Carney.
He explains why in a guest essay for The World Ahead
He explains why in a guest essay for The World Ahead
The world is in a new age of variable geometry, says Mark Carney
Canada’s prime minister argues that countries that build new networks and pragmatic alliances will be best placed to thrive in this new age
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“Instead of a single, reformed rules-based trading system, a mosaic of partial agreements and creative ‘docking’ arrangements between blocs could develop” in the coming year, argues Mark Carney.
He explains why in a guest essay for The World Ahead
He explains why in a guest essay for The World Ahead
The main reason for the newfound urgency to bulk Western militaries can be found in the trenches of Ukraine. Another is a long-running recruitment crisis that has left many forces unable to fill even their smaller armies
Western armed forces have struggled to fill their ranks to deter Russia
More sensible recruiting policies could help
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The main reason for the newfound urgency to bulk Western militaries can be found in the trenches of Ukraine. Another is a long-running recruitment crisis that has left many forces unable to fill even their smaller armies
We have ranked 36 mostly rich countries based on five economic measures. Which came out on top?
Which economy did best in 2025?
Our annual ranking returns
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
We have ranked 36 mostly rich countries based on five economic measures. Which came out on top?
Greece has long been a byword for Kafkaesque bureaucracy. Now it is offering advice on digitalisation. Its approach holds three broad lessons for Europe’s slowpokes
Greece is teaching Germany how to get government online
A legendary bureaucracy is making Olympian efforts at digitalisation
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Greece has long been a byword for Kafkaesque bureaucracy. Now it is offering advice on digitalisation. Its approach holds three broad lessons for Europe’s slowpokes
The controversy over the September 2nd drug boat strike may focus congressional oversight and public scrutiny on the bigger question of why the Trump administration is using such disproportionate force against criminals in speedboats
Lawmakers demand answers about Pete Hegseth’s boat-bombing campaign
A deadly strike raises stark questions about America’s anti-drug war
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The controversy over the September 2nd drug boat strike may focus congressional oversight and public scrutiny on the bigger question of why the Trump administration is using such disproportionate force against criminals in speedboats
“You’d have a major security problem in the aftermath of the collapse of the government,” says Phil Gunson. The perils of regime change in Venezuela, on “Checks and Balance”
Americas first: Donald Trump’s threats to Venezuela
Our weekly podcast on democracy in America. This week, we examine what’s driving Donald Trump’s Caribbean adventurism
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“You’d have a major security problem in the aftermath of the collapse of the government,” says Phil Gunson. The perils of regime change in Venezuela, on “Checks and Balance”
Doomsters sketch out a depressing scenario: in 2026 Britain will be exposed if there is a blow-up in the global bond market. Yet talk of it going cap-in-hand to the IMF is silly
The British economy will pick up, a little
Under Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s economy has kept on sputtering. Expect things to improve a little in 2026—but don’t expect miracles
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Doomsters sketch out a depressing scenario: in 2026 Britain will be exposed if there is a blow-up in the global bond market. Yet talk of it going cap-in-hand to the IMF is silly
The National Security Strategy says that America should curb the sense in Europe that Russia is a threat and warns that NATO cannot be “a perpetually expanding alliance”.
Alarmingly, it has nothing to say about the repeated aggression of Vladimir Putin
Alarmingly, it has nothing to say about the repeated aggression of Vladimir Putin
Donald Trump’s bleak, incoherent foreign-policy strategy
Allies may panic; despots will cheer
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The National Security Strategy says that America should curb the sense in Europe that Russia is a threat and warns that NATO cannot be “a perpetually expanding alliance”.
Alarmingly, it has nothing to say about the repeated aggression of Vladimir Putin
Alarmingly, it has nothing to say about the repeated aggression of Vladimir Putin
“I Who Have Never Known Men” is a desolate post-apocalyptic tale—a far cry from the racy coming-of-age stories that TikTok typically enjoys. Yet the book has become a hit thanks to the app
The 30-year-old dystopian novel that is the talk of TikTok
“I Who Have Never Known Men” is a haunting story—and readers love it
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
“I Who Have Never Known Men” is a desolate post-apocalyptic tale—a far cry from the racy coming-of-age stories that TikTok typically enjoys. Yet the book has become a hit thanks to the app
Shoppers cannot get enough of Advent calendars. There are options not just for your children, but also for your parents, pets and even the birds in your garden. We explain why they have taken off
Why there is an Advent calendar for absolutely everything
Do you want 24 pots of slime? Or packets of pork scratchings?
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Shoppers cannot get enough of Advent calendars. There are options not just for your children, but also for your parents, pets and even the birds in your garden. We explain why they have taken off
The White House has claimed that, if fully funded with $5,000 per year, these accounts could be worth $1.9m by the time a child turns 28. Virtually all of that money would come from families, though
What will your child’s Trump Account be worth?
The president has cribbed a signature policy from an unlikely source
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The White House has claimed that, if fully funded with $5,000 per year, these accounts could be worth $1.9m by the time a child turns 28. Virtually all of that money would come from families, though
Around 600m Africans have no electricity at all. Solar energy is beginning to change that, but it will not solve the continent’s power conundrum alone
Africa needs to generate more electricity
It also has to create more demand for it
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Around 600m Africans have no electricity at all. Solar energy is beginning to change that, but it will not solve the continent’s power conundrum alone
Tom Stoppard did not take sides; or rather, he took every possible decent side. His plays were the best expression of himself, because he contained multitudes. Our obituary
Tom Stoppard was an inexhaustible fountain of ideas
Britain’s most challenging playwright died on November 29th, aged 88
econ.st
December 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Tom Stoppard did not take sides; or rather, he took every possible decent side. His plays were the best expression of himself, because he contained multitudes. Our obituary