News and analysis with a global perspective, since 1843. We’re here to help you understand the world around you. Subscribe here: https://econ.st/4fAeu4qhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmazf4cq2n2gThe president talks a big game about overhauling the midterms. But the more he fulminates against elections, the keener Democratic voters seem to punish him in this one https://econ.st/4eXCGjA20 May 2026 04:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmazf4cq2n2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmavzykh7q2oData from a new study suggest that illness could account for roughly half of the 1.9% wage gap between first- and second-born siblings. But it’s not the only reason https://econ.st/496n8q820 May 2026 03:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmavzykh7q2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmasopaltz2yAlthough some of bone broth’s purported benefits are plausible, evidence remains sparse. Much clearer is that the stuff is wholesome and, for many, comforting https://econ.st/3RRfB8z20 May 2026 02:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmasopaltz2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmark4xi2g24“Is a structural mechanism that pushes fertility downwards embedded in society?” asks the former governor of the Bank of Japan. Social norms could be forcing it even lower, he argues https://econ.st/4eXwF6u20 May 2026 01:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmark4xi2g24https://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmapcpwvo52oAs China’s internet enters its next era, the competition between its biggest technology firms is ferocious. A bitter fight for dominance looms econ.st/3PfrPqW Illustration: Fortunate Joaquin20 May 2026 01:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmapcpwvo52ohttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmao6tzhg72gThe Russian president will want to ensure that China continues to provide the support he needs to sustain the Ukraine war. Xi Jinping is likely to seek more Russian help in developing China’s military capabilities https://econ.st/4dy7SU320 May 2026 00:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmao6tzhg72ghttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmalxm2t6g2yMight Binyamin Netanyahu at last call it a day? Retirement would avoid the potential of a humiliating election defeat for Israel’s longest-serving prime minister https://econ.st/4uQTYng20 May 2026 00:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmalxm2t6g2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmaktlciv42aInflation-linked government bonds offer the ultimate protection against investors’ fears. So why aren’t more people turning to them? https://econ.st/4dHUGfM19 May 2026 23:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmaktlciv42ahttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmajpsgimy2lFar too much in Indonesia depends on a thin-skinned former general with a sketchy human-rights record. Prabowo Subianto needs to hear some unpalatable truths https://econ.st/4dpWZDK19 May 2026 23:20 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmajpsgimy2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmaimb5b2k2aMany Republicans have calculated that fealty to the president is necessary for their political survival. Thomas Massie isn’t one of them. 1843 meets the Kentuckian standing his ground https://econ.st/4tRfOWN19 May 2026 23:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmaimb5b2k2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmahrfxxov24The country is not as isolated as its critics hope, but it is alienating some true friends https://econ.st/4uwINjN19 May 2026 22:45 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmahrfxxov24https://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmahicv4vu2pWho came out on top when Donald Trump met Xi Jinping? We discuss the Beijing summit on our “Drum Tower” podcast https://econ.st/3Pvb7E019 May 2026 22:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmahicv4vu2phttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmagejhzzk2oToday on “The Intelligence”: a look at the latest Ebola outbreak, the polling favourite for Britain’s next prime minister and the irritating world of celebrity book clubs. Listen now https://econ.st/4dTHQw019 May 2026 22:20 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmagejhzzk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmafav4psg2dAmerican stockmarkets have recently hit one all-time high after another, even as the president has unleashed seemingly anti-growth policies. This has left observers who had predicted economic disaster scratching their heads econ.st/4dOJv61 Illustration: Alberto Miranda19 May 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmafav4psg2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmabwn2so32dCities across America are losing children fast. And yet in the country’s richest, densest cities, there is one group noticeably defying the trend: wealthier white families https://econ.st/4tPhXCv19 May 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmabwn2so32dhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmabeelcgj2ySo why aren’t more buying inflation-protected bonds? https://econ.st/49aqkkz19 May 2026 20:50 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmabeelcgj2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmab2tgbpq24The world’s second-biggest luxury label is turning heads again https://econ.st/4dxK7LR19 May 2026 20:45 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmab2tgbpq24https://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmaarq6cz62aThe president threatened to sue his own administration, and will hand out the pay-off. Register for free to learn why nothing about the settlement is normal https://econ.st/4ukpudf19 May 2026 20:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmaarq6cz62ahttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mmaa7zipzc24A sporting event where the use of performance-enhancing drugs is not just permitted, but actively encouraged, will take place in 2026. Here’s what to expect econ.st/4ugrsLO Illustration: Cristina Spanò19 May 2026 20:30 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmaa7zipzc24https://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma6kvplwp24At just $107 a barrel, the price of Brent crude is nowhere near what analysts had predicted it would be if the Iran war dragged on. Two forces explain why investors’ panic has faded—for now https://econ.st/42L9rcr19 May 2026 20:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma6kvplwp24https://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma624cxcv2oHow NATO’s European members plan to fight if America quits https://econ.st/4tKzkUS19 May 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma624cxcv2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma5pjcr6h2pMedics know how to respond. But aid cuts, war and the lack of a vaccine make it difficult https://econ.st/4nHKsAv19 May 2026 19:45 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma5pjcr6h2phttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma5gg3fye2oWhat was once a labour-intensive system of patrol agents, radios and vehicles is turning into a digital-surveillance network https://econ.st/3PRauon19 May 2026 19:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma5gg3fye2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma4cn5vzq2d“Modern critics question celebrities’ motivations, qualifications and dedication to the literary cause.” On “The Intelligence”: the booming world of celebrity book clubs bit.ly/49afMBW19 May 2026 19:20 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma4cn5vzq2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mma235flfm2lThomas Massie built his house in Kentucky with stone he quarried himself. In politics, too, he aspires to do things his own way. 1843 meets the man challenging MAGA https://econ.st/499x5my19 May 2026 18:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mma235flfm2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mm7yxg6bmk2yMuch is unusual about Japanese eels. Register for free to read how the findings of a recent study add to the mystery surrounding how they reproduce https://econ.st/4fuTnTB19 May 2026 18:20 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7yxg6bmk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mm7xttcla32yThe far-right agitator’s usual supporters joined the weekend march. But many attendees seemed to be ordinary, working-class Britons who had become disillusioned with politics https://econ.st/42JQwim19 May 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7xttcla32yhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mm7wpsb6xg2a“Andy Burnham might do better, but he just hasn’t been tested.” Joel Budd profiles the Labour Party’s polling favourite to succeed Britain’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer bit.ly/4nDBC6Q19 May 2026 17:40 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7wpsb6xg2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mm7vm3cgwe2dHas Donald Trump got his way with the Federal Reserve? Find out on this week’s “Money Talks” podcast https://econ.st/4ulxj2F19 May 2026 17:20 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7vm3cgwe2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/economist.com/post/3mm7uihkzrk2lThere are “striking similarities” between the democratic opposition movements in both countries, argues Turkey’s opposition leader. “But there is also a crucial difference,” he warns in a guest essay econ.st/4tKs778 Illustration: Dan Williams19 May 2026 17:00 +0000at://did:plc:mhzk3blh4pfxo3fqh2meowbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7uihkzrk2l