Pat Nixon called being First Lady “the hardest unpaid job in the world”. In those two respects, at least, Melania Trump is living up to her vainglorious film’s claim that she is reinventing the role

The evidence suggests relationships with age gaps are relatively happy and last just as long. They do bring some risks, however

The upcoming election in Bangladesh will be the first since a revolution 18 months ago, when Gen Z protesters ended the murderous and venal 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League

While Haiti’s politicians squabble, living conditions grow more dire by the month. But the situation on the ground may be shifting econ.st/4aaZYOR Photo: Reuters

“The most important task for the KMT is to create peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.” Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan’s opposition leader, talks to Jeremy Page on “Drum Tower”

American officials sniff at the idea that the much smaller British or French arsenals could replace the American umbrella

Unlike other think-tanks, Claremont does not churn out many policy papers. It aims to teach young conservatives what has gone awry in America. If that sounds grandiose, it is

Lawmakers deserve credit for rediscovering the power of the purse—and their spines. Now they should go even further to undo the damage the Trump administration has done to American science econ.st/4qojygx Illustration: Javier Palma

A Supreme Court ruling could reduce black representation in Congress. But it could also boost black voter turnout

In Minnesota, the Trump administration has made some concessions to its critics. But it is also cracking down hard on what it calls “agitators”

Lawmakers deserve credit for rediscovering the power of the purse—and their spines. Now they should go even further to undo the damage the Trump administration has done to American science

Why has Japan’s election rattled global markets? Listen to “Money Talks”

Activism in America is changing. A new style of protest is spreading through liberal cities preparing for sieges by immigration agents

Journalists have plenty of faults—they simplify, exaggerate and sometimes get things wrong—but preventing them from doing their jobs will have dire consequences

Sir Keir Starmer remains as Britain’s prime minister only at the mercy of MPs who regard him with contempt. Only dumb luck, the underrated factor in his rise to office, can possibly save him

How could Japan’s snap election change the country’s economic fortunes? Listen to “Money Talks”

Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions. Except in some circumstances

The world’s richest man recently declared that SpaceX and xAI would “extend the light of consciousness to the stars”. Back on Earth it is getting harder to see how the numbers add up econ.st/3ZjJ9wg Illustration: Agnes Ricart

Squabbles over the Voting Rights Act could boost black turnout

It can do more to resist Donald Trump’s assault

But will they make people feel safer?

The anti-hero of “Taxi Driver” seeks redemption in violence. As for too many mass shooters of the past 50 years, murder seems his only means to get the world’s attention

Britain’s government makes the union-friendly case for artificial intelligence. Progressives take note

Though small, they have large megaphones

The taint of the disgraced financier will endure

A week into Donald Trump’s second term 37% of Americans thought the country was headed in the right direction, while 50% thought it was on the wrong track. Those numbers are now 31% and 61%, respectively

In praise of lifelong joy

A new crop of health deals is unlikely to meet the needs of recipient countries

Whether through words or weapons, the president wants this to be America’s last stand-off with the Islamic Republic. Iran has never seemed more vulnerable

Daniel Kretinsky still believes in the old continent—but fears its lack of pragmatism

Having shrugged off the previous two downturns of their short history, digital ads are likely to take a serious knock when the next one eventually hits

Whoever wins the coming election has a lot to do

The country’s trade unions are getting new freedoms. They intend to use them

The greatest decline in press freedom is occurring not in dictatorships, where proper journalism has long been almost impossible, but in places that still purport to be democratic

A recent Panamanian supreme-court ruling shows how the “Donroe doctrine” really works

As those embroiled in the tawdry affair are scorned, ostracised or, in some cases, locked up, a new business elite is getting ready to take their place. It has vices of its own econ.st/3ZTbMAy Illustration: @brett.ryder.illustration

Can Sam Paparo keep US strategy on an even keel?

Our podcast on markets, the economy and business. This week, how Japan’s snap election could change the country’s economic fortunes

Trust in the news media has declined across the rich world. Some people may not care much when they hear that journalism is in trouble. Yet it is in their interest to care

Yes, we’re talkin’ to him, or at least about him. Fifty years after “Taxi Driver” was released, Martin Scorsese’s sleazy masterpiece routinely ranks among the greatest ever films

PEAK TARIFFS? As tariff rates surged in 2025, so did tariff revenues. But since the middle of last year, they have pretty much flatlined. Has America's tariff take peaked? I play with that idea for @economist.com this week. A few possible drivers there in a 🧵 below www.economist.com/finance-and-...

A new study has found that 38% of the nearly 20m new cancers worldwide in 2022 were caused by preventable factors. Two risks stand out virtually everywhere

In a might-makes-right world, many countries may conclude that only nukes can keep them safe

American scientists have historically been leaders in the collection and analysis of data on climate change. These projects are now under threat

The government blames rebels, but such accidents are sadly common

Donald Trump has shown that expert panels and funding, like many other things over which the executive branch holds sway, can be wielded as a partisan cudgel

Around the world, media freedom is in retreat. We explain why governments that gag the press today will govern worse tomorrow

Sir Keir Starmer was a politician of process rather than conviction. Following the erratic Boris Johnson, this had some appeal. The Peter Mandelson saga reveals that process comes a distant second to political convenience

A meme from the far-right fringe could spell legal trouble for Germany’s AfD

Serhiy Zhadan’s cult status reflects modern literary celebrity with a Ukrainian twist. In a country where supporting the armed forces is both essential and existential, Mr Zhadan uses social media expertly to spread his art and activism