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The Economist
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· Nov 18
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Takaichi Sanae has appealed to voters eager for change, or at least the appearance of it
How Japan’s prime minister will use her massive new mandate
A remarkable election victory that will reshape Japanese politics for years to come
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Takaichi Sanae has appealed to voters eager for change, or at least the appearance of it
Think-tanks have either MAGA-fied (like the Heritage Foundation) or stuck to their principles and faded into irrelevance. The Claremont Institute has a talent for adding intellectual gloss to Trumpism
Meet the brains who explain Trumpism
The Californian think-tank that applies intellectual gloss to MAGA
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Think-tanks have either MAGA-fied (like the Heritage Foundation) or stuck to their principles and faded into irrelevance. The Claremont Institute has a talent for adding intellectual gloss to Trumpism
Textual analysis is coming back into vogue among China analysts. Even when done well, it does not provide definitive answers about power politics. But it can help formulate questions
China’s opacity brings Pekingology back into vogue
What, for example, is behind Xi Jinping’s sweeping military purge?
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Textual analysis is coming back into vogue among China analysts. Even when done well, it does not provide definitive answers about power politics. But it can help formulate questions
While Haiti’s politicians squabble, living conditions grow more dire by the month. But the situation on the ground may be shifting
After years of despair, Haiti has a sliver of hope
The UN and America are mounting a new effort to drag the country out of the abyss
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 2:20 AM
While Haiti’s politicians squabble, living conditions grow more dire by the month. But the situation on the ground may be shifting
A decade ago officials set a target for China to become an “internationally competitive” destination for medical tourism by 2030. Its attraction to overseas patients does now appear to be growing econ.st/4a5CkEK
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 AM
A decade ago officials set a target for China to become an “internationally competitive” destination for medical tourism by 2030. Its attraction to overseas patients does now appear to be growing econ.st/4a5CkEK
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Jimmy Lai backed millions of pro-democracy Hong Kongers through his newspapers. Now the media tycoon has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. On “Drum Tower”, we spoke to his son
Tycoon troublemaker: the rise and fall of Jimmy Lai
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, the Hong Kong billionaire who risked it all
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 1:40 AM
Jimmy Lai backed millions of pro-democracy Hong Kongers through his newspapers. Now the media tycoon has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. On “Drum Tower”, we spoke to his son
Thailand’s new prime minister has brought the country’s conservative movement back to life. Anutin Charnvirakul has a sharp instinct for what voters want
Thailand’s conservatives win a shock big victory
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has revived the Thai right’s electoral fortunes
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Thailand’s new prime minister has brought the country’s conservative movement back to life. Anutin Charnvirakul has a sharp instinct for what voters want
The very best of our journalism, handpicked for you every day. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Economist Today
The Economist Today Newsletter
The very best of our journalism, handpicked for you every day
econ.st
February 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
The very best of our journalism, handpicked for you every day. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Economist Today
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 econ.st/46A8Uw9
Video: Fromm Studio
Video: Fromm Studio
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
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 econ.st/46A8Uw9
Video: Fromm Studio
Video: Fromm Studio
Britain’s prime minister might remain in post for some time—propped up for long enough to do the bidding of his left-wing MPs—or he might be replaced by a convincingly leftist leader
Why Sir Keir Starmer remains on the brink
It is not just about Peter Mandelson
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Britain’s prime minister might remain in post for some time—propped up for long enough to do the bidding of his left-wing MPs—or he might be replaced by a convincingly leftist leader
Reposted by The Economist
Keir Starmer is the most unpopular British prime minister since records began: the sick man who cannot afford to catch a cold. That's why the Mandelson scandal has been so destabilising www.economist.com/britain/2026...
February 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Keir Starmer is the most unpopular British prime minister since records began: the sick man who cannot afford to catch a cold. That's why the Mandelson scandal has been so destabilising www.economist.com/britain/2026...
Lawsuits have been filed by more than two dozen other detransitioners. Observers believe the damages, all told, could run into hundreds of millions of dollars
Lawsuits over transgender medicine for minors could be huge
One detransitioner was awarded $2m. As America’s guidelines change, more will follow
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Lawsuits have been filed by more than two dozen other detransitioners. Observers believe the damages, all told, could run into hundreds of millions of dollars
Today on “The Intelligence”: Japan’s electoral landslide, Republican states censor universities, and “Taxi Driver” 50 years on. Listen now
Snap judgement: Japan PM’s electoral landslide
Also on the daily podcast: Republicans censor universities and “Taxi Driver”, 50 years on
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Today on “The Intelligence”: Japan’s electoral landslide, Republican states censor universities, and “Taxi Driver” 50 years on. Listen now
Ever since Sir Keir Starmer guided the Labour Party to a landslide victory at the general election in July 2024, it has suffered a haemorrhage of support.
Will this year be any different? This is what our poll tracker says:
Will this year be any different? This is what our poll tracker says:
How unpopular is Britain’s Labour government?
Follow our poll tracker to see the sharp shifts in British politics
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Ever since Sir Keir Starmer guided the Labour Party to a landslide victory at the general election in July 2024, it has suffered a haemorrhage of support.
Will this year be any different? This is what our poll tracker says:
Will this year be any different? This is what our poll tracker says:
The Mokrany-Domanove crossing has become a lifeline for some of Ukraine’s most desperate people. Reaching it is a challenge econ.st/4aEh2hA
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
February 9, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The Mokrany-Domanove crossing has become a lifeline for some of Ukraine’s most desperate people. Reaching it is a challenge econ.st/4aEh2hA
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
One drastic solution to the scarcity is to rewrite music, or to write new music differently. But the loss of a voice is audible all the same
The world is suffering from a shortage of tenors
Want to join a choir? Can you sing tenor? Answer the second question first
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 8:20 PM
One drastic solution to the scarcity is to rewrite music, or to write new music differently. But the loss of a voice is audible all the same
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
In those two respects, at least, Melania Trump is living up to her vainglorious film’s claim that she is reinventing the role
Thank God for Melania Trump
Imagine the harm her husband could do with an Evita by his side
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
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
In those two respects, at least, Melania Trump is living up to her vainglorious film’s claim that she is reinventing the role
A former CIA analyst warns that things are likely to get worse as Vladimir Putin sees a window of opportunity to increase pressure while America and Europe are split
Russia’s sabotage campaign is becoming bolder
Hacks against Polish energy plants suggest the FSB is involved
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 7:40 PM
A former CIA analyst warns that things are likely to get worse as Vladimir Putin sees a window of opportunity to increase pressure while America and Europe are split
Many smart government strategists, notably in Asia, predict that in the age of AI, the management of disruption will become a central task for successful states
Anger is deadly to moderate politicians
AI-driven disruption is about to make the world a more resentful place
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Many smart government strategists, notably in Asia, predict that in the age of AI, the management of disruption will become a central task for successful states
From Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma topping charts to Netflix pouring billions into Mexican productions, Latin America’s artists are winning audiences. They will find even more success in 2026
The culture of Latin America will continue its global rise
Soundtracks, screens and bookshelves will feature a Latin American flavour in 2026, thanks to artists like Bad Bunny and Mexican productions on Netflix
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 7:00 PM
From Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma topping charts to Netflix pouring billions into Mexican productions, Latin America’s artists are winning audiences. They will find even more success in 2026
Could AI help you at work? Ask our management columnist. He’ll host a special Q&A edition of our “Boss Class” podcast. Send questions to podcasts@economist.com.
In the meantime, make sure to listen to season three econ.st/4kn8gYG
In the meantime, make sure to listen to season three econ.st/4kn8gYG
Boss Class from Economist Podcasts+
Learn how to be a better manager from top CEOs and experts who’ve studied them on the Boss Class podcast.
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Could AI help you at work? Ask our management columnist. He’ll host a special Q&A edition of our “Boss Class” podcast. Send questions to podcasts@economist.com.
In the meantime, make sure to listen to season three econ.st/4kn8gYG
In the meantime, make sure to listen to season three econ.st/4kn8gYG
The country’s courts are inundated with intellectual-property cases
China once stole foreign ideas. Now it wants to protect its own
The country’s courts are inundated with intellectual-property cases
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The country’s courts are inundated with intellectual-property cases
Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for collusion with foreign forces and of sedition. On “Drum Tower”, we spoke to the son of the media mogul and pro-democracy campaigner. Listen now
Tycoon troublemaker: the rise and fall of Jimmy Lai
Our weekly podcast on China. This week, the Hong Kong billionaire who risked it all
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for collusion with foreign forces and of sedition. On “Drum Tower”, we spoke to the son of the media mogul and pro-democracy campaigner. Listen now
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 econ.st/45MjrEo
Illustration: Javier Palma
Illustration: Javier Palma
February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
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 econ.st/45MjrEo
Illustration: Javier Palma
Illustration: Javier Palma
Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, examines the targeting of Vladimir Alexeyev
The War Room newsletter: Putin’s generals keep being hunted
Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, examines the targeting of Vladimir Alexeyev
econ.st
February 9, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Shashank Joshi, our defence editor, examines the targeting of Vladimir Alexeyev