The Economist
Why do we swear?
Every language has its profanities. In English, words like “shit”, “cock” and “bastard” can be used as a curse or an insult and, let’s face it, saying them can feel good. Scientists believe swearing has a special place in our brains....
The Economist
How to bring down a dictator
Today Kim Jong Un celebrates his 34th birthday. As North Korea’s god-king for life, he can expect several decades more in office. Or can he? We talk to a man who specialises in bringing down dictators.
The Economist
Who will win the World Cup?
The Economist has scoured historical data ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia. We have analysed dozens of factors that contribute to a national side's success. But can we predict the winner?
The Economist
Life after ISIS
What should be done when Islamic State fighters return home to Europe? As France marks the second anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on its soil, we explore the threat posed by jihadists after the defeat of the “caliphate” in...
The Economist
The next frontier: when thoughts control machines
Efforts to connect human brains to computers have taken big leaps forward in recent years. Melding our minds with machines could provide the biggest single upgrade to human intelligence since our species evolved. But are we ready?
The Economist
The new coronavirus: how should the world respond?
The new coronavirus is shutting down planet Earth. What lessons can the rest of the world learn from China, Singapore and South Korea?
The Economist
How to fuel the future
America, under President Donald Trump, is securing its “energy independence” with oil and gas. But unlike fossil fuels, renewables will not increase global warming —and China is moving fast.
The Economist
Congo: the deadliest conflict since the second world war may be about to reignite
More people were killed in a recent civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo than in conflicts in Vietnam, Syria, Iraq and Korea combined. The African country may be sliding back in to war, but one man is hoping a message of peace...
The Economist
Putin's Russia and the ghost of the Romanovs
One hundred years ago today Russia's royal family was murdered by the country's Marxist revolutionaries. Vladimir Putin has positioned himself a new kind of tsar, but what does this anniversary mean for the president?
The Economist
Why is vanilla so expensive?
In recent years the price of natural vanilla has, at times, been more expensive than silver by weight. Vanilla farmers in Madagascar are cashing in—but violence, theft and volatile markets are threatening their prospects
The Economist
Cocaine: why the cartels are winning
America spends $40bn a year on the war on drugs. But its “zero tolerance” approach has done little to curb addiction or overdose rates, which are the highest in the world.
The Economist
Are winter sports going downhill?
Athletes from a record-breaking 92 countries are taking part in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea. But winter sports are facing a double threat, from climate change and ageing populations
The Economist
Can Macron save his presidency?
What began as a protest against higher taxes on diesel has turned into a revolt against France's president, Emmanuel Macron. How he handles it will decide the rest of his presidency.
The Economist
Russia: Putin’s games with the West
As presidential elections take place in Russia, the chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, examines the games President Vladimir Putin is playing with the West
The Economist
What's so funny about #MeToo?
A year on from #MeToo Tiff Stevenson, a British comedian, talks about inequality between the sexes and the laughable facts. For her being a woman in 2018 is no joke.
The Economist
The end of orphanages?
Over 100,000 children were abandoned in Romania's orphanages during the communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu. Nearly 30 years on, Romania, like most other countries, is closing them down.
The Economist
How powerful is the Catholic church?
The pope represents over one billion people, his government has a permanent presence at the United Nations and runs the oldest diplomatic service on earth. Could the Vatican City be home to the world's most influential government?
The Economist
Why calories are a con
Calorie-counting has been central to people's understanding of weight loss for over a century. Given that the great majority of diets fail, could the calorie be one of the biggest delusions in dietary history?
The Economist
Venezuela's mayor on the run
Venezuela is on the brink of ruin. The former mayor of Caracas dared to challenge President Nicolás Maduro's authoritarian regime—and was made a public enemy.
The Economist
Who will challenge Donald Trump in 2020?
The 2020 Democratic primary election is already one of the most hotly contested in history, with over 20 candidates vying to lead the party. John Prideaux, our US editor, takes a look at the front-runners.
The Economist
MH17: can Russia be held to account?
Australia and the Netherlands say Russia is responsible for shooting down flight MH17 in 2014. The families of the 298 victims want justice—but which court can give it to them?
The Economist
The Democrats in the age of Trump
Since Donald Trump entered politics the Democrats have struggled to compete. The mid-term elections will see them employing a change in tactics that they hope will mobilise new voters and win over disillusioned moderates
The Economist
A softer Brexit is better: what can Britain learn from Norway?
When Britons voted to leave the EU two years ago today, they had no chance to say what sort of Brexit they wanted. With only six months left to negotiate a deal, could lessons be learned from Norway?
The Economist
Top secret: Russian spies in America
Russia is accused of trying to influence the US election, which led to the Trump presidency. In a rare interview one of the Soviet Union's highest-ranking KGB spies talks about the long-standing practice of subverting Western democracy.