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Wage against the machine: the distortions of minimum pay
For decades governments have found minimum-wage rises a politically expedient means of redistribution. But the onward economic distortions have at last become clear. Of course AI can write a faster c…
Published on 1 week, 4 days ago
Emission creep: a contentious COP closes
It is telling and troubling that the annual climate talking-shop’s outcome did not even mention fossil fuels. We ask whether the COP process is still fit for purpose. Cryptocurrencies could be headin…
Published on 1 week, 5 days ago
Flee country: Britain seeks to slash migration
Britain’s home secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed a big shift in immigration policy this week. Our correspondent explains Labour’s reforms – and the reasoning behind them. Why military spy balloons a…
Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago
War graft: scandal engulfs Ukraine
Pentagon officials are meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss a Russia-US peace proposal Ukraine had no part in writing. That merely adds pressure as a giant corruption crisis is alr…
Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago
Crown prince arming: Trump sells jets to MBS
Muhammad bin Salman’s first visit to the White House in seven years earned the Saudi crown prince new weapons, giant tech deals and a burnished reputation. Our correspondent explains Trump’s warm wel…
Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago
After Sheikh: what next for Bangladesh?
Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s former prime minister, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The country is at a pivotal moment as it heads towards parliamentary elections next year. …
Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago
Gang-buster: Can Sheinbaum beat Mexico crime?
This weekend, thousands of people protested in Mexico City about violent crime. But our correspondent notes that the government has had some success in confronting drug gangs and cutting homicides. T…
Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago
Toil and rubble: who will rebuild Gaza?
After two years of war, over 80% of the buildings in Gaza have been destroyed. Our correspondent assesses various plans for reconstruction. Do large lay-offs in American firms mean AI is coming for w…
Published on 3 weeks, 1 day ago
Opening punch: Shutdown ends, now more Epstein emails
Last night Donald Trump finally managed to end the longest federal government shutdown in history. But, amid a new release of emails relating to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the political st…
Published on 3 weeks, 2 days ago
The little green look: China’s energy revolution
America has boycotted this week’s COP climate talks, but China has sent a giant delegation. The world’s biggest polluter is increasingly pivotal to tackling global warming. Why young protesters aroun…
Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago