Latest from Economist
Economist
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Economist
Losing Religion
Sandwiched between two non-descript office buildings in the centre of Washington, DC, sits a special church. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church has hosted funerals for civil rights icons and opened its pews to American presidents. This year it made history again when it sued the Proud Boys, the far-right group that vandalised the church's property in December 2020. For generations the centuries-old traditional Black church has been the foundation for civil rights movements, from abolition to voting rights. But membership is in decline as younger Blacks switch allegiance to more mixed race, non-denominational churches. On The Weekend Intelligence Tamara Gilkes Borr asks what happens to America's fight for equality if the traditional Black church disappears?
Economist
a day ago
- Politics
- Economist
The Supreme Court delivers a blow to judicial power and a win for Trump
A YEAR AGO John Sauer, then Donald Trump's personal lawyer, persuaded six justices to hand the presidential candidate sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution. On June 27th Mr Sauer, now Mr Trump's solicitor general, notched another huge victory for his boss—one that will enhance the power of future presidents, too. Whereas Trump v United States articulated a capacious standard of presidential immunity and cleared the way for Mr Trump to complete his campaign free of legal jeopardy, Trump v CASA liberates him from nationwide injunctions—the most potent tool judges have been using to thwart his agenda. It was, as Mr Trump wrote on social media, a 'GIANT WIN'.
Economist
a day ago
- Politics
- Economist
America's role in the Middle East
President Donald Trump helped to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, after America bombed Iranian nuclear facilities. All sides are claiming victory, but what does the conflict —and existing ceasefire— mean for the leaders of all three countries? John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Idrees Kahloon.
Economist
a day ago
- Politics
- Economist
Zohran Mamdani, Trump's 'worst nightmare', may in fact be a gift to him
FOUR DAYS before New York City's Democratic mayoral primary Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist assemblyman who represents part of Queens, walked the length of Manhattan, 13 miles (21km) from Inwood Hill Park to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. 'New Yorkers deserve a mayor that they can see, they can hear, they can even yell at,' he said. It was reminiscent of Ed Koch, a charismatic mayor in the 1970s and 1980s. Koch would often ask his constituents 'How'm I doin'?'. He was greeted by cheers or jeers, depending on the year and the neighbourhood. By that standard, Mr Mamdani, who beat the Democratic establishment to win the primary on June 24th, already looks mayoral.
Economist
a day ago
- Health
- Economist
Is being bilingual good for your brain?
Reams of papers have been published on the cognitive advantages of multilingualism. Beyond the conversational doors it can open, multilingualism is supposed to improve 'executive function', a loose concept that includes the ability to ignore distractions, plan complex tasks and update beliefs as new information arrives. Most striking, numerous studies have even shown that bilinguals undergo a later onset of dementia, perhaps of around four years, on average. But some of these studies have failed to replicate, leaving experts wondering whether the effect is real, and if so, what exactly it consists of.
