Held in cheque: corporate payouts and covid-19
Even before the pandemic, companies were accused of returning too much money to shareholders. As a recession looms, dividends and share buy-backs should be cut—but not everywhere. Coral bleaching on t...
22 Apr 202020min
Symbols’ status: arrests in Hong Kong
Authorities have re-ignited tensions by arresting some of the democracy movement’s most prominent figures—and Beijing seems to be piling more pressure on. Shortages of protective equipment are not jus...
21 Apr 202021min
Restarting Europe’s engine: Germany’s lockdown lightens
Non-essential businesses are opening; schools soon will be, too. The country’s fortunes are down to a mix of science-minded leadership, functional federalism and a bit of luck. Saudi Arabia has halted...
20 Apr 202021min
Gross domestic plummet: China’s historic contraction
The covid-19 pandemic has caused the country’s first GDP dip in more than four decades. What struggles still lie ahead for the world’s second-largest economy? Decisive action to help the homeless amid...
17 Apr 202023min
This sequestered isle: Britain’s covid-19 response
The prime minister is still convalescing; Parliament is still finding ways to meet virtually. Meanwhile questions are growing about how the government has handled the pandemic. In China authorities ar...
16 Apr 202022min
The gloves are on: South Koreans vote
Today’s legislative elections in South Korea are the world’s first to take place amid the covid-19 crisis. How have masked campaigners managed, and how are masked voters likely to respond? “Contact tr...
15 Apr 202019min
Dis-Kurti-ous: intrigues in Kosovo
We speak to Albin Kurti, a reformist prime minister, after his ouster—and ask how American officials may have played a role in his downfall. Gloomy forecasts will dominate this week’s virtual meetings...
14 Apr 202023min
Opening arguments: Europe’s cautious restart
This week, some European countries are beginning to switch their economies back on, but leaders face a grim trade-off between economic health and public health. Meanwhile, bids to finance Europe’s fis...
13 Apr 202022min
