Inside the prison state
What’s it like to live in North Korea? Yumi Kim on heavy repression, secret phone calls, and virtual private networks.
The enemies list
The U.S. confirms CIA operations in Venezuela. Europe builds a drone wall against Russia. + Turning America’s tax agency against the president’s enemies.
Graveyard in the desert
A disarmament ultimatum for Hamas. Madagascar’s Gen Z protests topple a government. + A two-year operation to move tens of thousands of bodies—and hide the evidence.
No interior daylight
The Israeli dead begin returning from Gaza. California goes it alone in regulating AI chatbots. + An unusual solidarity across the American press as they decamp from the Pentagon.
Recognized in hiding
Back to the economic brink for the U.S. and China. Israeli hostages return from Gaza after 738 days. + When a peace prize goes to someone still fighting.
What doesn’t kill them
Is anyone winning the U.S.-China trade war? Kyle Chan on the economic showdown between Washington and Beijing.
Can’t get started
War halts in Gaza as Israel and Hamas begin prisoner exchanges. Peru removes its president in the middle of the night. + Out now—the weekend despatch.
There’s the handshake, and then …
The weekend despatch: Agreeing to disagree in the Middle East. Sanctions against the little guys in Europe. &c.
The way of Kim Jong Un
How is political upheaval in South Korea affecting North Korea? Soo Kim on what’s driving Pyongyang’s increasing hostility toward Seoul.
The tower goes dark
An agreement on Gaza’s first peace phase after two years of war. A new set of American sanctions cut Serbia’s fuel supply. + U.S. air-traffic controllers are working 60-hour weeks without pay—and airports are going dark.