July 17th 2026

The Economist Today Our best journalism, handpicked each day

Bo Franklin Senior digital editor

Ukraine has recently pulled off a stunning series of attacks in Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014 and relies on as a bridgehead. Beyond Crimea, Ukraine’s drone offensive is bringing the war to Russians in a new way. Our maps and charts show how Russia is losing its grip. And the market for musical misery is booming. Emo bands, all the rage in the early 2000s, are making a comeback thanks to millennials’ nostalgia and new Gen Z fans. Finally, how closely have you followed the headlines this week? Test your knowledge with our latest Friday news quiz.

Editor’s picks A selection of must-read articles

In the red Russia is losing its grip on Crimea Ukraine’s drone offensive is making it harder to supply and defend the vital peninsula

→ Russians are growing anxious and angry

Music and nostalgia Emo culture was not just a phase, as it turns out The business of misery is thriving as emo bands go back on tour

What is at stake for Israel? Israel’s future hangs in the balance The country’s coming election may be its most important ever

Trillion-dollar Lilly Eli Lilly is reinventing the pharma business The world’s largest drugmaker is betting big on preventive medicines—and learning from big tech

Lonely hearts clubbed China’s rulers have a woman problem Antagonism between the sexes does nothing to address China’s demographic problems

More of our coverage ▸ What to watch this weekend. There are plenty of flawed figures in our film and television recommendations, from spiteful showmen to financial fraudsters. ▸ The biggest schools training America’s doctors are in the Caribbean. St George’s University in Grenada has higher fees than Harvard’s. Despite this, a growing cohort of would-be doctors is opting for island training. ▸ China’s trade gap is narrowing—and other surprises. The country’s newest GDP numbers reveal some fiscal home truths. Its technology may be white-hot. But its economy is cooling. And its population is increasingly grey.

Tracking Donald Trump Our latest numbers The American president’s net approval rating Find out

Podcast Money Talks The man reinventing a trillion-dollar drugmaker Listen

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