The Economist

For the first time since 1960, both the actors’ and screenwriters’ unions are on strike. How will this affect Hollywood? https://econ.trib.al/lGnapPy

The region is becoming increasingly attractive for expats, according to this annual index https://econ.trib.al/CKTZFdq

How to waste trillions of dollars https://econ.st/3NKgvy8

Our correspondents recommend the finest books, old and new, in their areas of interest https://econ.st/3XTXDBC

Plutonium, carbon and plastic mark a new phase in Earth’s history https://econ.st/3Q47Fhg

A new estimate uses inheritance records and social media https://econ.st/3PXfJk2

Lovers of Diet Coke have little to fear https://econ.trib.al/6xDEgGH

Photojournalist Christopher Occhicone spent several months documenting life in one of Ukraine’s field hospitals. “The medics are focused on the job in hand, and the wounded soldiers rarely scream”. His extraordinary photos show how doctors and nurses battle to treat the wounded in gruelling conditions. Read more: https://econ.st/43oY6N8

Even in a Barbie world, geopolitics exist. The film features a map that appears to show the disputed “nine-dash line”. Read how China uses it to claim most of the South China Sea: https://econ.st/46HPnsp Image: Warner Brothers

A group of scientists are trying to track down how it works in the brain https://econ.st/44q05Cf

Rapid improvements mean that telling an AI-generated image from a real photo or painting may soon become impossible https://econ.st/44sgVjN

MAGA Republicans are planning to make a second Trump term disciplined and effective. Do not dismiss their efforts: the details are something to behold https://econ.st/3XRK1GN