How do franchises mint millionaires across the world? Find out more on this week’s “Money Talks” podcast

The Economist

With Russia and China back on his side, Kim Jong Un’s bargaining position has never looked stronger

The Economist

Though its campaign is execrable, the Balochistan Liberation Army is probably a lesser worry for officials in Islamabad than a second set of adversaries

The Economist

Can anything slow the rise of China’s premier app factory, ByteDance? Listen to this week’s “Drum Tower” podcast to find out how the company is faring after America’s TikTok deal

The Economist

Japan’s sprawling sex industry is thought to be worth ¥2trn-5trn ($12bn-31bn) a year. Lately a debate has raged over how the work is policed Photo: Getty Images

The Economist

“You want to stand out but not offend. Everyone is scared.” 1843 explores why it's hard for big brands like Nike to be cool these days

The Economist

Some of China’s most prominent chemists, physicists and computer scientists are being drawn into the Communist Party’s upper ranks. Register for free to discover why

The Economist

Realistically, half or more of the 48 competing teams have no chance at all. Of the rest, the leading candidates fall into two categories

The Economist

Hedge funds try to profit from Treasuries in lots of ways. But register for free to learn why one approach, called relative value, causes particular consternation

The Economist

The show now averages 8m American viewers per episode. A third of them rewatch episodes; 15% have watched five times or more

The Economist

In a moment of extreme dysfunction, most analysts believe the Fed would quickly reassert itself to bring stability back to the Treasury market

The Economist

McDonald’s may have created more millionaires than any other company in history. On “Money Talks” this week, why franchising may be America’s most underrated path to wealth

The Economist

Closing tax loopholes is reasonable. Seizing the assets of society’s most productive people is a road to economic ruin. Register for free to read why Illustration: Álvaro Bernis