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Brazil's Pix: Instant Payments Take Over

2025-04-08
Brazil's Pix: Instant Payments Take Over

Launched in November 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil's Pix digital payment system rapidly gained popularity. Its contactless, instant, free, and user-friendly nature proved a winning combination. Using only a recipient's national ID, phone number, or QR code, Pix facilitated a massive surge in transactions. By 2024, it surpassed cash and cards to become Brazil's dominant payment method, processing 63 billion transactions totaling 26 trillion reais ($4.5 trillion). No other country has adopted a similar system with such speed.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech Pix

Football Match in Dzaleka Refugee Camp: An Unusual Sunday

2025-04-08
Football Match in Dzaleka Refugee Camp: An Unusual Sunday

In Dzaleka, a Malawian refugee camp housing refugees from central African wars since 1994, a football match disrupts the usual Sunday calm. Thousands gather on a dusty field to watch the game, contrasting sharply with the churchgoers leaving nearby. This scene highlights the unique aspect of life in the camp: even amidst hardship, people pursue entertainment and social connection.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc refugees football Malawi

Haiti: A Year of Brutal Violence Pushes City to the Brink of Collapse

2025-03-30
Haiti: A Year of Brutal Violence Pushes City to the Brink of Collapse

A year of horrific violence in Haiti culminated in a five-day massacre in December, where 207 people were killed by gangs in a Port-au-Prince slum. The gang leader blamed his mostly elderly victims for practicing voodoo and causing his child's death. Bodies were mutilated and burned. Gangs control approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince and killed an estimated 5,600 Haitians in 2024. The violence continues into the new year, forcing around 60,000 people to flee their homes in the past month. The city teeters on the edge of complete collapse.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc Haitian violence gangs

US Accuses Eight Chinese Nationals of Massive Hacking Operation

2025-03-26
US Accuses Eight Chinese Nationals of Massive Hacking Operation

The US Justice Department charged eight Chinese nationals with large-scale hacking targeting American government agencies, news outlets, and dissidents globally. The alleged operation, orchestrated by a Chinese company, i-Soon, and directed by two Chinese officials, highlights China's expanding cyber capabilities and its rapid advancements in both military and digital spheres.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech

Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

2025-03-23
Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Studies published in summer 2024 revealed a surprising correlation: individuals vaccinated against shingles showed a reduced risk of developing dementia. Research from Stanford University, analyzing data from Britain and Australia, suggested the original shingles vaccine could prevent roughly one-fifth of dementia cases. Further studies by GSK and British academics indicated that a newer, recombinant vaccine offered even greater protection against dementia. This unexpected finding opens exciting new avenues for dementia prevention.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech Shingles Vaccine Prevention

Beyond Lithography: Particle Accelerators Could Revolutionize EUV

2025-03-20
Beyond Lithography: Particle Accelerators Could Revolutionize EUV

Manufacturing the world's smallest and most complex objects—semiconductor chips—pushes the boundaries of physics. Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, using short-wavelength light to etch nanometer-scale patterns onto silicon, is at the forefront. ASML's innovative approach uses lasers to vaporize tin droplets, generating 13.5nm EUV light. However, researchers are exploring particle accelerators to generate even more powerful EUV beams by propelling electrons near light speed, potentially revolutionizing chip manufacturing.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech EUV lithography particle accelerator

Thirty Years Ago: A Glimpse into Rural Indian Poverty

2025-03-11
Thirty Years Ago: A Glimpse into Rural Indian Poverty

Thirty years ago, writer Siddharth Dube visited a small village in northern India, near the site of a historic peasant revolt. He encountered stark poverty: mud huts, primitive plows, barefoot elders, and emaciated children. Villager Ram Dass recounted his youth, working long days for a meager 1.5kg of grain, using rice stalks for warmth on cold nights, and owning only one pair of shoes his entire life. The account paints a poignant picture of enduring poverty and inequality in rural India.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc rural Indian poverty peasant revolt

US ADHD Rates Skyrocket: New Health Secretary Launches 100-Day Investigation

2025-03-01
US ADHD Rates Skyrocket: New Health Secretary Launches 100-Day Investigation

America's new health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is deeply concerned about the soaring rate of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among American children. One in nine children aged 3-17 has been diagnosed with ADHD, two to three times the rate seen in other Western countries. On his first day in office, President Trump tasked Kennedy with leading a special commission to investigate the reasons behind this alarming trend and other chronic conditions affecting American children within the next 100 days.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech US Healthcare

OpenAI's Deep Research: Academic Papers in Minutes?

2025-02-19
OpenAI's Deep Research: Academic Papers in Minutes?

OpenAI recently released Deep Research, a tool designed to produce in-depth research papers within minutes. Academics are praising its capabilities; Ethan Mollick of the University of Pennsylvania calls it incredibly fruitful. Some economists believe papers generated by Deep Research are publishable in B-level journals. Tyler Cowen of George Mason University even compares it to having a top-tier PhD research assistant. The tool has sparked debate, highlighting AI's potential in academic research.

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(www.economist.com)
AI

Tech Titans Hype AI's Transformative Power at Paris Summit

2025-02-14
Tech Titans Hype AI's Transformative Power at Paris Summit

At a recent Paris summit, tech CEOs made bold predictions about AI's transformative potential. Sundar Pichai of Alphabet called it the "most profound shift of our lifetimes," while Anthropic's Dario Amodei predicted the "largest change to the global labor market in human history." OpenAI's Sam Altman even suggested that within a decade, everyone could accomplish more than today's most impactful individuals. These pronouncements reflect immense confidence in AI, but also raise questions about its future direction and potential risks.

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(www.economist.com)
AI Tech Summit Future Predictions

1812: The Birth of Energy as a Service

2025-02-13
1812: The Birth of Energy as a Service

In 1812, Frederick Winsor, a visionary entrepreneur, revolutionized energy delivery. His Gas Light and Coke Company pioneered the concept of a public utility, piping gas directly to London homes instead of relying on individual coal and firewood purchases. This model leveraged economies of scale, lowering costs for consumers and improving efficiency. Winsor's innovation laid the groundwork for the modern 'energy as a service' model.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech public utility economies of scale

Interconnecting the World's Grids: A Cheaper, Greener Power Future?

2025-01-25
Interconnecting the World's Grids: A Cheaper, Greener Power Future?

Norway's decision to curb electricity exports due to price spikes caused by neighboring countries importing power highlights the need for global grid interconnection. Currently, less than 3% of the world's power is internationally traded, representing a huge untapped opportunity. Interconnected grids can significantly reduce electricity costs and facilitate the use of renewable energy sources. However, national interests and energy security concerns pose challenges to international cooperation.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech global grid electricity trade

Reality TV Show 'The Traitors' Offers a Surprisingly Useful Economics Lesson

2025-01-19
Reality TV Show 'The Traitors' Offers a Surprisingly Useful Economics Lesson

The Economist highlights the surprisingly insightful economics lesson embedded within the popular reality TV show, 'The Traitors'. The show, filled with deception and betrayal, provides a real-world example of game theory in action. Participants must make decisions under conditions of incomplete information, mirroring many real-life economic scenarios. The article uses the presenter, Claudia Winkleman, as a relatable example to explain the game theory principles at play, showcasing how the show illuminates the complexities of uncertainty and information asymmetry in economics.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc game theory reality TV

Russia Engulfed in Hundreds of Arson Attacks: A Calculated Campaign of Psychological Warfare?

2025-01-14
Russia Engulfed in Hundreds of Arson Attacks: A Calculated Campaign of Psychological Warfare?

Hundreds of arson attacks have swept across Russia, targeting banks, post offices, and police cars. The Kremlin attributes this to a campaign of psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing the country. However, some cases present puzzling details. An elderly man arrested for setting fire to an ATM claimed he was acting under the instructions of unidentified telephone scammers. These incidents raise questions about the perpetrators and their motives, highlighting potential vulnerabilities within Russian society.

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(www.economist.com)
Tech Russian Arson Attacks Psychological Warfare Social Instability

Training AI Might Not Need Massive Data Centers

2025-01-14
Training AI Might Not Need Massive Data Centers

Tech giants are vying to build massive data centers with tens or even hundreds of thousands of GPUs to train AI models. However, an article in *The Economist* suggests this trend may soon change. Future AI model training might not require massive hardware infrastructure, potentially eliminating the need for dedicated hardware altogether. Advances in distributed computing and new algorithms will allow training complex AI models on regular computer networks, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for AI research and promoting wider adoption of AI technology.

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(www.economist.com)
AI AI training distributed computing

Why Japanese Kids Ride the Subway Alone

2025-01-14
Why Japanese Kids Ride the Subway Alone

An article in The Economist explores the phenomenon of young children in Japan riding the subway independently. It suggests this is linked to Japan's rigorous primary education and societal order. Children receive strict discipline and safety training from a young age, fostering independence and responsibility, making solo commutes possible. This highlights Japan's emphasis on children's independence, but also sparks discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc Japanese education social order child independence

Alcohol-Free Booze: A Booming Business

2025-01-07
Alcohol-Free Booze: A Booming Business

Dry January is driving growth in the alcohol-free beverage market. More people are choosing to abstain from alcohol or reduce their consumption, leading to increased demand for non-alcoholic beers, spirits, and other alternatives. These drinks cater to health-conscious consumers while offering a taste profile similar to their alcoholic counterparts. While improvements in taste remain a goal, the market shows significant potential for future expansion.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc alcohol-free drinks health-conscious consumers consumer market

Canada Joins the EU? A Surprising Proposal

2025-01-03
Canada Joins the EU? A Surprising Proposal

The Economist proposes a bold idea: Canada should join the European Union. The article uses the forty-year "Whisky War" between Canada and Denmark as a springboard, cleverly contrasting their peaceful approach to resolving a territorial dispute. It argues that Canada and the EU offer mutual benefits; the EU needs Canada's vast land and resources, while Canada needs the EU's labor market and economic dynamism. This article is not just political analysis but a thought-provoking case study in international relations, sparking discussion about new models of future international cooperation.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc Canada International Cooperation

China's Diaspora: A Network of Unconventional Spies

2024-12-29
China's Diaspora: A Network of Unconventional Spies

The US is hunting for unconventional spies, many of whom are members of the Chinese diaspora. The case of Tang Yuanjun, a Chinese dissident who fled to Taiwan after the Tiananmen Square protests and later sought asylum in America, highlights this issue. Despite his pro-democracy activism in New York, Tang was arrested for providing information to the Chinese government, hoping to secure permission to return home to see his ailing parents. This story illustrates the complex and risky nature of China's use of its diaspora for intelligence gathering.

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(www.economist.com)
Misc Chinese spies diaspora US counterintelligence

Charting the Universe: Is the Cosmos Itself a Black Hole?

2024-12-24
Charting the Universe: Is the Cosmos Itself a Black Hole?

Two physicists have created a chart encompassing every known object in the universe's history, plotted by mass and size. The chart reveals that all objects reside within a triangle bounded by gravitational and Compton limits. Black holes lie on the gravitational limit, while fundamental particles are on the Compton limit. Intriguingly, the universe itself also sits on the gravitational limit, raising the question: is our universe a black hole? The chart also illustrates the universe's evolution, from the formation of fundamental particles after the Big Bang to the emergence of stars and galaxies, and points towards the exploration of unknowns like dark matter.

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(www.economist.com)
AI cosmology fundamental particles