The Signal
Current affairs. Strange world.

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08
Oct
No undo button

No undo button

Briefing: A youth movement called Cockroach, in the streets of India after 130 million names disappear from its rolls. The world’s biggest democracy, with a voter database that can delete but not restore. & Is the West cracking up?
5 min read
07
Oct
‘Fighting shadows’

‘Fighting shadows’

Feature: Is the West cracking up? Georgios Varouxakis on why a feud over who speaks for democratic civilization shows its staying power.
10 min read
06
Oct
Secrets by subscription

Secrets by subscription

Briefing: A former spymaster, arrested over 2,000 classified files from inside his old service. The second careers of retired officials, and who hires them. & What do Middle Eastern states want with European football clubs?
5 min read
04
Oct
Dead air in Rio

Dead air in Rio

Briefing: A shambles over Brazil’s last TV debate before Sunday’s presidential election. Candidates who’d rather not be questioned. & What’s in the weekend despatch?
5 min read
02
Oct
The sheikh don’t like it

The sheikh don’t like it

The weekend despatch: The question of motive behind the sham deals of one of global football’s richest clubs. The rising sea off California. + What’s happening in Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
13 min read
01
Oct
Barricades at the gate

Barricades at the gate

Briefing: France’s teenage revolt over packed, overheated classrooms. The prime minister’s crisis cell, and the hard-left party he’s blaming. & Why does Europe run on American tech?
5 min read
30
Sep
‘Weaponized interdependence’

‘Weaponized interdependence’

Feature: Why does Europe run on American tech? Filippo Blancato on a bargain that seemed to make sense at the time.
10 min read
29
Sep
The tank on the dock

The tank on the dock

Briefing: Canadian whisky turned back at the border at midnight. Whey, molasses, and two models of Can-Am motorcycle barred with it. & Why did Beijing break its promise to Hong Kong so early?
6 min read
27
Sep
Public enemy

Public enemy

Briefing: Who cares about Jimmy Lai? The last time a Chinese state visit ended with a political prisoner going free. & Is China as strong as it looks?
4 min read
25
Sep
Out of sight

Out of sight

The weekend despatch: How stable is China? The threat of Hong Kong. + What was John Coltrane’s “churning tension”?
15 min read