The World’s Most Surprising Capitalist Makeover Is Under Way in Sweden

The shake-up of cradle-to-grave care is lowering government spending, spurring innovation and stirring fears about those left behind

How Iran Is Gaining Ground in the Information War

The regime struggled for years with its messaging. Now it has found its voice through Lego-style videos and memes.

Xi’s China: Dazzling Technology, Military Muscle—and an Economic Mess

Government pours money into AI, electric cars and military power, while consumer confidence sags and job market grows bleak

Israel Built and Defended a Secret Iran War Base in Iraq

The base, set up for special forces and search-and-rescue teams, was almost discovered early in the conflict

The Next Frontier for Hantavirus: Finding Vaccines and Treatments

Some promising candidates are sitting on the shelf, awaiting funds before human tests

Iran War Hangs Over China Summit

As Trump prepares to meet with Xi Jinping this week, he is eager to move on from the conflict that is hurting his domestic power and the global economy

The World Cup First-Round Game That Costs More Than a Ticket to the Super Bowl

Colombia-Portugal is only a group-stage match, but the combination of ardent fan support for these teams—and the game’s location—have driven resale prices past the Super Bowl

The Most Coveted Cosmetic Enhancement in Asia Right Now: Elf Ears

Demand for injections and other measures to artificially enhance ears is soaring, especially in South Korea where a wide face is something to hide

Fitness Bands Are Losing Screens—and Gaining Fans

No-display health trackers, including the Oura Ring, Whoop band and new Google Fitbit Air, offer more continuous monitoring than smartwatches

Security Cameras Are Failing Spectacularly at Common Sense

AI descriptions, designed to give customers more detail than generic motion alerts, are mistaking brake lights for house fires and humans for bears

Putin Presides Over Downsized Military Parade as Ukraine War Drags On

Russian president says troops are ‘resisting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc’

After the Hantavirus Outbreak, Here’s What Cruise Travelers Should Know

The hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has revived memories of Covid-era cruise chaos. Infectious-disease doctors say the current situation is very different.

The Fight to Free Hundreds of Beagles From a Rural Wisconsin Research Lab

In ‘open rescue,’ activists strike breeder Ridglan Farms in daylight, courting arrest and setting up a tear-gas-fueled clash before a deal to rehome 1,500 dogs

Who Exactly Is That Wellness Influencer? Not Likely a Doctor or Nurse

New study shows many of the influencers sharing health advice online are coaches or entrepreneurs

You Have No Idea How Much You Still Use BlackBerry

Once left for dead, the company is making money again with hidden software in 275 million cars. You use it every day without knowing it.

Virginia Supreme Court Deals Blow to Democrats’ Midterm Hopes

Democrats’ map designed to counter Republican redistricting efforts is thrown out

Why Congress Is Struggling to Do the Bare Minimum

Current session is marked by record-long government shutdowns, lawmakers sidelined on the Iran war and a wave of pending departures

Inside ‘Project Freedom,’ Trump’s Aborted Bid to Reopen the Persian Gulf

U.S. military extricates a pair of vessels but triggers an escalation from Iran

Putin’s Strongman Image Is Fading as Ukraine Brings War Home to Russia

Russian president’s ‘Victory Day’ cult backfires as conflict drags on longer than Soviet battle against Nazis

Judge Unseals Purported Epstein Suicide Note

Handwritten note released as part of legal proceedings for one of sex offender’s former cellmates