In executive orders issued on January 20th, the day of Mr Trump’s inauguration, it said that it could respond by doubling taxes on citizens and firms from any offending countries. These orders displayed his advisers’ talent for unearthing obscure statutes that serve their goals: the law that allows the doubling of taxes on foreigners has been in place for nine decades without being used. at Economist.com

Done right, the anti-red-tape revolution could usher in greater freedom, faster economic growth, lower prices and new technology. For years excessive rules have choked housebuilding, investment and innovation. at Economist.com

The next test for Israel and Hamas will come on February 2nd, when talks resume on the next stage of the ceasefire—which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all of Gaza and the release of more hostages. Whether the ceasefire can endure will depend on those discussions. ■ at Economist.com

Last year it was Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley. Up soon are a quartet of films about the Beatles (an impending Michael Jackson biopic has reportedly run into legal woes). Why is this genre playing on repeat? at Economist.com

Thursday: Jimmy Carter negotiated the Panama Canal Treaty, which went into effect in 1979 and established joint American-Panamanian control of the canal. That expired in 1999, giving Panama full control. See how to take part in the quiz at the bottom of this page. at Economist.com

America developed scatterable mines in the 1960s, during the Vietnam war. These weigh only one-fifth as much as traditional mines, but are still powerful enough to destroy a tank; they are triggered by magnetic sensors that detect vehicles passing over them. at Economist.com

His efforts to “repel the disastrous invasion of our country” by migrants and drugs from Mexico and Canada may soon include stemming the passage of cars. A promise to impose sweeping tariffs on “day one”, at Economist.com

A “ cold shock” sounds unpromising, at least at first blush. Plunge into icy water, and, as you gasp for air, your heartbeat jumps, blood vessels constrict, stress hormones like cortisol, an immunosuppressant, surge and you begin to shiver. Yet the practice of regularly soaking in cold water is booming and has even become fashionable. at Economist.com

Satya Nadella, the boss of Microsoft, posted on X, a social-media platform, that “Jevons paradox strikes again! As AI gets more efficient and accessible, we will see its use skyrocket, turning it into a commodity we just can’t get enough of, at Economist.com

Get in-depth global news and analysis. Our coverage spans world politics, business, tech, culture and more. Subscribe for free trial. at Economist.com

The world this week from The Economist. You've seen the news, now discover the story. at Economist.com

Our coverage of the global economy, from central banks and inflation to financial markets and investing at Economist.com

Learn about The Economist, a weekly newspaper and digital platform that covers economics, politics, culture and more. Find out how it was founded, what topics it covers, and what its editorial stance is. at En.wikipedia.org

Browse all the weekly editions from The Economist by year. You’ve seen the news, now discover the story at Economist.com

United States from The Economist. You've seen the news, now discover the story. at Active.econweb.p.aws.economist.com

The revolt against regulation – Weekly edition of The Economist for Feb 1st 2025. You've seen the news, now discover the story. at Economist.com

Explore our coverage of United States’ politics, economics, business and culture, in articles, charts, podcasts and video at Economist.com

Read the latest stories published by The Economist. Insight and opinion on international news, politics, business, finance, science, technology, books and arts. at Medium.economist.com

Choose from different subscription options to access The Economist's independent journalism, analysis, podcasts and more. Get your first month or week free, save 16% on annual plans, or explore podcast-only offers. at Subscribenow.economist.com