The Economist is the premier source for the analysis of world business and current affairs, providing authoritative insight and opinion on international news, world politics, business, finance, science and technology, as well as overviews of cultural trends and regular Special reports on industries and countries.

Coronavirus briefs • To 6am GMT November 12th 2020

The world this week

Suddenly, hope • Scientists have managed to create a vaccine for covid-19. Getting enough people vaccinated will be even harder

Great expectations • America’s allies need to show that they have learned to pull their weight

The economy Biden inherits • The incoming administration faces two extraordinary economic challenges

Beyond Buffett • The agonies of traditional value investing are a sign of frothy stockmarkets—and a changing economy

Zambia’s descent • There is still time to stop a slide to autocracy and economic collapse

Letters

Bullseye • A highly effective vaccine will transform the fight against covid-19. But a lot remains to be done

A crowd-sourced commander-in-chief • ALMATY

Down under and out • China is curbing imports of more and more Australian goods

Against daunting odds • DELHI

Mother knows best • YANGON

Money but not a class • Filipinos working abroad are a source of cash, not reform

Leaving in despair • HONG KONG

Highly effective people’s republic • The market for self-help books is booming, strongly influenced by America’s

Tea before dawn • Visiting a century-old chaguan in China’s heartland, for the 100th Chaguan column

Transmission and the transition • WASHINGTON, DC

Nothing to see here • WASHINGTON, DC

Going, going, Pentagone • Another Defence Secretary is sacked, probably for insufficient subservience

Season two is cancelled • The conservative cable network prepares for a spell in opposition

Where the wild things are • LEWISTOWN, MONTANA

City v hills • WASHINGTON, DC

A Democratic defeat in victory • If Joe Biden’s party cannot wrest power from the Republicans now, when ever will it?

Early retirement • LIMA

Greek tragedy • As well as causing destruction, Hurricane Eta could spread covid-19

The problem of proxy presidents • They are proliferating in Latin America

Small-town revolution • STROUD, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

For your protection • Britain’s government is increasing its control over foreign investment

A populist in the palace • How Princess Di shaped politics

Ace in the hole? • BLOEMFONTEIN

Slouching towards Zimbabwe • LUSAKA

Speaking up about sex crimes • CAIRO

A negotiator in winter • BEIRUT

Peace, for now • A bloody war ends in the Caucasus

Judge not, that ye be not judged • KYIV

Turn on the spigot • BERLIN

Mission impossible but necessary • GAO AND MÉNAKA

What does the world want from Joe Biden? • BEIRUT, BRUSSELS, PARIS, SÃO PAULO AND TOKYO

The intimidation game • HONG KONG

The streaming kingdom • Disney bet on the right new product. But has it bet on the right new boss?

On board the spaghetti express • BERLIN

Kickstart • KENT, CONNECTICUT

The big McComeback • Takeaways from the revival of a fast-food behemoth

Diminished value • Value investing, made famous by Warren Buffett, is struggling to remain relevant as an ever greater share of the economy becomes intangible

Giant jab • What a vaccine means for the world’s largest economy

Booster shot

Coming out of the ultracold •...