America is undeniably richer and more powerful than Europe. Some Europeans sneer that comes with costs (in quality of life, inequality or environmental damage) which they simply wouldn’t put up with. Maybe. But as the new kid turns 250, the two sides can learn from each other without having to import each other’s flaws.

Stablecoins—privately issued digital currencies that maintain their value against another asset—have been getting lots of attention recently. They promise to make payments slicker and financial intermediation more competitive. But are they money? Their issuers will surely say yes; banks (and most economists) will probably disagree.

Think you’re a clever-clogs? Try this week’s news quiz and see.

In the aftermath of 9/11 President George W. Bush implemented laws and policies, as part of his global “war on terror”, that changed America's homeland security. President Donald Trump is now manipulating some of these tools for his own political ends.

10%, the amount of classical literature that survives. But thanks to new technology, the figure may increase. Read about how AI is being used to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls.