October 13th 2026

The Economist Today Our best journalism, handpicked each day

Em Hogan Senior digital editor

Young men who don’t want to be cannon fodder are fleeing Vladimir Putin’s Russia. When Mr Putin declared a partial mobilisation in September 2022, six months after invading Ukraine, 400,000 men fled the country. This time people are leaving even without any announcement.  Meanwhile, October 6th has been called “possibly the single most important day in the history of mathematics thus far”. That day OpenAI released 719 papers detailing solutions its model had found to at least 372 long-standing problems. The furore surrounding AI’s mathematical breakthroughs is a preview of what could soon break out in many scientific fields. If AI’s ability at maths worries you, then join us on Inside Tech today from 6pm London time to hear why one of the world’s most influential computer scientists believes AI won’t destroy humanity.

Editor’s picks A selection of must-read articles

Fight or flight Russian men are fleeing before the army can grab them Vladimir Putin looks poised for a huge wave of forced inductions

→ Vladimir Putin and the pariah problem

The end of mathematics? AI’s mathematics blitz pushes science into strange new territory Other disciplines should take heed

→ Top mathematicians are outraged by OpenAI’s methods → OpenAI claims to have solved hundreds of long-standing maths problems

The great coronation A Nobel prize for how to keep economies on an even keel  Two “New Keynesians”, Robert Hall and Michael Woodford, win the highest honour in economics

Chaguan Chinese taxpayers now owe more. Is more owed to them? Hidden levies are becoming visible

Back Story “Musk” reminds you how much you already know about Elon It is hard to make a fresh documentary on a ubiquitous subject, Alex Gibney’s gruelling film shows

More of our coverage ▸ Data centres are turning Trump voters into Democrats. Republicans are struggling nationally ahead of next month’s midterms. But for voters living within 2km of a data centre the veer to Democrats has been even sharper. ▸ Indian manufacturing’s moment may finally have arrived. A group of Indian states—call it “Industrial Pradesh”—adds some $240bn of manufacturing value a year, half of India’s total. Its experience holds a number of lessons for the country as a whole. ▸ Superstar podcasts are Silicon Valley’s way of talking to itself. The new podcasting elite reflects a change in big tech’s relationship with the media. But to much of the world, the sound is jarring.

Video Inside Tech Why one of the world’s most influential computer scientists believes AI won’t destroy humanity Andrew Ng was an AI pioneer and booster—and his optimism has not waned  Watch