The Economist explains

Why did the Secret Service fail to protect Trump from being shot?

Lawmakers want an accounting for mistakes that nearly resulted in Mr Trump’s assassination on July 13th

Photograph: Getty Images

IT WAS A stunning lapse in security: how did a sniper mount an unsecured rooftop with a direct line of sight to Donald Trump, who was standing a mere 150m away? Based on video footage, it looks like Mr Trump was millimetres from death—saved by a lucky turn of the head an instant before Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Pennsylvania, fired at him. Crooks killed a rally-goer before being fatally shot himself.

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left: Kamala Harris right: Donald Trump

How far do Kamala Harris and Donald Trump differ on policy?

A short guide to their plans for America—which are more similar than their opposing styles suggest

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A guide to the reusable spaceship’s trip—and where it might lead for space travel


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Republicans say she was soft on crime. Progressives say she was too harsh


Can Donald Trump use songs against a musician’s will?

Many stars have complained, and some have filed lawsuits

What is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure?

The PCE gauge is broader and more dynamic than its better-known relative, the CPI

Will Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris matter?

Celebrity endorsements are unlikely to change voters’ minds. But they may boost turnout