@Eawag researchers have used new methods to reanalyze data on access to drinking water. Their study doubles WHO and UNICEF estimates on the number of people worldwide who lack access to this vital resource, Elena Oberholzer writes. nzz.ch/english/half-t…

Belgium is known for its gray skies, high taxes and frequent strikes. NZZ foreign correspondent Daniel Steinvorth still believes it is one of the most likable and unique countries in Europe. nzz.ch/english/why-be…

#Estonia's post-Soviet history allowed it to create a highly digitalized system of public services. Its secure online tax and health care systems offer a road map for countries wary of such e-innovations, writes Linda Koponen. nzz.ch/english/estoni…

For months, the head of Tesla, SpaceX and X has played the role of a political activist on the far right. But Elon #Musk's outspoken support of Donald #Trump is only the tip of the digital iceberg. Much of Silicon Valley has had enough of the Democrats. nzz.ch/english/musks-…

Three years after the #Taliban's takeover, Afghans have lost their rights, their freedoms and their dreams. A public prosecutor, a mother and a musician give Andrea Spalinger a look into their restless nights and frustrated days. nzz.ch/english/in-tal…

One of the largest solar panel factories in the U.S. is located in a deeply conservative corner of the state of Georgia – thanks to Biden's tax incentives and some help from Trump's tariffs, reports Christian Weisflog. nzz.ch/english/in-tru…

#Spyware can take over targets' phones, listening to conversations and copying messages. It is often used by governments against critics and opponents. #Google's Clément Lecigne in Zurich helps detect and stop these digital spies, writes Lukas Mäder. nzz.ch/english/google…

As #Maduro stays, his people are fleeing. There is no war in #Venezuela, but economic and political upheaval have prompted millions to emigrate. The resulting crisis is having a worldwide impact, as Julia Monn, Cian Jochem and Olivia Meyer report. nzz.ch/english/venezu…

Since Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, violence in the Middle East has been escalating on a daily basis. Areas far beyond the Gaza Strip are being swept into the conflict. A visual overview of the expanding battlefield. nzz.ch/english/pro-ir…

The Ukrainian offensive in Kursk has shifted the dynamic in the war against Russia. With the border region and critical infrastructure now under Ukrainian control, Georg Häsler explores whether Kyiv will be able to take advantage of the situation. nzz.ch/english/kursk-…

#Iran actively employs #cyberattacks against its opponents. Though its digital espionage capabilities lag behind Russia, Israel, and the U.S., Tehran's readiness to deploy these tools makes it a global threat, writes Lukas Mäder. nzz.ch/english/irans-…

Russians appear to be ignoring the war, even after Ukraine’s incursion into Russia, reports Markus Ackeret on a visit to #Moscow. People are enjoying the summer and say they hope for peace, though it's hard to get an honest answer. nzz.ch/english/for-th…

Hundreds of thousands of #refugees per year make the dangerous trek through the jungle toward Central America and often beyond to the United States. Who are they, and what drives them to seek a better life elsewhere? A look at the data. nzz.ch/english/the-de…

Under sheriff Tom Dart, conditions in the notorious Cook County Jail in #Chicago have improved radically. In an interview with David Signer the police chief discusses how his reforms are helping to fight crime by treating addiction and mental illness. nzz.ch/english/sherif…

The abrupt change of leadership at #Nestlé reflects the high level of pressure faced by the food industry today. But many of the common criticisms lobbed at the sector are less of a business problem than many assume, writes Dieter Bachmann. nzz.ch/english/five-m…

#Russia's gross domestic product is growing, and the country's unemployment rate is at an all-time low. But looming problems mean the shift to a war economy is unlikely to translate into long-term economic health, writes Peter A. Fischer. nzz.ch/english/why-ru…