David Rennie, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief, describes life under China's zero-COVID policy, detailing the social stigma and strict measures faced by residents, especially foreigners. Beijing is nearly COVID-free, yet fear and shame persist, with mask-wearing enforced and travel heavily restricted. Rennie recounts his own experiences with surveillance and travel limitations, noting the impact on personal and family life. The article critiques China's handling of the pandemic, the reluctance to approve foreign mRNA vaccines, and the political narrative contrasting China's approach with Western democracies.

China's zero new infections COVID-19 strategy, which has led to strict measures such as the lockdown of Harbin city due to 63 cases, is a radical departure from approaches in the West. This strategy stems from the CCP's obsession with order and the country's near-disaster experience in February and March, where serological tests suggest up to 1 million people in Wuhan could have been infected. Despite China's significant medical response and surveillance capabilities, the sustainability of its strategy is questionable, especially with closed borders and the potential failure of containment measures. China's approach is a high-stakes bet on the early development of a vaccine, which, if delayed, could result in prolonged and painful disruptions.

The National Airborne Operations Centre, known as the doomsday plane, is a specialized Boeing 747 (E4-B) that transports American defense secretaries globally. The plane, equipped to run a nuclear war from the air, has a retro feel and features such as mid-air refueling, which is a complex and costly operation. The author reflects on the experience of witnessing a refueling and the sense of American identity it evokes.

A group of descendants, including Samayya Afzal and Shaukat Ahmed, gathered at the National Archives in Kew to explore the contributions of 400,000 Muslims who fought for British India in World War I. The event, organized by 'Unknown and Untold', a project by British Future and New Horizons for British Islam, aimed to illuminate the diverse history of the British military and reduce racial and religious tensions in areas like Bradford and Leeds. Participants discovered their ancestors' roles in various campaigns, with some tracing their lineage to officers and others to enlisted men. The gathering highlighted the importance of recognizing the shared history of Muslims in Britain's military past, while also acknowledging the complexities and inequalities of colonial history.

Arnold Schwarzenegger reflects on his political career and his differences with President Donald Trump in an interview with The Economist. Schwarzenegger, a Republican and former governor of California, discusses his campaign against gerrymandered electoral districts, his immigrant roots, and his views on bipartisanship. He contrasts his brand of populism with Trump's, emphasizing a more genial approach to politics and the importance of not seeing opponents as enemies.

Eva Longoria, known for her role in 'Desperate Housewives', is also recognized for her political activism, particularly within the Hispanic community. Her political awakening began after reading 'Occupied America' by Rodolfo Acuña and taking Chicano studies courses. Longoria has campaigned for Democratic presidential candidates since 2004 and was a co-chair of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. She has endorsed Hillary Clinton and co-founded the Latino Victory Project to increase Hispanic representation in government. Longoria's Master's thesis on Latina women in STEM fields reflects her commitment to education and empowerment. Despite her Hollywood success, Longoria remains deeply involved in political activism, aiming to increase Latino voter turnout and representation.

Secretly taped conversations between President Richard Nixon and his aide Henry Kissinger reveal Nixon's demand for the bombing of Cambodia and his foul temper. The tapes contradict Kissinger's public denial of U.S. involvement in the coup that overthrew Chilean President Salvador Allende, led by General Augusto Pinochet. The transcripts were released by the National Security Archive following legal threats.