Navigating Economic Challenges Amidst Legislative Aspirations

America’s crash of deadlines carries risks for the government’s budget and just possibly its sovereign debt, and threatens Joe Biden’s presidency-defining social-spending reforms. We ask what happens next. South Korea’s government is ostensibly cracking down on fake news; in practice it may be hobbling real journalism. And the hopeful view provided by a French conceptual artist’s latest work.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer