Trump is escalating his "America first" agenda. His planned steel and aluminum tariffs sparked a swift backlash from trade allies and some Republican lawmakers, but Trump says he won't back down. Even House Speaker Paul Ryan, usually a reliable supporter even in the president's most polarizing moments, has broken with him on this, urging him to drop his plans. Investors seem sanguine about them; stocks rose on speculation that the president's bark will prove worse than his bite.

Italy still has no program for economic growth. Both the populist frontrunners in Sunday's elections played on unemployment frustrations, but neither has a majority. The nation's economy lags that of its neighbors, and joblessness is worse than the euro-area average.

The workplace drug test is dying. As the job market tightens and more states legalize marijuana, a growing number of American employers is dropping drug tests as hiring prerequisites. Now that Americans are more accepting of drug use, testing is no longer worth the expense.

America’s richest places aren’t all on the coasts. Yes, the top spot is still in Silicon Valley, and yes, more than a third are still in the region around New York City—but also climbing the list are wealthy suburbs of Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix and Cincinnati. 

This train tunnel could make or break the U.S. economy. The century-old tunnel desperately needs replacing, and for years politics have foiled all efforts. A fifth of the nation's GDP hinges on the link below the Hudson River, connecting New York and New Jersey, but Trump is refusing to help fund an upgrade. 

Xenophobia is dogging Venezuelans seeking refuge across Latin America. For decades, they were stereotyped as rich and haughty. Now, hundreds of thousands are fleeing economic collapse, crowding into cities and camps, in the biggest mass emigration in modern Latin American history.

When in London, no watch enthusiast should miss the collection of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in the Science Museum, which contains the very first wristwatch to ever have a co-axial escapement installed in it. (It's a Patek.)