Lauren Smyth is a WORLD contributor specializing in economics reporting and a 2025 graduate of the World Journalism Institute. She is also the author of five novels for young adults.
The Trump administration’s suspension of the “de minimis” exemption, a move meant to fight drug smuggling, means higher costs for U.S. buyers
IN THE NEWS | The war in Iran could be the final straw in the already tense U.S.-European relationship
MONEY | USPS needs help to stay afloat
BACKGROUNDER | President Trump temporarily waived a law requiring goods traveling between U.S. ports to be carried on American ships
An AI-powered charter school promises top test scores with just a few hours of daily instruction, but critics warn that education is about more than efficiency and information. WORLD’s Lauren Smyth reports.
One year after “Liberation Day” tariffs, U.S. manufacturing is up slightly, but the sector is still losing jobs
Economists say government welfare often crowds out private charity, changing not just how aid is delivered, but the human connections behind it. WORLD’s Lauren Smyth reports.
Lawsuit challenges a rule that left nearly 50,000 apartments vacant
