Opinion

China goes for Olympic gold with its digital currency

China hoped to use the Games to showcase its financial innovations, cashless society and its ability to undermine the U.S. dollar’s position as the global ...

Watch out for the facial recognition overlords

As the technology advances, today’s gatekeepers of facial recognition are promising stringent security to protect the data. But is that a promise they can keep?

The other threat to democracy

In recent years, we have watched authoritarian leaders come to power democratically, only to erode constitutional norms and institutions once in office.

The court of Britain’s prime minister is collapsing

Even if Boris Johnson survives the current round of resignations and scandals, he faces a perilous, friendless few months ahead.

Facebook’s cataclysm was a win for capitalism

Facebook fell because it’s being outcompeted. TikTok, a video app that barely existed five years ago, is swooping up younger users.

Is it time for plant liberation?

Plants don't have central nervous systems, nor the neurons that form the consciousness of animals, but they have dopamine and serotonin, that function like neurotransmitters.

Russia’s likely invasion route

Portraying NATO as an aggressive threat has been useful propaganda for the Kremlin, even if what Russia mostly fears is NATO’s defensive capabilities.

Southeast Asia’s should prepare for a new cold war

The Soviet Union lost the Cold War, but China is now giving the West a run for its money in the sequel. And Southeast Asia ...

Why mountain communities need the Winter Games

“When kids see members from their community qualify for the Olympics, they aim high, bolstered because they see what’s possible.”

With celebrations and controversy, the 2022 Winter Olympics begin

There are fears that China will use COVID-19 protocols to affect competitions, disqualifying some athletes to ensure the “proper” outcomes.