Headlines

Why autocracies get more repressive when opening their economies

The current state of democracy in the world is fragile. According to the V-Dem Project, which measures global democracy, 41% of the world’s population live in autocratizing countries — that is, those becoming more authoritarian. In fact, a “third wave of autocratization” has

Asia

Second Democrat drops out of Maine primary

Maine’s former CDC Director Nirav Shah dropped out of the Democratic primary for Senate on Sunday, a day after pleading his case to delegates in Augusta. “A few weeks ago, I entered this race because I could not accept the idea of Susan Collins gliding to a sixth term at the

An unwinnable standoff at Hormuz

Five months after Israel and the United States launched strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader and ignited a wider war, the Strait of Hormuz has become the conflict’s most stubborn front, a 21-wide chokepoint where military power and diplomatic paralysis meet. The pattern by

Asia

Bangladesh’s Hasina death penalty: when courts become weapons

A death sentence is supposed to be the moment a legal system proves it can be trusted with its gravest power. In November, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal handed down exactly that verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for crimes tied to the killings of

Asia

US firm Holtec bets big on small modular nuclear reactors in IPO

Nuclear giant Holtec International is betting big that its 300-megawatt small modular reactors are the future of atomic energy. On Friday, the Florida-headquartered firm filed paperwork with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in order to sell shares in the company on the

Asia

Usha Vance gives birth to a baby boy

Second lady Usha Vance delivered a baby boy on Sunday morning, marking the first time a sitting second lady has been pregnant or given birth in 156 years. “We are excited to announce that our baby boy, Alec Neel Vance, was born this morning. Usha and the baby are happy and