Soon, even breakdancing may be an Olympic sport. My reflections on how the inclusiveness of sport may help to counter rising populism. A member of Japanese team ‘The Flooriorz’ competes in a breakdancing match during the ‘Battle of the Year World Finale 2017’ in...
Last year, 140 million tourists visited China. In 1973, Beijing was selective about who got to enter. Hollywood star Shirley MacLaine was one of the few. Shirley MacLaine (seated, center) speaks to the press before heading to China, Los Angeles, 17 April 1973. (AP...
China has dramatically increased its presence in Sri Lanka in the past decade. But so has India. Are the two giants in a race neither wants to lose? A Buddhist monk and villagers clash with police during a protest against the seizure of private land for the...
When former colonizers claim their due, they get repaid. But when Africans do the same, they’re told to forget about the past and look to the future. Supporters of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari celebrate his election win, 27 February 2019 (AP Photo/Sunday...
Africa has entered a new era of relations with China. Our cultural and economic landscape is shifting. Do Africans benefit from these changes? Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing, 3 September 2018 (AP...
The kingdom is spending billions on its entertainment industry, hosting the likes of Mariah Carey, Cristiano Ronaldo and golf pros. What’s in it for Saudis? An aerial view of a Saudi development (Photo courtesy of Bernd Debusmann Jr) I was sitting on a lush...
China has exploded to superpower status since I lived there 40 years ago. On a recent visit, the progress was unmistakable. But so were shortcomings. The author dressed for work in many layers to teach all winter without heat in 1981-82 Thumb-sucker anniversary...
Income inequality is spurring populist movements. But income growth has curbed poverty in many areas, and wealth can hold the key to equality. A limousine is offered for hire besides a bicycle path in Beijing, China, 29 February 2008 (EPA/Adrian Bradshaw) Has income...
Shareholder activists are not new. But increasingly these stockholders are focused on addressing social issues, from climate change to gun violence. Greenpeace activists demonstrate during a shareholders’ meeting of pharmaceutical and chemical giant Bayer in Cologne,...
Venezuela’s economic crisis has sent millions of refugees into surrounding countries, stirring regional tensions and fanning populist anger. A woman and a boy, both Venezuelan refugees, sit in a hammock at a shelter in Pacaraima, the main entry point for...