America’s political destiny will be decided in one very divided state
by Rashmee
Posted on January 4, 2021 / The National
There is a lot riding on a pair of elections in the southern American state of Georgia, as it votes to elect its senators two months after the general election. In the first round of voting, which took place during the November presidential election, none of Georgia’s candidates for senate earned the 50 per cent … Continue reading “America’s political destiny will be decided in one very divided state”
Read More‘Surveillance capitalism’ to ‘infocommunism’: the big tech battle
by Rashmee
Posted on December 22, 2020 / The National
It has been quite an extraordinary year for big tech. Giants of the technology sector cannily leveraged the expanding economic opportunities thrown up by the pandemic. But now they find themselves in the crosshairs of regulatory authorities in Europe, America, the UK and China. Will 2020 come to be seen as an inflection point, when … Continue reading “‘Surveillance capitalism’ to ‘infocommunism’: the big tech battle”
Read MoreThe new rules of business networking
by Rashmee
Posted on December 15, 2020 / The Economist
Professional networking during a pandemic poses a unique challenge. Gone are the opportunities to exchange business cards at a breakfast event, or ask an influential figure in your field for a quick chat over coffee. Elevator pitches are no good when offices are deserted and people prefer to use the stairs. And working from home … Continue reading “The new rules of business networking”
Read MoreDr Jill Biden should absolutely keep her ‘Dr’ title
by Rashmee
Posted on December 14, 2020 / The National
America’s next first lady will be Dr Jill Biden. The qualification is also referenced in her Twitter handle: @DrBiden. She has good reason and the right to use it, having received a research doctoral degree from a legitimate US university 13 years ago. On November 7, the day the 2020 presidential election was called for … Continue reading “Dr Jill Biden should absolutely keep her ‘Dr’ title”
Read MoreTo tackle vaccine hesitancy, choose your words wisely
by Rashmee
Posted on December 9, 2020 / The National
As the global vaccination effort prepares to get under way, there is an urgent need for a parallel inoculation process that deploys words. The right words can help fight outbreaks of vaccine hesitancy and scepticism, outright disbelief in science and distrust of government intentions and recommendations. This matters. Consider the situation in Britain, the western … Continue reading “To tackle vaccine hesitancy, choose your words wisely”
Read MoreHow to party like it’s 2020
by Rashmee
Posted on December 8, 2020 / The Economist
The holiday season may be here, but the traditional office party? Not so much. The holiday season may be here, but the traditional office party? Not so much. Social distancing and other pandemic-related restrictions have ruled out the usual end-of-year work celebrations. Gone are the staff lunch, after-hours drinks and team dinner. Remote workers won’t … Continue reading “How to party like it’s 2020”
Read More10 reasons to feel grateful this Thanksgiving
by Rashmee
Posted on November 25, 2020 / The National
Despite these testing times, American Thanksgiving (November 26) may be a useful moment to take stock. What should we, as a planet, give thanks for in a year that threw up the depressing new word “doomscrolling”? It is true that 2020 has felt like a particularly bad year. It was roiled by two spreading crises, … Continue reading “10 reasons to feel grateful this Thanksgiving”
Read MoreCan the WTO hit the reset button on global trade?
by Rashmee
Posted on November 18, 2020 / The National
While the world’s eyes were fixed on the US presidential election, another consequential, if less thrilling contest was happening elsewhere, with significant ramifications for global trade. The World Trade Organisation is trying to appoint its new head, a decision that was supposed to be wrapped up in low-key style in the week of the American … Continue reading “Can the WTO hit the reset button on global trade?”
Read MoreWho are the women driving Joe Biden’s success?
by Rashmee
Posted on November 9, 2020 / The National
Whatever happens next as Joe Biden prepares to govern America come January 20, his defeat of an incumbent president has one unique and extraordinary element: it was enabled by women. Four women, in fact. In no particular order, they are as follows: Mr Biden’s running mate Kamala Devi Harris; Georgia Democratic Party voting rights activist … Continue reading “Who are the women driving Joe Biden’s success?”
Read MoreWhy remote workers should reinvent the commuting ritual
by Rashmee
Posted on November 3, 2020 / The Economist
The daily commute is now a distant memory for millions of workers. Before lockdowns and closed workplaces forced desk-workers to stay at home, Americans spent, on average, nearly half an hour commuting each way every day. For many people, that time has been filled instead with household chores, childcare or just more work, according to … Continue reading “Why remote workers should reinvent the commuting ritual”
Read MoreRashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK