Biden wants the US to be a values-driven leader but is the world buying it?
by Rashmee
Posted on February 16, 2021 / The National
This weekend marks US President Joe Biden’s first month in the Oval Office, which means it is still early days for any concrete foreign policy decisions to have been taken. Thus far, Mr Biden has limited himself to feel-good postures on complex global issues. On February 19, he will deliver a virtual address at the … Continue reading “Biden wants the US to be a values-driven leader but is the world buying it?”
Read MoreA more perfect union may be in sight for American labour
by Rashmee
Posted on February 2, 2021 / The National
Labour unions are back in the spotlight in the US and for all the right reasons. There are implications for organised workers’ movements everywhere, as well as for the call to rebalance the deepening divide between labour and capital. The resurgence goes beyond the obvious signals from America’s new administration. President Joe Biden has conspicuously … Continue reading “A more perfect union may be in sight for American labour”
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 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 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 MoreWhat the battle for the US Supreme Court is really about
by Rashmee
Posted on October 22, 2020 / The National
This is a big week for American politics, arguably just like every other week in the years since the 2016 election of President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Mr Trump debates his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in the last such exchange before election day on November 3. It may not be a game-changer. By last weekend, … Continue reading “What the battle for the US Supreme Court is really about”
Read MoreExpect fewer vices in the Pence-Harris debate
by Rashmee
Posted on October 7, 2020 / The National
In normal times, a vice-presidential debate doesn’t rank high on the roster of set-piece events that define the closing weeks of a US presidential election. But these are not normal times. The Wednesday night face-off in Utah between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris could be the most important vice-presidential debate since 1976, when the exchange … Continue reading “Expect fewer vices in the Pence-Harris debate”
Read MoreRashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK