Commentary

Two players from Boston bruins and Montreal Canadiens hockey teams talk to each other on the ice

Montreal Canadiens superfans brace for historic record to be smashed

The Boston Bruins are on the verge of making history — eclipsing the Montreal Canadiens' coveted record of most points scored in a regular season, set back in 1977.

Montreal Canadiens superfans brace for historic record to be smashed
Album covers of some of the allbums from artists included in the end-of-year music playlist with recommendations from The World staff. Clockwise, startiing from the top left corner: Adrian Quesada's "Boleros Psicodélicos," Sillvana Estrada's "Marchita," V

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist

A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist
A pregnant person wearing a red shirt holds her belly, wearing a face mask and gloves.

For pregnant women, getting the COVID-19 jab is a challenging choice

For pregnant women, getting the COVID-19 jab is a challenging choice
The Endurance, trapped in sea ice along the Weddell Sea.

'Pathways to possibility’: New book argues optimism is key to endurance through tough times

'Pathways to possibility’: New book argues optimism is key to endurance through tough times
Venice’s Grand Canal was for centuries a thoroughfare for the global shipping trade on the ancient Silk Road.

Italy is caught in the middle of the EU's tussle with its 'systemic rival,' China

Italy is caught in the middle of the EU's tussle with its 'systemic rival,' China
A child wears a face mask

Semi-quarantined: Living with the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong

"The park is half-empty, but we have decided to let our daughter enjoy a few hours of daily sunshine. We are determined not to let ourselves be overwhelmed by fear."

Semi-quarantined: Living with the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong
A black and white image of a newspaper titled "La Amérika"

I'm an American. But my family came to the US fraudulently.

The Trump administration's immigration policies harken back to the origins of immigration restriction a century ago that sought to keep “undesirables” — like my family — out. 

I'm an American. But my family came to the US fraudulently.
Three men in suits stand with their heads bowed.

Analysis: Trump's reversal in Syria was a play to keep his base intact

When the White House withdrew US troops from Syria, it unwittingly sacrificed one of its core constituencies’ dearest causes — Christians in the Middle East. US actions in the region since the early October withdrawal have been a response to their ire. It’s working — for now.

Analysis: Trump's reversal in Syria was a play to keep his base intact
A black and white photo of people going through immigration queues

Cuccinelli’s ‘bootstraps’ line reflects historical amnesia of ‘public charge’

The "likely to become a public charge" clause originally targeted southern and eastern European immigrants. It has since become a tool to exclude "undesirable" immigrants du jour.

Cuccinelli’s ‘bootstraps’ line reflects historical amnesia of ‘public charge’
A Mayan temple is seen on a foggy morning.

Mexico wants to run a tourist train through its Mayan heartland — should it?

Cancun, on the Yucatan peninsula, is one of Mexico's most visited cities, while nearby Mayan villages struggle with poverty and lack of economic opportunities. A newly proposed train line could help fix that, but at what cost to the people and ecosystem?

Mexico wants to run a tourist train through its Mayan heartland — should it?
a woman working in a factory in sri lanka

Modern Slavery Act is having unintended consequences for women's freedom in Sri Lanka

Rather than requiring companies to ensure a living wage for their global supply chain workforce, the Modern Slavery Act ends up punishing them.

Modern Slavery Act is having unintended consequences for women's freedom in Sri Lanka
a migrant camp in the 1930s in the US

The long, bipartisan history of dealing with immigrants harshly

Trump has expanded and escalated the most punitive policies he inherited from his predecessors.

The long, bipartisan history of dealing with immigrants harshly
Protesters stand outside court with sign that reads "Every person counts"

Why the Supreme Court asked for an explanation of the 2020 census citizenship question

Given the weak justification for the citizenship question, rubber-stamping it without further inquiry could well have been a stain on the Supreme Court's legitimacy.

Why the Supreme Court asked for an explanation of the 2020 census citizenship question
Marco Werman walks across Red Square in Moscow. Behind him is the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral.

Marco Werman: A Cold War baby visits Putin's Russia

Marco Werman visited Russia for the first time earlier this year. In Moscow, he saw the careful editing of Soviet history and the rise of Western commercialism.

Marco Werman: A Cold War baby visits Putin's Russia
A flag announcing the IPO of Facebook flies next to the American flag outside the offices of JP Morgan in New York City, New York May 4, 2012.

With cryptocurrency launch, Facebook sets its path toward becoming an independent nation

Facebook has announced a plan to launch a new cryptocurrency named the Libra. Their plans are backed by major companies such as Visa, PayPal and Uber. With a user base of 2 billion people worldwide, Facebook is positioned to pressure countries and central banks to cooperate with its reinvention of the global financial system.

With cryptocurrency launch, Facebook sets its path toward becoming an independent nation