Politics / January 20, 2025 Republicans are seeking to prevent a duly elected state Supreme Court justice from taking her seat. If they succeed, election denial will be institutionalized. Ad Policy Common Cause North Carolina’s mobile billboard is traveling throughout the state of North Carolina to alert residents about the GOP effort to revert the…
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS): As millions all over the world anxiously wait for Donald Trump’s second inaugural address late Monday evening, India time, after he is sworn into office for another presidential term, several foreign leaders, tech billionaires and top celebrities have started arriving in the US capital to attend the ceremony that will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda.As people queue up for the ceremony, Politico revealed that seven Democrats, who had boycotted Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, are also going this time.
Breaking tradition, several foreign leaders will also be attending the high-profile ceremony.
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump,” stated the Italian Government Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who has already addressed a couple of events – including at the Milken Centre in Washington DC on Sunday – has called the inauguration of President Trump as a milestone event in “global crusade for freedom” and the “clearest evidence that a new era has begun”.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck have also been invited.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who may not be able to make it for the inauguration stated over the weekend that “everything will change” after Trump takes office.
“A different day will dawn over the Western world; four bitter, difficult, painful years, punctuated by failures, will come to an end: democratic governance,” Orban said on Friday in a radio programme.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be representing India at the swearing-in ceremony and will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on the occasion.
According to the New York Times, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, three of the world’s wealthiest men, are expected to be among the major tech executives who would sit in a “position of honour on the dais” at Trump’s inauguration, possibly along with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook.
Regular attendees would include President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, former President George W Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Barack Obama.
While Team Trump had struggled to invite big celebs and performers in 2017, top stars are slated to perform at the inauguration ball this time.
It includes Grammy-winner Nelly, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Christopher Macchio and many more big names.
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS): As millions all over the world anxiously wait for Donald Trump’s second inaugural address late Monday evening, India time, after he is sworn into office for another presidential term, several foreign leaders, tech billionaires and top celebrities have started arriving in the US capital to attend the ceremony that will take place inside the Capitol Rotunda.As people queue up for the ceremony, Politico revealed that seven Democrats, who had boycotted Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, are also going this time.
Breaking tradition, several foreign leaders will also be attending the high-profile ceremony.
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump,” stated the Italian Government Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who has already addressed a couple of events – including at the Milken Centre in Washington DC on Sunday – has called the inauguration of President Trump as a milestone event in “global crusade for freedom” and the “clearest evidence that a new era has begun”.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck have also been invited.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who may not be able to make it for the inauguration stated over the weekend that “everything will change” after Trump takes office.
“A different day will dawn over the Western world; four bitter, difficult, painful years, punctuated by failures, will come to an end: democratic governance,” Orban said on Friday in a radio programme.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar will be representing India at the swearing-in ceremony and will also have meetings with representatives of the incoming administration, as also some other dignitaries visiting the US on the occasion.
According to the New York Times, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, three of the world’s wealthiest men, are expected to be among the major tech executives who would sit in a “position of honour on the dais” at Trump’s inauguration, possibly along with Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook.
Regular attendees would include President Joe Biden and Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, former President George W Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Barack Obama.
While Team Trump had struggled to invite big celebs and performers in 2017, top stars are slated to perform at the inauguration ball this time.
It includes Grammy-winner Nelly, Lee Greenwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, Christopher Macchio and many more big names.
This annual event invites people to enjoy online author talks, explore different genres, and find new books from home.
The festival will run from Friday, February 21 to Sunday, February 23 and feature live online talks with bestselling authors Stuart Turton, Becky Holmes, and Elly Griffiths.
The online author talks began during the pandemic and have remained popular for those who find it difficult to visit the library.
READ MORE: TikTok star with nearly 1 million followers visits UK’s happiest town in Suffolk
Lisa Brennan, Suffolk Libraries content and reader development librarian, said: “I love that our annual online festival can reach Suffolk Libraries customers who, for various reasons, aren’t able to come to our in-person author events.
“It’s so important to us to make sure those customers can enjoy as much of the amazing library services that we offer, including our author events, which they can watch from the comfort of their homes.”
Tickets cost £5 per event, with proceeds supporting Suffolk Libraries.
The events will also be live-streamed and will not be recorded.
Date
1/20/2025 4:26:26 AM
New Delhi: In Pandharpur, a Dalit poet-saint, Chokhamela, composed fiery devotional poetry in quiet defiance, barred from the very temple he revered. His life, marked by rejection and resistance, ultimately came to an end when he passed away near the temple, his body lying just outside its doors, unable to enter, yet forever intertwined with the sacred space he had longed to touch.
“Chokhamela must have felt anger, whenever there was oppression. Listening to Chokhamela, I felt Kabir must have heard him too,” said Anand, Indian author, anti-caste publisher and now a Dhrupad singer.
The launch of Anand’s latest book The Notbook of Kabir: Thinner than Water, Fiercer than Fire at the India Habitat Centre unfolded an exploration of music, spirituality, and anti-caste resistance. The author’s tanpura performance took centre stage. Through different Bhakti-era poets’ verses, Anand rediscovered music as an act of rebellion, intertwining the legacies of BR Ambedkar, Kabir, and Chokhamela. The event was followed by a discussion with Dhrupad singer F Wasifuddin Dagar and food historian Pushpesh Pant.
Show Full Article
In his book, Anand talks about how Kabir, the 15th-century poet-saint, transcended the boundaries of his time, caste, and region. His words, once confined to the mystic traditions of his era, have now become universal, resonating across cultures, languages, and generations.
This article is NOT paywalled
But your support enables us to deliver impactful stories, credible interviews, insightful opinions and on-ground reportage.
Anand’s journey extended beyond the iconic poet-saint. He began to explore the broader Bhakti tradition-poets who, like Kabir, took anti-Sanskrit, anti-Vedic, and anti-Brahminical positions.“Kabir is a portal, not an endpoint. He opens the door to an entire anti-caste Bhakti movement. Through him, I found other poets—Chokhamela, Gorakhnath, Namdev—who sang from the margins, offering truths too bitter for the caste elites,” he writes in his book.
Also read: Dhrupad, Dalit poetry, Ghalib — how a Delhi singer is questioning purity in music
Journey through music
Anand sat cross-legged, his Tanpura resting on his legs, the soft hum of the strings filling the room, creating an intimate, resonating atmosphere. He opened with his own lyric, “Na Om na Greem bas Jai Bhim (Neither Om nor Greem [a Sanskrit seed mantra often linked to Tantric or esoteric practices] only Jai Bhim).”Ambedkar led Anand to Kabir, and soon Kabir’s presence was everywhere—in the people around him, within Anand himself, and in the world at large.His relationship with music had been marked by rupture and rediscovery. Trained in Carnatic music for seven years, he walked away from it in 1999, disillusioned by its rigid Brahminical framework. For over a decade, he dedicated himself to his publishing company, Navayana, which embraces Ambedkar’s ideas and vision while thoughtfully engaging with his critical limitations. He stayed away from music, and then, in 2013, a friend reintroduced him to Kabir, and something shifted.“Kabir became my brother, my companion,” he writes in his book. “His songs weren’t just melodies, they were lessons. It felt as though Kabir was whispering corrections to me as I sang.”
Anand holds the legacies of two figures close to his heart: Ambedkar and Behram Khan Saheb, a pioneering Dhrupad maestro, scholar, and pedagogue known for shaping the Dagar tradition. To Anand, Behram Khan Saheb is the ‘Babasaheb of music’. Saheb created Sadharini Geeti, a simple and accessible style of teaching music. A contemporary of Mirza Ghalib and Jyotirao Phule, Saheb democratised music, mastering both its theory and practice, despite coming from a traditional musician family. To honour the gurus, Anand sang verses by Gorakhnath, an 11th-century Nath yogi whose poetry boldly rejected ritualistic and empty religious practices. The translation is as follows.I wouldn’t go with anyone;It has to be the spotless one.Colourless, spotless, nothing less,Nothing less than nothingness
Also read: Dagar, Rahman & music in the courtroom—Day 1 of Dhrupad maestro’s fight against film giants
The voice of Chokhamela
Kabir’s influence is omnipresent, his verses show up in textbooks, memes, and parodies, reflecting how his words have evolved beyond their original form. Kabir’s followers span across India and the world, and his poems, in dialects like Bhojpuri and Awadhi, continue to resonate with people seeking unity and devotion. Among the youth, Kabir has achieved a cult-like status. The Kabir Festival in Mumbai, dedicated to spreading his message, is one example of how his legacy is being celebrated today.Anand raised questions in his book about what Kabir would be like in today’s world. Would he sing at literary festivals for a well-heeled audience, or upload his jams to Instagram hoping to be discovered? Would he be lynched over misunderstandings, or weave and sing to the rhythm of his loom, indifferent to who listened? Perhaps Kabir, timeless as ever, would challenge the world by simply being himself.
“What kind of poetry did Kabir immerse himself in? What music filled his world?” Anand asked during his performance.In Kabir’s time, his verses weren’t locked in books or confined to performances, they lingered in the air, in hearts, and on tongues for days. Unlike the rigid timelines and boxed recordings of today, Kabir’s voice was timeless, fluid, and unbound.In the performance, Anand mentioned that Kabir, in his travels, had reached Pandharpur, the spiritual hub of the Marathi Abhang tradition (Marathi devotional poetry or song that praises the Hindu god Vitthala), where he could have crossed paths, at least in spirit, with Chokhamela, the 13th or 14th-century saint from Maharashtra.“Chokhamela was a labourer, an untouchable, and an ideal Harijan bhakt (as Gandhi had called him). He was from the same caste as BR Ambedkar,” Anand said.Despite his devotion, caste barriers loomed large over Chokhamela’s life. Inspired by Sant Namdev’s kirtans, Chokhamela moved with his wife to Pandharpur, home to the revered Vithoba temple. But he was barred from entering or even standing near the temple’s door. In the act of quiet resistance, he built a small hut across the Chandrabhaga River, where he lived, prayed, and composed his fiery Abhangs.
In the early 20th century, Ambedkar attempted to visit the same temple but was stopped at Chokhamela’s burial site.Chokhamela’s verses were searing critiques of the very structures that upheld the caste system. Anand sang one of his Abhangs, translated below.The Vedas are tainted, Shastra tainted,Puranas are tainted, so tainted.The self is a taint, the spirit tainted…The room pulsed with the weight of history and the audience lost themselves in the music with their eyes closed.Anand described the book as a collection of poems, and the reason it’s called the Notbook is that it doesn’t aim to present the authentic Kabir. He wondered whether Kabir created the ragas or borrowed them from folk traditions. Anand remarked that all ragas carry a folk element, as folk music inherently belongs to the people. In his view, Kabir’s message encourages us to live independently and to take charge of our own lives and actions. “Paanchon indriya vasme karo, aapno aap kabir (Control all five senses, and you will become Kabir yourself).”
“All that I’ve found of Kabir, all that I’ve written in my notebook—it’s stolen. It belongs to the artists before me, to the many voices that brought Kabir to life,” Anand said.(Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Who doesn’t dream of a Greek island cruise? It’s the reason global cruise operators are sending more ships to Greece. But as demand soars—National Geographic Traveller included Santorini as one of the top 25 islands to explore by cruise in 2025—so are calls for effective crowd management, especially on popular but very small Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini. In 2023, cruise tourism in Greece contributed 2 billion euros to the domestic economy and 1 billion euros to GDP while supporting 22,600 jobs. Although cruise travelers account for just 21% of the nearly 35 million tourists visiting Greece each year, the country is growing into a premier cruise destination in the Mediterranean and Europe.To Vima International Edition spoke with Maria Deligianni, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), about the importance of cruise tourism for Greece and solutions to the emerging challenges.Greek Island Cruise: A Dream Come TrueIn 2023, the sector’s contribution to the Greek economy grew significantly, reaching 2 billion euros up from 1.4 billion euros in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue in 2024 and 2025. The industry’s economic impact extends beyond GDP, however, generating 500 million euros in wages. Of the 22,600 jobs created, 11,600 were linked to direct expenditures, 2,800 to cruise lines, 5,200 to indirect activities, and 3,000 to induced spending, says Deligianni.One of the key drivers of this upward trend is homeporting, which is when cruise companies select Greek ports as the start and end points of their itineraries. Homeporting has been a strategic priority for the Greek Tourism Ministry over the past decade, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism revenues.Cruises and OvertourismThe growing demand for cruise tourism, while beneficial, has placed a significant burden on small islands. In 2023, Santorini welcomed 800 cruise ship visits, while Mykonos hosted 749. According to Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) data, these visits brought nearly 1.3 million passengers to Santorini and 1.2 million to Mykonos. Given their small size (76.19 km² and 105.2 km², respectively), these islands face immense challenges accommodating such large numbers of tourists when they arrive simultaneously.Island communities have repeatedly voiced concerns, urging the government to take action. Their calls prompted Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to announce measures last year which would include a cap on cruise ship arrivals, visitor quotas, and a levy on cruise tourism.Citing PM Mitsotakis, Deligianni is quick to note that overtourism is currently not a widespread issue in Greece. Recent studies also confirm this, indicating however that most Greeks support proactive measures to prevent problems in the future.“CLIA has worked closely with local authorities and communities to implement sustainable cruise tourism practices at each destination,” Deligianni tells To Vima English Edition, referring to CLIA’s Action Plan for Greece, which includes several strategies to address overcrowding while promoting sustainable tourism. These include adjustments to routes. “Itineraries are planned often years in advance, enabling operators and ports to plan. This has helped destinations diversify tourism revenues and contributed significantly to better-planned year-round tourism activities,” she explains.Another strategy is the adoption of berth allocation systems and local policies to optimize ship scheduling and port operations. “We have supported efforts on Mykonos and Santorini to implement a berth management system, paired with a transparent berthing policy that includes clear rules and criteria,” Deligianni adds.And lastly, the inclusion of lesser-known islands and mainland destinations to itineraries.The truth is, this is not the first time measures have been proposed. The Santorini authorities have repeatedly announced the launch of a slot system and the upgrade of their port over the past decade, but neither has been implemented.As for the proposed cruise ship levy announced last fall, CLIA has urged the Greek government to delay its implementation until 2026, by which time the new berth management systems (expected to be operational this year) will provide valuable insights.Cruise Tourism: The Broader Impact The economic contribution of cruise tourism extends beyond visitor numbers. A closer look reveals that the sector supports local businesses on Greek islands and ports-of-call through four distinct areas: cruise line supplies, passenger spending ashore, crew spending ashore, and shipbuilding activities.Deligianni notes that shipbuilding activity is significant, particularly in Europe, where approximately 97% of the world’s ocean cruise ships are built. Cruise lines, she adds, account for 80% of the commercial ship orderbook value for European shipyards. Greece contributes to this industry by offering shipbuilding, refurbishment, and maintenance services, “further strengthening its economy and enhancing its role in the global maritime industry”.Greece: A Safe Destination Greece has solidified its reputation as a safe and appealing destination, even during challenging times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one of the first countries to reopen to cruise tourism, earning recognition from the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2021. Most recently, Greece was cited for its safety in the Risk Map 2025, further reinforcing its status as a secure travel destination.Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the Eastern Mediterranean remains a top choice for cruise passengers worldwide. “Greece’s strong reputation and strategic investments have positioned it as a key player in the European cruise market,” Deligianni notes. “By capitalizing on this momentum, it can further solidify its position in the region.”Homeporting a Priority for GreeceThe growth of homeporting has been a game-changer for Greece. In 2024, nearly 70% of the 131 cruise ships operating in the country either homeported or partially homeported. “Homeporting brings significant benefits,” Deligianni explains.By beginning and ending their cruise in Greece, passengers often extend their holidays, spending additional time and money in the country. Furthermore, cruise lines refuel, maintain, and supply their ships during their stay in Greek ports. Lastly, she adds, six out of 10 cruise passengers return to destinations they first visited on a cruise for longer vacations.“Cruising,” she notes, “is like wine tasting. It provides a sample of destinations, enticing visitors to return for more immersive experiences.”Beyond Mykonos and SantoriniUndoubtedly, the Greek islands cruise experience is always a winner with iconic destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Corfu maintaining their strong appeal. Currently, 57% of Greece’s cruise tourism activity is concentrated in Piraeus, Santorini, and Mykonos.A key goal of CLIA’s Action Plan for Greece is to diversify cruise itineraries with lesser-known island and mainland destinations, and to enrich passenger experiences while also contributing to the overall appeal of Mediterranean cruise offerings. This requires key investments in port infrastructure, a broadener range of destinations, and effective tourism management but also aligning tourism practices with local community needs. Only then will Greece be able to support the sustainable growth of cruise tourism while preserving the unique character of its islands and offering the highest quality traveler experience, Deligianni concludes.
Who doesn’t dream of a Greek island cruise? It’s the reason global cruise operators are sending more ships to Greece. But as demand soars—National Geographic Traveller included Santorini as one of the top 25 islands to explore by cruise in 2025—so are calls for effective crowd management, especially on popular but very small Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini. In 2023, cruise tourism in Greece contributed 2 billion euros to the domestic economy and 1 billion euros to GDP while supporting 22,600 jobs. Although cruise travelers account for just 21% of the nearly 35 million tourists visiting Greece each year, the country is growing into a premier cruise destination in the Mediterranean and Europe.To Vima International Edition spoke with Maria Deligianni, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), about the importance of cruise tourism for Greece and solutions to the emerging challenges.Greek Island Cruise: A Dream Come TrueIn 2023, the sector’s contribution to the Greek economy grew significantly, reaching 2 billion euros up from 1.4 billion euros in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue in 2024 and 2025. The industry’s economic impact extends beyond GDP, however, generating 500 million euros in wages. Of the 22,600 jobs created, 11,600 were linked to direct expenditures, 2,800 to cruise lines, 5,200 to indirect activities, and 3,000 to induced spending, says Deligianni.One of the key drivers of this upward trend is homeporting, which is when cruise companies select Greek ports as the start and end points of their itineraries. Homeporting has been a strategic priority for the Greek Tourism Ministry over the past decade, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism revenues.Cruises and OvertourismThe growing demand for cruise tourism, while beneficial, has placed a significant burden on small islands. In 2023, Santorini welcomed 800 cruise ship visits, while Mykonos hosted 749. According to Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) data, these visits brought nearly 1.3 million passengers to Santorini and 1.2 million to Mykonos. Given their small size (76.19 km² and 105.2 km², respectively), these islands face immense challenges accommodating such large numbers of tourists when they arrive simultaneously.Island communities have repeatedly voiced concerns, urging the government to take action. Their calls prompted Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to announce measures last year which would include a cap on cruise ship arrivals, visitor quotas, and a levy on cruise tourism.Citing PM Mitsotakis, Deligianni is quick to note that overtourism is currently not a widespread issue in Greece. Recent studies also confirm this, indicating however that most Greeks support proactive measures to prevent problems in the future.“CLIA has worked closely with local authorities and communities to implement sustainable cruise tourism practices at each destination,” Deligianni tells To Vima English Edition, referring to CLIA’s Action Plan for Greece, which includes several strategies to address overcrowding while promoting sustainable tourism. These include adjustments to routes. “Itineraries are planned often years in advance, enabling operators and ports to plan. This has helped destinations diversify tourism revenues and contributed significantly to better-planned year-round tourism activities,” she explains.Another strategy is the adoption of berth allocation systems and local policies to optimize ship scheduling and port operations. “We have supported efforts on Mykonos and Santorini to implement a berth management system, paired with a transparent berthing policy that includes clear rules and criteria,” Deligianni adds.And lastly, the inclusion of lesser-known islands and mainland destinations to itineraries.The truth is, this is not the first time measures have been proposed. The Santorini authorities have repeatedly announced the launch of a slot system and the upgrade of their port over the past decade, but neither has been implemented.As for the proposed cruise ship levy announced last fall, CLIA has urged the Greek government to delay its implementation until 2026, by which time the new berth management systems (expected to be operational this year) will provide valuable insights.Cruise Tourism: The Broader Impact The economic contribution of cruise tourism extends beyond visitor numbers. A closer look reveals that the sector supports local businesses on Greek islands and ports-of-call through four distinct areas: cruise line supplies, passenger spending ashore, crew spending ashore, and shipbuilding activities.Deligianni notes that shipbuilding activity is significant, particularly in Europe, where approximately 97% of the world’s ocean cruise ships are built. Cruise lines, she adds, account for 80% of the commercial ship orderbook value for European shipyards. Greece contributes to this industry by offering shipbuilding, refurbishment, and maintenance services, “further strengthening its economy and enhancing its role in the global maritime industry”.Greece: A Safe Destination Greece has solidified its reputation as a safe and appealing destination, even during challenging times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one of the first countries to reopen to cruise tourism, earning recognition from the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2021. Most recently, Greece was cited for its safety in the Risk Map 2025, further reinforcing its status as a secure travel destination.Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the Eastern Mediterranean remains a top choice for cruise passengers worldwide. “Greece’s strong reputation and strategic investments have positioned it as a key player in the European cruise market,” Deligianni notes. “By capitalizing on this momentum, it can further solidify its position in the region.”Homeporting a Priority for GreeceThe growth of homeporting has been a game-changer for Greece. In 2024, nearly 70% of the 131 cruise ships operating in the country either homeported or partially homeported. “Homeporting brings significant benefits,” Deligianni explains.By beginning and ending their cruise in Greece, passengers often extend their holidays, spending additional time and money in the country. Furthermore, cruise lines refuel, maintain, and supply their ships during their stay in Greek ports. Lastly, she adds, six out of 10 cruise passengers return to destinations they first visited on a cruise for longer vacations.“Cruising,” she notes, “is like wine tasting. It provides a sample of destinations, enticing visitors to return for more immersive experiences.”Beyond Mykonos and SantoriniUndoubtedly, the Greek islands cruise experience is always a winner with iconic destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Corfu maintaining their strong appeal. Currently, 57% of Greece’s cruise tourism activity is concentrated in Piraeus, Santorini, and Mykonos.A key goal of CLIA’s Action Plan for Greece is to diversify cruise itineraries with lesser-known island and mainland destinations, and to enrich passenger experiences while also contributing to the overall appeal of Mediterranean cruise offerings. This requires key investments in port infrastructure, a broadener range of destinations, and effective tourism management but also aligning tourism practices with local community needs. Only then will Greece be able to support the sustainable growth of cruise tourism while preserving the unique character of its islands and offering the highest quality traveler experience, Deligianni concludes.
Basic Books UK has landed BBC journalist and economist Ben Chu’s “provocative warning about the risks of abandoning globalisation”, titled Exile Economics.
Publishing director at Basic Books and John Murray Press Joe Zigmond acquired world rights from Elly James at HHB Agency for publication in June 2025.
In Exile Economics, Chu argues that isolationism weakens the global economy and explores how exile economics “entails a rejection of interdependence, a downgrading of multilateral collaboration and a striving for greater national self-sufficiency”. By examining globally traded commodities, from silicon to soy beans, Chu “illustrates the unfathomably intricate web of interdependence that has come to bind nations together – and underlines the dangers of this new push to isolationism”. The publisher called the book an “essential guide to this new world in all its promise and peril”.
Chu said: “For the past eight years, all the momentum has been behind the forces of exile economics. And today, with the world bracing for yet another historic economic shock from Chinese overproduction and with ’Tariff Man’ Donald Trump returning to the White House, this feels like a moment when globalisation really could break apart entirely. This book will explain how we got to this point – and what it means for all of us if we make the wrong choices in the months ahead.”
Zigmond added: “As nations turn inward, trade wars loom and real wars rumble on, Ben Chu has written the perfect book arguing for clear-eyed decision-making in this critical moment. Exile Economics is a myth-busting call for reason in a world on the edge.”
Voters in McDowell, Burke, Catawba and Iredell counties, as well as other counties in the state, are caught up in the fight over a seat on the state supreme court. Republican Jefferson Griffin, a candidate for the N.C. Supreme Court, has challenged the state elections board’s results of the November 2024 election for the seat. When…