Beijing has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in recent years, dimming hopes that the financial center will ever become a full democracy.

The threat of climate change and the rise of China have prompted renewed debate about the U.S. government’s role in shaping the economy.

A growing number of countries are legalizing same-sex marriage amid a steady advance in rights for LGBTQ+ people, but opposition remains strong in many others.

Tariffs have been applied over the years to protect homegrown industries and target competitors who are seen as using unfair trade practices. They impose costs on both importers and exporters and had been in decline until the recent U.S.-China trade war.

Singapore, one of the world’s wealthiest and most trade-dependent countries, punches above its weight in regional and global affairs.