We are only two weeks into 2024 and already we’re on to the third election of the year.
First was Bangladesh’s general election on January 7, then Bhutan’s national assembly election on the 9th, and this weekend Taiwan is voting to pick a new president.
In the running are the current vice president and Democratic Progressive party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te, the leader of the more China-friendly Kuomintang party Hou Yu-ih, and Ko Wen-je, leader of the smaller Taiwan People’s party. Lai was leading before a polling blackout was imposed on January 3.
As ever, the election has been overshadowed by threats from the mainland, and on Tuesday, Lai accused China of widespread interference.
After the Taiwan vote, there are plenty more elections to come. Around two billion people will get the opportunity to vote this year, roughly half of the world’s adult population. The biggest elections will take place in India, Russia and, of course, the US, which votes on a new president in November.
Starting next week, we have a number of stories about this year’s votes, and a series of films on democracy by world famous writers such as Margaret Atwood. Whet your appetite here with a sneak peak:
Our favourite pieces
The big news this week was that the SEC grudgingly approved bitcoin exchange traded funds (ETFs), a move that may tempt more investors to dip their toes into the volatile cryptocurrency. To my surprise, the savvy investor Stuart Kirk wrote this week that he is ready to buy.
Malcolm Moore (@malcolmmoore)
Editor, FT Edit
It was a piece of science journalism that had me hooked this week. Michael Peel’s report on how ancient migration patterns offer explanations for everything from our risk of getting Alzheimer’s to our mental wellbeing to our height was full of mind-bending facts to impress your friends with.
Hannah Rock
Deputy editor, FT Edit (@HannahRockFT)
Simon Kuper’s insightful magazine article on the puzzle facing western politicians: promising to cut immigration in response to right-wing discontent coupled with the knowledge that their countries couldn’t function without immigrant labour.
Caryn Wilson
US editor, FT Edit (@CarynAWilson)
Our favourite fact of the week …
In a 2023 study 80 per cent of workers reported receiving work emails outside of working hours, and worse a vast majority of them responded to them. From Can schedule send save us from out-of-hours emails?
Something to listen to
Rachman Review — As the UK and US launch strikes on Houthi rebels, our global affairs podcast explores whether the Israel-Hamas conflict is in danger of setting off a large-scale conflict in the region.
Working It — Do you have a lot of things you want to get done this year? Do you want to be more productive? This podcast has some helpful tips about how to tick things off your to-do list quickly.
Life and Art — If you’re fantasising about escaping the January blues then this is the podcast for you. The FT’s US banking editor talks about visiting all 50 states and his tips for the perfect road trip.
Something to watch
Could a technique perfected by ancient South American civilisations help to solve climate change? This FT film finds out.
Talk to us
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