Author Archives: Nick Corbishley

Like just about anything on the Internet, biometric surveillance systems are eminently hackable as well as prone to human error

After reeling from one crisis to another, Europe’s indebted and debilitated small businesses — the backbone of the economy — face the ultimate threat from energy shortages and soaring prices.

In Mexico, it is not just the government and the central bank that are trying to keep a lid on rising food inflation. So, too, is a drug cartel in the Pacific state of Guerrero. 

The reemergence of “payment strikes” is perhaps a sign that as economic conditions deteriorate, people will begin to leverage the only real power they have left in today’s hyper-consumerist societies — i.e., as consumers. 

While cash use has been declining in many places for years, the trend may have reached its apogee. In some countries, including the UK and Spain, it even appears to be making a fragile comeback.

Germany’s health minister unveils plans to launch a color-coded digital app to confirm citizens’ COVID-19 vaccination status. Different colors will confer different rights

“We could end up in jail” if we disclose details of the former government’s contract with Pfizer, says the country’s Health Minister. 

Japan is not the only G7 economy where cash is still king, and that could be bad news for the rollout of CBDCs in so-called “advanced” economies

As the Mexican government’s commitment to energy independence smashes into US financial interests, President López Obrador threatens to put sovereignty first.

After being launched to great fanfare in October 2021, Nigeria’s eNaira has so far had minimal impact on the country’s economy and citizens.

The US is planning to give up its citizens’ most precious data in exchange for the biometric data harvested by its “partner” governments in Europe and beyond.  

Mercosur’s refusal to host Zelenski at its 60th Summit is yet further confirmation of Latin America’s largely neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. The US is beginning to get worried. 

As the global race for “white gold” intensifies, the so-called “Lithium Triangle” in South America is taking on increasing importance in the global economy.

Bank CEOs have good reason to be worried about rising civil unrest, as economic conditions deteriorate fast around the world. If 2019 was the year of protest, 2022 could be the year of unbottled rage.