Showing 1 - 10 of 45
Video game competitions should be in Olympics
News, Adam Minter, Published on 30/09/2023
» The hottest sports ticket in the Asia-Pacific right now isn't for a soccer match, an NBA exhibition game or even a swim meet. It's for the medal event debut of competitive video gaming, or esports.
'Insect apocalypse' coming to your neighbourhood
Oped, Adam Minter, Published on 03/08/2023
» An unusually large influx of tiny insects called aphids have been sucking on Dallas-area pecan trees in recent weeks. After they've had their fill, they "excrete" the waste out their back ends and onto cars, driveways and sidewalks. "Texas is covered in a sticky, icky goo," declared a Dallas Morning News headline. Other news outlets offered tips on how to clean up the mess.
Endangered species among virus victims
News, Adam Minter, Published on 13/05/2020
» Social distancing may save human lives, but it's wreaking havoc on some of the world's most threatened species.
What's wrong with China's national champions?
News, Adam Minter, Published on 05/03/2019
» A year ago, Didi Chuxing Inc, China's largest ride-sharing company, looked like a quintessential "national champion". It had driven Uber Technologies Inc from the local market, attracted investment from Apple Inc and was contemplating a Hong Kong IPO worth as much as US$80 billion (2.5 trillion baht). State media coverage was fawning, government support was all but assured and the company's near-monopoly looked unassailable.
Old phones may pose a 'security risk'
News, Adam Minter, Published on 12/11/2018
» That obsolete smartphone stashed away in a drawer or closet may not look like a national security risk, but the Trump administration is contemplating treating it as one.
Future lies with electric two-wheelers
News, Adam Minter, Published on 15/10/2018
» Given recent market turmoil, it would easy to overlook the upcoming IPO of Niu Technologies, a Chinese manufacturer of electric mopeds. The US$95 million the company plans to raise is a pittance compared to the billions burnt by Tesla Inc. But the technologies developed by Niu and other pioneers of electric two-wheel vehicles will transform transportation as much as anything dreamed up by the likes of Elon Musk.
Interpol saga won't just hurt China
News, Adam Minter, Published on 11/10/2018
» The last message that now former Interpol president Meng Hongwei sent to his wife was an emoji depicting a knife. Soon after, he disappeared into China's feared and opaque Ministry of Public Security, the subject of a corruption investigation about which no details have been revealed.
Solution to chronic marine plastic crisis starts in Asia
News, Adam Minter, Published on 27/06/2018
» Since Jan 1, when China stopped accepting the rich world's recyclable plastic waste, it's gotten a load of criticism for worsening the already deep crisis of ocean plastic pollution. But China isn't the only culprit here. This is a crisis made -- and growing worse -- throughout developing Asia.
Southeast Asia's 'fake news' laws are a fake solution
News, Adam Minter, Published on 26/05/2018
» In the waning days of Malaysia's recent election campaign, then-opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad was investigated under the country's anti-fake news law. Had he been charged and convicted, he could have spent as much as six years in prison. Instead, Dr Mahathir was elected prime minister with a pledge to repeal the law.
Women in work key to China fertility
News, Adam Minter, Published on 24/05/2018
» China is home currently to 241 million people over the age of 60, approximately 17% of the population. By 2050, the elderly will number around 500 million and account for more than one-third of the population. According to a report on Monday by Bloomberg News, the Chinese government has grown so alarmed by these developments that it's preparing to scrap all limits on the number of children that a family can have. By early next year, the infamous one-child and -- more recently -- two-child policies should be no more.