Showing 11 - 20 of 42
Growth forecast cut, Iran cases surge by 50%: Virus update
Published on 02/03/2020
» Iran reported a 50% increase in coronavirus infections, while New York City, Brussels, Berlin and Indonesia all reported their first cases. New cases were reported in Thailand and across the US. Hard-hit South Korea saw its total climb past 4,200.
The key to breathing easy
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 28/01/2020
» First, the number of coronavirus-infected cases in China was only 27 when first reported at the end of December. Then, only three days later, the number rose to 44, before hitting 59 two days after that.
Asia's century, China's year
Asia focus, Published on 30/12/2019
» Way back when 1999 was winding down, pundits were telling us that the Asian Century was about to dawn. That prediction has not yet been fully realised, but few would disagree that 2019 belonged to China. Over the past 12 months, the top headlines have been about the bruising trade war with America, defiant protests in Hong Kong against Beijing's tightening grip, and the rise of a surveillance state that is herding hundreds of thousands into "re-education" camps on its western fringes. Below, the Asia Focus team looks back on a busy and sometimes troubling 2019.
The glue doesn't stick
News, Postbag, Published on 16/06/2019
» The excuse that the "skewed scales must have been due to poor glueing during its making" offered by the director of the Chumpholphonphisai School in explanation for the controversial Wai Kru flower arrangements as reported in the Bangkok Post's June 15 edition, is priceless.
We should let China spy on us
News, David Fickling, Published on 22/04/2019
» Even as the US and China seem headed toward a truce on trade, their rivalry is heating up in other areas.
Revamp the military
News, Postbag, Published on 23/02/2019
» Let's briefly consider local geopolitics and the Thai military. Thailand needs China like it needs another coup. However, China needs Thailand for a variety of reasons. The US has had a longstanding favourable relationship with Thailand and is its most powerful ally.
China is blowing an opportunity with Meng's arrest
News, Published on 21/12/2018
» China is blowing the geopolitical opportunity of a lifetime. There has probably never been a better moment to undo America's greatest strategic advantage by dividing the US from its global network of democratic allies, many of which are horrified by President Trump's rhetoric and policies and deeply worried about Washington's staying power. Yet, Beijing is doing its best to remind that democratic world that it has far more to fear from a hegemonic China than from an erratic America.
Social media the theatre of 'Information World War'
News, Published on 19/12/2018
» A year ago, in his annual New Year's resolution post, Mark Zuckerberg pledged to spend 2018 fixing Facebook by addressing foreign manipulation, election interference and other threats. He and other tech leaders should probably renew that vow for 2019, and 2020, and possibly every year after that.
Trump's phone tap karmic revenge?
News, Published on 30/10/2018
» Specific incidents can sometimes reveal much larger truths. This would seem to be the case regarding recent revelations that the Chinese have been eavesdropping on US President Donald Trump's less-than-secure phone calls and using the information gathered as part of an elaborate plot to influence the president.
Currencies slump, funds flee emerging markets
Business, Published on 08/09/2018
» Recap: Emerging stock markets, especially those in Asia, experienced heavy fund outflows as concerns mounted over the health of emerging economies in general, and contagion impact from the likes of Argentina and Turkey. The Indonesian rupiah hit a two-decade low and the Indian rupee also lost more ground. US-China trade tensions continue to cast a pall over markets as well.