Showing 1 - 10 of 75
Capital idea, Indonesia. Now for some reality
News, Daniel Moss, Published on 21/08/2024
» Capital cities don't just happen. They develop slowly over decades, perhaps centuries, before resembling their creator's dream -- if they ever do. Indonesia is discovering such massive endeavours are hard work and prone to delays. Economics has an annoying habit of intruding.
Triathletes are lab rats for Seine cleanup stunt
News, David Fickling, Published on 01/08/2024
» What's not to like about a sparkling bathing spot in the middle of a global city?
Unsafe label a wake-up call
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2024
» The latest report on Bangkok being named the 30th most dangerous city in the world for tourists should be a wake-up call for policymakers to put more effort and resources into improving the safety and conditions in the capital -- instead of just running promotional campaigns and events.
The art of rolling out the red carpet
Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/06/2024
» Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to enjoy the red carpet treatment he received in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang this week. Over the years the Russian leader will have become quite familiar with walking on such plush carpets, but one wonders if he knows why they are red.
Deepfakes will hijack your brain -- if you let them
News, Published on 22/02/2024
» Realistic AI-generated images and voice recordings may be the newest threat to democracy, but they're part of a longstanding family of deceptions. The way to fight so-called deepfakes isn't to develop some rumour-busting form of AI or to train the public to spot fake images. A better tactic would be to encourage a few well-known critical thinking methods -- refocusing our attention, reconsidering our sources, and questioning ourselves.
Graft central
Oped, Postbag, Published on 11/10/2023
» Re: "Chada says crackdown gathers pace", (BP, Oct 10).
Want to use less air conditioning? Turn on a fan
News, Published on 25/07/2023
» Earlier this year, the UK attempted to go coal-free. But an increased need for air conditioning forced the usually temperate country to reverse itself and restart an old coal-fired power plant -- after only 46 days.
A rare occasion when 'dogs are allowed'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/04/2023
» Earlier this month an art museum in Athens opened its doors to dogs so the canine community could experience a quiet sniff around important works of art. This might seem rather trivial but when you consider that the "No Dogs Allowed" sign is one of the most familiar around the world the dogs need as much moral support as they can get. It must be a bit disheartening for hounds to be greeted everywhere by signs that they are not wanted… an odd way to treat man's best friend.
Shaking off the laundromat blues
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 26/03/2023
» In last week's item concerning boutiques I wondered whether their influence could extend as far as the world of laundromats. My thanks to reader Jenifer Divine in Hamburg for informing me that in the German city's St Pauli district there is a laundromat dedicated to Jimi Hendrix which just about gives it boutique status.
History lesson
News, Postbag, Published on 26/02/2023
» Re: "Detention deaths spur probe calls," (BP, Feb 24).