Showing 21 - 30 of 34
Science of success
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 30/04/2018
» Back when astronomer Carl Sagan -- "America's most effective salesman of science" -- was making the universe easier for the world to understand, Rohan Mahadevan was busy working on his doctorate in astrophysics. A promising career in academia beckoned, but he heard the calling of business instead.
Lese majeste law and reality
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 26/03/2018
» The lese majeste law in Thailand is a sensitive subject that most people prefer to avoid talking about. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, anyone can file a lese majeste complaint against anyone else and the police are obligated to investigate every single complaint. The courts can sentence anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent" to jail terms of between three and 15 years.
'Fake news' and political bullies
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/01/2018
» Press freedom in Southeast Asia is taking it on the chin again. In Myanmar, Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe face up to 14 years in jail for reporting on the genocide in Rakhine state, which apparently is an "official secret". In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte is itching to shut down a news website that has been critical of his government.
Delivering success
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/12/2017
» Asia's first driverless trucks began operating in October at the ExxonMobil plant on Jurong Island in Singapore, while fleets of autonomous delivery vehicles are expected to get rolling on Great Britain's motorways next year. These are just some of the headline-making developments in the brave new world of transport being promoted by the likes of Google, Tesla, Uber and major vehicle manufacturers.
Best of both worlds
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 30/10/2017
» Smart manufacturing does not always involve robots replacing people. Instead, robots should be viewed as enablers instead of disruptors, with productivity and efficiency enhanced by automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Enjoy the calm while it lasts
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 23/10/2017
» China's economy slowed marginally from 6.9% growth in the first half to 6.8% in the third quarter but is still on course to beat Beijing's full-year target of 6.5%. It was the sort of good news Communist Party bigshots were waiting to hear, coming a day after President Xi Jinping's stirring three-hour speech to their twice-a-decade congress.
Can you dig it?
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 16/10/2017
» Asia's most ambitious never-built megaproject is back in the news, this time with some high-powered backing and the potential to be blessed by China as part of its Belt and Road programme. But that won't make building a canal across Thailand any easier.
Can anyone help Suu Kyi?
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/10/2017
» There are questions that beg answers from Myanmar's elected government. If there is no genocide, then why have 500,000 people fled their homes? If there is nothing to hide, why can't journalists go and see for themselves without strict supervision? Why did Aung San Suu Kyi postpone a planned United Nations visit to Rakhine state last week?
Line comes to life
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 25/09/2017
» Line Corp has chosen Bangkok to house its first Line Village store as Southeast Asia's most popular messaging application continues its campaign to expand its foothold in the region.
Escape from poverty
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/09/2017
» It was a cold winter night when Ji Seong-ho lost both of his left limbs. He was trying to jump onto a moving freight train to steal coal being transported from North Korea to China. He slipped on the snow and tumbled under the wheels of the carriage.