Showing 71 - 80 of 4,802
The UK's most working-class government
Oped, Published on 09/07/2024
» The United Kingdom has a new Labour government whose class composition are radically different from previous ones. According to our analysis of Labour's shadow cabinet, some 46% of Keir Starmer's cabinet members were raised by parents with "working class" occupations. That figure is well above average in terms of the broader working population, and it stands in stark contrast to the 7% who were of working-class origin in the last Conservative cabinet.
City Hall's duty of care
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/07/2024
» Last week, the public learned of two cases of sexual harassment involving high-ranking government officials.
Real plan for GDP growth
News, Editorial, Published on 08/07/2024
» After facing criticism for neglecting local media and prioritising foreign outlets, Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput finally held a press conference to share his overview of Thailand's economic situation and the central bank's policy stance.
Thailand's era of economic stagnation
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 05/07/2024
» After two decades of political instability and turmoil, it was a matter of time before the Thai economy would exhibit signs of distress and desperation. For decades, the Thai economy has proved resilient with an uncanny knack for bouncing back. But Teflon Thailand may have become a thing of the past. Headlines on the Thai economy have been heading south precipitously. Unless fundamental political reforms take place, Thailand will likely enter a period of low and plateaued growth with risks of grinding stagnation.
'Time tax' rises despite modern tech innovations
Oped, Published on 04/07/2024
» Despite the rapid proliferation of artificial-intelligence chatbots and virtual assistants, finding an answer to a question that a company's software is not programmed to address can be frustrating. Searching through countless options on price-comparison websites for the best insurance policy or airline ticket can be equally exhausting. Yet, we tend to view this "time tax" as the cost of doing business in today's digitised global economy.
Fixing flaws in Thailand's booze law
Oped, Published on 03/07/2024
» Sixteen years after the Alcohol Control Act was enforced to curb youth drinking, consumption among youngsters remains as high as ever, highlighting the law's ineffectiveness.
Cues from Iran on who to vote for
News, Marc Champion, Published on 03/07/2024
» The opposition just won a first round of elections, forcing a runoff in which everything depends on where third-party votes go. No, not in France -- in Iran. You could be forgiven for missing it amid all the excitement over the advance of the French hard right, President Joe Biden's car crash debate in the US and the coming immolation of the UK's Conservative Party. Yet Iran's experience is worth attention, not least as a reminder of what to vote for and why. Iran, to recap, is having a snap contest to replace President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a May helicopter crash. Raisi was also being groomed to succeed the 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as supreme leader, the unelected post that -- as the title suggests -- matters most in the Islamic Republic.
Harnessing Thailand's human capital
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 28/06/2024
» Thailand is currently on a distressing trajectory towards depopulation, with the number of deaths each year surpassing the number of births. The latest available data from the Department of Provincial Administration paints a grim picture, showing over 48,000 more deaths than births last year. This number is set to escalate as the number of births continues to plummet and death rates surge. Should the current trend persist, by 2083, Thailand's population is projected to shrink by half to 33 million. The leading cause of this demographic dynamic is the decline in fertility rates among Thai women. These declining fertility rates have severe repercussions and thus warrant the attention and actions of national leaders.
Education for 'war kids'
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/06/2024
» The fighting in Myanmar resumed this week after a five-month ceasefire brokered by China between junta forces and ethnic minority insurgents apparently fell to bits. Ironically, the renewed strife took place a few days after the world marked World Refugee Day last Thursday.
Spain's twin city project ignites local democracy
Oped, Published on 26/06/2024
» In 1992, Barcelona, Spain, announced the creation of a new, 11th district of the city.