Showing 1 - 10 of 104
Emerging markets stand strong
Oped, Kristalina Georgieva and Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Published on 12/02/2026
» It used to be that when advanced economies sneezed, emerging markets caught a cold. That is no longer true. Following recent global shocks, such as the post-pandemic inflation surge and a new wave of tariffs, emerging markets have held up well. Inflation has continued to slow, currencies have generally retained their value, and debt issuance costs have remained at manageable levels. There has been no sign of the kind of financial turbulence that came with past economic shocks.
Moderate global growth masks regional strains
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 14/01/2026
» Global economic growth still continues, but at a moderate pace. That's the verdict from the UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026, which predicts that global economic output will grow by 2.7% this year, or slightly below the 2.8% estimated for 2025, but less than the pre-pandemic average of 3.2%.
A good time of the year to chill out
Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/12/2025
» Normally at this stage of the calendar PostScript attempts a festive flavour, welcoming in the season of silly hats and hangovers, but this year it's a real struggle to find something to be festive about. At least the weather has cooperated, the lower temperatures giving us more of a wintry feeling. In that respect it is the most pleasant time of the year.
Bolt from the blue
Oped, Postbag, Published on 29/09/2025
» Re: "Safety first in golf", (PostBag, Sept 25) & "Caddie dies after being hit by lightning on golf course", (BP, Sept 23).
The toothpaste which created TV history
Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/09/2025
» Last week marked the 70th anniversary of television advertisements in Britain. For years the BBC had been the only TV network in Britain and no ads were allowed. But in the mid-1950s along came Independent Television (ITV) which was launched to create competition, the big difference being that it was permitted to finance itself by showing advertisements.
New words I probably won't be using
Roger Crutchley, Published on 31/08/2025
» The Cambridge Dictionary recently announced the inclusion of 6,000 new words mainly derived from their common usage in social media. I fear those words will simply be added to an already lengthy list of vocabulary I am totally unfamiliar with. As one observer noted "internet culture is changing the English language."
Donor funding crisis goes global
News, Jayati Ghosh, Published on 21/05/2025
» Towards the end of the ancient Indian epic the Mahabharata, Krishna's Yadava clan self-destructs. Many dark omens presage their downfall: nature behaves erratically and pests multiply. Sin, deception, and violence proliferate, eroding trust and solidarity. Clan members humiliate and insult wise elders. When Krishna's extended family goes on a picnic, the men get drunk, argue, and attack each other, until eventually all of them are dead.
A defining moment for energy security, prosperity
Oped, Gaston Browne, Published on 28/03/2025
» From March 12-13, heads of state, ministers of finance and energy, investors, civil-society groups, and energy-industry leaders convened in Barbados for the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll) Forum. The conference's theme -- Sustainable Energy for Equity, Security, and Prosperity -- captured an often underappreciated reality: the clean-energy transition is vital not only to protect the planet but also to enhance economic resilience and energy security in an uncertain global setting.
I heard it on the radio, a long time ago
Roger Crutchley, Published on 23/03/2025
» News reports suggest the future of Voice of America (VOA) is seriously in doubt. I haven’t listened to VOA in five decades but there was a time I tuned in during my teenage years back in the Stone Age. It might seem strange for a spotty English kid to switch on VOA so I will attempt to explain.
R&D essential for Thai rice
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/03/2025
» Handing out financial subsidies has become standard protocol for almost every government responding to rice farmers' calls for help.