Showing 1 - 10 of 26
Global crises put China at an advantage
Oped, Published on 31/03/2023
» As they say, you can't make this up. In the course of just over a week, China and Russia reaffirmed their friendship and military ties, the Iranian regime proxies lashed out with rockets at US forces in neighbouring Syria, North Korea shot off a few more missiles, France was rocked by serious rioting, all to the backdrop of what could well be a global banking crisis sending financial shockwaves from Silicon Valley to Switzerland.
The clean energy race is on but it needs investment
Oped, Published on 26/08/2022
» The United States has entered the clean-energy race in a big way with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Not only will the law subsidise US renewable-energy producers and consumers to the tune of US$369 billion (13 trillion baht) over 10 years; it also authorises the Department of Energy (DOE) to lend up to $250 billion to US companies that are investing in the clean energy transition. Between the IRA and the recent $52 billion package to boost US semiconductor production, it is clear that industrial policy is back in vogue in Washington, DC.
Can nuclear energy come back from the grave?
News, Published on 29/06/2022
» Nuclear power has been in decline since the Fukushima disaster in Japan more than a decade ago, but it may be poised for a comeback. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and soaring natural-gas prices have led some to argue that nuclear energy can help solve the twin challenges of energy security and climate change. Is the industry back in business, or will this prove to be another false dawn?
When will inflation stop happening?
Oped, Koichi Hamada, Published on 10/05/2022
» Until a few years ago, major economies were struggling to achieve even mild inflation, with policymakers in the United States, United Kingdom and eurozone struggling to meet their targets of 2% annual price growth. But with the arrival and persistence of Covid-19, the world changed dramatically. Two years later, everyone is worried about soaring inflation and how it can be contained.
Will Putin's war slow China's economic growth?
Oped, Published on 23/03/2022
» On March 5, China announced a GDP growth target for this year of about 5.5%, the lowest target since 1991. But that should not come as a surprise. In 2013, World Bank economists and the Chinese State Council projected that China's annual growth rate would decline to 5% by 2030. This may still be an overestimate, given that growth rates during 2010-16 have been found to be inflated by 1.8 percentage points and that average growth in OECD economies is around 3%.
Norway, oil and the issue of climate change
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 02/10/2021
» You can see why Saudi Arabia wants to go on pumping as much oil as it can. Oil exports account for 87% of the Saudi government budget and 42% of GDP. The Saudi population, now 35 million, is growing by two-thirds of a million a year, and the country already imports 80% of its food. They'd be starving in a few years if they stopped pumping.
Between you, me and the lamp post
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 27/06/2021
» Over the years we've had allegations of malfeasance concerning the whole spectrum of life in Thailand. Among the more unlikely cases have been claims of dubious goings on concerning purchases of such items as school pianos, parliament clocks, cows and even kindergarten toys.
Why sustainability revolution is the new digital
Oped, Published on 30/01/2021
» Even in a year dominated by a global pandemic, the sustainability revolution has accelerated faster than expected, while also expanding to include a wider range of environmental and social issues.
Any renewed US-China trade war will be perilous
News, Clyde Russell, Published on 07/05/2020
» The rhetoric around the possible resumption of the United States-China trade war has been ramped up by both sides in recent days, but this time around the risks seem to be far greater for both countries, with the world economy as collateral damage.
Where's the alternative to plastic bags?
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 11/10/2019
» In less than three months, plastic bags will disappear from supermarkets and convenience stores as the government campaign to cut out single-use plastic gains momentum.