Showing 1 - 10 of 28
The need to address fossil fuels beyond the ICJ
News, Jemilah Mahmood & Adam Farhan, Published on 06/09/2025
» In July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a landmark Advisory Opinion: states may be violating international law by facilitating fossil fuel consumption, subsidising production, and issuing permits that enable expansion of extraction and use.
China takes aim at democracy
News, Adam Nelson and May Butoy, Published on 06/01/2025
» In April 2024, a spokesman for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte suggested that the Philippines and China had entered into an undisclosed "gentleman's agreement" between 2016 and 2022. China would not challenge the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, and the Philippines would send only basic supplies to its personnel and facilities on the Ayungin Shoal. But now, the Philippines is emerging as an essential player in resisting China's strategic ambitions in the region, with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr's administration asserting Philippine maritime claims through naval confrontations and new legislation.
Shift from elections to governance
Oped, Adam Nelson & Kristen Sample, Published on 01/10/2024
» With half of the global population having already voted or preparing to do so in 2024, the "year of elections" has had a profound impact on democracies worldwide. Now, as the year enters its final quarter, it is becoming increasingly apparent that 2025 will be an equally transformative "year of governance".
Poorest miss out as Serbia adopts digital welfare
News, Adam Smith, Published on 30/08/2023
» Jovana Andjela, a single mother from Belgrade, has done odd jobs as a cook, cleaner, even a tour guide, but she relied on state benefits to make ends meet -- until last year, when Serbia's new digital welfare system locked her out.
Reviving a regional approach to the Rohingya
Oped, Adam Severson, Published on 08/09/2021
» More than four years have passed since Myanmar security forces began "clearance operations" targeting ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State. Purportedly a response to attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), an ethnic insurgent group, these operations were the culmination of mounting rights abuses and restrictions disproportionately directed at Rohingya communities. More than 40% of area villages were partially or completely destroyed, and Rohingya were displaced on a scale not seen since the 1970s. In the two weeks following the start of clearance operations, more than 300,000 Rohingya crossed into Bangladesh seeking refuge. By the end of 2017, that figure had more than doubled.
'Bibi' Netanyahu's endless quest
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 23/03/2021
» Israelis are to vote in their fourth election in two years today, but there is already talk of a fifth election later this year. They will just have to go on voting until they get it right.
Polar vortex shows US not ready for climate change
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 23/02/2021
» It's not funny when people die of the cold, but there was some innocent amusement to be had from the indignation of Texans unable to boil their drinking water during the Big Freeze because the power was still out. Things like that are not supposed to happen in a modern, developed country like the United States of America. How dare they?
Thai-Aussie ties are on cloud nine
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/02/2021
» On Feb 15, a historic milestone was achieved when Their Majesties the King and Queen visited the Australian Embassy -- the first time in the annals of Thailand's external relations that a monarch had visited a foreign mission. Their Majesties were there to view a documentary prepared by the Australian Embassy commemorating the King's time in Australia. Indeed, Thai-Australian relations have come a long way.
Thailand: In the eye of the coming storm
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/01/2021
» Last week, in his 229-word congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha minced no words in stating that as the US' first and oldest treaty partner in Asia, Thailand is very proud of its strategic ties with the United States, which have benefited both countries and their peoples as well as contributed to security, stability and prosperity in the region.
Brunei takes chair for year of recovery
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/01/2021
» On the inspiring theme of "We care, we prepare, we prosper", Asean's smallest member is taking on a humongous responsibility to see to it that the Asean Community will emerge from the current Covid-19 pandemic stronger and better than before. With a population of less than a half million, Brunei Darussalam hopes to rejuvenate the community of 655 million citizens during this tumultuous year.