Showing 1 - 10 of 4,767
PM's drug reforms echo past errors
News, Published on 24/05/2024
» When Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to reschedule cannabis as a narcotic and reduce the threshold for possession of methamphetamine for personal use (not for supply to others) from five pills to one, he signalled a return to drug policies championed over two decades ago. He called for crackdowns on people in the drug trade, for people who use drugs to be placed into rehabilitation facilities and demanded results in 90 days.
Has crunch time arrived for 'Bibi' Netanyahu?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 24/05/2024
» It has not been a good week for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, chief decision-maker in the war in the Gaza Strip that has already cost at least 35,000 civilian deaths. (Some thousands of those 35,000 may have been Hamas fighters.)
Even the stars favour Modi for third term as PM
News, Published on 24/05/2024
» In the realm of astrological predictions, deciphering events such as sporting outcomes or political elections often entails scrutinising the birth charts of all contenders involved. When it comes to forecasting the outcome of elections in a vast democracy like India, the birth chart of the potential leader must be extraordinary to ascend to the highest office.
Better way to boost morale
News, Editorial, Published on 24/05/2024
» The new "Cops Combat" martial arts competition of the Royal Thai Police may have drawn criticism for potentially undermining the chain of command. Yet, the competition, which promises to be a "test of valour beyond the badge", is a good start as the RTP is acknowledging problems of morale on the ground.
Thailand's judiciary faces challenges
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/05/2024
» Thailand appears to be a country of 70 million, ultimately ruled by an unelected few. This sobering reality was on display when two connected groups of top generals seized power from democratically elected governments in September 2006 and May 2014. Unlike these blatant military coups over the past two decades, at issue now is the power and role of the judiciary. While Thailand has another democratically elected civilian government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the question that needs to be asked is whether the country is effectively under judicial rule.
India Inc must only cheer growth, not question it
News, Andy Mukherjee, Published on 22/05/2024
» Large parts of corporate India aren't exactly feeling the economy's world-beating growth performance. But woe to those who dare to question it.
Green push needs united approach
News, Published on 20/05/2024
» Bridging the divide between agriculture and forestry is imperative for climate action. The global and national race is on to steeply reduce emissions over the next six years. According to the watershed Global Stocktake report, released ahead of COP28 in Dubai, we face the daunting task of reducing emissions by 43% by 2030 to retain the possibility of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, and 27% to stabilise at a 2-degree temperature increase. Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, we have managed only to be on track for a 2% reduction in emissions against 2019 baselines. Each subsequent year, we collectively feel the impacts of a hotter, more volatile climate as new records are set for temperature and natural disasters.
Thailand's cannabis U-turn is a cautionary tale
News, Published on 20/05/2024
» Turns out you can have too much of a good thing. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered a U-turn on the country's landmark cannabis policy, saying the plant should be soon classified as a narcotic again and its use limited to medical and health purposes.
Land reform dangers
News, Editorial, Published on 20/05/2024
» The recent decision by the cabinet to amend regulations to allow farmers to use state land beyond agricultural purposes has raised concerns about potential misuse and exploitation for commercial benefits.
Break the development gridlock
News, Published on 20/05/2024
» How can the world attain sustainable human development when the gaps between rich and poor countries and inequality within countries are widening after the Covid-19 pandemic?