Showing 1 - 10 of 34
The loveliness of a flying beetle
Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/07/2025
» The recent cricket match between England and India at Lord's was reportedly briefly delayed by a swarm of ladybirds which were bothering the players. It is believed to be the first recorded instance of "ladybirds stopped play". More importantly, swarm is not the correct term for these flying beetles. The collective noun for ladybirds (ladybugs for our American friends) is a "loveliness".
Great debates… and some not so great
Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/03/2025
» No-confidence debates similar to that which took place in the Thai parliament earlier in the week have become something of a tradition in the kingdom, but I can’t recall any such motion ever being successful. Still, at least it gives the MPs an opportunity to share their words of wisdom with us hoi polloi.
US looks to deepen Asean partnership
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/10/2024
» Annual meetings between Asean leaders and major powers from both the West and East have made Asean an important strategic partner. The upcoming Asean-related summits in Vientiane this week are no different. After the pandemic, Asean has become more prominent, though sometimes passive, in the region. By not fully taking sides in the East-West divide, Asean keeps its influence and room to handle the complex global security issues.
Former Merkel rival aims to become chancellor
News, Sarah Marsh, Published on 24/09/2024
» Squeezed out of top-level politics by his arch-party rival Angela Merkel more than two decades ago, Friedrich Merz is on course to land his first-ever government job as Germany's next chancellor. The conservative Christian Democrat Party (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, which together are topping nationwide polls, last Tuesday agreed to nominate Mr Merz, 68, as candidate for chancellor in next year's federal election.
Should ChatGPT write your CV?
News, Sarah Green Carmichael, Published on 10/07/2024
» Artificial intelligence is already making it easier for workers to put together a job application. The jury's still out on whether it's also making it easier for them to get the job.
Asterisk more than just a footnote
Roger Crutchley, Published on 09/06/2024
» In the ladies golf major tournament last weekend one of the top American amateurs was 15-year-old Asterisk Talley. I don't recall ever coming across Asterisk as a name before. Apparently her mother is Greek and the word asterisk in Greek means "little star". So it would seem quite an acceptable name for a baby.
A good time to get the brollies out
Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/10/2023
» After having woken up to the sound of thunderclaps and heavy rain the other morning it seems appropriate to continue with the wet weather theme following last week's in depth column on wellies.
Remote work risks making low-wage jobs worse
News, Sarah Green Carmichael, Published on 10/08/2023
» The popular image of the remote worker is often of a highly educated, laptop-toting professional comfortably situated in a large suburban home or in some Instagrammable Airbnb. The reality is different. Of the roughly 10% of employees who say they always work from home, most are lower-paid workers in support roles -- wearing headsets and logging in from their apartments, probably in the cheaper outskirts of a large city. Their numbers are expected to increase in the years to come.
Women are leading Covid recovery
Oped, Sarah Knibbs, Published on 17/03/2023
» Three years after the pandemic was formally declared, the world is now firmly in the recovery stage. But the huge potential contribution of women's leadership is still being undervalued, under-resourced, or overlooked altogether.
Forget lazy 'trend' pieces about working women
News, Sarah Green Carmichael, Published on 10/03/2023
» Every year when International Women's Day approaches, news publications seize the opportunity to run stories about how women are faring in the workplace. The annual observance is a good opportunity to take stock of progress -- or the lack of it -- in gender equality.