Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Can a country build its own social media?
News, Sebastian Vogelsang, Published on 26/07/2025
» When I built my first website back in 1998, the internet felt expansive. You could publish something in Berlin, and someone in Boston or Belgrade might stumble on it within seconds. But today, as a small number of tech monopolies hoover up attention and strangle innovation, that spirit of connection has been lost.
The 'living happily ever after' rule is for everyone
Oped, Steve Ammidown, Published on 14/02/2025
» The romance genre has a single set-in-stone rule: The main characters of the story will end up happily in a relationship. The HEA (Happily Ever After) or the HFN (Happy for Now) is the expectation of every reader who picks up a romance novel in the same way a mystery reader waits for a big twisty reveal or a fantasy reader anticipates strange and arcane magic.
My breakup with TikTok was a return to reality
Oped, Vishal Karuppasamy, Published on 12/04/2023
» It was 2.30am, and I was lying in bed with my phone in my hand and my TikTok "For You" page fired up. I knew I shouldn't be awake. A month into my junior year of high school, my workload was already piling up. If I didn't get at least a few hours of sleep before my alarm went off, I would pay for it in class the next day.
Asean still toothless a year after Myanmar coup
News, Laetitia van den Assum & Kobsak Chutikul & Pou Sothirak & Kyaw Win & Dinna Prapto Raharja, Published on 24/01/2022
» The first anniversary of Myanmar's military coup is approaching. Since Feb 1 last year, the country's socio-political landscape has changed dramatically. Brutal fighting has reached many parts of the country and the economy lies in tatters, while the UN warns that half the population may soon slip below the poverty line.
Youth inclusion a must in governing
News, Editorial, Published on 08/11/2020
» As Myanmar gears up to hold its second election since its transition to democracy began in 2011, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) -- with its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi -- looks set to retain its majority in the quasi-civilian regime. However, its projected victory hides the growing divide between its younger and older members, which, if left unaddressed, poses a risk to its ability to effectively run the government.
Trump visit could bolster US Indo-Pacific strategy
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 01/10/2019
» With only four weeks to go before the 35th Asean-related summits kick off at Muangthong Thani, the White House has said nothing to indicate whether President Donald Trump will be coming to Bangkok. Asked about it these past couple of days, Washington movers and shakers have said in unison: Anything can happen. Mr Trump is now facing the threat of impeachment from a Democratic Party-led inquiry. It is pretty common these days to factor in a high level of unpredictability for all transactions with the US, especially when they involve the US presidency.
The return of the extreme right
News, Ferdinando Giugliano, Published on 25/01/2019
» The rising tide of extremist parties across Europe has presented mainstream political forces with a dilemma: Should they reject any alliance in the name of decency? Or should they succumb to pragmatism, in the hope of taming their opponents?
4 big challenges for Thailand as Asean chair
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/11/2018
» Last week, Singapore handed the incoming Asean chair, Thailand, four formidable challenges that would define Asean's centrality and its relevance, not to mention the kingdom's leadership role. These issues are the nascent Indo-Pacific concept, the Rakhine crisis, peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, and the drafting of a code of conduct (COC) on the South China Sea.
Mahathir: How old is too old to be a world leader?
News, Ahmad Zaharuddin & Sani Ahmad Sabri, Published on 09/07/2018
» A year ago, at the advanced age of 92, ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced he would fight in the Malaysian general elections, this time leading the opposition. If successful, he could be the next Prime Minister of Malaysia once again. How extraordinary.
Migrant misery spans worldwide
News, John Lloyd, Published on 25/06/2018
» It's an increasingly hard world for those seeking a better life in richer countries. Immigrants aren't welcome in most states, even where demographic trends reflect the need to expand the labor force to levels able to sustain and support aging populations.