Showing 1 - 10 of 724
Modern-day mispricing of war
Oped, Antara Haldar, Published on 09/04/2026
» In the space of just a few weeks, the throttling of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has revealed the true nature of the US-Israeli war with Iran. This is no regional conflict, because the entire world is being invoiced. While the size of the bill remains to be determined, it is already obvious that the belligerents won't be the only ones paying the tab.
A plaintive song for the taxman
Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/03/2026
» I've just got back from filing my income tax and must thank the staff at the branch of the Revenue Department for their helpfulness and efficiency. It must be a thankless job knowing that nearly everyone they deal with would probably rather be somewhere else.
News bulletins are going 'off-ramp'
Roger Crutchley, Published on 22/03/2026
» An expression that is being used with increasing frequency in recent news reports, particularly concerning the goings on in the Middle East, is "off-ramp". Switch on the TV and it won't be long before a "talking head" will be authoritatively discussing "off-ramp" opportunities.
The fire this time is for US climate science
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 18/03/2026
» In 1953 Ray Bradbury, an American writer, published a book entitled simply Fahrenheit 451. It was a novel about an American fireman in a not-too-distant future who realised that he was doing his job all wrong -- because his job was to burn books, which were banned in that future America. (451°F is the temperature at which paper catches fire.)
Global travel erases places we love
News, Richard Florida and Carlo Ratti, Published on 17/03/2026
» Venice is drowning -- not just in rising waters but also in tourists. The city is charging a day-tripper fee and has banned large tour groups and loudspeakers in an effort to curb the crush. Barcelona residents march with squirt guns and "Tourists go home" signs to protest rising rents and crowds. Amsterdam is moving to cap and eventually ban ocean-going cruise ships to reduce pollution and visitor pressure.
Netanyahu's long game ensnares Trump
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 14/03/2026
» Donald Trump is caught in the trap that he helped to build, and he is starting to flail against his fate. His "war of choice", "Operation Epic Fury", was supposed to end in "unconditional surrender" by Tehran in just a few weeks, but if Mr Trump ever had a plan beyond "use massive force", it isn't working.
Voters in Nepal demand change
Oped, Brabim Karki, Published on 11/03/2026
» A rapper turned politician, Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, looks set to become Nepal's next prime minister. Mr Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has secured a landslide victory in the country's general election -- the first since deadly Gen Z-led protests last year, marking a major shift away from traditional old guard parties.
A prudent path
Oped, Postbag, Published on 11/03/2026
» Re: "Thailand braces for fallout from Mideast war", (Business, March 9). While we wish the leading political party in the new government fortitude and resilience in its efforts to steer Thailand through these turbulent times, we must also remind ourselves of the wise counsel of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great when he proposed the Sufficiency Economy as the most viable philosophy to help Thailand surmount the challenges of external threats and global shifts in economics and political destabilisation.
Cornflakes, cats and grizzly bears
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/03/2026
» Readers are no doubt aware that the official codename for the current US action in the Middle East is Operation Epic Fury which admittedly sounds more like the title of a martial arts B movie. It should not be confused with Operation Urgent Fury, the name given to the US invasion of Grenada back in 1983 during the Reagan administration. Israel incidentally has its own name for the current mission, Operation Roaring Lion.
Justice must extend to all women
News, Anna Hammargren and Michaela Friberg-Storey, Published on 07/03/2026
» International Women's Day, which occurs tomorrow, often brings statements of support. This year's UN theme asks a harder question -- does justice actually work for women and girls?