Showing 1 - 10 of 19
Tech disrupted by reality
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 20/06/2022
» When Covid-19 emerged more than two years ago, millions of people including myself suddenly found ourselves stuck at home. To survive the unprecedented challenges and stress, I started to befriend mobile apps I hadn't used before to buy things and pay bills online, among them the e-commerce platform Shopee.
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Journeys of discovery
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/08/2021
» Sipping green tea after having a Thai lunch at his house, Farid Bidgoli looks relaxed yet energetic, and ready for an interview. From his appearance and accent, the 42-year-old executive looks exactly like someone from the UK where he was born, though he is half Iranian with a spirit inherited from his father.
A year like no other
Asia focus, Published on 28/12/2020
» In a world under siege from a relentless virus, Asia's resilience was tested to the utmost. Asia Focus staff look back at key events
Lofty goals elusive
Asia focus, Patpon Sabpaitoon, Published on 11/05/2020
» At the close of the last millennium, leaders from around the globe gathered at the United Nations to endorse the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) -- an agenda to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women. They agreed to achieve the eight goals by 2015.
How South Korea stopped Covid-19 early
Asia focus, Myoung-hee Kim, Published on 11/05/2020
» South Korea experienced one of the world's largest initial outbreaks of Covid-19 outside China. But, unlike the United States and many European countries, we have been able to contain and drastically reduce the spread of the virus, at least so far -- and without imposing a nationwide lockdown.
Plastic loves the pandemic
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/05/2020
» The Covid-19 pandemic has upended daily life and commerce throughout the world. As one of the millions working from home over the past few weeks, I've grown accustomed to having meals delivered to my doorstep. Before that, I rarely used food delivery services; dining out was the norm rather than eating at home.
Funny business
Asia focus, Nikhil Kumar, Published on 16/03/2020
» Navin Prabhakar became a household name in 2005 when he appeared on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge on television. Today he is among the standup comedians making a good living by making corporate executives and employees laugh.
Exporting traditional Chinese medicine worldwide
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 30/09/2019
» Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a key multi-billion-dollar export from China with a footprint spanning 183 countries and regions.
Indian court case lifts lid on kidnappings for marriage
Asia focus, By Narendra Kaushik in New Delhi, Published on 02/09/2019
» Vinod Kumar Yadav still shudders when he recalls his 48-hour long marriage ordeal in December 2017. His was no match made in heaven. On the contrary, he was kidnapped, beaten up by the bride's family and hired goons and forced to tie the knot at gunpoint.