Showing 1 - 10 of 266
Hormuz crisis reveals energy resilience gap
News, Laura Carvalho, Published on 18/04/2026
» The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered what the International Monetary Fund calls a "global yet asymmetric" rupture, disrupting the flow of roughly one-quarter of oil, one-fifth of liquefied natural gas, and one-third of fertiliser supplies. Energy and fertiliser prices have risen, supply chains have rerouted, and financial conditions have tightened unevenly around the world.
Conflicts of interest worsen crisis
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 06/04/2026
» Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn's resignation as head of the committee handling the oil crisis caused by the war in the Middle East has spared him from public criticism over a potential conflict of interest linked to his family's oil trading business.
American hegemony is waning
News, Carla Norrlöf is Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto., Published on 21/03/2026
» The messy crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has clarified how power works in the 21st century. It reminds us that the greatest long-term threat to the United States is not China's military buildup or Russian aggression, but the gradual fragmentation of the alliance system that has underwritten its global leadership since World War II.
Is the 80-year 'Long Peace' about to end?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 07/03/2026
» The Trump/Netanyahu war in the Middle East will not spread any further, and nothing going on there threatens our collective existence. The only countries that have nukes in the Middle East are Israel and the United States. Iran has none now and has never even been close to having them.
Heat back on State Audit Office
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/02/2026
» A music video released by the State Audit Office (SAO) came at just the right time. Without this house track, the harrowing collapse of its under-construction building might have begun to fade from public attention.
Throw him in the pot
Oped, Postbag, Published on 08/02/2026
» Re: "A woman of the world", (Life, Nov 1, 2025).
Institutional redesign in order for economic change
News, Diane Coyle, Published on 30/12/2025
» The Nobel Prize in economics was awarded both this year and last year to scholars who, in different ways, emphasised the importance of institutions to economic growth.
Trickery in the land of tavern trivia
Published on 23/11/2025
» The world of pub quizzes was shaken in Britain recently when a team at The Barking Dog pub in Manchester was kicked out for cheating. Although disputes may occasionally occur in such quizzes it doesn't usually come down to such strong disciplinary action. However the team involved was believed to be clearly in breach of trivia etiquette.
Keeping in step with ballroom moves
Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/11/2025
» The most entertaining news of the week was the response to President Donald Trump's demolition of the East Wing of the White House so he can build a "big, beautiful ballroom". It is probably fair to say it prompted a "mixed reaction" -- many being totally horrified.
UN picks rights council members with bad records
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 23/10/2025
» In a ritual of near-farcical folly, the UN General Assembly has elected 14 new members to join the Geneva-based Human Rights Council on Oct 15.