Uneasy unload
During the run-up to Election 2013, the phrase ‘baba ta easy load ka’ (send baba some easy load) had become the bane of the ANP’s existence. Talk about the 800…
Asian tigers and paper tigers
An important new book explains why some countries have become economic tigers in East Asia while others are relative failures or paper tigers. ‘How Asia Works’ by Joe Studwell is…
Curse of corruption
Criminals and terrorists evade detection, arrest and punishment by easily operating across international borders, taking full advantage of the reluctance of law-enforcement authorities to engage in complicated and expensive transnational…
Economies of the ummah
What is the combined size of the economies of all Muslim countries? Which are the largest and most dynamic? What are some of the defining economic characteristics of Muslim countries?…
A quiet revolution
It has truly been an extraordinary monsoon this year in India. According to the weatherman, this season the country received the highest rainfall in many decades. In Hyderabad Deccan –…
Brazil’s offshore stake not so appetising for oil industry
The Campo de Libra oilfield off Brazil's Atlantic coast lies 6,000 metres below sea level under a thick layer of salt, and is known as the "filet mignon" of Brazil's…
China deploys ‘charm diplomacy’ at ASEAN summit
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been on a charm offensive at the annual leaders' summit at the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei, seizing on the absence of…
Indonesian miners risk lives in modern-day gold rush
In a desolate area of central Indonesia where lush rainforest once stood, illegal miners on the frontline of a modern-day gold rush tear up the earth in the hunt for…
Obama’s absence hands floor to China at Asian summits
As US President Barrack Obama cancelled a planned trip to South-east Asia on Friday, China announced visits by Premier Li Keqiang to Thailand, Vietnam and three summits of regional leaders…
vJackpot boomtowns
Meleourne's reputation as the world’s most liveable city is well deserved. I spent most of last year there. As well as a chic city centre and immaculate suburbs, there’s non-stop…
