Public opinion toward China across Southeast Asia has undergone a steady, long-term decline, shifting from a net favorability of +33 in the 2000s to +20 in the 2020s, according to the Global Public Opinion on China (GPOC) dataset. While the region remains net positive, the downward trajectory reflects a growing tension between deep-seated economic dependence … Read more
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have held a bilateral meeting in Auckland to advance a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that Luxon says will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s exports to India. The agreement aims to open a market of 1.4 billion people … Read more
The New Zealand National Party has identified 13 “priority markets” across the Global South and emerging economies, aiming to expand the country’s export value beyond the current $114.1 billion. Trade spokesperson Todd McClay announced the strategy, which targets seven new economies for trade negotiations over the next five years to secure what the party terms … Read more
The Great Trade-Off: From Smog to Sludge For years, the cruise industry has touted a victory in the war against air pollution. The introduction of “scrubbers”—exhaust gas cleaning systems—was presented as a silver bullet to meet global sulphur emission requirements. But as many environmentalists now argue, this wasn’t a solution so much as a shell … Read more
Azerbaijan’s Retirement Appeal: Lagging Behind Regional and Global Standards A recent “Comfortable Retirement Rankings” list for 2024, evaluating 89 countries, places Azerbaijan at 81st, highlighting significant challenges for attracting retirees. The ranking considered social welfare, healthcare, cost of living, tax environments and climate. While the country’s economic indicators – a GDP of approximately $72.4 billion … Read more
From Chicago Pile-1 to Global Dominance: The Evolving Landscape of Nuclear Energy For decades, the United States stood as a pioneer in nuclear technology, a legacy born from the groundbreaking work at Chicago Pile-1 in 1942. This first artificial nuclear reactor, built under the stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, marked a … Read more
China Opens Its Doors: Visa-Free Travel for UK and Canada Signals a Shift in Global Tourism Beijing has announced a significant easing of travel restrictions for citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, granting them visa-free access to mainland China starting February 17th. This move, expanding the number of countries with visa-free access to 79, … Read more
China’s Demographic Dilemma: A Tax on Contraception and the Future of Birth Rates China’s recent decision to impose a 13% sales tax on contraceptives while simultaneously exempting childcare services is a bold, and arguably perplexing, move. It signals a desperate attempt to reverse a concerning demographic trend: a rapidly aging population and declining birth rates. … Read more
Yerevan, Armenia: A city poised for a surge in tourism, blending ancient history with modern vibrancy. Armenia: From Hidden Gem to Europe’s Next Big Travel Destination For years, Armenia has flown under the radar for most international travelers. But a confluence of factors – increasing accessibility, a rich cultural heritage, a burgeoning wine scene, and … Read more
What the New African Health Strategy Means for the Future Across the continent, governments are moving from emergency response to long‑term resilience. The 10‑year regional roadmap for essential medicines, unveiled in Johannesburg, is the keystone of this shift. By slashing the current 65 % import gap, African nations aim to build a self‑sustaining pharmaceutical ecosystem that … Read more