author

 
 

Meta

Francesco Guarascio
A waterway along a portion of the Mekong River where a groundbreaking ceremony took place to begin construction on the Funan Techo Canal, in Prek Takeo, Cambodia, in October.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 23, 2024
Cambodia's flagship canal in hot water as China funding dries up
Months after a groundbreaking ceremony for a major canal project in Cambodia, touted investments from China are in doubt.
People look at weapons kept on display at the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022 in Hanoi.
ASIA PACIFIC
Nov 19, 2024
Iran and Israel among rivals to showcase their arms at Vietnam defense expo
At the defense expo to be held in the capital Hanoi on Dec. 19-22, nearly 200 companies from 27 countries have already reserved booths.
The IFC One Saigon building in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Nov. 30, 2023
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 4, 2024
U.S. tech firms issue warning over Vietnam's planned data law
The country is aiming to exponentially increase its data center industry with foreign investment in coming years.
To Lam takes his oath as Vietnam's president during the National Assembly's summer session in Hanoi on Wednesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
May 22, 2024
Vietnam appoints top policeman as country's new president
The move is a temporary end to two-months of heightened political turbulence that saw the exit of three of Vietnam's top five leaders over unspecified wrongdoings.
Employees work at a shoe factory in Hanoi in 2020.
BUSINESS / Markets
May 16, 2024
As U.S. hikes China tariffs, imports soar from China-reliant Vietnam
The surge in China-Vietnam-U.S. trade has vastly widened trade imbalances.
A group of fishing boats sit next to the Mekong river in Phnom Penh in 2021.
BUSINESS
May 8, 2024
Cambodia to cut shipping through Vietnam with China-funded canal
Cambodia's deputy prime minister downplayed environmental concerns about the new canal and dismissed speculation Chinese warships could use it.
Semiconductors are expected to be a focal point when U.S. President Joe Biden visits Hanoi later this month with the goal of formally elevating ties between the two countries.
BUSINESS / Tech / ANALYSIS
Sep 1, 2023
Vietnam's engineer shortage stalls U.S. chip hub plans
An engineer gap in Vietnam is becoming a major obstacle to the growth of its semiconductor industry and U.S. supply chain strategies.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jun 13, 2023
Heat wave lays bare Vietnam's structural electricity woes
The manufacturing hub hosts large factories but has struggled to upgrade its grid, a key step to satisfy demand and lure companies diversifying from China and elsewhere.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Dec 9, 2022
Vietnam shifts gears on arms trade as it loosens ties with Russia
The move comes as Vietnam strives to become more self-sufficient, obtain advanced gear that Russia can't provide and faces Western pressure to reduce arms purchases from Moscow.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jan 23, 2022
U.S. opposes plans to make WHO more independent
The U.S. government is opposing the reform because it has concerns about the WHO's ability to confront future threats, including from China.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 16, 2021
Refugees lack COVID-19 shots because drugmakers fear lawsuits
Legal concerns add new hurdles to fighting the virus since unvaccinated people offer an ideal environment for it to mutate and threaten hard-won immunity around the world.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 1, 2021
The race is on to trace the omicron variant
The pace of research highlights the pressure on governments and public health authorities to decide quickly whether they need to take strict steps to curb omicron's spread.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 28, 2021
Global vaccine access body to revamp rules after giving U.K. more than Botswana
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) has largely allocated doses among its members according to population size — regardless of their vaccination coverage.
Japan Times
WORLD
Aug 4, 2021
WHO's pandemic project faces cash crunch amid vaccine and oxygen shortages
A large portion of the funding being requested is needed to buy tests, oxygen and face masks in poorer nations.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 25, 2021
WHO estimates COVID-19 boosters needed yearly for most vulnerable
A document shows that the WHO considers annual boosters for high-risk individuals as its 'indicative' baseline scenario, and boosters every two years for the general population.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 24, 2021
Let down by rich and failing the poor, global vaccine program to be shaken up
By prioritizing their own diplomatic and commercial interests, wealthy nations have in effect wrecked COVAX's ambition to take overall charge of the global fight against the pandemic.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 21, 2021
How the WHO's push for global vaccines needled Europe
The EU's ambivalence stems partly from short supplies and a slack start to the COVAX program, but also from concerns that the EU's efforts will go unnoticed in a vaccine diplomacy war.
Japan Times
WORLD
Dec 17, 2020
WHO plan risks leaving poor nations with no COVID-19 vaccines until 2024
Documents show the program's promoters say it is struggling from a lack of funds, supply risks and complex contractual arrangements which could make it impossible to achieve its goals.
WORLD
Mar 22, 2015
EU to launch propaganda war amid Russian 'disinformation' push
The European Union is set to launch a first operation in a new propaganda war with Russia within days of EU leaders giving formal approval to the campaign at a summit Thursday.

Longform

People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?