Category: Featured

By Karryn Miller, International News Services

Inter-racial marriages may be on the rise throughout Asia but they still hold a minority position. Homogenous countries like Japan and Korea are slowly adapting to the idea of mixed families but legally and socially there is room for improvement. In these countries acceptance of multicultural couplings goes from one extreme to other being both a source of glamour and a point of discrimination.

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

India’s regulatory and legal framework is converging fast with the international system, however there are many unique political, social and historical influences that make it imperative for the overseas business to take a cautious approach while entering the country. According to a new book written by International News Services’ experienced chief south Asia correspondent Raghavendra Verma, India presents many different sets of problems and he highlights solutions developed by local enterprises.

By Mitch Vandenborn, International News Services

As the international community converges on Haiti, many are fearful that the small Caribbean country will become another victim of promised international aid that falters amongst bickering and petty squabbles between donor countries and agencies.

But, in truth, this disaster could serve as a model for international aid done right, with large scale cooperation and organisation that not only relieves the immediate suffering of the Haitian people, but reestablishes the shattered remains of their infrastructure and society.

By Alan Osborn and Mitch Vandenborn, International News Services

Luis Ramos, CEO of The Network

Despite the global recession highlighting an alarming rise in the number of major frauds worldwide, recent findings by information lifecycle management company The Network and BDO Consulting indicate that fraud reporting may be leveling. Indeed, it may even slightly declining for some organisations.

By Paul Cochrane, in Beirut

For business journalists, writing about the Gulf from 2004 to 2008 was often a repetitive process. Regardless of the sector being covered, the opening paragraph would invariably have a growth figure in the double digits, and the projection for the next year would also be very healthy. The global financial crisis in the autumn of 2008 dimmed the region's business fortunes, flipping that opening paragraph to negative double-digit growth or, for some sectors, growth in the low single-digits.

By Keith Nuthall, International News Services

For many journalists covering globalisation affairs, the end of the European Union’s (EU) banana trade dispute with the USA and Latin American countries is like the loss of an old friend. This dispute – which ended today – has been subject to formal World Trade Organisation (WTO) proceedings since 1996. Its resolution is a rare ray of sunlight in Geneva, where multilateral trade talks have long been mired in self-interest and complacency.

By Wang Fangqing, in Shanghai 

China's rapid, aggressive rise as a communist-ruled giant developing country has been a topic in the world in recent years. During US President Barack Obama's first week long trip to Asia in November, he spent three days in China to show its importance as the biggest financial backer of the U.S.

By Julian Ryall, in Tokyo  

International aid for emergencies comes in many forms, and necessity really can be the mother of invention amongst donors. Just ask the Japan-based World Instant Noodle Association: when disaster strikes - they send noodles.

Anil Giri, in Kathmandu

Ahead of the UN Conference on climate change, in Copenhagen, the Nepalese
government has held a cabinet meeting at the foot of Mount Everest to bring
attention to the impact of climate change on the Himalayas.