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February 4th, 2021

PAPER THIN

How the Myanmar military tore through the country's democratic hopes

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WEF in Singapore

Five Davos takeaways, from China to COVID to capitalism

Beijing-Washington friction looms over online warmup for Singapore summit

The World Economic Forum held a full week of online meetings in place of its usual January summit in Davos, Switzerland. In May, it plans to hold an in-person meeting in Singapore.
U.S. President Joe Biden receives a presidential escort to the White House on Jan. 20: what Biden does at home is important for the rest of the world too.
Opinion

Biden must vanquish Trumpism to uphold the international order

Weight of the world rests on the new president's shoulders

Thailand's parliament during a special session to discuss the ongoing protests in October 2020: the most appropriate course of action is for the parliament to take the lead.
Opinion

Thailand's teamwork will make a difference

Path to democracy has had its challenges

A supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi holds a photo of the detained leader outside the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok on Feb. 1. 
The Nikkei View

Myanmar military's coup is unacceptable

Failure to return power to civilian regime risks new round of sanctions

After days of stop-start threats by the military, on Feb. 1 the government of Myanmar silently and seamlessly changed hands, without a shot. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
The Big Story

Myanmar: Inside the coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's government

Ending civilian rule is a test for Washington -- and a chance for Beijing

Major breweries face increasing headwinds, while startups see opportunities. 0% Non-Alcohol Experience in Roppongi offers non-alcoholic wine. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)
Business Spotlight

Asahi and rivals brew up new recipe for drier times in Asia

Pivot to lower alcohol content as drinks culture yields to pandemic and social change

Apple is tapping India and Vietnam to take over a greater portion of production from China. (Source phots by Reuters and Rie Ishii)
Trade war

Apple ramps up iPhone and iPad output shift to India and Vietnam

Move is part of wider shift from China that includes Macs, AirPods and more

A solar farm Panasonic delivered in Hokkaido, Japan. 
Electronics

Eclipsed by Chinese rivals, Panasonic quits solar cells and panels

Crowded field and less domestic demand cause market share to plummet

MNC, controlled by Hary Tanoesoedibjo, right, is involved in ongoing development of resorts in Indonesia with the Trump Organization owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, left. (Source photos by Reuters) 
Media & Entertainment

Trump's Indonesian partner wins court nod on debt restructuring

MNC owned by media tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo to shrink $231m loan

Stream article image
Asia Insight

Europe pivots to Indo-Pacific with 'multipolar' ambitions

ASEAN and other players welcome hedge against US-China rivalry

Jung Pak becomes deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department as talks between the U.S. and North Korea remain stalemated. (Screenshot from The Brookings Institution's YouTube page) 
Biden's Asia policy

Biden bolsters North Korea team with Korean American ex-CIA analyst

Jung Pak is a critic of Trump-Kim summits and advocates full denuclearization

Liz Truss, the U.K.'s secretary of state for international trade, holds the CPTPP application document. The U.K. will look east for opportunities in its post-Brexit trade environment. (Photo courtesy of the U.K. Department for International Trade)
Trade

UK to apply for TPP membership Monday for 'bridge' to Asia

'We're at the front of the queue,' International Trade Secretary Liz Truss says

A boy carries a bag of onions at a food distribution center at a Rohingya refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: The WFP's efforts have been hit by COVID-19. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Coronavirus

Food insecure Asians doubled to 265m in 2020: UN report

World Food Program faces budget pinch as governments face 'harsh reality'

Thai metal sculptor Saruta "Pin" Kiatparkpoom stands between her two welders at her workshop in outer Bangkok. (Photo by Pattrica Lipatapanlop)
Arts

Thai designer crafts beauty from waste

With goals of art and sustainability Pin gives new life to steel scrap

With the spread of COVID-19, online yoga classes are on the rise. Miuru Jayaweera, a professional yoga teacher, records a yoga session for online classes at her studio in Sri Lanka on April 19, 2020.
Tea Leaves

Can online wellness apps help solve our problems?

A surge in mental health and fitness apps is helping the world to cope