Independent (March 13)
Around the world, eyes are glued on Japan as it begins to recover from a cataclysm “so powerful it shifted the Earth off its axis.” The front page of the Independent offers support in Japanese and English. “がんばれ、日本。がんばれ、東北。Don’t give up, Japan. Don’t give up, Tohoku.”
Tags: Disaster, Earthquake, Japan, Recovery, Tohoku
New Zealand Herald (March 2)
While much of the world is fighting higher taxes, New Zealanders are open to a temporary tax to help fund the reconstruction of Christchurch. We “are prepared to be taxed for Christchurch’s sake. This is a rare sentiment in public opinion, but completely understandable after a disaster such as this. The rest of the country stands ready to help.”
Tags: Christchurch, Disaster, New Zealand, Tax
The Times—London (June 21)
BP has achieved “the absolute worst possible corporate response to an oil disaster.” The Times runs through BP’s missteps and especially takes CEO Tony Hayward to task. Hayward has become a “global laughing stock” at a time when BP and its shareholders need leadership.
New York Times (June 8)
“Can BP Ever Get It Right?” While musing on this question, the New York Times asserts BP is a “feckless outfit” with “shaky credibility” that is ill prepared to cope with the Gulf oil disaster. Based on “serial failures,” the answer is obvious. BP “clearly can’t be trusted to figure out what is needed on its own.”
“Can BP Ever Get It Right?” While musing on this question, the New York Times asserts BP is a “feckless outfit” with “shaky credibility” that is ill prepared to cope with the Gulf oil disaster. Based on “serial failures,” the answer is obvious. BP “clearly can’t be trusted to figure out what is needed on its own.”
The Times—London (June 4)
“BP, not to mention its market capitalisation, is disappearing in the Gulf of Mexico” as its offshore oil well uncontrollably gushes oil. Yet, BP’s chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg “has gone missing.” Most people don’t even recognize his name. A low profile is not appropriate during a saga which has claimed 11 lives and become America’s largest disaster. “BP is one of Britain’s most important companies. Its future is in danger.” BP needs “a heavyweight public diplomat rather than the absentee who is presiding over a disaster in silence.”
The Times—London (May 27)The Times—London (May 27)
North Korea has the makings of a global disaster. North Korea is worse than “hardline Stalinist despotism marked by a bizarre cult of personality.” Much worse. It is the most extreme form of totalitarianism imaginable. It’s even ruled by a dead man: Kim Il Sung remains head of state. There are absolutely no assurances that the North’s leaders are “rational” or “averse to committing suicide.” This places the whole world at risk. China’s leaders need to join other countries in a complete economic blockade of the North.
North Korea has the makings of a global disaster. North Korea is worse than “hardline Stalinist despotism marked by a bizarre cult of personality.” Much worse. It is the most extreme form of totalitarianism imaginable. It’s even ruled by a dead man: Kim Il Sung remains head of state. There are absolutely no assurances that the North’s leaders are “rational” or “averse to committing suicide.” This places the whole world at risk. China’s leaders need to join other countries in a complete economic blockade of the North.
Tags: China, Disaster, Kim Il Sung, North Korea, Risk
