Forecast fizzles
Re: "SET poised to witness volatile first half in 2025", (Business, Dec 4) & "World faces prospect of financial tumult", (Opinion, March 23, 2023).
Economist and columnist Chartchai Parasak, in his article (World faces prospect of financial tumult), gave us a warning that we had "one year to manage our finances before facing a real global financial meltdown in mid-2024 and for us to "make the necessary portfolio adjustments". While I realise it is notoriously difficult to hold economists' feet to the fire, I would be interested to know what went wrong, or more correctly, what went right, since the major stock market indexes have done quite well this year.
Richard Bryant
Peace in decline
Re: "World order frays as chaos rises", (Opinion, Dec 6).
Readers should be grateful to Mohamed ElBaradei, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, for his strong warning that without a renewed commitment to freedom, equality, human dignity, and solidarity, we face the very real prospect of collective ruin.
Indeed, global peacefulness has deteriorated for the fifth consecutive year. New conflicts are emerging, and existing conflicts are becoming increasingly complex: they are fought across multiple borders and are often regionalised.
There is a proliferation of intercommunal clashes, which are becoming more lethal owing to the largest circulation of arms, further facilitated by astronomic global military expenditures. Conflicts are causing unprecedented vulnerabilities, perplexities and discontinuities at the planetary level.
Ioan Voicu
Notre Dame reborn
Re: "Facts about Notre-Dame Cathedral", (Life, Dec 8).
Notre Dame Cathedral has finally reopened to an interior of "illuminated" creation and modified splendour of old. Eight-hundred-year-old oak does not burn, but we were made to believe so. Who was the culprit of this vile fire that consumed the beautiful artwork? We may never know, hidden from reality.
The Eternal Optimist
Temporary solution
Re: "South Korean President declares martial law", (Online, Dec 3).
Any country can learn from South Korea's handling of matters after its leader announced martial law and an army mobilisation. These steps can temporarily reform the situation. Applying martial law for a limited time can help stabilise the political environment and social chaos.
Regmi Suman
Divide over labels
Re: "Words do matter", (PostBag, Dec 7).
Paul Bromberg appears to be disturbed by the use of the term "genocide" to describe the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza. The term genocide has a well-defined meaning which is internationally accepted. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is debating whether Israel's actions in Gaza do, indeed, constitute genocide, a decision that will certainly meet with disapproval by many parties. However, the term is frequently used even if it is not supported by a decision of the ICC. Mr Bromberg also cautions against describing Hamas as the "Palestinian resistance movement", pointing out that it is a "terrorist organisation". However, it can be both, depending on who makes the call.
Prezmo Kranz
