Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

We have been brainwashed into thinking there is no alternative to free market policy, says Ha-Joon Chang

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 22

Prof. Ha-Joon Chang was interviewed by @cnbc.com on challenging the traditions around economics and free market policy.

bit.ly/4fPu4tQ

Ha-Joon Chang, professor of economics at SOAS University of London, discusses economic growth and challenges the orthodoxy of economics.

Judgement day for former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra in royal insult case

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 22

"A guilty verdict, could trigger a new round of political conflicts."

Thai Law & Policy Fellow Verapat Pariyawong spoke to @aljazeera.com on the forthcoming verdict for Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra in a controversial royal insult case.

bit.ly/3HJspsY

Looming ‘lese majeste’ court ruling holds royal reckoning for Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Netanyahu’s Gaza City outrage fulfils his messianic fantasy of a Greater Israel. The world must stop him | Nimer Sultany

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 11

Dr @nimersultany.bsky.social wrote for @theguardian.com on the urgency and need for further intervention in Gaza.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This outrageous landgrab is ethnic cleansing in plain sight, says Nimer Sultany of Soas University of London, a Palestinian citizen of Israel

www.theguardian.com

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 7

As protesters and politicians call for the closure of asylum hotels, what are the alternatives?

Professor Giorgia Doná, Dr Charlotte Sanders, and Dr Paolo Novak provided insight to @uk.theconversation.com

Read more: bit.ly/4oqGDiY

As protesters and politicians call for the closure of asylum hotels, what are the alternatives?

Long-term use of hotels poses numerous challenges to those living there.

China’s Leninist industrial policy is creating instability at home and abroad | George Magnus

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 6

"The threat posed by low-price Chinese products to local jobs and communities, deskilling, and premature deindustrialisation is ubiquitous."

Research associate George Magnus wrote for @theguardian.com on the instability of China's industrial policy.

bit.ly/3UP8ls6

Overcapacity – from electric vehicles to high-speed rail to housing – is destroying profits as well as GDP

Newshour - Israel to let some commercial goods into Gaza - BBC Sounds

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 5

Professor Mushtaq Khan featured on BBC World Service to discuss plans for Bangladesh’s new political constitution and declaration for reform.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Israel has authorised the gradual re-entry of goods to Gaza via private traders

Why an explosive fight erupted over the UK's new Chinese embassy

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Aug 4

Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang provided insights to BBC News on the controversies surrounding the UK's new Chinese embassy.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It will be the biggest embassy in Europe, if approved. But its opponents fear it brings with it certain risks and dangers

The US has sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese – here’s why she’s the wrong target

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 25

"Despite these attacks on her integrity and person, Albanese maintains faith in the human rights law instruments."

Dr @alvinahoffmann.bsky.social writes for @uk.theconversation.com on the imposed sanctions against UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese.

bit.ly/3IM5E83

UN special rapporteurs provide pro bono advice and expertise on vital latters of international law.

Taiwan’s once-dominant KMT falls ‘out of step’ with the electorate

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 22

"The KMT membership seems to be increasingly out of step with the average Taiwanese citizen in terms of age and ideology."

Prof Dafydd Fell commented in an article with @financialtimes.com on the fragility of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) political party.

bit.ly/46WnGOS

[FREE TO READ] Party that has failed three times to win presidency since 2016 faces reckoning over its ties to China in looming recall vote

Business Today - 21/07/2025

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 21

Dr Kate Bayliss spoke on the BBC News 'Business Today' programme to discuss the UK government’s new plans to update water systems across the country.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Bringing the latest business news and up-to-date informed analysis from London and around the world.

‘Keeping us hooked on fossil fuels’: how can we negotiate with autocracies on the climate crisis?

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 18

With many of the biggest fossil fuel companies based in autocratic countries, where does democracy come into the climate debate?

SOAS's Ross Mittiga provides insight to @theguardian.com .

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The bulk of global greenhouse gas emissions come from countries that are not democratic, and many big oil and gas exporters are also authoritarian

www.theguardian.com

BBC Radio 4 - You're Dead to Me, Alexandre Dumas: author of The Three Musketeers

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 18

Distinguished Research Professor Olivette Otele features on this week's episode of "You're Dead to Me" from BBC Radio 4, diving into the life and times of 19th century author Alexandre Dumas.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Join Greg and his guests to learn all about acclaimed French novelist Alexandre Dumas.

From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 14

As Azerbaijan sets out to strengthen its position by forging alliances with Turkey and Pakistan, SOAS Professor Bhavna Davé tells @scmpnews.bsky.social what this means for its relations with Iran and Russia.

www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.

www.scmp.com

Can Brazil’s supercows feed the world?

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 9

Teaching Fellow Oscar Broughton featured on BBC World Service’s 'The Inquiry' podcast, discussing if Brazil’s ‘supercows’ can feed the world.

bit.ly/4eEntBP

<p>Brazil’s Zebu cattle, or “supercows” are bred for size, strength, and meat quality. Every year the animals are showcased at ExpoZebu, Brazil’s premier cattle fair. These animals are preened, pamper...

Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 2

Professor Robbie Barnett shared insight with @washingtonpost.com on the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and plans for a future successor.

bit.ly/46kSj08

The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, appears concerned that Beijing will sweep in after his death to install the next Dalai Lama.

EU’s shift to a US savings model risks dismantling its social contract

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jul 2

"Europe, is permanently at a crossroads. But this time, it seems existential as the region faces the challenge of fickle allies and stronger economic competitors."

Professor Daniela Gabor writes for @financialtimes.com on the risks around the EU adopting the US's saving model.

bit.ly/3TPMq3x

Political choices should be debated democratically, not hidden in technocratic agendas of ‘financing gaps’

China Steals Language and Home Life From Tibetan Kids as Young as 4

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jun 30

As China's network of preschools grow in Tibet, Professor Robbie Barnett gave context to @wsj.com on the history between the two nations.

www.wsj.com/world/china/...

Beijing is building a broad network of preschools across Tibetan areas, seeking to inculcate loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party early in life.

www.wsj.com

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jun 24

"This "good AI" myth is a key tool used by tech companies to promote their products. Yet there’s evidence that consumers are wary of the presence of AI in some products."

Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam writes for @uk.theconversation.com on challenging the myth of “good AI”.

bit.ly/468RdV2

Here’s why the public needs to challenge the ‘good AI’ myth pushed by tech companies

Big tech companies often push a positive view of AI.

The $15.8 Billion Gap: The Smart Economics Of Ocean Protection

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jun 10

“What’s missing is a bridge between the evidence, investable products, and connected-up approaches that encourage capital deployment at scale.”

Dr. Harald Heubaum shared insight with @forbes.com on the missing pieces in realising the value of the world’s oceans: bit.ly/4mUPuZu

As world leaders meet at UNOC, it's time to get real about the rising risks, the low cost of action, and the need for bold leadership to protect the ocean.

www.forbes.com

Xi Jinping reluctant to meet "unpredictable" Trump: report

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jun 5

“Xi Jinping does want to improve economic relations with Trump but not at any price.”

Director of the SOAS China Institute Professor Steve Tsang shared comment with ‪@newsweek.com on China’s reluctance to enter new trade talks with the US.

www.newsweek.com/china-xi-tru...

Trump "is obsessed with having a call with Xi," according to a news outlet, but China's leader would want assurances, an expert told Newsweek.

www.newsweek.com

Investors are calling Trump a chicken – here’s why that matters

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · Jun 3

"If a leader regularly threatens sweeping economic action but repeatedly backs down at the first sign of trouble, their credibility begins to erode."

PhD scholar Alex Dryden writes for @theconversation.com on Donald Trump's credibility within financial circles in the US.

bit.ly/3T3kyIP

Trump clearly resents the jibe – and if it encourages him to double down on bad decisions the economic results could be serious.

Edible Economics author Ha-Joon Chang says tariffs can work

SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · May 30

Food for thought this Friday 🍸📘

In a full-length interview with @thetimes.com, SOAS's Ha-Joon Chang talks about tariffs that work, making economics accessible - and why he loves a good Pisco Sour.
#HaJoonChang #EdibleEconomics #FridayReads #Economics
www.thetimes.com/business-mon...

The distinguished research professor of economics at SOAS University of London wrote the book that blended the dismal science with the joy of food

www.thetimes.com

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · May 27

"You can't really have a bigger assault on academic independence and academic integrity." Prof Steve Tsang spoke to @reuters.com after a US judge temporarily blocked Trump's revocation of foreign student enrollment at @harvard.edu.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKc5...

Judge blocks Trump from revoking Harvard foreign student enrollment | REUTERS

YouTube video by Reuters

www.youtube.com

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SOAS Press Office @soaspress.bsky.social · May 20

The Pakistan military has long portrayed itself as “the saviour and defender of Pakistan’s physical borders but also its ideological frontiers.”

Dr Maria Rashid shared insight with @aljazeera.com on Pakistan’s military domestic image, following the recent ceasefire with India.

bit.ly/4352hAN

How conflict with India helped boost the Pakistan military’s domestic image

Pakistan’s military enjoying renewed popularity after Indian clash, but analysts warn the surge may be temporary.