SOME critics say the recent decisions by Toyota and Occidental Petroleum to move their US headquarters from Southern California to Texas are just the latest signs of how toxic the state’s business climate has become. Yet the state con­tinues to attract more manufacturers and create more jobs than almost any other. …

While Toyota and Occidental are sending employees out of state, other companies are moving ope­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ra­tions in. ... Manufacturers have actually added jobs in California for three consecutive years, reversing a 10-year slide. …

… We can’t turn back the clock…. Instead, policymakers have to recognise where the state’s strengths lie today — in entrepreneurial start-ups and new tech-driven industries ... — and do what they can…. — (May 1)

Opinion

Editorial

Collective security
Updated 12 Mar, 2026

Collective security

Regional states need to sit down and talk. They must also pledge and work towards collective security.
Spectrum leap
12 Mar, 2026

Spectrum leap

THE sale of 480 MHz of fifth-generation telecom spectrum for $507m is a major milestone in Pakistan’s digital...
Toxic fallout
12 Mar, 2026

Toxic fallout

WARS can leave environmental scars that remain long after the fighting is over. The strikes on Iran’s oil...
Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...