The record number of new arbitration cases registered with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in 2020 highlights the confidence that investors retain in resolving their disputes with states and state sponsored companies through arbitration, an expert has said.
Myanmar protests: three wounded in firing as supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi clash with police
Supporters of ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi clashed with police on Friday as hundreds of thousands joined nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in defiance of the junta’s call to halt mass gatherings.The United Nations human rights office said more than 350 people, including officials, activists and monks, have been arrested in Myanmar since the February 1 military coup, including some who face criminal charges on “dubious grounds”.The UN rights investigator for Myanmar told a…
Myanmar coup: US sanctions seen as no big deal without Asia’s support, say analysts
With the United States announcing plans to reimpose sanctions on Myanmar over a coup earlier this month, analysts said the Southeast Asian nation’s new junta will not be as isolated as previous iterations, with India, its Asean neighbours and Japan unlikely to cut ties given the country’s strategic importance.While the leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia have called for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to convene a special meeting to discuss Myanmar, a member state, it is unclear…
Myanmar coup: junta leader calls for end to protests in first official address as sanctions loom
Myanmar’s new junta leader on Thursday called on civil servants to return to work and urged people to stop mass gatherings to avoid spreading coronavirus, as a sixth day of protests against him and his coup spanned the Southeast Asian countryAs Washington moved a step closer to imposing sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and his fellow generals, Britain said it was also considering measures it could apply to punish the February 1 takeover that halted an unsteady transition to democracy.The coup and…
New FCA report highlights technology change risk to consumers
Financial firms must take steps to ensure minimal disruption to their customers when implementing changes to the technology that they use, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned.
Coronavirus Malaysia: Muhyiddin’s government takes more flak over quarantine exemption order for cabinet ministers
Malaysia’s fragile Perikatan Nasional government has found itself in yet another public relations quandary of its own making following a ruling granting a quarantine waiver for travelling cabinet ministers despite a coronavirus pandemic that shows little sign of abating.The announcement of the policy was met with widespread condemnation if not outright ridicule, with many describing it as reflective of the double standards on Covid-19 protocol as ordinary people shelter in place under a…
EU-UK trade agreement to impact on cross-border law enforcement
Cross-border law enforcement between the UK and EU member states has changed as a result of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
Chinese New Year: as coronavirus crashes the party, Southeast Asians find other ways to celebrate
The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time when communities across Southeast Asia celebrate with large family gatherings, communal meals.In other words, exactly the kind of activities that the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing measures have made difficult.It’s not just that restrictions on international travel mean visits from relatives overseas are out of the question – even small family gatherings (and over enthusiastic salad tossing) could be off the menu in countries where…
Harvard professor under fire for ‘negating’ Korean ‘comfort women’ forced to work as sex slaves in Japan army’s WWII brothels
A Harvard University professor who argued that the Japanese army did not force Korean “comfort women” to work in brothels for the military but that they were willingly recruited as prostitutes has come under increasing fire from Koreans, with a group of Harvard students demanding he apologise and retract his paper.“It is a wrong conclusion based on grounds very biased and lacking trustworthiness,” the statement on the website of the Harvard Korean society said of Professor J. Mark Ramseyer’s…
Is Singapore’s pleasant chill a hint of coming climate change?
In the early weeks of January, unusually cool weather descended on Singapore and its neighbouring countries. While the dip in temperatures came with heavy downpours of rain, it was a change Jessie Tay embraced. The marketing executive, 32, took the opportunity to break out her cosy knits and hoodies, which she once reserved for autumn holidays. “For once, we can leave our homes and not be plastered in sweat by the time we get to the bus stop or railway station,” Tay said. “It was raining badly…