Lessons from the past 10 years shows that businesses can expect new regulation to emerge in response to the next generation of technologies and innovation sure to follow between now and 2030.
‘Baseline’ protection to be maintained in EU pharma law revamp
Pharmaceutical companies will be able to plan their research and development programmes with greater certainty after EU law makers agreed a deal on legislative reforms, an expert has said.
FCA revamps UK insurance market rules with more reform to come
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a new set of rules aimed at simplifying regulations and reducing costs for firms operating across the UK insurance and funeral plan sectors, together with a package of further rule-simplifying proposals.
Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam
Japan’s ability to communicate effectively in English has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, according to a global ranking that paints a worrying picture for a nation that prides itself on being an economic and educational powerhouse.
The latest survey by Swiss education company EF Education First places Japan 96th out of 123 nations, relegating it to the lowest of five proficiency tiers – “very low” – and behind Laos, Bhutan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam. China ranks 86th, while the…
Thai PM sets stage for election, saying he will return ‘power to the people’
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has moved to dissolve parliament, setting the stage for an early election after reports of a key political party backing his minority government moving to withdraw its support.
Anutin said in a social media post on Thursday that he was taking steps to “return power to the people”.
The premier has already submitted a recommendation for the dissolution of the House of Representatives for royal endorsement, according to several Thai media outlets.
The…
FCA publishes near-final rules on targeted support
A new service to be launched by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) aims to bridge the ‘advice gap’ for consumers of investments and pensions
South Korea’s threat to dissolve corrupt religious groups risks political blowback
South Korea is bracing for a showdown between political power and religious influence, as a widening bribery scandal linked to the Unification Church has thrust President Lee Jae-myung into a battle over how far the state should go in policing faith-based organisations.
With allegations of illicit lobbying spreading across the country’s two major political parties, Lee has ordered a review of whether religious groups accused of systematic election interference and covert funding networks could…
UK financial firms face tough new climate risk rules from Bank of England
Strict new rules on how UK financial institutions manage their climate risk policies show how much the industry has learned over the last few years, according to experts.
Remains of last Thai hostage in Gaza repatriated: ‘may he rest in peace’
The body of the last Thai national held hostage in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel was returned home on Wednesday, Thailand’s foreign ministry said.
The remains of Sudthisak Rinthalak arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport from Tel Aviv, ministry official Jeerasak Pomsuwan said more than two years after the attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Sudthisak was 43 and working in agriculture in southern Israel when he was killed on the day of the Hamas attack. His body…
Shaman rumours resurface as South Korea returns to Blue House
South Korea’s decision to return its presidential office to the Blue House, undoing Yoon Suk-yeol’s costly relocation, has reopened old questions over the superstitions said to have driven the impeached ex-president’s decision.
The move is widely viewed as rolling back a legacy tarnished by the former leader’s failed attempt to impose martial law last year. Yoon had insisted on moving his office despite the high costs to taxpayers and security concerns.
“The presidential office will leave behind…