Every disruptive world leader fancies himself as a singularly authentic, historic figure without precedent. And Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is arguably one of the defining figures of our time, the ultimate face of populism in Asia.Yet even Duterte is not unique. If anything, his unvarnished style of governance draws heavily from a man he once described as his “favourite hero”: Vladimir Putin.The Russian president is arguably the forefather of 21st century authoritarian populism, where…
Indonesia’s online P2P loan sharks are driving people to suicide
INdonesia’S President Joko Widodo could not resist spouting jargon as he talked up the Southeast Asian country’s technological prowess during a recent election campaign debate, while his opponent Prabowo Subianto appeared startled by the tech-heavy question tossed at them.Widodo was optimistic that Indonesia would embrace the digital revolution sweeping across all industries and said even farmers were benefiting from technological change.In particular, more farmers were receiving micro…
China tries to forget, but its war with Vietnam ended with a US victory. Just look at Trump
The 40th anniversary of the Sino-Vietnamese War went unnoticed in China, as no commemorative activities were allowed in the country – not even any Vietnam-related posts on social media.But this was not the case in Vietnam, as state-run media and newspapers published in-depth features and critical commentaries recalling the fierce fight from February 17 to March 16, 1979. An editorial in The Voice of Vietnam, a Communist Party mouthpiece, called the war a “righteous … struggle to defend the…
Domestic worker in Hong Kong fired after employer found out she has cervical cancer
Less than a month after Baby Jane Allas, 38, was diagnosed with cervical cancer, she received more bad news.On February 17, while she was on paid medical leave prescribed by a government doctor, Allas was given a dismissal letter. Her employers were terminating her contract because of her illness.Still shaken by the diagnosis and her unemployment, Allas said: “I feel so upset … My main concern is: how am I going to get medical care and the meds I need?”Foreign domestic workers who are fired…
Chinese must live with a dead Baidu, as Google’s return looks doomed
Following the latest round of trade talks in Washington this month, US President Donald Trump announced he was delaying the March 1 deadline on his threat to impose higher tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports. He also teased his audience with the prospect of a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping “soon” to conclude a comprehensive trade agreement, much to the relief of international stock markets.While details of the agreement are wrapped in secrecy, Trump cited “substantial…
Increased VAT recovery for financial institutions in event of no deal Brexit
Changes to the UK VAT legislation in the event of no-deal Brexit will bring the VAT treatment of financial service supplies made to clients in the EU in line with the current treatment of those supplies to clients in the rest of the world.
FCA to extend charges disclosure to contract-based pension schemes
Proposed rules requiring independent governance committees (IGCs) of contract-based pension schemes to disclose costs and charges to scheme members have been published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Court of Appeal refuses to interfere with freezing order restrictions
The Court of Appeal has upheld the terms of a post-judgment freezing order, preventing the person subject to that order from making payments ‘in the ordinary course of business’.
US promises to defend the Philippines from ‘armed attack’ in South China Sea, as Manila mulls review of defence treaty
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s pledge that the United States would defend the Philippines in the event of “any armed attack” in the South China Sea drew stern condemnation from Beijing on Friday, with foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang warning Washington not to “stir up trouble”.Pompeo, after a meeting with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, said the country depended on “free and unobstructed access to the seas” as it was an island nation.“China’s island-building and military…
Bangladesh tells UN it cannot accept any more Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar
Bangladesh told the UN Security Council on Thursday that it will no longer be able to take in refugees from Myanmar.Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told a council meeting that the crisis over the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in his country had gone from “bad to worse” and urged the council to take “decisive” action.About 740,000 Muslim Rohingya are living in camps in Bangladesh after they were driven out of Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state during a military…