The former president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen, was freed from house arrest on Tuesday after a top court overturned a money-laundering and embezzlement conviction, allowing him to potentially make a return to politics.Yameen was sentenced to five years in jail and fined US$5 million in 2019 for embezzling US$1 million in state funds, allegedly acquired through the lease of resort development rights, and laundering the proceeds. Because of Covid-19, his jail term was shifted to house…
Is Philippine senator’s sudden exit from presidential race all part of ‘wily’ Duterte’s plan?
A deal struck between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and the Marcos family could be behind the sudden withdrawal of his loyal ally Senator Christopher “Bong” Go from the presidential race, politicians and analysts said on Tuesday.Go on Tuesday told reporters that he was exiting the race just 17 days after filing his candidacy for president, accompanied by Duterte himself.“I am withdrawing from the race,” Go said. “In the past few days, I realised my heart and my mind are contradicting my…
European scrutiny of non-compete and no-poach clauses grows
HR professionals across Europe should closely track developments in employment and competition law that could restrict their ability to enforce non-compete clauses in employment contracts and implement no-poach agreements with competitors in future.
HSE employers safe home working obligations
The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued updated guidance on working from home, underlining employers’ responsibilities to their staff outside the office.
India’s parliament repeals agriculture reform laws, but farmers vow to keep up the fight
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government moved to repeal controversial farm laws as parliament reconvened on Monday, to quell protests from a crucial vote bank that show little sign of abating with key state elections due next year.The lower house of parliament approved the scrapping of the legislation in a rushed voice vote even as the opposition parties demanded a debate. The upper house of parliament has to follow suit for the formal rollback to be complete.As lawmakers consider this…
Cambodian prince and politician Norodom Ranariddh dies at 77
Cambodia’s Prince Norodom Ranariddh, former prime minister and the son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, died on Sunday in France, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith announced on his Facebook page. He was 77.Khieu Kanharith, who said he learned of the death from Um Daravuth, a minor member of Cambodia’s royal family, did not give the cause of death.Ranariddh had been in poor health since a car accident in Cambodia in 2018. An aide to Ranariddh, who spoke on condition of anonymity because who…
Solomon Islands PM defies calls to resign, says riots orchestrated to topple him
The prime minister of the riot-hit Solomon Islands defied pressure to resign on Sunday, saying a wave of torching and looting that swept through the capital had been orchestrated by a few people with “evil intention” to topple him.Shattered glass and rubble still lined the streets of Honiara as Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare addressed the nation, a reminder of the three-day eruption in violence blamed partly on poverty, hunger and frustration with his policies.“It is very clear that the…
Thailand’s monkey festival is back as macaques get fruity with delighted tourists
Watched by tourists and locals, thousands of monkeys in Lopburi in central Thailand feasted on two tonnes of fruit and vegetables after the town’s Monkey Festival resumed following a two year hiatus caused by the pandemic.Hundreds of macaques, also known as long-tailed monkeys, were seen climbing on people and up stacks of fruit, munching away on bananas and pineapples.The feast, which cost over 100,000 baht (US$3,000), is an annual tradition for locals to thank the monkeys for doing their part…
China conducts naval, air force drills near Taiwan Strait after US lawmakers’ visit
The Chinese army has carried out a “naval and air force combat readiness patrol” near the Taiwan Strait following a contentious visit to the island by a group of American lawmakers, a spokesperson said.Tensions between Beijing and Washington have soared over the fate of self-ruled Taiwan, which China has vowed to one day retake, by force if necessary.Taiwan to set up veterans office in US, Tsai tells Congress groupA group of American lawmakers arrived on the island on Thursday offering support…
Coronavirus: Omicron variant prompts South Korea, Australia, Japan, Philippines, Thailand to impose travel curbs
South Korea said on Saturday it will restrict arrivals from South Africa and seven other nations over concern about a new Covid-19 variant identified in the region.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said that from November 28 the issuance visas for those from eight nations in southern Africa would be restricted while South Korean citizens returning from the region would be quarantined.The eight countries subject to the new restrictions are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia,…