As the six month enforcement ‘grace period’ on UK gender pay gap (GPG) reporting requirements ends, more employers have published their pay gap data – with some bigger firms going above and beyond minimum legal requirements and reporting on other diversity metrics including class, sexual orientation, ethnicity and disability on a voluntary basis.
EU parliament prepares for vote on Digital Markets Act
The European Union is a step closer to imposing fresh regulations on digital giants, after proposed rule changes were approved by a committee of MEPs.
Malaysian MP probed over Sabah, Sarawak comments, highlighting sensitivities over threat by ‘golden geese’ to fly away
A Malaysian lawmaker was this week summoned for investigation by the police after making a speech in parliament in which he said there were growing calls for secession within the eastern state of Sabah over perceived discrimination by the federal government.After his summons, at a press conference in parliament, Azis Jamman of the opposition Warisan party in Sabah expressed disappointment over the police’s move and said he stood by his words.He also questioned why he was the only MP called in…
Singapore and Malaysia to launch land vaccinated travel lane
Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to launch their first land-based vaccinated travel lane (VTL) on 29 November.
Whether in closed Hong Kong or open Singapore, the rich have economic immunity to Covid-19. It’s the poor who suffer
Singaporean father of three YJ works as a warehouse supervisor and used to earn an additional S$1,000 (US$730) a month setting up banners and dismantling fixtures at trade shows and events. That vanished when Covid-19 hit and international travel stalled last year.With Singapore now opening its borders to 21 places – offering vaccinated residents and tourists the option of quarantine-free travel – and the return of large exhibitions and conferences, the 49-year-old is hopeful that the lost work…
Philippines says China is ‘the trespasser’ as it refuses to move ship from disputed South China Sea shoal
The Philippines has rejected a demand from China that it remove a naval vessel grounded on a shoal in the South China Sea that has been the centre of heated exchanges between the two countries in recent days.Philippine defence chief Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday said Beijing’s demand that it remove the BRP Sierra Madre from the Second Thomas Shoal – part of the disputed Spratly chain of islands – was “baseless” and it was China that was the “trespasser” in the area.The Philippines deliberately…
UK government attempts to accelerate parliamentary approval for HS2 plans
The UK government has announced its strategy to speed up the parliamentary approval process for the final sections of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.
Ikea’s largest store opens in Philippines as it eyes expansion in Asia, South America
Ikea opened its biggest store in the world in the Philippines, with the new 730,000 square foot facility in Manila a cornerstone of the home-furnishings giant’s expansion plans in Asia.Thursday’s opening was feted with an event held at the store’s cafeteria attended by Philippine trade secretary Ramon Lopez and foreign minister Teodoro Locsin, where Ikea’s cult-favourite Swedish meatballs were served to some attendees. They were accompanied for the big day by a special Philippine twist – adobo…
China to join oil reserve release ‘based on its own needs’ after US, UK, Japan, South Korea and India commit
China will join coordinated global efforts to release oil reserves “based on its own needs” with Beijing in communication with other nations who have already laid out details of their plans to tame worldwide market turbulence, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.The United States, Britain, Japan, South Korea and India have already committed to releasing state reserves in an attempt to cool high energy prices after the issue was brought up during last week’s summit between President Xi…
Blackpink’s Lisa tests positive for Covid-19; Rose, Jennie and Jisoo not listed as close contacts
K-pop superstar Lisa from Blackpink on Wednesday tested positive for Covid-19, her production company announced.YG Entertainment said the three other members Rose, Jennie and Jisoo were waiting for their polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results, Yonhap reported. The three were not listed as close contacts of Lisa.The illness comes a few months after the Thai-born artist, whose real name is Lalisa Manoban, unveiled her solo single LALISA.The music video garnered 73 million views on YouTube…