Regulations supplement new UAE labour law

New implementing regulations that will shape the terms of employment contracts in the UAE and organisations’ employment policies and procedures have been published by the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Indonesia declares anthrax red zones after cattle deaths and human infections

Indonesian authorities have declared two villages on Java island red zones and banned livestock movement from the area after the deaths of several farm animals from anthrax, an official said on Friday.Seven cattle and a goat have so far tested positive for anthrax among 15 farm animals that have died in recent days, said Kelik Yuniantoro of the agriculture office in the Gunung Kidul region of central Java.Authorities were awaiting more test results and there were 23 people with skin infections,…

Indonesia plays down upswing in Israel ties, amid talk of ‘normalisation’ and Abraham Accords

While speculation grows that Indonesia and Israel are making efforts to normalise diplomatic ties amid a flurry of low profile contacts, experts say the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation will not want to risk political upheaval by appearing to waver on its support for the Palestinian cause.Reports about behind-the-scenes discussions for Indonesia to be the next Muslim country to sign the Abraham Accords – after the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco – first emerged in the Israeli press…

Coronavirus: Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte in quarantine following exposure to Covid-19

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is under quarantine after being exposed to a household staff member who tested positive for Covid-19, his spokesman said on Thursday.Duterte, 76, has since tested negative for Covid-19, but is “currently observing mandatory quarantine protocols”, presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said.“The chief executive continues to work while in quarantine, and is in constant communication with the members of the Cabinet to ensure that urgent matters are addressed,”…

From Japanese foreign minister to ‘King of Fruits’ promoter: Taro Kono on his new life as a durian cheerleader

There is nothing quite like the durian to divide opinion. To some, it is a foul-smelling pod that is so overpowering it is banned on some cities’ public transport systems. For others, its creamy texture and custard-like flavour make it the “king of fruits”.The durian is not native to Japan – it originally comes from Southeast Asia – so it is perhaps a surprise that Taro Kono, a former foreign minister, is such a fan.So enamoured is Kono with the spiky-skinned fruit that he accepted an…

Coronavirus: Tonga enters lockdown as first local cases detected

Tonga will go into Covid-19 lockdown on Wednesday after the virus was detected in a fresh blow to the Pacific kingdom as it struggles to recover from last month’s devastating volcanic eruption, officials said.The remote island nation had been virus-free, but Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni said two men tested positive this week in Nuku’alofa.He said the men had been working in the capital’s port, where humanitarian aid has been pouring in from around the globe since the January 15 eruption.In a…

At Lunar New Year, Thailand pines for its missing Chinese tourists as Covid-19 keeps them away ahead of the Winter Olympics

At a cliffside restaurant on Thailand’s Koh Larn, where squat teak dining tables overlook an empty white-sand bay, manager Sutthiea Saengsaswi says the last time Chinese tourists were around for the Lunar New Year celebrations her takings went up to around US$6,000 a day. Now they are just US$300 a day.But this year, for the second year running, there are no Chinese to be seen. Strict quarantine measures Beijing has implemented ahead of the Winter Olympics as part of its zero-tolerance approach…