Filipino actress and fashion influencer Heart Evangelista’s reappearance at Paris Fashion Week following scrutiny over her lavish lifestyle in previous months has drawn sharp criticism amid “unprecedented” public outrage linked to an unfolding corruption scandal plaguing the country.
Public sentiment in the Philippines has been particularly negative against influencers such as Evangelista and other “nepo babies”, a term referring to flamboyant family members of wealthy politicians, officials and…
Australia, Indonesia sign deal to extend security cooperation in ‘watershed moment’
Australia and Indonesia’s leaders signed a security deal on Friday, one of a series of agreements that Canberra has secured with neighbouring countries to reinforce ties and limit China’s influence in the region.
At a signing ceremony, President Prabowo Subianto met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said before he travelled to Jakarta that the pact was a “watershed moment” in ties. It “represents a major extension of our security and defence cooperation and demonstrates that our relationship…
Court of Appeal provides clarity for lenders amid ‘mortgage prisoner’ concerns
A recent decision by the Court of Appeal in England & Wales highlights that judicial remedies cannot be used to unwind or amend regulated mortgages, an expert has said.
Indonesia to force billionaires to sell shares: loosen control or lose market status
Indonesia’s stock market needed just two days of chaos to highlight what investors have long lamented: parts of the market are not trading freely.
Last week’s worst tumble in nearly three decades drew attention to a major problem at the heart of Southeast Asia’s biggest equity market: a handful of billionaires own so much of their listed companies that barely any of those companies’ shares are left to trade.
At least three billionaires directly control 85 per cent or more of three listed…
Separate cases before two Australian state Supreme Courts demonstrate the importance of clear arbitration agreements
Two separate matters before the Supreme Courts of Queensland and New South Wales highlight the importance of carefully drafted arbitration agreements.
Malaysia plans new insurance scheme for Singapore cross-border workers
A new insurance scheme will be created for Malaysians working in Singapore to ensure they remain covered even during their daily cross-border commute, says Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan.
The new scheme will ensure that the nearly 400,000 Malaysians who cross the border daily from Johor are not left out of social security protection after working hours.
“What happens when you are travelling from your workplace back to your home? Where is the coverage during this period? That coverage is not…
Rise of ‘Filipino trolls’ spurs push for legal fix amid Chinese influence concerns
A proposal to update a nearly 50-year-old law requiring individuals to disclose their political activities in the interest of national security has gained steam amid allegations of the rise of “Filipino trolls” espousing pro-Beijing content.
Antonio Carpio, a retired Philippine Supreme Court senior associate justice, proposed that the country update its Foreign Agents Act, a 1979 law that requires individuals to register and disclose their political activities to regulate foreign…
Vietnam prepared for possible war against ‘belligerent’ US, secret paper shows
A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for a possible American “war of aggression” and considered the United States a “belligerent” power, according to a report released on Tuesday.
More than just exposing Hanoi’s duality in approach towards the US, the document confirms a deep-seated fear of external forces fomenting an uprising against the communist leadership in a “colour…
Increased ‘belt and road’ momentum an opportunity for Australian businesses
Increased momentum in Chinese global investment through its belt and road initiative represents an opportunity for businesses that can make the most of the Australia’s strength in natural resources and infrastructure capabilities.
Pakistan’s ‘affordable’ China-developed jet: a victim of its own success?
Pakistan says it has fielded requests for its JF-17 fighter jet from five countries in recent months – a surge of interest that could overwhelm its capacity to jointly produce the jet with China.
In the past month, Iraq, Bangladesh and Indonesia have expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder, according to Pakistan’s Armed Forces.
Saudi Arabia and Libya were also exploring the aircraft, Reuters reported separately, after Pakistan hailed the performance of its Chinese-developed jets during…