A Malaysian citizen was given more than 10 years in jail for insulting Islam and the Prophet Muhammad on social media, police said on Saturday, one of the country’s harshest such sentences in recent years.Issues related to race, religion and language are very sensitive topics in multiracial Malaysia.The person found guilty, known only as Facebook user “Ayea Yea”, was jailed for 10 years and 10 months after pleading guilty to ten charges of anti-religious activity and the misuse of…
Australia admits failings in Pacific, vows to counter China’s influence
Australia has admitted it had not focused enough attention on its Pacific neighbourhood but vowed to make “long overdue” amends, amid growing Chinese influence in the region.“I think we would have to accept some criticism,” said Australia’s minister for international development and the Pacific Anne Ruston on Friday. “We have perhaps not put as much attention and effort into our own region as we should of.”In recent months, Ruston has been at the sharp end of trying to fix that – jetting to-and…
Vegan pork in Hong Kong, impossible burgers in Singapore: how investors grew fat on Asia’s fad for mock meat
Hong Kong entrepreneur David Yeung is encouraging people to eat less meat to help save the earth. The trouble is, too many love their meat, especially pork.Now he thinks he has something that might persuade them – a meat substitute which he says looks, feels and tastes like the real thing.Chefs have begun using his product, Omnipork, to turn out Shanghainese soup dumplings, sweet and sour pork, as well as tan tan noodles, gyozas and meatballs.“From vegans to meat eaters, professionals and home…
Mixed fortunes for UK government in planning rulings
The UK government has successfully defended a legal challenge against its decision to adopt a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England last year, but guidance contained in that framework concerning ‘fracking’ has been ruled to be unlawful.
MPs call for review of UK approach to economic crime
The UK’s approach to combatting fraud, money laundering and other economic crime should be the subject of more frequent and broad review, a prominent committee of MPs has said.
Experts welcome mental health taskforce’s focus on new students
A new taskforce to help support school leavers’ transition into higher education can deliver real improvements to students’ mental health and wellbeing, according to legal experts active in the higher education sector.
North Korea condemns new military drills between South Korea and United States
North Korea on Thursday attacked ongoing joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington as an “open challenge” to moves towards peace on the Korean peninsula.The US and South Korea agreed on Sunday to replace two major war games which take place every spring – the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle drills – with a shorter “Dong Maeng” or “Alliance” exercise that started this week.The move was designed to further ease tensions with the North following the dramatic detente since early 2018.There…
Racked with guilt: Philippine exhibition displays clothes worn by sexual assault victims to highlight culture of victim-blaming
A teenage student’s crisp blouse and plaid skirt uniform, a sleeveless top and brightly patterned skirt and a baby’s white bodysuit – these are among the outfits on display at an event in Metro Manila to highlight sexual violence.The Don’t Tell Me How to Dress (DTMHTD) exhibition, which begins on Friday – International Women’s Day – at a mall in Taguig City, also presents harrowing testimonies from 11 girls and women together with the clothes they were wearing when they were targeted.Maica…
Offshore wind sector deal targets 30% of UK electricity generation
Offshore wind could provide 30% of Britain’s electricity generation by 2030, while supporting increased UK exports and three times as many jobs, under plans published by the UK government.
Explained: how India and Pakistan became nuclear states
India and Pakistan announced their arrivals as nuclear powers with a flurry of weapons testing in 1998. The two countries have since refrained from testing their nukes but have nevertheless been generally accepted as de facto nuclear states and continued to invest heavily in their respective nuclear capacities.Neither is party to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the arms control agreement signed by 189 other nations. In exchange for access to peaceful uses of nuclear…