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,…
UK gender pay gap reporting encouraging firms to go further on diversity
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.