Several Malaysian mothers won a legal battle on Thursday for the right to pass their nationality to their children born abroad, a landmark court decision hailed by activists as a giant step toward gender equality.Malaysia is one of 25 countries that do not give mothers and fathers equal rights under the country’s citizenship law. Malaysia’s constitution gives fathers the automatic right to confer citizenship to their children born abroad, but it does not mention mothers.Six Malaysian women and…
Philippine defence minister says US alliance needs comprehensive review to address ‘rise of China’
Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has called for a comprehensive review of his country’s alliance with the United States, complaining Manila benefits less from its relationship with Washington than non-treaty allies despite growing pressure from China.At an online event to mark the 70th anniversary of the countries’ mutual defence treaty (MDT) on Wednesday, Lorenzana said there was a need to “upgrade” and “update” the alliance and to make clear the “extent of American commitments”…
Why members of South Korea’s Gen MZ are buying ‘digital land’ in the metaverse for millions of won
South Korean engineer Shaun has big plans to develop the parcels of land he has snapped up for millions of won in recent years into long-term money-spinners.“I’m planning to design my building which is suitable to host K-pop live performances and K-drama screenings,” the 30-year-old investor said. “That can probably lead to a profitable business model in two to three years.”And construction will not be hampered by any coronavirus pandemic-spurred labour shortages or increased costs. Shaun’s…
Fire at overcrowded Indonesian prison kills at least 41 people, injures dozens more
A fire killed 41 inmates in an overcrowded prison block in Indonesia’s Banten province, a government minister said on Wednesday, injuring scores more in a blaze that police said may have been caused by an electrical fault.The fire, the country’s most deadly since 47 perished in a firework factory disaster in 2017, broke out at 1.45am in a Tangerang Prison block, Indonesian law and human rights minister Yasonna Laoly said after visiting the scene.“We’re working together with relevant authorities…
Ofgem to cut electric vehicle chargepoint grid connection costs
The cost and time involved in connecting electric vehicle chargepoints to the national electricity grid in Britain is to be cut for businesses.
Japanese blast China’s decision to close Tang Little Kyoto project as ‘jealous’ and ‘racist’
The decision of the Chinese authorities to close a vast replica of the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto built in Dalian on the grounds that it is an example of “cultural invasion” has come in for heavy criticism in Japan, with many commentators claiming Beijing is using the incident for its own political ends.Critics say this is just the latest such effort by Beijing to use the two nations’ often fraught shared history to denigrate Japan and cast the country in a negative light.Some of the…
Myanmar’s shadow government urges ‘revolt against the rule of military terrorists’
Myanmar’s shadow government, formed by opponents of military rule, called for a revolt against the junta on Tuesday, setting out a strategy that included action by armed militias and ethnic forces and urging bureaucrats to leave their posts.Duwa Lashi La, the acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG), said in a speech that the shadow government, which is made up of members in exile or in hiding, was declaring a state of emergency.How technology reshaped Asia’s protest…
UK fertility storage limits to be increased
The UK government will legislate to increase the maximum period for which frozen eggs, sperm and embryos can be stored to 55 years.
Coronavirus: New Zealand to ease curbs; the Philippines trials ‘granular lockdowns’
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday said nationwide coronavirus curbs would be lifted, except in the biggest city of Auckland, as the country gets on top of an outbreak of the Delta variant.Excluding a small cluster of cases in February, New Zealand had been largely virus-free until an infected traveller from Australia seeded an outbreak that prompted Ardern to impose the national lockdown last month.Ardern, who said restrictions would be eased outside Auckland from Wednesday,…
Japan-Australia green hydrogen supply chain possibilities to be studied
Japan’s largest oil company ENEOS will carry out a study on building up a commercial scale green hydrogen supply chain between Japan and Queensland, Australia, the Queensland government has announced.