The success of BioNtech has shone a spotlight on Germany’s biotechnology research strength, but German companies have work to do to match the commercialisation of research achieved in the US and China.
Japan offers defence tools to Philippines amid China’s claims in South, East China seas
Japan has begun providing the Philippine military with life-saving equipment adopted by the Self-Defence Forces, said defence and foreign ministry officials, making it the first time Tokyo has offered SDF equipment to a foreign armed force using its official development assistance (ODA).The supply of the equipment, also available for civilian use, is intended to strengthen defence ties with the Philippines as the two countries are faced with China’s assertive claims in the East and South China…
Stranded Australians in India feel ‘betrayed, abandoned’ by coronavirus travel ban
When Australian citizen Vikas Mahajan travelled to India in February with his wife and two small children to help look after his elderly parents, he did not expect to be caught up in the country’s devastating second wave – or to be banned from returning home to Melbourne. “We’re feeling betrayed and unfairly targeted by the federal government’s controversial decision. The Australian government has abdicated all its responsibility towards its citizens and left us all to die here,” the 41-year…
The listing review means changes for the UK IPO market
The UK government is set to press ahead with reforms designed to attract a greater number of high growth companies to float on UK public markets.
Singapore imposes 21-day quarantine on most travellers, closes gyms to manage flare-up in Covid-19 cases
Singapore will impose a 21-day quarantine on most inbound travellers and bring back tighter social-distancing controls including closing gyms and fitness centres, as authorities respond to a flare-up in Covid-19 cases.The news has put a cloud over the city state’s efforts to launch a travel bubble with Hong Kong later this month and host major events like the Shangri-La Dialogue in June.From Friday 11.59pm, all inbound travellers except those from Australia, Brunei, China, New Zealand, Taiwan,…
TikTok’s new CEO Chew takes on one of the biggest jobs in tech at a critical juncture for owner ByteDance, analysts say
Chew Shou Zi, the newly-appointed chief executive of ByteDance-owned TikTok, has just taken on one of the biggest jobs in tech and steering the globally successful short video app through choppy political waters will prove a daunting task, say analysts.The fast-growing app has faced regulatory challenges around the world – no more so than in the US, where former president Donald Trump deemed it a national security threat because of the data it collects. Chew’s predecessor, Kevin Mayer, resigned…
South China Sea heats up as Philippines drops the F-bomb over Chinese boats
The Philippines has taken the gloves off in its dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea, with its top diplomat dropping the F-bomb as he demanded the withdrawal of Chinese vessels near the Scarborough Shoal.Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jnr dispensed with diplomatic niceties as he took to Twitter on Monday, calling China an “ugly oaf” and demanding it “get the f*** out” of Philippine maritime waters. His colourful language followed reports that Chinese coastguard ships had harassed…
UK sends 1,000 more ventilators to India as doctors intervene long-distance
The UK said on Sunday it was sending an extra 1,000 oxygen ventilators to Covid-struck India, as a group of doctors staged their own intervention by offering long-distance telemedicine from Britain.British authorities have already sent 495 oxygen concentrators and 200 ventilators to India as the country grapples with a devastating surge in coronavirus cases, and are shipping three larger production units, dubbed oxygen factories.The 1,000 additional ventilators will come from British surplus…
Eight killed in firing at Myanmar ‘spring revolution’ protests
Myanmar security forces opened fire on some of the biggest protests against military rule in days on Sunday killing eight people, media reported, three months after a coup plunged the country into crisis.The protests, after a spell of dwindling crowds and what appeared to be more restraint by the security forces, were coordinated with demonstrations in Myanmar communities around the world to mark what organisers called “the global Myanmar spring revolution”.“Shake the world with the voice of…
May Day protesters demand more job protections as pandemic pummels economies
Workers and union leaders dusted off loudhailers and flags that had stayed furled during coronavirus lockdowns for slimmed down but still boisterous May Day marches on Saturday, demanding more labour protections amid a pandemic that has turned economies and workplaces upside down.In countries that mark May 1 as International Labour Day, the annual celebration of workers’ rights produced a rare sight during the pandemic: large and closely packed crowds, with marchers striding shoulder to…