The China-backed National Grid Corporation of the Philippines should list its shares publicly to help guard against fears that Beijing could cause a nationwide blackout at the flick of a switch.That’s the view of Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Philippine Senate’s energy committee, who used a televised interview on Wednesday to remind the NGCP that under the franchise granted to the private firm by Congress in January 2009, it was required to sell 20 per cent of its equity in an initial…
In Nepal, thousands of animals sacrificed in Hindu ritual, despite outcry and orders to stop
Tens of thousands of devout Hindus thronged a temple in southern Nepal where thousands of animals and birds were sacrificed this week, amid an outcry from animal rights activists who said the ritual was a cruel and gruesome spectacle.The ceremony, held every five years at the Gadhimai temple in Bara in southern Nepal, is believed to be the largest such mass-slaughter event in the world and animal rights activists have been campaigning to end it for years.About 80 per cent of Nepal’s 30 million…
Malaysia’s ex-PM Najib Razak says Saudi king donated millions to ensure stability
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak testified on Wednesday that funds donated by Saudi Arabia’s late monarch, King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Saud, were to ensure Malaysia can become the model of a stable and modern Islamic country. The funds were to be used at his own discretion.He also said he only found out some 3.2 billion ringgit (US$1.05 billion) had been wired into his personal bank account between 2011 and 2013 after his statement was taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission…
Beijing-Tokyo distrust lingers as record number of Chinese ships seen near Diaoyu Islands
A record 998 Chinese government ships have been identified in waters close to disputed Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea in the first 11 months of the year, underlining the lingering distrust that exists between Tokyo and Beijing despite what appear to be improved bilateral relations.The vessels were confirmed to be operating within the contiguous zone around the Diaoyu Islands – which Japan controls and knows as the Senkaku Islands – from January 1 to November 29, the Mainichi…
Typhoon Kammuri leaves three dead, trail of destruction in Philippines
Typhoon Kammuri killed at least three people on its way out of the Philippines on Tuesday after unleashing heavy rain and fierce winds that prompted the closure of Manila’s international airport.Police said one man was crushed by a falling tree and another killed by a flying piece of timber, both on the island of Mindoro south of the capital. A man was electrocuted on Monday while securing a roof ahead of the storm’s arrival.Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled work in government…
Hong Kong protests: Indonesian journalist who lost her eye while covering action in Wan Chai keen to pursue case against police
An Indonesian journalist blinded in her right eye while covering an anti-government protest in Hong Kong said she has forgiven the police officer who left her injured.But Veby Mega Indah, 39, remains determined to pursue legal action to compel the force to name the officer, so that she can initiate civil action and, possibly, private prosecution against the officer.She is believed to have been hit by a rubber bullet.“I am pursuing justice in this case not only for me but for all the injured…
‘Half-naked parades’ at Malaysia tattoo show leave officials outraged
Malaysia ordered an investigation on Monday into what the government called a half-naked tattoo show held in the capital Kuala Lumpur, after pictures of heavily inked men and women circulated on social media in the Muslim-majority nation.The three-day Tattoo Malaysia Expo, which started on Friday and drew participants from 35 countries, was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the show’s organiser said on its website.But the ministry said this year’s event violated its…
Sri Lankan President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa plays downs links with China on trip to India
Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa sought to play down his country’s links to China on his first trip to neighbouring India.The ties between Colombo and Beijing were “purely commercial”, he said in an interview with Indian newspaper The Hindu on Saturday.Rajapaksa, who won the presidential election last month, also played down the military links between China and Sri Lanka – like the visit of Chinese submarines to the island nation in 2014 when he was defence secretary.“I…
From the Indian community to Chinese to Filipinos, Singapore feels the strain of immigration
When a Singaporean man was caught on camera in October yelling vulgarities at a security guard outside his apartment building, telling the hapless worker he had paid S$1.5 million (US$1.1 million) for the place and should not have to fork out extra for guest parking, the video of the exchange soon went viral. Singaporeans on social media quickly identified the man, assumed he was an Indian expatriate, and told him to “go home” and not bring his country’s caste system to the city state.
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Japan, India hold their first security talks, amid China’s rising military presence
Japan and India held inaugural security talks on Saturday at which they are expected to affirm coordination in building a free and open Indo-Pacific in a veiled counter to China’s rising assertiveness and military build-up.Meeting in New Delhi, the foreign and defence ministers of the two Asian democracies will speed up negotiations for an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA, which would allow the two sides to share defence capabilities and supplies including fuel and ammunition,…