Businesses and consumers stand to gain if the UK and remaining EU countries can reach “an extensive agreement on the exchange of personal data”, the UK government has said.
IMF and other global banks are ready to work with North Korea, if it works with them
As North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un develops relationships with other nations through summit diplomacy, global financial institutions have shown a willingness to help him grow North Korea’s economy.
The International Monetary Fund, with a lending capacity of nearly US$700 billion for its current 189 member countries, would “seek to be helpful” should North Korea want to join the institution, an IMF official told the South China Morning Post this week.
“We hope that…
Many Thais say stateless soccer team coach and three boys should be given citizenship
The discovery that the soccer coach who was trapped in a Thailand cave for two weeks, and three of the boys he teaches, are stateless has surprised many in the country – who are now calling for them to be given citizenship following their ordeal.
“They are not Thai citizens,” said Weenat Seesuk, an interior ministry official in Bangkok, adding that officials were checking to see if they qualified for citizenship.
Coach Ekkapol Chantawong, or Ek as he is known, is a member of…
UK to explore Unified Patent Court options in Brexit negotiations
The UK government will seek to ensure the country’s continued participation in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) project after its EU membership ends as part of the broader Brexit negotiations, it has confirmed.
Ex-Malaysia PM Najib Razak says freezing of bank account violates his freedom
Former Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia said on Wednesday that authorities had infringed on his personal freedoms by freezing his bank account.
Najib was arrested and charged in Malaysia last week with abuse of power and criminal breach of trust related to an alleged transfer of 42 million ringgit (US$10.4 million) into his personal bank account from SRC International, a former unit of state fund 1MDB.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released after posting bail. Najib has…
Thai soccer team is out of the cave, but their road to recovery is just beginning
For the countless people around the world captivated by the rescue of a young Thai soccer team from a flooded cave, attention will likely shift to the next riveting news story.
But for the 12 boys and their coach, their ordeal is far from over – and the recovery process is only beginning.
All of the boys, the last of whom were pulled out by an international team of divers on Tuesday after being trapped since June 23, have been quarantined while they are tested for infections. At least…
Recent rulings highlight risks to lawyer-client privilege in Germany
ANALYSIS: Conducting internal investigations in Germany requires thorough preparation and execution by experts to avoid pitfalls in connection with the lawyer-client privilege, as recent court rulings in the country highlight.
China tips the scales away from the US in push for Cambodian influence
Nowhere else in Southeast Asia is China and the West’s battle for political and economic influence more evident than in Cambodia, where strongman leader Hun Sen is poised to clinch an almost uncontested election victory.
During what is the 60th year of bilateral ties between the two countries, China has ramped-up aid to Cambodia, pledging millions in military funding, infrastructure projects and election support. And according to some, the recent display of closeness combined with Hun Sen…
Malaysian 1MDB fund investigators will ‘meet with US officials in Washington’
Malaysian officials investigating a multibillion-dollar corruption scheme linked to a Malaysian state fund and former Prime Minister Najib Razak plan to meet with US officials in Washington, US and Malaysian sources familiar with the plans said.
The visit, including discussions with US Justice Department officials, could take place before the end of July, the sources said. The plans have not been finalised.
Malaysian officials could include representatives of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption…
Opposition against an EU trade mark application
Once a trade mark application has successfully passed the examination of the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), it is published in the Trade Marks Bulletin. The application is then open for others to oppose its registration. This brief summary explains the procedures for opposing trade mark applications in the EU and for defending an opposition. The proceedings are largely the same for EU trade mark filings as well as for international registrations designated to the EU.