ANALYSIS: Despite the threat of class actions against universities brought by students affected by the recent wave of strike action, there are likely to be significant legal, financial and logistical hurdles before any cases become reality in the UK courts.
Advocate general: VAT on takeover costs should be deductible
Ryanair should be able to deduct the VAT chargeable on costs it incurred in the context of its failed takeover bid for rival Aer Lingus in 2006, according to an EU legal adviser.
Compensation for injury to feelings is not taxable, says Court of Appeal
A termination payment made to an employee for ‘injury to feelings’ following age discrimination related to his dismissal is not taxable, the Court of Appeal has said in a ruling which overturns a decision by the Upper Tribunal.
Cambodia launches campaign to persuade voters to turn out for July election despite international scepticism
Cambodia’s election panel on Friday began a campaign to get voters to turn out for a July 29 general election, despite the concerns of some Western nations and the United Nations that the vote might not be free or fair after a key opposition party ban.
The campaign comes amid repeated calls from former opposition leader Sam Rainsy for Cambodians to boycott the election if his dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) is not allowed to take part.
The National Election Committee (NEC…
UN plans global underwriting guidance for environmental risks
Work to develop global guidance which would help insurers to underwrite environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks is now underway.
Overseas Territories must introduce public company registers
The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) will be required to introduce publicly accessible registers of those with significant control over companies following a House of Commons debate.
India incensed over video of vendor making tea in toilet
An Indian tea vendor caught on video taking water from a train toilet before selling his drinks to passengers has been fined amid heightened concern in India about food safety.
The vendor on the Chennai-Hyderabad Express was caught after footage of him and two others coming out of a toilet with large cans used to serve tea and coffee on Indian trains was widely shared.
Indian Railways said in a statement that the “incident has been inquired into in detail” and that the tea seller…
In a first for Asia, Thai hospital conducts first triple organ transplant
By Apinya Wipatayotin
Siriraj Hospital announced Wednesday it conducted a successful heart, liver and kidney transplant on a 26-year-old man who had lived with chronic organ diseases for almost two decades.
This operation is thought to be the first of its kind in Asia, and the 15th in the world, according to the hospital.
The 12-hour operation, carried out on December 3, was performed by a team led by Dr Yongyut Sirivatanauksorn, vice director of Siriraj Hospital.
The recipient, Rachanond…
EU exit will be ‘challenging’ for food safety regulation
Leaving the EU will create food safety regulation “challenges” given the number of regulatory functions which may need to be transferred from the EU to the UK, according to a new briefing paper.
Myanmar judge wants to hear from whistle-blower who says journalists were framed by authorities
The judge in the trial of two journalists accused of possessing state secrets in Myanmar has rejected a prosecution request to throw out the testimony of a police whistle-blower who told the court that the pair had been set up by the authorities.
Police Captain Moe Yan Naing had contradicted other prosecution witnesses by declaring his superior arranged for two policemen to meet Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and give them documents described as “important secret papers…