Running a sweepstake at work: the UK law

Workplace sweepstakes are a popular way to build engagement around sporting and other events. However, many common formats fall within the scope of the Gambling Act 2005 and can be unlawful unless they fit within a specific exemption.

Hacking of Philippine Senate’s website spotlights widening political crisis

The Philippine Senate’s political crisis has spilled into cyberspace after its official website went offline on Thursday following its defacement with a warning accusing lawmakers of betraying public trust.
“The people deserve truth. The people deserve accountability. The people deserve better. We do not forgive. We do not forget. Expect Us,” the message said, using a closing phrase long associated with the global hacktivist collective Anonymous.
The incident comes as the Senate remains locked…

Hong Kong, Indonesia move towards direct transactions in yuan, rupiah

The People’s Bank of China, Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Bank Indonesia signed an agreement on Thursday to create a framework for bilateral transactions between Indonesia and Hong Kong.
The parties aimed to implement a currency transaction framework for the direct exchange and settlement of Indonesian rupiah and Chinese yuan in cross-border trade and investment activities among companies and institutions in Indonesia and Hong Kong, according to an HKMA statement.
This initiative was…

Thai woman detained after US diplomat found dead in Myanmar hotel

An American diplomat was found dead in Myanmar’s largest city, the US State Department said, and members of the diplomatic community in Yangon say a Thai woman has been detained by police in connection with the investigation.
American officials in Thailand and the US embassy in Myanmar referred questions on the case to the State Department, which confirmed the “death of a US government employee” assigned to the embassy in Yangon but gave no other details.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the…

Malaysia drops probe into ex-anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, says ‘no further action’

Malaysia’s prosecutors have closed a criminal intimidation investigation involving former anti-corruption chief Azam Baki, saying a complaint by businessman Albert Tei did not “meet the legal threshold” for further action.
The decision comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government facing pressure over prosecutorial independence. Anwar had campaigned on a reformist, anti-corruption platform that has since been tested by high-profile dropped cases and delayed…