Malaysia, a majority-Muslim country, is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has criticised Israel’s actions in the Gaza war.
At least 28 dead as bus plunges off ‘killer curve’ in Philippines
The vehicle carrying 53 people plunged into a ravine in a mountainous area 450km from Manila, in what the local governor called a ‘tragic disaster’.
Singapore tops world education list along with Asia’s Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, as Europe sees ‘worrying’ decline
Singapore took top ranking in the latest OECD assessment of education capabilities, with its students scoring highest in all three of the survey’s areas: mathematics, reading and science.
Construction firms must prepare for next wave of building safety reform
The construction industry in England has had to adapt to stringent new building safety rules that took effect in October this year.
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un says it is ‘duty of women’ to have more children to halt falling birth rate
A falling fertility rate is a concerning development for North Korea, because it depends on mobilised labour to help keep its broken, heavily sanctioned economy afloat.
EU ‘cookie laws’ set for further overhaul
EU rules on ‘cookies’ are set to overhauled again in a move backed by the head of the European Commission.
Singapore jails gardener who hit colleague with hoe over ‘fat’, ‘transgender’ remarks
Sim Lek Yam and Tan Im Choon had frequent disputes before the incident. Sim was sentenced to 10 weeks’ jail and required to pay US$96 to Tan.
Indonesia volcano erupts, spewing ash 3km into sky
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties after the Sunday eruption of Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra
South China Sea: Philippines says over 135 Chinese boats ‘swarming’ reef off its coast
Manila said it counted 111 ‘Chinese maritime militia vessels’ within Whitsun Reef – more than 1,000km from China – on November 13. On Saturday, there were over 135, the coastguard said.
Nepal’s first same-sex married couple vows to continue fight for gay rights
Earlier this year, Nepal’s supreme court issued an interim order enabling the registration of same-sex marriages for the first time.