The future of the megaproject in Malaysia is in doubt again, despite new government measures to support the project and a deadline extension for a key bond repayment.
Japan’s famous virtual singer Hatsune Miku turns 16, thousands of fans celebrate
Legions of fans have this week been celebrating the ‘birthday’ of Japan’s best known Vocaloid – a computer-synthesised singing voice software that comes with a virtual avatar.
Indonesia presidential candidate picks head of Islamic party as running mate: we’ll be ‘faster, bigger, more stable’ he promises
Anies Baswedan – who’s falling behind in the polls – picked Muhaimin Iskandar, leader of PKB, which has strong ties with Indonesia’s biggest Islamic organisation of 40 million members.
What to expect from Humza Yousaf’s new programme for government
After the launch of April’s policy prospectus was largely overshadowed by other events, Humza Yousaf will be hoping that his first programme for government as Scotland’s first minister next week is able to clearly articulate his plans for the year ahead.
President Marcos caps rice prices in Philippines inflation fight, blames ‘cartels and hoarders’ for surge
A surge in retail prices has resulted in economic strain on Filipinos, particularly the underprivileged and marginalised, the president said.
Thai king cuts ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s prison sentence to 1 year: ‘he showed remorse’
The Royal Gazette state journal said 74-year-old billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra had ‘accepted his crime and shown remorse’.
What to expect from further workplace relations reforms in Australia
Conversion of ‘casual’ employees to permanent status, ‘same job same pay’ rules and more rights for gig workers will be the major areas targeted for reform in the third – and perhaps not final – series of workplace law changes likely to be tabled by the Australian federal government in September.
Australian court emphasises limits on refusing enforcement of foreign arbitral awards
A recent decision by the Supreme Court of Victoria in a case highlights the pro-arbitration aims of Australia’s International Arbitration Act, manifested in this case by the limited circumstances in which an Australian court may refuse to enforce a foreign arbitral award where the opposing side does not raise any of the other grounds listed in that legislation.
US overhauls regulation of private fund industry
The global private funds industry must pay close attention to a major set of regulatory reforms adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the US, according to one legal expert.
Thailand’s billionaire ex-PM Thaksin submits royal pardon request
Thailand’s most famous politician returned home last week from living abroad in self-exile for 15 years after his party was ousted in a coup.