International tourists and business travellers on Monday began arriving in Australia with few restrictions for the first time in almost two years, after the government lifted some of the strictest pandemic measures of any democracy in the world.Vaccinated travellers were greeted at Sydney’s airport by jubilant well-wishers waving toy koalas and favourite Australian foods, including Tim Tams chocolate biscuits and jars of Vegemite spread.Bernie Edmonds was emotional as he hugged his eight-year…
Foreign investors take a shine to Indonesia as Malaysia political woes bite
Malaysia’s political instability may be nudging foreign investors, especially tech giants, towards neighbouring Indonesia, where clear regulations and a thriving start-up ecosystem are giving it an edge in the race to dominate Southeast Asia’s burgeoning digital economy, analysts say.Over the past decade, Indonesia has pulled in billions in foreign direct investment (FDI), including from Amazon and Google, and the country of 270 million people is set to grow further with an abundant workforce…
Australia won’t stand for ‘acts of intimidation’, Morrison says after China navy laser incident
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison branded a Chinese navy vessel pointing a laser at one of his nation’s surveillance aircraft off the northern coast an “act of intimidation”.The incident occurred three days ago when a P-8A Poseidon patrol plane detected a laser from a Chinese naval ship sailing east through the Arafura Sea, Australia’s department of defence said in a statement late on Saturday. Morrison responded early on Sunday in televised comments in Melbourne.“I’m very concerned…
Coronavirus: South Korea tops 100,000 cases again; Malaysian study finds ivermectin ineffective for Covid-19 treatment
South Korea reported 102,211 coronavirus cases on Saturday, topping the 100,000 mark for a second-straight day, though down slightly from the record level reported on Friday.Infections have spiked as the Omicron variant ravages the country. Cases have now doubled since South Korea first surpassed 50,000 infections on February 10.Despite the increase in cases authorities said that social distancing measures would be only slightly eased ahead of the March 9 presidential election.Authorities…
Deadly Pakistan kite festival returns, despite official ban
Hundreds of Pakistani youths flew kites from rooftops in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday, celebrating an ancient colourful festival despite a ban imposed by authorities in 2007 following a spate of accidents.Enthusiasts have in the past used acid-soaked string and piano wire in kite-fighting battles, causing terrible injuries to people caught by tangles across roads – including slitting the throats of motorcyclists.Victorious participants and their supporters firing into the air can…
Malaysia teen accused of killing newborn may have murder charge dropped
Malaysian prosecutors may reconsider a murder charge made against a teenage girl accused of killing her newborn son, pending the outcome of a probe into allegations the baby was conceived of rape, the attorney general’s office said on Friday.The 15-year-old was charged with murder on Tuesday after her son was found last week with stab wounds to his chest, but activists have called for the case to be reclassified as infanticide and for the girl to be released on bail.The teenager, whose identity…
South African court confirms arbitrator can rule on own jurisdiction
A recent judgment by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in South Africa confirms the ability of an arbitrator to rule on his or her own jurisdiction, in line with the internationally-recognised ‘kompetenz-kompetenz’ principle as well as South Africa’s contract law principles.
Ofcom softens position on UK mobile market consolidation
A proposed merger of any two of the UK’s four major mobile network operators (MNOs) could receive competition clearance, the country’s telecoms regulator has suggested.
Decarbonisation ‘reality’ for Asia-Pacific as Australian coal plant to close
Australia’s biggest coal-fired plant Eraring will close in 2025, seven years earlier than planned.
Coronavirus: South Korea’s daily cases eclipse 100,000 for first time; New Zealand protests spread
South Korea’s new daily Covid-19 cases topped 100,000 for the first time amid an Omicron outbreak, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Friday, though deaths have remained relatively low in the highly vaccinated country.Authorities announced on Friday they would slightly ease a curfew on businesses from 9pm to 10pm, but retain other measures such as a six-person cap on private gatherings, a seven-day quarantine for international arrivals, mask mandates in public spaces, and…