The UK’s First-tier tax Tribunal (FTT) has no general jurisdiction to judicially review decisions made by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), but it can consider public law arguments in some VAT appeals within its jurisdiction, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has said.
Message for China as Japan’s new prime minister Fumio Kishida gets Biden’s pledge of US support in East China Sea
New Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wasted no time in indicating his position on key security issues on his first full day in the job, speaking with President Joe Biden on Tuesday morning and obtaining the US leader’s commitment to step in if Japan needs to defend disputed islands in the East China Sea.The message came after Kishida used his first press conference as prime minister on Monday to express scepticism about China’s ability to meet the free-trade requirements to join the…
Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, son of former dictator, runs for president of the Philippines
The son and namesake of the Philippines’ former dictator Ferdinand Marcos announced on Tuesday he will run for president in next year’s elections, ending months of speculation over his political ambitions.Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, who is popularly known as “Bongbong”, had been touted as a potential candidate for either the presidency or the vice-presidency, having been involved in politics since his return in 1991 from exile following his father’s 1986 overthrow.“Join me in this noblest of causes…
LBTT returns could lead to rent rebates for energy and retail businesses
Businesses in Scotland should ensure they complete their three-yearly land and building transaction tax (LBTT) return, with many potentially due a rebate, an expert has said.
Singapore law minister defends foreign interference bill as ‘best balance’ to face risks, check against abuse
Singapore’s law and home affairs minister K. Shanmugam has made an impassioned defence of the country’s soon-to-be-passed foreign interference legislation, which has been criticised by academics, civil activists, and the opposition for being too broad and lacking adequate oversight mechanisms.The Foreign Interference (Countermeasures), or Fica, bill has been touted by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) as an urgent necessity given increasing instances of foreign meddling in countries’ local…
Coronavirus: Singapore aims for more vaccinated traveller lanes, New Zealand drops zero-Covid strategy
Singapore is looking to launch new vaccinated travel lanes by the end of the year and is in negotiations with several countries including those in Europe and also the US, Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Monday, signalling continued caution even as other advanced economies open up.Gan, who is one of the co-chairs of the government’s coronavirus task force, said they were hopeful about the travel lanes given that pilots with Germany and Brunei have gone smoothly.“Vaccinated travel lanes are…
‘It is Sara-Go’: Duterte tells Philippine media his daughter will run for president
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter will run for president in next year’s election and her father’s long-time aide, who filed his vice presidential candidacy, will be her running mate, broadcasting firm ABS-CBN news reported late on Saturday.Sara Duterte-Carpio is currently mayor of Davao, the third-largest city in the Philippines, and filed on Saturday to run for mayor again. She has previously said she would not run for national office next year.ABS-CBN news based its report on an…
Larger than life: will billboards help decide Indonesia’s next president?
When Indonesia was ravaged by a second wave of Covid-19 earlier this year, you would have expected the bulk of scrutiny to be on the Delta variant and its rapid spread across the country. However, public attention was divided between the collapsing health system and the proliferation of billboards and banners across the country that highlighted political elites.One of those on public display is Puan Maharani, the current speaker of parliament and heir apparent to the Sukarno political clan. The…
Pakistan fears US is targeting its China links as it seeks to settle scores from Afghanistan
Fears are growing in Islamabad that the United States is targeting its plans to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan, as punishment for enabling the Taliban’s return to power in August.Pakistan’s efforts to “reset” relations with the US, so as to avoid being caught up in its intensifying competition with Islamabad’s closest strategic ally China, have been cold-shouldered by the administration of Joe Biden.On September 14, as he was pointedly questioned by angry…
Philippine’s Rodrigo Duterte backs out of election, obeying ‘will of the people’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday said he was retiring from politics, a surprise move that fuelled speculation he was clearing the way for his daughter to run to succeed him, despite her filing for re-election as mayor.The leader made the announcement after he accompanied his former long-time aide, Christopher “Bong” Go, to register his own vice-presidential candidacy with the ruling party at a Commission on Elections centre.Duterte, whose term ends in June next year, said many…