A Hong Kong-based singer-songwriter and a Malaysia-born comedian who recently appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have spoken of their delight at being praised by the Sultan of Johor.Sultan Ibrahim Ismail singled out Gin Lee and Ronny Chieng in a Facebook post earlier this month in which he said he was “very proud of two outstanding Johoreans striking success on the international entertainment scene” and thanked them for “bringing glory to Johor in their own way”.The sultan,…
Singapore’s MAS to raise S$2.6bn bonds to fund infrastructure
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced plans to raise S$2.6 billion (US$1.9bn) in its inaugural sale of bonds to fund infrastructure projects.
Philippine taxman probes 250 social media stars, seeking revenue for Covid-19 battered economy
Being the centre of attention is usually a lucrative prospect for a social media star. But scores of influencers in the Philippines may be about to find out that the spotlight can be costly too.The country’s Bureau of Internal Revenue is investigating 250 social media influencers to see if they are paying their taxes, in a development Manila has described as “clarifying” the tax obligations of influencers and “reminding” them of the consequences of tax evasion.The move, which the government…
US cryptocurrency expert Virgil Griffith pleads guilty to helping North Korea avoid sanctions
A prominent American cryptocurrency promoter and former hacker has pleaded guilty to advising North Korea on using virtual money to avoid international controls, a New York court said on Monday.Virgil Griffith, who is based in Singapore, launched projects in 2018 to provide services to individuals in North Korea by developing and financing cryptocurrency structures, including cryptocurrency mining, according to the Southern District Court of New York.Griffith worked with others to provide…
UK government proposes making flexible working the default
The UK government has launched a consultation aimed at making flexible working the default approach for employers and individuals in the future.
With Huawei all but banished from India, can Mukesh Ambani’s Jio deliver on Modi’s 5G ambitions?
During his recent visit to the United States, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the chief executive of Qualcomm, the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, to discuss a potential investment in India’s 5G infrastructure – a pitch to a major Western telecoms firm that starkly contrasts with New Delhi’s policies vis-à-vis Huawei.In the past year, the Modi administration has practically banned the Chinese telecommunications giant from participating in India’s 5G network, with Huawei’s…
Why is Malaysia so fascinated by Nur Sajat, the transgender tycoon who fled to Thailand?
When news broke last week that prominent Malaysian transgender businesswoman Nur Sajat was detained in Thailand over an invalid passport, she trended to the top of Twitter.The 36-year-old Muslim cosmetics entrepreneur disappeared from Malaysia in February after being accused of insulting Islam by dressing as a woman.While on the run, she continued to appear on Instagram, sometimes on a live feed chatting with her followers, and posted TikTok videos promoting her products.She was charged with…
Japan’s PM Suga says coronavirus situation improving, optimistic about lifting state of emergency
Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sounded an optimistic tone about lifting Japan’s state of emergency when it expires at the end of this month, saying the Covid-19 situation in the country was improving.“The situation has certainly taken a turn for the better,” Suga told reporters in Washington a day after attending the first in-person meeting of the leaders of Japan, the US, Australia and India.Citing the fact that the number of new cases in Japan had dropped to about 3,000 a day from…
Thailand protests: it’s youths vs police at Bangkok’s Din Daeng neighbourhood
It’s just after 6.30pm on September 17, and the first deafening bangs of the night are reverberating under the bridge at the Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok as tear gas is fired. Young protesters in motorcycle helmets are flitting through the smoke to launch projectiles at Thai riot police and goad them to come closer.The nightly dance ends in clashes as police armed with batons and rubber bullets chase the youths – some barely teens – through Din Daeng, making arrests and riling residents by…
Australian government announces A$150m for hydrogen hubs
Australian government has announced an additional A$150 million (US$110m) in funding for hydrogen hubs across seven prioritised regional sites.