Most studies of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative to grow global trade have focused on the goals that China seeks to achieve, oftentimes at the expense of host countries.It is viewed through such a lens largely because of the scale of financing and number of players involved. In 2016, the Chinese government allocated more than US$900 billion to belt and road projects through facilities such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund and the China Development Bank…
Indonesia minister Juliari Batubara accused of embezzling coronavirus aid funds
Indonesia’s social affairs minister turned himself in to anti-corruption authorities on Sunday to face charges of taking bribes related to the government’s Covid-19 aid distribution.Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara arrived at the Corruption Eradication Commission’s headquarters in the capital Jakarta hours after the commission’s Chairman Firli Bahuri called on him to surrender in a news conference just before midnight on Saturday.Why are Google, Amazon eyeing Indonesia? Because Alibaba,…
Nurses in the Philippines can’t go abroad, but there are few opportunities at home
Lorna Sianen Pagaduan was en route to a new nursing job in Libya when she “got stuck in Hong Kong” more than two decades ago.
But that misfortune turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as 22 years later she is now president of the city’s Filipino Nurses Association, and has used her earnings to put six siblings through school.
This is why she rejects the Philippine government’s decision late last month to cap the number of newly hired nurses and other health professionals it sends abroad…
Amid Malaysia’s political chaos, is the country’s king carving out a new place for himself?
Recent months have seen Malaysia’s king take on a prominent role in the country’s chaotic political arena. On several occasions, King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah called upon members of parliament to support next year’s budget in a bid to prevent further political instability – which was seen by many as contradictory to the monarch’s constitutional role, given how it was perceived as indirectly supporting the beleaguered administration of Prime Minister Muhyiddin…
Coronavirus: profit glitters for Malaysian goldsmiths even amid pandemic recession
In a backroom workshop in Malaysia, goldsmiths with blowtorches and chisels sit at wooden desks as they melt and mould the precious metal into glittery jewellery.Demand for the safe-haven commodity has soared during the coronavirus pandemic and it is not only professional investors who are cashing in, but small businesses too.The Makmur Gold company, which is based in northern Kelantan state and mainly makes jewellery, has enjoyed brisk business this year even as the Southeast Asian nation’s…
Philippine homeowners power furniture stores through Covid-19 with ‘fixer-upper’ plans
During a normal year, Camille Peredo, 31, would be spending her weekends hiking mountains or strolling on some of the Philippines’ best beaches. But 2020 is not like any other year. Instead, she has mostly stayed at home for the past eight months as the country grapples with one of the world’s longest lockdowns imposed to combat Covid-19. “The farthest I’ve been is the office, which is just a few minutes away from my house,” Peredo said of her limited wanderings during the lockdowns, which…
Germany gives Unified Patent Court project fresh impetus
German law makers have given the Unified Patent Court (UPC) project fresh impetus by passing legislation that is necessary to enable the proposed court system to become operational.
CMA scrutinises electric vehicle charging market
A new study into the electric vehicle charging market has been opened by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in an effort to ensure the market works well for consumers and supports the take-up of electric vehicles.
Global joint ventures require consistent approach to liability
Joint ventures (JVs) delivering major infrastructure projects are set to play a significant role in the global recovery, but their members need certainty about the extent to which they must individually bear risk.
New Zealand businesswoman Elizabeth Zhong killed at home before being put in car boot, police say
A 55-year-old businesswoman was killed in her East Auckland house before being put in the boot of her car, New Zealand police said on Friday.Ying Zhong, also known as Elizabeth Zhong, was found dead in Sunnyhills last Saturday. She is believed to have been murdered.Police have formally identified the victim as Zhong, Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers told media on Friday.“Elizabeth was killed in her house,” Vickers said.She was placed in her Land Rover when she was deceased and items…