FILE PHOTO: A home under construction stands behind a “sold” sign in a new development in York County, South Carolina, U.S., February 29, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File PhotoWASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. construction spending picked up in July, lifted by gains in both private and public sector projects. The Commerce Department said on Wednesday that construction spending […]
SINGAPORE – The political situation facing Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is only a hair better than that of his ousted predecessor, and it is vital for him to quickly deliver results as public patience with the government wanes. This was top Malaysian pollster Ibrahim Suffian’s take at the What’s Next For Malaysia? […]
TOKYO (REUTERS) – Japan’s health ministry said on Wednesday (Sept 1) that contaminants found in suspended Moderna Covid-19 vaccines were particles of stainless steel, and it did not expect they would pose an additional health risk. Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine last week after being notified of contamination […]
TOKYO – Japan’s Digital Agency started work on Wednesday (Sept 1), realising a pet cause of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to streamline and modernise the antiquated administrative processes. Despite Japan’s global reputation as a high-tech nation, the use of digital technology has not filtered down to the day-to-day operations of individual ministries and agencies that […]
BENGALURU (Reuters) – Indian factory activity expanded at a slower pace last month as persistent pandemic-related weakness weighed on demand and output, forcing firms to cut jobs again following a brief recovery in July, a private survey showed on Wednesday.FILE PHOTO: A worker pours molten iron from a ladle to make automobile spare parts inside […]
SINGAPORE – While workplace discrimination is not a festering problem in Singapore, it does happen to some workers, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng during a radio show on Wednesday (Sept 1). Enacting laws to prevent it will give current anti-discrimination guidelines teeth, he added. He noted that the move to translate the Tripartite Alliance […]
SINGAPORE – The first day of tray return enforcement kicked in on Wednesday (Sept 1) with most patrons at some hawker centres here diligently clearing their own trays. However, cleaners said that some patrons still left used crockery and litter on tables. When The Straits Times visited Redhill Food Centre on Wednesday morning, the centre’s toilet attendant, […]
MANILA (REUTERS) – Scores of healthcare workers protested in the Philippine capital on Wednesday (Sept 1) to demand an end to what they called government neglect and unpaid benefits, as pressure builds at hospitals fighting one of Asia’s longest-running coronavirus epidemics. Protesters wearing protective medical gear gathered around the Department of Health (DOH) and held […]
TOKYO (THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – A plan has been finalised on the release into the ocean of treated water stored in tanks at the Fukushima No 1 nuclear power plant. The government and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc (Tepco) must provide detailed explanations that the release is safe and then implement the […]
SINGAPORE – The High Court has awarded Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a total of $210,000 in damages for two defamation suits he filed over an article published on The Online Citizen (TOC) website. He had separately sued TOC chief editor Terry Xu and Ms Rubaashini Shunmuganathan, the Malaysian author of the article that was […]