U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the implementation of the American Rescue Plan in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin LamarqueWASHINGTON (Reuters) – Thirteen Democratic U.S. senators on Monday urged President Joe Biden to act quickly to suspend waivers to the Buy American program that […]
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) mistakenly paid out $692 million in duplicate small-business pandemic relief loans because of technical errors and other mistakes, the agency’s internal watchdog said on Monday.U.S. President Donald Trump signs the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act financial response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, […]
YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar’s ruling junta has declared martial law in six townships in Yangon, the country’s largest city, after security forces killed dozens of protesters over the weekend in an increasingly lethal crackdown on resistance to a military coup last month. The state broadcaster MRTV said Monday that the Yangon townships of North Dagon, […]
BEIJING (BLOOMBERG) – China plans to raise retirement ages gradually over a number of years, instead of a drastic one-time change, a government researcher said last week, without providing any details on when the changes might start. When the retirement age starts being lifted, it will be by a few months every year, or by […]
SINGAPORE – Tampines Town Council emerged as the worst performer in the latest official report card for town councils, showing less-than-stellar results in corporate governance and estate maintenance, and receiving an amber rating. The Chua Chu Kang and Aljunied Hougang town councils also received amber ratings in one category each, with the former doing badly […]
HONG KONG – Officials are extending the city’s vaccination programme to more in the community including foreign domestic workers and students, in hopes of achieving herd immunity as fears of a worsening pandemic hang over their heads. From Tuesday (Mar 16), maids working in the city and students who are 16 and older studying outside […]
BANGKOK (REUTERS) – Thailand will start using the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday (March 16) after a brief delay due to concerns over its safety, officials said, with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet due to be the first to receive it. On Friday, Thailand was the first country outside of Europe to suspend use […]
KUALA LUMPUR – After Umno lost the 2018 general election, 15 of its MPs defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), the leading party in the governing coalition. With another general election expected soon, Bersatu wanted to discuss seat allocations with Umno on 13 of these constituencies. But Umno has insisted it will contest all […]
TAIPEI (REUTERS) – Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Myanmar has advised Taiwanese companies operating in the country to fly the island’s flag and hang signs stating they are from Taiwan to avoid being confused with China, after Chinese-financed factories were set ablaze. China’s embassy said many Chinese staff were injured and trapped in arson attacks […]
BEIJING (REUTERS) – The Chinese capital Beijing was shrouded in thick brown dust on Monday (March 15) morning as a result of heavy winds blowing in from Inner Mongolia and other parts of north-western China. The China Meteorological Administration announced a yellow alert on Monday morning, saying that the sandstorms had spread from Inner Mongolia […]