BEIJING – Chinese lawmakers on Friday (March 5) proposed changes to Hong Kong’s electoral commission as well as the way the chief executive and legislators would be elected, emphasising the need for patriotic lawmakers in the territory. “We’re looking to create a democratic process with Hong Kong characteristics,” said secretary general of the National People’s […]
WELLINGTON (REUTERS) – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government will on Sunday (March 7) lift a lockdown in the country’s largest city of Auckland which was prompted by just one new case of the coronavirus. Ms Ardern imposed a seven-day lockdown on the city of 2 million last Saturday, continuing its “go […]
BEIJING – China has set an annual gross domestic product (GDP) target of over 6 per cent for this year despite continuing global uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. In presenting his yearly work report on Friday (March 5) at the opening of the country’s top annual legislative meeting, Premier Li Keqiang said the target […]
SINGAPORE – A man originally accused of murder following a 2019 brawl at Orchard Towers was sentenced on Friday (March 5) to four years and nine months’ jail with 12 strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of being in the company of someone who had a weapon in his possession. […]
FILE PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol Building following a rainstorm on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 4, 2020. REUTERS/Tom BrennerWASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate on Thursday afternoon started voting on whether to begin 20 hours of debate on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan. “The time is now to move forward with […]
BEIJING (AFP) – China’s top legislature will discuss electoral reform in Hong Kong when it meets this week, state media said on Thursday (March 4), as speculation grows that Beijing will use the event to further tighten control over the financial hub. China has ushered in a sweeping crackdown against critics in Hong Kong after […]
SINGAPORE – Mr Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok) on Thursday (March 4) called for a relook of how certain laws are exempted from being reviewed by the courts, saying Singaporeans desire greater checks and balances. Citizens are increasingly calling for a reexamination of the “tried and tested ways of doing things”, and the country’s approach to […]
GENEVA (REUTERS) – The United Nations human rights chief called on Myanmar’s security forces on Thursday (March 4) to “halt their vicious crackdown on peaceful protesters” and urged the military to release people unlawfully detained since the Feb 1 coup. Ms Michelle Bachelet said in a statement that more than 1,700 people have been arbitrarily […]
SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia’s scandal-hit government on Thursday (March 4) apologised for calling an alleged rape victim a “lying cow”, sparking fresh claims of a “toxic” culture in the country’s corridors of power. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Defence Minister Linda Reynolds “deeply regretted” the slur against her former employee Brittany Higgins, who last month came […]
SINGAPORE – A new 62km-long walking and cycling route linking Tuas to Changi is in the works. The C2C Southern Trail was one of four new recreational routes announced by National Development Minister Desmond Lee on Thursday (March 4), during the debate on his ministry’s budget. Also coming up: A 25km-long Coast-to-Coast Northern Trail, linking […]