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Penny Wong says Australia could recognise Palestinian statehood before Israel-Palestine peace process complete

In short: Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia could recognise Palestinian statehood before a formal peace process between Israel and Palestinian authorities is complete. Australia has joined 143 other nations backing a United Nations resolution expanding the rights and privileges afforded to the UN’s Palestinian delegation. The move has drawn criticism from the opposition and […]

China tech is seeking growth in the Middle East

China is the world’s largest importer of oil. For decades, countries in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, have prioritised relations with China in order to safeguard a key customer. There has been less urgency on China’s side to reciprocate: its exports to the region have paled in comparison to its imports. That could now […]

Digital Competition Bill can stifle opportunities for MSMEs while aiming for a fairer market

Drastic changes are on the cards for India’s advertising sector if the Digital Competition Bill, currently undergoing public consultation till 15 May 2024, becomes a law. The proposed legislation aims to regulate how large digital enterprises conduct business, targeting practices such as self-preferencing allied products and services and the use of customers’ personal data without […]

For this Rich Lister, does the reality live up to the hype?

“There is a substantial mismatch in the headlines,” says one of Bonett’s former executives, speaking on condition of anonymity. Bonett arrived at Prezzee in 2015, buying into the e-gift card company founded by Claire Morris and Matt Hoggett. Through an app, Prezzee allows customers to buy gift cards for retailers from Amazon and Apple to […]

Lowy’s lament: ‘I know how insidious antisemitism can be’

He co-founded Westfield in the ’50s, took it public in 1960, and then made the Australian shopping centre group an international brand. By 2004, on some metrics, it was the largest retail property company in the world. In 2018, after selling Westfield’s international malls for $32 billion, he decided to live in Israel, where he […]

Tesla woes mount on new China reports, EV probe

Tesla shares extended their recent run of declines Thursday, pulling the stock closer to the lowest levels since late April, as headline risks for the world’s leading electric-vehicle maker continue to mount. Tesla  (TSLA) , which has shed more than $240 billion in market value this year, has been hammered by a slump in global EV […]

What TikTok failed to understand about America: Democracy

TikTok, for its part, has called the law “political theatre,” and it is probably right: there is always some theatrics in politics, and bashing China is currently one of the most popular shows in town. Almost no other issue can unite the two major parties. But, given the arrogance TikTok exhibited in the weeks and […]

Will Germany’s decision to reduce voting age in EU elections benefit the far-right?

Ahead of the European parliament elections in June, Germany has lowered the age limit on participation to 16. The far-right, however, is actively wooing younger people, so reducing the voting age may actually improve the performance of the Alternative für Deutschland party (AfD) read more Ahead of the European parliament elections in June, Germany has […]

Will Germany’s decision to reduce voting age in EU elections benefit the far-right?

Ahead of the European parliament elections in June, Germany has lowered the age limit on participation to 16. The far-right, however, is actively wooing younger people, so reducing the voting age may actually improve the performance of the Alternative für Deutschland party (AfD) read more Ahead of the European parliament elections in June, Germany has […]

The ages of the Race Across the World series four cast, oldest to youngest

This year’s cast has proven that age really is just a number The fourth series of BBC One’s Race Across the World sees five teams of two complete a 15,000km  (9,300 mile) route from Sapporo on Japan’s northernmost island to Lombok in Indonesia, passing through South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand enroute. Following Sharon and […]

Finally, Supreme Court defines red-tagging as a threat

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has finally defined red-tagging as an act that threatens individuals. Play Video In a 39-page decision penned by Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda, the High Court defined red-tagging as an act that threatens a person’s constitutional right to life, liberty, and security. The decision publicized on Wednesday, May 8, […]

Toyota says investment to weigh on profit after blockbuster Q4

Toyota Motor forecast a 20 per cent profit decline in the current financial year on Wednesday, citing looming investment in both its suppliers and strategy after it delivered blockbuster fourth-quarter earnings. Despite the leaner forecast, the results from the world’s top-selling vehicle maker smashed market expectations. Operating profit surged 78 per cent in the January-March […]

‘Countries are now forced to confront it’: Rise in Chinese espionage arrests alarms Europe

As China’s president, Xi Jinping, arrived in Serbia for the second leg of his European tour, authorities across the continent were grappling with a wave of allegations about Chinese spying. On Tuesday, meanwhile, the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, revealed that a “malign actor” had compromised British military payroll records, with reports pointing the finger […]

TikTok sues US to block law that could ban the platform

TikTok and its Chinese parent company filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a new American law that would ban the popular video-sharing app in the U.S. unless it’s sold to an approved buyer, saying it unfairly singles out the platform and is an unprecedented attack on free speech. In its lawsuit, ByteDance says the new law […]

‘No valid basis’ for several transactions paid through RTÉ barter account

The Mazars report commissioned by the Government into issues that arose at RTÉ outlines that there was “no valid basis” for several high-profile transactions being paid through the barter account, including €150,000 paid to Ryan Tubridy and €44,000 for Renault events associated with the so-called “tripartite deal” between RTÉ, Mr Tubridy and the carmaker which […]

TikTok sues US government as it tries to block law that could ban app

TikTok is suing the US government over a law that seeks to force the app’s Chinese owner ByteDance to sell it within nine months or ban its use in America. The popular video-sharing platform is trying to block the recently passed bill, arguing it violates the US constitution, including the first amendment which protects free […]

A guide to riding the Shinkansen bullet train with a terrible-twos kid

Solo dad and his “devil twos” daughter take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto – is this a recipe for disaster? The Shinkansen is Japan’s fastest rail network, but that actually means that you’ll probably be on the train for a good chunk of time, since the bullet train lines aren’t used for getting around […]

Hazukido: Yaletown Taiwanese Japanese croissant cafe closed

Despite an opening with much fanfare, the first Vancouver outpost of global croissant sensation Hazukido has closed down in silence. The well-appointed bakery-cafe at 280 Nelson St in Yaletown opened its doors in October 2022, marking the Taiwanese franchise chain’s first foray into Metro Vancouver. The brand is known for its Japanese-inspired baked goods, in […]

TikTok is suing the U.S. government over the potential ban

On Tuesday, Apple just announced the new iPad Air and iPad Pro, heating up the battle between iPad and Galaxy Tab. However, that’s not the only battle going down. There is going to be a legal battle, as TikTok is suing the U.S. government over the looming ban. This comes after the news of a […]

Why the Chinese are warming to ‘second-hand’ homes

Second-hand home sales surpassed those of new homes by floor space last year for the first time since private property markets emerged in the 1990s, according to data from the China Real Estate Information Corporation. “There’s a huge amount of secondary stock out there that’s been held by investors that’s clearly coming back to the […]

These are the best restaurants in Vancouver of 2024

What was the most exciting restaurant to open in Vancouver last year? Where can you find the best sushi, Indian food, or steak in Vancouver? The 35th annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards were announced Monday, May 6 at a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, recognizing the best and the brightest in the city in […]