‘Nepo baby’ uproar in Philippines after Gen Z jet-setter named urban poor commissioner
SCMP •

‘Nepo baby’ uproar in Philippines after Gen Z jet-setter named urban poor commissioner

A Gen Z jet-setter in the Philippines has been named commissioner for the urban poor, raising eyebrows over her qualifications for a position dealing with issues such as food and housing insecurity. Zofia Canlas took her oath as commissioner for the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on Monday, but drew widespread attention for social media photos depicting a fashion-forward lifesty...

US envoy Witkoff in talks with Vladimir Putin about Ukraine – Europe live

US envoy Witkoff in talks with Vladimir Putin about Ukraine – Europe live

The Guardian •

The meeting comes after the US official held ‘constructive’ talks with Zelenskyy in NorwayIt looks like the hosts had something special lined up for the US guests…Russia has released an American man imprisoned on charges of fighting as mercenary in Ukraine, US envoy Witkoff says. Continue reading...

Women lead the charge for Saudi contemporary art

Women lead the charge for Saudi contemporary art

France 24 •

Saudi artists Reem Ali and Bashaer Hawsawi are showing installations that explore the domestic space, feminine spheres and the emotionally charged meaning of the table, in a group show presented by the Villa Hegra as part of the Asia Now art fair in Paris. 

Missouri Appeals Court rejects couple’s ownership claim to 40-foot road through neighbour’s land

Missouri Appeals Court rejects couple’s ownership claim to 40-foot road through neighbour’s land

Times of India •

In a notable case from Missouri, a couple gained legal rights to their isolated property via their neighbor's land. Although the court initially granted them ownership of the access road, it later corrected this decision. Ultimately, they received a permanent easement, illustrating the difference between property rights and ownership. The couple can access their property while the neighbor retains...

Margot Robbie’s renovated Hollywood bungalow sold for $1.2 million

Margot Robbie’s renovated Hollywood bungalow sold for $1.2 million

Times of India •

In February 2018, Margot Robbie bought a charming 945-square-foot bungalow in Hollywood Heights for $950,000. After giving it a stylish makeover, she rented it out at various rates. She eventually sold the property in 2021 for around $1.2 million, marking a profitable investment. This venture underscores the appeal of smaller homes in attractive neighborhoods, complementing her extensive property ...

Apec meeting highlights Hong Kong’s ‘Going Global’ pathway

Apec meeting highlights Hong Kong’s ‘Going Global’ pathway

SCMP •

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) nations agreed to boost economic coordination amid mounting challenges after a meeting of finance ministers in Hong Kong. “We note that global imbalances have persisted, creating risks to growth and stability,” the finance ministers said in a joint statement following two days of talks. “We recognise that global rebalancing is in our common interest and agr...

French PM vows stronger security as country prepares for more protests

French PM vows stronger security as country prepares for more protests

France 24 •

French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez both faced tough questions from members of parliament over the handling of last weekend's violence. Lecornu has promised a massive deployment of police for future protests, while Nunez said the military will be used to back up the security forces. Details by FRANCE 24’s Ellen Gainsford live from the prime minister's office...

Hong Kong sees last-minute IPO cancellations amid increased regulatory checks, weak market

Hong Kong sees last-minute IPO cancellations amid increased regulatory checks, weak market

SCMP •

Hong Kong’s tougher oversight and weak investor demand have put many mainland China issuers in a dilemma, forcing many small-cap non-technology firms to delay their fundraising plans or even cancel them at the last minute, according to industry players. On Tuesday Jiangsu Slender West Lake Culture and Tourism (SWL Tour) became the latest such case, when the state-owned aquatic tourism service prov...

For Filipinos, virtual assistant trumps doctor as ‘dream job’. But what’s the reality?

For Filipinos, virtual assistant trumps doctor as ‘dream job’. But what’s the reality?

SCMP •

When Mark Ifurung left his 18-year career as an IT professional in May, he was happy to ditch his two-hour commutes from his home in Cavite province south of Manila to his office in Makati City. So for his fresh start, the 40-year-old father of four wanted something that would allow him to work from home. “After being unemployed for five months, I decided to explore freelancing,” he said. “With my...

‘A powerful warning’: will Europe’s angry protests lead to real political change?

‘A powerful warning’: will Europe’s angry protests lead to real political change?

The Guardian •

Hamstrung governments seem to have no answer to the public’s furious demands, making further discontent likelyEurope live – latest updatesIn France, it was the piles of wheelie bins stacked up against school entrances that first hinted at the scale of student anger over crumbling classrooms and teacher shortages. In Spain, it was a tent camp that steadily grew in the heart of the capital as reside...

Italy deploys army and approves tougher anti-riot laws after violence

Italy deploys army and approves tougher anti-riot laws after violence

France 24 •

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday announced the deployment of 500 troops to Milan to assist police following clashes in the city. Meloni said a cabinet meeting also approved measures to make the detention of minors easier and to impose fines on their parents for any damage. Story by Morgan Ayre.