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

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

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?
The Guardian •

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

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
France 24 •

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

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.

Can China turn national power into world leadership?

Can China turn national power into world leadership?

SCMP •

As turbulence grows in many countries, it is tempting to ask if there is a global hegemon that can sort everything out fairly. US President Donald Trump has threatened that his country would not defend Nato allies if they failed to spend enough on their defence. Together with new trade barriers, his words suggest that the US is scaling back its ambitions for global leadership and concentrating mor...

Climate campaigners condemn ‘maddening’ decision to approve Jackdaw gasfield

Climate campaigners condemn ‘maddening’ decision to approve Jackdaw gasfield

The Guardian •

Critics say move will jeopardise climate targets, fail to cut cost of living and distract from need to decarbonise energyUK politics live – latest updatesClimate campaigners and green experts have condemned the government’s decision to allow the drilling of the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea.They said approval for the site would jeopardise the UK’s climate targets, fail to reduce the cost of li...

Meloni toughens protest laws: Teen detentions, parental liability, 5-year jail term

Meloni toughens protest laws: Teen detentions, parental liability, 5-year jail term

Times of India •

In response to recent disturbances, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has introduced stringent security measures aimed at curbing protest-related violence. These measures entail prison sentences, fines, and even financial repercussions for parents of minors who participate in illegal protests. Authorities now have increased powers to detain youths perceived as threats, irrespective of actual c...