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EVEN before the pandemic hit, many foreign domestic workers in Malaysia were already placed in forced labour situations. However, things got significantly worse once Covid-19 struck. Tenaganita, an NGO which protects and promotes the rights of migrants, refugees, women, and children, found that prior to the movement control order, many domestic workers were forced to endure slavery-like conditions of work; trafficked with no or low wages, denied benefits, were not allowed to communicate with loved ones, worked long hours, and did not even have one rest day. Tenaganita’s analysis found that the Covid-19 pandemic has further aggravated the situation as workload and responsibilities piled up - since the start of the MCO on March 18,2020, until December, the NGO received 101 cases related to domestic workers. “During these times, we found that domestic workers have been exploited and most of them were abused, mentally and emotionally tortured, and some even had dealt with physical ... » Learn More about NGOs: Situation worse for domestic workers after Covid-19

THE indigenous cultural communities/indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) have led the charge in paying tribute and memorializing their identities and rituals as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) launched three coffee table books on Sunday under Project Epanaw (Journey), showcasing the story of ICCs/IPs through their own eyes. The three coffee table books “Pagkilala (Recognition),” “Paggalang (Respect)” and “Pagtaguyod (Promotion)” were simultaneously unveiled at SM Aura Premier and SM Lanang Premier along with a month-long photo exhibit, featuring the profiles and lives of ICCs/IPs. NCIP Commissioner Norberto Navarro, a member of the Ivatan tribe, touted the uniqueness of the coffee table books, describing them as “probably the most comprehensive anthology of ethnographic information we have.” “This one is different because these were authorized by the communities themselves. These were approved by them. While it might be the most comprehensive, it is, by far, the ... » Learn More about IPs’ story takes spotlight as NCIP unveils books

Thailand's king signed the country's new military-backed constitution on Thursday, approving a charter that could see the ruling junta allow fresh elections but limit the authority of the politicians who eventually take office. King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun endorsed the document in an elaborate ceremony at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall attended by senior members of the country's military government as well as foreign diplomats. It becomes the nation's 20th constitution since the absolute monarchy was abolished in 1932. The military junta, which seized control of the country in a coup nearly three years ago, has said the promulgation of the constitution will clear the way for new elections no later than November 2018, though it has repeatedly delayed previous promised poll dates. In a televised speech Thursday night, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government's timetable did not allow for an exact date for the elections to be set because of the need to ... » Learn More about Thai king endorses new military-backed constitution

SINGAPORE - Even as the United States and China compete strategically, the two major powers must find a way to manage tensions and develop a framework for cooperation, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. Speaking at the Credit Suisse Asian Investment Conference on the topic "Will Asia emerge stronger in a post-Covid-19 world?" on Monday (March 22), Mr Heng said a stable US-China relationship is important to the global commons. While the Biden administration will bring a more predictable approach to the world's most critical bilateral relationship, the US and China will continue to be strategic competitors, he said. "I am glad that both sides have acknowledged that there are areas that they could work together on, despite the competitive tenor of their relationship." He called the first high-level, face-to-face meeting between both countries under the Biden presidency last week "a step in the right direction". At the start of what Washington called "tough and direct" ... » Learn More about Asean should focus on own interests if US-China tensions escalate: DPM Heng

There is no specific medicine to treat dengue infection. About 1 in 4 people infected will get sick, some very sick. A severe case of dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and will probably require hospitalisation. The most common symptoms of dengue include nausea, vomiting, a rash, muscle aches and joint pains. Symptoms of dengue typically last 2 – 7 days. Most people recover in about a week. A lot of Thailand is jungle. And the weather is very humid. Mosquitoes thrive in both situations. You’re in their domain and they’re not going anywhere just because you want to live here or are on your vacation. The Aedes aegypti mosquito is the carrier of Dengue Fever which is very prevalent in South East Asian countries. Your best way to avoid Dengue Fever is to avoid the carrier mosquitos which bite you. Here are a few tried and proven methods. 1. Mosquitoes love the ground Most mosquitoes ‘hang around’ close to the ground so your feet and legs dangling under the table ... » Learn More about Top 10 ways to avoid getting Dengue Fever

MANILA (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - The Philippines currently projects a Janus-faced foreign policy, acutely marked by a bipolar character as displayed by the country's top two leaders. While President Duterte fervently looks west toward China, desiring its primary support, Vice President Leni Robredo ardently gazes eastward to the United States, equally yearning for its principal aid. Obviously, this dual identity affecting Manila's global outlook is increasingly being shaped by the intensifying geostrategic competition between Beijing and Washington to attain 21st-century dominance over the immense Asia-Indo-Pacific realm. But even so, pursuing a close national alignment with either great power will be dangerously harmful to Philippine sovereignty and to our peoples' well-being in the long run. Because America and China are both powerful imperialist hegemons whose main worldwide objectives include intensely dominating their own international spheres of ... » Learn More about A pan-Asian foreign policy alternative for Philippines: Inquirer contributor

SINGAPORE - The Republic's vaccination programme will now be expanded to those aged 45 to 59, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in a press conference on Wednesday (March 24). They can register their interest for vaccination on this website, although letters will not be sent to them, as they are more familiar with the use of digital technology, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). Mr Gan, who is co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, said that with vaccination for the prioritised groups well under way, the programme is now ready to be expanded to younger age groups in the population from Wednesday. "We seek everyone's patience and support as we expand our vaccination efforts steadily," he said. He added: "I would also like to apologise for any hiccups or inconvenience to our residents during this initial stages as we work to iron out some of the teething problems." On average, around 40,000 doses of the vaccine were administered each day last week, ... » Learn More about Covid-19 vaccination now open to Singapore residents aged 45 to 59: Gan Kim Yong

SINGAPORE - The Republic's vaccination programme will now be expanded to those aged 45 to 59, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in a press conference on Wednesday (March 24). They can register their interest for vaccination on this website, although letters will not be sent to them, as they are more familiar with the use of digital technology, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). Mr Gan, who is co-chair of the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, said that with vaccination for the prioritised groups well under way, the programme is now ready to be expanded to younger age groups in the population from Wednesday. "We seek everyone's patience and support as we expand our vaccination efforts steadily," he said. He added: "I would also like to apologise for any hiccups or inconvenience to our residents during this initial stages as we work to iron out some of the teething problems." On average, around 40,000 doses of the vaccine were administered each day last week, ... » Learn More about 45-59 age group can now apply for Covid-19 vaccination

SINGAPORE - More than $6 billion has been set aside in the Budget to support businesses, workers, families and front-line agencies, as Singapore grapples with the economic fallout from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak . Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Tuesday (Feb 18) announced various measures to stabilise the country's economy and cushion the impact of the outbreak, which has hit tourism arrivals and disrupted supply chains. A $4 billion package will be rolled out to keep workers in jobs, help companies with their cash flow and provide additional support for sectors directly affected by the coronavirus disease, known as Covid-19. Households will get additional help with cost of living from a special $1.6 billion "Care and Support Package", with those less well-off receiving more. This includes a one-off cash payout ranging from $100 to $300 for every Singaporean aged 21 and above. Apart from this, $800 million will be set aside to support front-line agencies ... » Learn More about Singapore Budget 2020: $6.4 billion set aside to support businesses, families and agencies impacted by coronavirus outbreak

Not considered a supreme Van Gogh masterpiece, it still went for $15.4 million. PARIS - One of the few paintings by Vincent Van Gogh still in private hands, "Street Scene in Montmartre", was sold for over 13 million euros Thursday at auction after going on public display for the first time this week, Sotheby's said. The painting -- which emerged after a century spent in the same collection and has not been exhibited in public since it was painted in 1887 -- fetched 13.091 million euros ($15.414 million), Sotheby's said. Reaching well above the estimate of 5-8 million euros, Sotheby's said the sale price was a record for the artist in France. The sale of the painting was the highlight of an auction of 33 works from masters including Degas, Magritte, Modigliani, Klee, Rodin and his muse Camille Claudel sold in an auction live-streamed by Sotheby's in Paris. The painting was reoffered at the end of the sale in Paris after the auction house scrapped its initial sale earlier in ... » Learn More about Rarely seen Paris Van Gogh sells for over 13 mn euros