Indonesia wants Chinese tourists to look beyond Bali holidays, mulls visa waiver
“Top of mind for Chinese tourists is still Bali,” Sandiaga said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Dalian, China.
Asian news from Singapore
Malaysia 1MDB scandal: Jho Low to forfeit Warhol, Monet art in US$100 million settlement with US
Jho Low, the fugitive Malaysian financier, will forfeit more than US$100 million including a luxury Paris apartment and works by Claude Monet and Andy Warhol to settle civil forfeiture cases over his role in the 1MDB bribery and embezzlement scandal.
Thai banks are the top suppliers of financial services to Myanmar’s military, UN expert says
BANGKOK (AP) — Thai banks have become the main supplier of international financial services for Myanmar’s military government, enabling its purchases of goods and equipment used to carry out its increasingly bloody war against pro-democracy resistance forces and armed ethnic minority groups, a U.N. expert said in a report issued Wednesday.
‘Close window shades’: Plane passengers ordered to do so by China’s anti-spy agency at military-civilian airports
SINGAPORE: China’s anti-spy agency has urged plane passengers to keep window shades down during take-off or landing at military-civilian airports, warning of potential national security risks if this is not followed.
Myanmar military shifts arms financing to Thai banks from Singapore
BANGKOK -- Thailand has replaced Singapore as the preferred banker and leading source of military supplies purchased through the international banking system by Myanmar's military regime, after Singapore cracked down on Myanmar-related accounts at its top banks, a U.N.-sponsored investigation has found.
Singapore unveils asset recovery strategy to protect its financial crown jewel
“But we are determined to do what is needed to respond to these risks and safeguard Singapore’s reputation as a trusted financial centre,” said Wong, who is also the city state’s finance minister, at a Financial Action Task Force event.
Myanmar junta still able to access weapons and money overseas, says UN expert
WASHINGTON — International efforts to isolate Myanmar's ruling junta appear to have dented its ability to purchase new military equipment from overseas, but the military is still able to access money and weapons for its war against anti-coup forces, a UN expert said in a report published on Wednesday (June 26).
A US officiant marries 10 same-sex couples in Hong Kong via video chat
HONG KONG (AP) — Ten same-sex couples got married in the United States over the internet from Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous southern Chinese city that does not formally recognize such unions but offers them legal protections.