Live Streaming
Program Highlight
Company Profile
International News (6891)
June
Britain begins negotiations to join trans-Pacific trade deal
Written by Nur Yasmin
Britain will begin negotiations on Tuesday to join a trans-Pacific trade deal that it sees as crucial to its post-Brexit pivot away from Europe and towards geographically more distant but faster-growing economies.
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) removes 95% of tariffs between its members: Japan, Canada, Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, Mexico, Peru, Brunei, Chile and Malaysia.
Britain hopes to carve out a niche for itself in world trade as an exporter of premium consumer goods and professional services. Accession to the pact would supplement trade deals London is seeking, or has already agreed, with larger members.
"This part of the world is where Britain’s greatest opportunities lie. We left the EU with the promise of deepening links with old allies and fast-growing consumer markets beyond Europe," trade minister Liz Truss said. "It is a glittering post-Brexit prize that I want us to seize."
The CPTPP is forecast to lead to only a minimal gain in British exports or economic growth. But it locks in market access, including for the legal, financial and professional services sectors, and is seen by ministers as an important way to gain influence in a region where China is increasingly the dominant economic force.
Joining the CPTPP in its current format could add around 1.8 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to the economy over the long-term - or less than 0.1% of pre-pandemic gross domestic product, according to British government modelling published on Tuesday.
That gain could rise to 5.5 billion pounds - or 0.25% of GDP - if Thailand, South Korea and the United States were also to join the bloc.
Unlike the European Union, the CPTPP does not impose laws on its members, it does not aim to create a single market or a customs union, and it does not seek wider political integration.
REMOVING TARIFFS
The process of negotiating membership is largely about proving to existing members that Britain can meet the group's standards on tariff removal and trade liberalisation, and then setting out details of how and when it will do so.
"The CPTPP agreement has strong rules against unfair trade practices like favouring state-owned enterprises, protectionism, discriminating against foreign investors, and forcing companies to hand over private information," the trade department said in a statement.
"The UK's joining will strengthen the international consensus against such unfair practices," it added.
The government is expected to publish documents setting out its assessment of the benefits of membership on Tuesday, but highlighted cars and whisky as goods exports that would benefit.
The United States withdrew from an earlier planned trans-Pacific trade pact under then-president Donald Trump. His successor, Joe Biden, spoke prior to his election last November about the possibility of renegotiating the deal, but has not laid out any firm plans since taking office. (Reuters)
June
UN irks Australia by recommending that Great Barrier Reef be listed 'in danger'
Written by Nur Yasmin
The Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger", a United Nations panel said on Tuesday, drawing an angry response from Australia, which called the recommendation politically motivated.
Australia has lobbied furiously for years to stay off the endangered list as it could lead to the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem losing the U.N. heritage status, taking some of the shine off its attraction for tourists.
Making its recommendation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) committee said action was needed to counter the effects of climate change as the prospects of the reef retaining that cherished status had deteriorated.
At Australia's invitations, UNESCO delegates visited an unspoilt stretch of the reef in 2015, but scientists say it has suffered three major coral bleaching events since, caused by severe marine heatwaves.
Defending Australia's efforts to protect the reef, Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Canberra would challenge the recommendation, saying some hidden agenda had influenced its findings.
"This decision was flawed. Clearly there were politics behind it," Leys said, adding that Australia had conveyed its concerns to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay.
China chairs the UNESCO committee, but when queried in parliament, Ley declined to say if she was pointing the finger at Beijing.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government official told Reuters that China had been responsible for the committee's stance.
"We will appeal, but China is in control," the source said.
China rejected the assertion that it was behind the move, however.
"What you mentioned is a groundless smear against China," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, told a daily briefing in Beijing, adding that the accusation was similar to others made against China, regarding its "ulterior political motives".
China's embassy in Canberra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Relations with China, the biggest customer for Australia's exports, have deteriorated in recent years to hit a low after Prime Minister Scott Morrison sought an independent inquiry over the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.
Environmental groups gave short shrift to the notion that politics played a part in the adverse recommendation, saying it was clear Australia was not doing enough to protect the reef.
"There is no avenue for any government to have any input. This recommendation is reached by world renowned scientists," said Richard Leck, Head of Oceans for the World Wide Fund for Nature, Australia.
Leck was among a group of conservationists that lobbied 13 members of the UNESCO panel to reach the recommendation, which will now be considered by all 21 nations on the committee.
Although a member of the panel, Australia is barred by convention from voting if it is unable to reach a consensus.
Australia's reliance on coal-fired power makes it one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita, but its conservative government has steadfastly backed fossil fuel industries, saying tougher action on emissions would cost jobs.
How the government handles the threat of losing U.N. heritage status could also affect domestic politics, as about 5 million people visit the Great Barrier Reef each year, supporting nearly 70,000 jobs in Queensland.
The northeastern state will be a major battleground when Morrison returns to polls within the next year, seeking a fourth consecutive term for his party. (Reuters)
June
Philippines' Duterte threatens those who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine with jail
Written by Nur Yasmin
President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to jail people who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus as the Philippines battles one of Asia's worst outbreaks, with over 1.3 million cases and more than 23,000 deaths.
"You choose, vaccine or I will have you jailed," Duterte said in a televised address on Monday following reports of low turnouts at several vaccination sites in the capital Manila.
Duterte's remarks contradict those of his health officials who have said that while people are urged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, it was voluntary.
"Don't get me wrong, there is a crisis in this country," Duterte said. "I'm just exasperated by Filipinos not heeding the government."
As of June 20, Philippine authorities had fully vaccinated 2.1 million people, making slow progress towards the government's target to immunise up to 70 million people this year in a country of 110 million.
Duterte, who has been criticised for his tough approach to containing the virus, also stood by his decision not to let schools reopen.
In the same address, he took a swipe at the International Criminal Court, after an ICC prosecutor had sought permission from the court for a full inquiry into the drug war killings in the Philippines. read more
Duterte, who in March 2018 cancelled the Philippines' membership of the ICC's founding treaty, repeated he will not cooperate with the probe, describing the ICC as "bullshit".
"Why would I defend or face an accusation before white people. You must be crazy," Duterte said, who after winning the presidency in 2016 unleashed an anti-narcotics campaign that has killed thousands.
Human rights groups say authorities have summarily executed drug suspects, but Duterte maintained those who were killed violently resisted arrest.
Sought for comment, ICC courtspokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said: "The Court is an independent judicial institution, and does not comment on political statements". (Reuters)
June
New U.S. envoy for North Korea looks forward to 'positive response' on dialogue
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. special representative for North Korea Sung Kim is in South Korea for a five-day visit, amid an impasse in denuclearisation talks with Pyongyang, with no word of any planned efforts to contact the North.
"We continue to hope that the DPRK will response positively for our outreach and our offer to meet anywhere, anytime without preconditions," Kim said, using the initials of North Korea's official name.
Kim arrived on Saturday, a day after North Korean state media reported that leader Kim Jong urged preparation for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, particularly the latter. read more
"We will be prepared for either, because you know, we are still waiting to hear back from Pyongyang for a meeting," Sung Kim said. "Hopefully dialogue indicates that we will get a positive response soon."
In the meantime, the United States will continue to enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions that have imposed sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme and urge other countries to do the same, Kim said.
Kim, who doubles as ambassador to Indonesia, had back-to-back meetings with South Korea's top nuclear envoy, Noh Kyu-duk, as well as a trilateral session involving his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi.
Noh said he and Kim discussed ways to cooperate and facilitate the "prompt" resumption of dialogue with North Korea.
Noh and Funakoshi were also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting to discuss North Korea.
Kim's appointment came after U.S. President Joe Biden's administration conducted a review of North Korea policy that concluded the United States would seek to find "calibrated and practical" ways of inducing Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
The United States said on Sunday it saw Kim's comments as an "interesting signal," but added that Washington was still waiting for direct communication from Pyongyang to start any talks relating to denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. (Reuters)
June
In Indonesian banking, rise in religious conservatism ripples across sector
Written by Nur Yasmin
A rise in religious conservatism in Indonesia is drawing talent away from what some view as un-Islamic jobs in banking, industry professionals say, creating hiring woes for conventional banks but a boon for the country's fledgling sharia finance sector.
The trend comes amid broader societal change in the world's biggest Muslim-majority country, driven by millions of young, 'born-again' Muslims embracing stricter interpretations of Islam. [https://reut.rs/3aMab6D]
Reuters spoke to a dozen industry sources over how concern about Islamic law barring exploitative interest payments, known as "riba", is reverberating through the world of Indonesian finance.
Since 2018, hiring for banks and fintech companies in peer-to-peer lending, payments and investment platforms has been more challenging, said Rini Kusumawardhani, a finance sector recruiter at Robert Walters Indonesia.
"Roughly speaking 15 out of 50 candidates" would refuse a job within conventional banking and peer-to-peer lending, she told Reuters. "Their reason was quite clear-cut. They wanted to avoid riba."
Islamic scholars do not all agree on what constitutes riba. Some say interest on a bank loan is an example, but others say that while such loans should be discouraged, they are not sinful.
"It's so common that the stigma is if one borrows it's identical with riba," Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati told a webinar on the Islamic economy earlier this year. "But loans are allowed in the Koran as long as they're taken carefully and they're recorded correctly."
Islamic banking accounts for just over 6% of the roughly $634 billion assets in Indonesia's banking industry - but has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Savings in Islamic banks jumped 80% from end-2018 to March 2021, outstripping the 18% growth in conventional counterparts, while financing also grew faster than conventional loan growth.
WORSE THAN ADULTERY
Exactly how many have left Indonesia's conventional banking sector is unclear. Statistics show a gradual employment drop, but this may also reflect digitalisation or coronavirus pandemic-related layoffs.
As of February, there were 1.5 million people overall employed in finance and the sector offered Indonesia's third-highest average salary, government data showed. The sector employed 1.7 million in 2018.
For 36-year-old Syahril Luthfi, finding online articles labelling riba as "tens of times more sinful than committing adultery with your own mother" was enough to persuade him to quit his conventional bank job and move to an Islamic lender, he said.
Concerns over the issue have helped create online support groups for former bankers, including XBank Indonesia, which claims nearly 25,000 active members on a messaging platform and has an Instagram account with half a million followers.
Its chairman, El Chandra, said in an email the community was founded in 2017 to support those facing challenges quitting a financially supportive, but un-Islamic job.
"To decide to quit a riba-ridden job is not easy, many things must be taken into consideration," said Chandra, who said some branded those who quit as stupid or radical.
XBank Indonesia advises people against taking out mortgages and other loans. But it's hard to measure the impact on demand for banking products among the so-called "hijrah" movement of more conservative young, middle-class Indonesians now embracing Islam - many already didn't use banks to the extent Western peers might.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Sunarso, president director of Indonesia's biggest lender by assets, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) (BBRI.JK), acknowledges people had left jobs at financial institutions he has worked at for religious reasons.
However, he views the hijrah trend as an opportunity for sharia finance, explaining how it determined a decision to merge the Islamic banking units of BRI and two other state-controlled lenders in February to form the country's biggest Islamic lender, Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) (BRIS.JK).
BSI's chief executive Hery Gunardi told Reuters it planned to cater to the growing community of more religious millennials in a bid to double its assets.
In fintech, some startups have also been trying to align with Islam, to tap a bigger slice of Indonesia's multi-billion dollar internet economy.
Dima Djani, founder of Islamic lending startup ALAMI, expects Islamic financial products to really take off in two to three years as the hijrah movement matures, impacting people's "lifestyle, their looks, their food and their travel" as they learn more about their religion.
"But in the end, as they continue to learn and shift their behaviour ... they will shift their finances," added Dima, who previously worked at foreign banks. He said due to high demand, he planned to expand ALAMI into an Islamic digital bank later this year. (Reuters)
June
Biden to meet with Afghan President Ghani as violence surges
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. President Joe Biden will meet at the White House with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah on Friday to discuss U.S. troop withdrawal amid a surge in fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban across the country.
In their first face-to-face meeting, Biden will seek to reassure Ghani and Abdullah of U.S. support for the Afghan people including diplomatic, economic and humanitarian assistance, the White House said in a statement. Biden will also repeat his pledge to ensure that the country never becomes a safe haven for terrorist groups.
"The visit by President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah will highlight the enduring partnership between the United States and Afghanistan as the military drawdown continues," the White House said.
However, since Biden's decision in April to pull out all U.S. troops before Sept. 11 to end America's longest war after nearly 20 years of conflict, at least 30 districts have been seized by the Taliban.
The group has staged a campaign to expand its influence across the country as the United States began withdrawing troops on May 1 and closed some bases and handed them over to the Afghan government.
The Taliban said the visit would be "useless."
"They (Ghani and Abdullah) will talk with the U.S. officials for preservation of their power and personal interest," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. "It won’t benefit Afghanistan."
There was no immediate reaction from Ghani's office but a senior Afghan official said the Afghan president would be seeking assurances from the United States over its continued support for Afghan security forces in the aftermath of the withdrawal.
The visit would also come in the face of slow progress in talks between the Taliban and Afghan government representatives in Qatar. Officials have raised concerns over the stalling negotiations and have said the Taliban has not yet submitted a written peace proposal that could be used as a starting point for substantive talks.
In May, U.S. intelligence analysts released an assessment that the Taliban "would roll back much" of the progress made in Afghan women's rights if the Islamist extremists regained national power.
'PARAMOUNT PRIORITY'
Afghans who worked for the United States during the two-decade deployment of U.S.-led NATO troops fear the insurgency will target them and their families as retribution for helping foreign forces.
The Biden administration says it is adding staff to expedite the visa process for Afghans. Refugee advocates and some members of Congress, however, say the effort falls short of their expectations. read more
Speaking in an interview with ABC News on Sunday, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the issue was of "paramount priority" to Biden and that the administration was getting people out "at a record pace," although he gave no specific figure.
"And we are doing the kind of extensive planning for potential evacuation should that become necessary. We will take all of these steps to ensure that we do right by the people who did right by us," he said.
Asked if the increased violence in the country was forcing the administration to delay U.S. departure from Bagram Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, Sullivan said there has been no change in plans so far but added:
"What we're doing is looking every week to check as the drawdown unfolds, whether or not it lines up with our effort to ensure that there is a sufficient security presence at the embassy, that the airport will be secure." (Reuters)
June
Taliban say committed to Afghan peace talks, want 'genuine Islamic system'
Written by Nur Yasmin
The statement came amid slow progress in the talks between the hardline Islamic group and Afghan government representatives in Qatar and as violence rises dramatically around the country ahead of the withdrawal of foreign forces by September 11.
Officials have raised concerns over the stalling negotiations and have said the Taliban has not yet submitted a written peace proposal that could be used as a starting point for substantive talks. read more
"We understand that the world and Afghans have queries and questions about the form of the system to be established following withdrawal of foreign troops," said Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban's political office, in the statement, adding the issues were best addressed during negotiations in Doha.
"A genuine Islamic system is the best means for solution of all issues of the Afghans," he said. "Our very participation in the negotiations and its support on our part indicates openly that we believe in resolving issues through (mutual) understanding."
He added that women and minorities would be protected and diplomats and NGO workers would be able to work securely.
"We take it on ourselves as a commitment to accommodate all rights of citizens of our country, whether they are male or female, in the light of the rules of the glorious religion of Islam and the noble traditions of the Afghan society," he said, adding that 'facilities would be provided' for women to work and be educated.
It was not clear whether the Taliban would allow women to carry out public roles and whether workplaces and schools would be segregated by gender. The group's spokesman did not immediately to respond to request for comment.
In May, U.S. intelligence analysts released an assessment that the Taliban "would roll back much" of the progress made in Afghan women's rights if the Islamist extremists regained national power. read more
Before being ousted by the 2001 U.S.-led invasion, the Taliban imposed a harsh version of Islamic rule that included barring girls from school and women from working outside their homes and prohibiting them from being in public without a male relative. (Reuters)
June
White House says comments by N.Korea's Kim are 'interesting signal'
Written by Nur Yasmin
In his first direct comments on U.S. President Joe Biden's administration, Kim urged preparation for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States, particularly the latter, state news agency KCNA said on Friday. read more
Speaking in an interview with ABC News, U.S. National Security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington would still need a direct and clear response from Pyongyang expressing its willingness for talks.
"His comments this week we regard as an interesting signal and we will wait to see whether they are followed up with any kind of more direct communication to us about a potential path forward," Sullivan said. "The clear signal they could send is to say 'yes, let's do it. Let's sit down and begin negotiations.'"
Kim's remarks came two days before the newly appointed U.S. envoy for North Korea, Sung Kim, was set to arrive in South Korea on his first visit since taking up the role last month.
He will hold talks with South Korean and Japanese counterparts and meet other Seoul officials during his stay until June 23, the State Department said on Thursday.
North Korea lashed out at the United States and its ally, South Korea, last month, saying Washington's comments on its North Korean policy were proof of a hostile approach that required a corresponding response from Pyongyang. (Reuters)
June
Myanmar junta leader leaves for Russia conference, second trip abroad since coup
Written by Nur Yasmin
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will attend the Moscow Conference on International Security, scheduled to be held from June 22-24, Myanmar military-controlled television network MRTV reported on Sunday. Since taking power he has travelled abroad only to attend a regional summit hosted by Indonesia in April. read more
The army overthrew a civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi after her administration dismissed its allegations of fraud over her party's landslide election victory in November. International monitors had said the vote was fair.
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a halt to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect the November election results and release political detainees, including Suu Kyi. read more
The trial of Suu Kyi, 75, resumes on Monday. She has been accused of charges ranging from the possession of radios to violating secrecy and corruption laws.
On Saturday, Myanmar's foreign ministry released a statement rejecting the U.N. resolution, which it said was "based on one-sided sweeping allegations and false assumptions".
The statement also questioned the legitimacy of Myanmar's UN ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who has been speaking on behalf of the country's elected civilian government. Protests have been held almost daily in Myanmar since the coup. (Reuters)
June
Pope joins Myanmar bishops' appeal for humanitarian corridors
Written by Nur Yasmin
Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to Myanmar's military leaders to allow aid to reach displaced, hungry people who have fled fighting since the Feb. 1 coup and to respect religious sites as places of sanctuary.
Speaking at his Sunday blessing to crowds in St. Peter's Square, Francis said he wanted to "add my voice" to an appeal last week by Myanmar's Catholic bishops.
The pope, who has made many appeals for the release of political prisoners in Myanmar, spoke of the "heartbreaking experience of thousands of people in that country who are displaced and are dying of hunger".
He backed the bishops' appeal to authorities to allow humanitarian corridors in order to get aid to displaced people and to respect churches, pagodas, monasteries, mosques, temples, schools and hospitals, as neutral places of refuge.
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (Reuters)