Two flat owners fined for high-rise littering in first convictions under presumption-of-guilt clause

Vast protests have erupted in Seoul against ousted leader Yoon's Dec 3 martial law decree, with smaller rallies showing support for him. Both sides are determined to continue demonstrating as the Constitutional Court deliberates on Yoon's future. Hundreds gathered for a vigil in central Seoul, with protesters like Kim Chan-suk and Han Myung-hak expressing their determination to see Yoon formally removed and ensure a better future for South Korea. Full Article

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an “informal adviser” for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, alongside other elder statesmen like George Yeo and Retno Marsudi. Thaksin’s return to Thailand last year has seen him play a behind-the-scenes role in politics, meeting with foreign leaders and offering to mediate in Myanmar’s civil war. While the move may tap into Thaksin’s global connections, skepticism remains about the potential impact on ASEAN’s...

Former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov pleaded guilty to lying about a fake bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and his son Hunter, resulting in a recommended prison sentence of four to six years for a felony charge and tax evasion. Smirnov falsely claimed that Burisma executives paid the Bidens $5 million each in 2015, despite having only routine business dealings with the company since 2017. An FBI investigation found no evidence of corruption by Joe...

The Legislative Yuan in Taiwan experienced turmoil in May, mirroring the recent political crisis in South Korea following President Yoon Suk-Yeol's declaration and subsequent revocation of martial law. Taiwan, like South Korea, faces risks to its political stability due to its history of authoritarian rule. The unfolding events in both countries highlight the potential challenges to democracy and governance. Full Article

Singapore-based Vallianz is embroiled in a legal battle with Hilong Marine Engineering over an $8.1m counterclaim regarding alleged deficiencies in the chartered vessel Vallianz Supreme. The dispute initially stemmed from unpaid charter fees of $702,217, which led to accrued interest of $54,297. Vallianz is seeking legal counsel to address the counterclaim and pursue its claims against Hilong for the 2012-built vessel chartered from August 2023 to March this year. Full Article

The rapid evolution of Generative AI (GenAI) technologies in ASEAN presents a transformative opportunity, with governments recognizing its potential for economic growth and competitiveness. Government-led initiatives focus on financial and regulatory support, education and workforce development, and infrastructure development to foster a thriving GenAI ecosystem. Challenges include regulatory discrepancies and ethical concerns, highlighting the need for harmonized regulations and a unified digital market to scale GenAI in the region. Full Article