Lifestyle

The new law, dubbed the “Bali bonking ban,” punishes unmarried couples who engage in sexual activity with up to a year in prison, or six months for those who cohabit. However, the governor of Bali, a popular tourist destination, stated that authorities would not verify the marital status of tourists. The law is scheduled to go into force in three …

The recently passed Indonesian criminal code will not endanger visitors to Bali, according to the island’s governor, who dismissed worries that amended regulations criminalizing sexual activity outside of marriage may deter tourists from visiting the island. The Indonesian parliament enacted the contentious measure prohibiting cohabitation between unmarried couples last week. In an effort to reassure tourists, Bali’s governor Wayan Koster …

Maria Ressa, Nobel laureate and CEO of Rappler, presented her book How to Stand Up to a Dictator in the Philippines at the Estancia mall at Capitol Commons in Pasig City on Saturday, December 10, the International Day of Human Rights. In attendance were former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, economist Winnie Monsad, and architect …

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is advocating for a bill that will institutionalize the inclusion of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ legal aid fund (LAF) (DFA). This week, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard Olalia emphasized the need to increase the LAF’s coverage at a House of Representatives meeting. He said that despite the fact that …

The Sy family-owned China Banking Corp. has chosen Romeo Uyan Jr. president and CEO, replacing William Whang, who will retire in March of next year. The succession plan was adopted by the bank’s board of directors on Wednesday, as recommended by the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committees. Uyan, who is now senior executive vice president and chief operating officer, is …

As the Covid epidemic decreases, international tourists are returning to the famous resort island of Bali, inspiring optimism that Indonesia’s devastated tourism economy is on the mend. This week, however, contentious new rules were enacted that prohibit cohabitation and sexual activity outside of marriage. The restrictions would not only apply to citizens, but also to foreign expats and visitors in …

Wednesday, December 7, 2022, Time magazine awarded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy 2022’s “Person of the Year,” citing his fortitude in opposing Russia’s disastrous invasion as the reason. Refusing to flee the Ukrainian city of Kyiv at the outset of the conflict as Russian bombs rained down, the erstwhile comic rallied his countrymen in broadcasts from the capital and toured around …

On Wednesday, December 7, Time magazine named the Iranian women its “Heroes of the Year” for 2022, honoring their struggle for freedom from official restraints. The murder of Kurdish Iranian lady Mahsa Amini, who was imprisoned for refusing to wear the hijab, in September of last year sparked weeks of protests across Iran against stringent Islamic norms. Hundreds have died …

On Monday, December 5, Valentino designer Pierpaolo Piccioli and model Bella Hadid were among the winners at the London Fashion Awards. At the annual ceremony, Piccioli, the creative director of the Italian luxury brand, was chosen designer of the year. Hadid, a frequent face on the catwalks of Milan, Paris, London, and New York, was named model of the year. …

For decades, Singapore’s government upheld the controversial 377A statute, which prohibited intercourse between two men and was inherited from British control. Authorities stated that it demonstrated Singaporean society’s disapproval of homosexuality. However, its parliament revoked the rule this week, just months after Premier Lee Hsien Loong’s unexpected statement that the ban would be lifted due to changing opinions. The repeal …