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Philippines signs new GMO rules, food industry relieved

BY Reuters |

The Philippines has approved a new set of rules on genetically modified organisms after a top court demanded an overhaul of previous regulations, providing relief to farmers and importers worried that any delay would spark a food crisis.
Vietnam's Communists put to the test as dissidents bid for parliament

BY Reuters |

Former IT entrepreneur and banker Nguyen Quang A is running a disciplined campaign to be elected to Vietnam's parliament, declaring his assets, securing voter endorsements and appearing in a slick online video.
Myanmar grants operating licenses to four more Asian banks

BY Reuters |

Myanmar has granted operating licenses to four Asian banks, bringing to 13 the number of foreign banks allowed to conduct business in the previously isolated country.
Government rolls back pension tax plan after backlash

BY Reuters |

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government dropped a controversial proposal to tax pension withdrawals, caving in after an outcry by salaried workers threatened to undermine his party's prospects in upcoming state elections.
U.S. industry body says India agreed to not issue 'compulsory' drug licences

BY Reuters |

India has given private assurances that it will not grant licences allowing local firms to override patents and make cheap copies of drugs by big Western drugmakers, a U.S. business advocacy group said.
Japan court issues injunction to halt Takahama nuclear reactors

BY Reuters |

A Japanese court issued an injunction to halt operations at Kansai Electric Power's Takahama No.3 and No.4 nuclear reactors, the operator said, siding with local residents worried about the safety of the plant.
Japan's Abe suggests higher chance of tax hike delay

BY Reuters |

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that whether to proceed with a sales tax hike next April would be a "political decision," suggesting that the chance of delaying it may have increased given overseas headwinds hurting the economy.
Who's next? Asia investor activism set to grow after BlackRock public campaign

BY Reuters |

Following a rare public campaign, BlackRock Inc voted against a deal planned by a Hong Kong firm that the world's biggest asset manager partly owns, revving up investor activism in Asia after it roared ahead in 2015.
Singapore's UOB partners with Israeli crowdfunding platform

BY Reuters |

Singapore's United Overseas Bank said it would invest $10 million in Israel-headquartered crowdfunding platform OurCrowd as part of the companies' collaboration to help Asian startups raise equity funds.
UAE payments firm in talks with Iranian banks

BY Reuters |

Network International, the largest payments processor in the Middle East and Africa, could begin working with some of Iran's largest banks this year, the company's chief executive told Reuters.