- May 7, 2020 – India: Chemical gas leakage from LG Polymers chemical plant in Visakhapatnam affects thousands 12 October 2020
A gas leak at an LG Polymers chemical plant in Visakhapatnam near Naiduthota area close to Gopalapatnam was reported today at around 3:00 AM. Around eight people have died and over 5000 people fell sick from the alleged gas leak. The incident has created panic among residents within a 3 km radius of the plant. ...
Read More... - May 6, 2020 – Timor Leste: Government formed as KHUNTO leaves leading coalition 12 October 2020
A new government in Timor Leste has been installed after President Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres didn’t approve the new parliamentary majority coalition. Last week, KHUNTO formally withdrew from the six-party parliamentary majority coalition formed in February this year. In a letter to the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party’s leader Xanana Gusmao, KHUNTO leaders said ...
Read More... - April 30, 2020 – Malaysia: Malaysia’s political parties face internal debacles 12 October 2020
Malaysian Opposition formally recommended its candidate for Prime Minister as Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as his deputy. The announcement, made on Saturday (December 2) at the end of the two-day coalition retreat in Putrajaya, is met with objections from some of the attendees mainly from Wan Azizan’s own party, ...
Read More... - April 30, 2020 – Hong Kong: Trade unions and activists call for multiple demonstrations tomorrow 12 October 2020
Trade unions and pro-democracy activists are planning International Workers’ Day demonstrations and protest marches tomorrow. The pro-democracy Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU) and pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) both filed applications for protests to be held tomorrow. The Hong Kong police have asked both organizations to withdraw their applications amid fears of spreading the ...
Read More... - April 28, 2020 – Indonesia: Companies with exposure in Papua should review their posture & contractual obligations 12 October 2020
On March 30, a New Zealand national, employed by PT Freeport Indonesia (“PTFI”), was fatally shot by a group of gunmen in Kuala Kencana, Papua. At least six other PTFI employees were injured in the attack. The West Papuan Liberation Army (TPNBP) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The TBNPB also declared the PTFI mining area ...
Read More... - April 27, 2020 Indonesia: Government makes labor unions cancel April 30 protests 12 October 2020
The government has made labor unions cancel their plans to hold mass rallies nationwide on April 30. On April 24, President Joko Widodo announced reaching a deal with lawmakers to delay deliberations of labor issues within the Omnibus Bill on Job Creation. “This will provide us with the opportunity to explore substantial issues within the ...
Read More... - April 24, 2020 South Asian countries prepare for Ramadan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic 12 October 2020
Ramadan or Ramzan is a month-long festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide by fasting, prayer and community. This year’s Ramadan begins on April 23 and ends in on May 23. Muslims usually gather as a community to offer evening prayers and break their fast. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, certain restrictions on gathering are expected to ...
Read More... - April 23, 2020 – Southeast Asian countries prepare for Ramadan amid COVID-19 pandemic 12 October 2020
Ramadan, the Muslim’s world’s holy month, will be held in Southeast Asia from tomorrow, April 24, to May 24. The religious month consists of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. People fast during the day and eat only at the end of the day, after a community prayer. Community prayers held at sunset in holy mosques ...
Read More... - April 21, 2020 – Oil traded at the lowest price in history 12 October 2020
Oil prices crashed yesterday, falling to USD -40 and eventually settling at USD -37.63 by closing. The prices are low for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil because the demand for crude oil has fallen by 30%. This is due to the economic impact of COVID-19 which has led to a massive surplus of oil and ...
Read More... - April 20, 2020 – Australia: Virgin Australia expected to go into voluntary administration. 12 October 2020
Virgin Australia is reportedly considering going into voluntary administration. The airlines company is carrying around USD 5 billion in debt and the board members are currently engaged in crisis talks to decide the fate of the carrier. It has put around 8,000 workers on forced leave due to the impact of COVID-19. It has cancelled ...
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