Reports and Assessments

2 Assessed Events and 13 Other Developments 1. Violence in Meghalaya, India. Petrol bombs were thrown at Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s personal residence yesterday after the death of Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew. He was the former leader of the insurgent group Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council. No one was injured in the incident. A two-day curfew in Shillong was ...

8 Developments Today CHINA 1. Around 1,411,200 people have been affected by torrential rainfall in Hubei Province since August 8, according to the Hubei emergency management authorities yesterday. Nearly 13 cities and 50 counties in Hubei, including the capital city Wuhan and Suizhou, were hit by the rain as of 4:00 PM (local time) yesterday. Over ...

1 Assessed Event and 26 Other Developments 1. Anti-government protests in Thailand. Thousands of protestors held car mob protests in Bangkok and other provinces in Thailand, including Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and Pattaya. In Bangkok, there were at least three rallies yesterday. Violence occurred at Din Daeng intersection in the city, where protesters and security ...

5 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The New South Wales government imposed a state-wide lockdown starting at 5:00 PM (local time) August 14 and until August 22. The population is required to stay home with the exception for certain circumstances. This morning, authorities imposed tighter restrictions for the Greater Sydney area. Residents are not allowed to go ...

1 Assessed Event and 17 Other Developments 1. Two killed, 21 injured in explosion in Pakistan. At least two policemen were killed and 21 other personnel were injured after two explosions occurred in different parts of Quetta yesterday. A powerful blast targeted a police van at Tanzeem Square near Serena hotel in Quetta, killing two policemen. ...

1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments 1. Protest in Thailand tomorrow. The pro-democracy group the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) has called for a car mob protest tomorrow in Bangkok. UTFD said the demonstrators should meet at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Pathum Wan District at 1:00 PM (local time). They will then drive ...

10 Developments Today CHINA 1. Beijing has tightened entry restrictions into the city via railway, in addition to existing measures.  Passengers’ temperatures will be recorded three times during the journey, before boarding, while onboard, and near the end of the journey before entering the city. Prior to boarding, staff will also check passengers’ health codes. People ...

7 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Australians who live overseas will no longer be granted an automatic exemption from the ongoing international travel ban from August 11. This means they will have to submit a compelling reason to return back to their country. The rule change passed through the federal Parliament last week but has not been ...

1 Assessed Event and 21 Other Developments 1. Tensions over COVID-19 measures in Sindh, Pakistan. Police allegedly baton-charged people crowding a vaccination center at Lyari General Hospital in Karachi yesterday. One security personnel was injured and a glass door was broken after chaos erupted during the inoculation at this center on July 31. As a result, ...

1 Assessed Event and 15 Other Developments 1. Tensions prevail around Assam-Mizoram border, India. The Assam government has issued an advisory asking local residents to refrain from travelling to Mizoram amid heightened tensions during the ongoing inter-state border clashes. A long-standing inter-state border dispute between Assam and Mizoram escalated into fresh clashes on July 26. Six ...

8 Developments Today CHINA 1. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced that it appointed investigators to probe Next Digital, a media company founded and run by pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai. HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on July 28 that the move was made in the public interest over grave concerns regarding ...

1 Assessed Event and 26 Other Developments 1. Phuket in Thailand to be sealed off. The governor of Phuket ordered the sealing of the entire island from August 3. Travelers from other provinces in Thailand will not be allowed to enter Phuket. Only people transporting essential goods, students, and emergency medical services will be allowed, however ...

12 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The New South Wales (NSW) police has formally asked for support from the Australian Defense Force to enforce COVID-19 restrictions in Greater Sydney. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said yesterday that he requested 300 army personnel from the military. FIJI 2. The 2021-2022 National Budget was passed in the Parliament yesterday ...

1 Assessed Event and 18 Other Developments 1. Thousands of Malaysian doctors to go on strike on July 26. Thousands of junior doctors in Malaysia, most of whom are deployed at COVID-19 treatment centers and hospitals, will go on strike on July 26. They are walking off because their demands of permanent employment, higher pay, and ...

1 Assessed Event and 7 Other Developments 1. Anti-lockdown protests in Australia. Opponents of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions measures plan to hold protests across Australia tomorrow. Organizers and groups involved are using encrypted messaging applications to conceal identities. The protests will start at 12:00 PM (local time). They are protesting against the government’s handling of COVID-19, ...

1 Assessed Event and 15 Other Developments 1. Drivers hold protest in Bengaluru, India. Drivers of cabs and auto rickshaws held a protest rally in Bengaluru, Karnataka yesterday against a recent order by the state government permitting electric bikes to operate as taxis. They stated that auto rickshaw and taxi drivers will get fewer rides and demanded ...

13 Developments Today CHINA1. The country’s first court for handling labor disputes opened in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on July 16. Suzhou Labor Court was set up as a division of the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court after the country’s top court approved its creation in June. 2. The China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) said on July 17 ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments 1. Clashes in protests in Thailand. Authorities fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protestors near the Democracy Monument and Government House in Bangkok yesterday. They also used water cannons against them. Protestors and security forces also clashed. The latter blocked roads in the protest areas to stop ...

5 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The state of New South Wales introduced tougher health orders for non-essential retail and for residents in the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool local government areas. From today, work on all construction sites is banned until midnight of July 30. Bus, train and ferry services will also be scaled back from today. ...

2 Assessed Events and 17 Other Developments 1. Nepal’s Prime Minister wins vote of confidence. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba won the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives yesterday. He received 165 votes in the 271-member strong lower house. He needed 136 votes to win the vote of confidence, as four lawmakers remain suspended. ...

12 Developments Today CHINA 1. The country has confirmed one case of human infection with the H5N6 strain of bird flu in Sichuan province, state media said yesterday. The man infected with the bird flu in Bazhong City had been sent to hospital. Local authorities have culled poultry in the vicinity. The report said experts believed ...

1 Assessed Event and 21 Other Developments 1. Special Autonomy extended for Papua, Indonesia. The House of Representatives officially extended the Special Autonomy (OTSUS) status for the Papuan provinces on July 15. It was set to expire this year. Papua and West Papua were placed under the OTSUS in 2001 for a period of 20 years, ...

9 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The state of Victoria was ordered into a five-day lockdown yesterday following a spike in COVID-19 infections. The people were told to stay home except for grocery shopping, essential work, exercise, healthcare and getting vaccinated. This is the fifth lockdown in Australia’s second-largest city of Melbourne since the pandemic began. 2. ...

1 Assessed Event and 14 Other Developments 1. Floods in Pakistan. Heavy rainfall during the ongoing monsoon season in Pakistan have affected several provinces such as Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This is due to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal which moved towards Pakistan from July 14. Karachi, Sindh: Heavy monsoon rain caused flooding ...

16 Developments Today CHINA 1. Anhui province issued a top-level red alert for flash floods at 6:00 PM (local time) yesterday, after heavy downpours struck the province. The alert said flash floods are likely to occur in multiple cities in the province from 8:00 PM yesterday to 8:00 PM (local time) today. 2. A Hong Kong ...

1 Assessed Event and 22 Other Developments 1. Thousands evacuated as volcano erupts in Philippines. Authorities are conducting evacuations around the Taal Volcano in Batangas after it erupted yesterday, generating plumes of volcanic ash nearly one km high. A series of at least four volcanic eruptions involving magma followed.  Authorities have placed it under Alert Level ...

9 Developments Today AUSTRALIA1. The three-day COVID-19 lockdown will end at 6:00 PM today (local time) for parts of Queensland, state Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. However, the lockdown has been extended for another 24 hours for Brisbane and Moreton Bay. The decision comes after another three cases of community transmission were recorded in the state. ...

1 Assessed Event and 14 Other Developments 1. Jamaat-e-Islami protests in Islamabad, Pakistan. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party will hold a march against unemployment and ineffective economic policies of the government in Islamabad today. Protesters are demanding wage increases in line with inflation and the promised 10 million jobs. JI said it rejected the government proposed electoral reforms, alleging ...

14 Developments Today CHINA 1. The second and last comprehensive drill for the centennial celebrations of the Communist Party of China (CPC) this week at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square concluded yesterday morning. It started at 8:00 PM (local time) on June 26 and around 33,000 people took part in it. Tiananmen Square, where the celebrations are expected ...

10 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Sydney began a two-week COVID-19 lockdown yesterday as a cluster of cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant rose to 110 in Australia’s largest city. Under the lockdown, residents can only leave home for essential shopping, work, education, exercise and medical care. 2. The city of Darwin, the capital of Northern ...

1 Assessed Event and 11 Other Developments 1. Seven killed in blast in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At least seven people were killed and around 70 people were injured in an explosion in Dhaka yesterday. The blast occurred on the ground floor of a three-story building in the Moghbazar area. Two passenger buses were damaged outside the building where ...

12 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Four New South Wales (NSW) local government areas will go into lockdown after the state recorded 22 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said residents of Sydney, Woollahra, Waverly and Randwick should stay at home for a week starting today. There are now 65 cases linked to the ...

12 Developments Today CHINA 1. Guangzhou yesterday resumed the outbound movement of traffic from the area where the resurgence of COVID-19 was reported in May. Personnel and vehicles are now allowed to leave the Fangcun block of Liwan district. However, Heyuan residential community within the block remains in lockdown. 2. The Hong Kong government is banning ...

2 Assessed Events and 28 Other Developments 1. Hardline cleric sentenced to jail in Indonesia. The East Jakarta District Court sentenced the hardline Islamic cleric, Rizieq Shihab, to jail for a four-year term for allegedly spreading fake information. This was regarding a video that circulated in which he claimed he was healthy despite testing positive for ...

1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments 1. INC plans nationwide protest in India. The Indian National Congress (INC) party announced a 10-day nationwide agitation against the rising fuel prices and increasing inflation from July 7 to 17. INC workers and supporters are expected to participate in various protests at block, district, and state levels. The ...

16 Developments Today CHINA 1. Government bodies have jointly launched an investigation into coal prices and will crack down on speculation and hoarding. A team of inspectors from government departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission planning agency and the state market regulator, visited major coal hubs in northern China to investigate inventories and illicit ...

23 Developments Today BRUNEI 1. Authorities will partially close Jalan Tanah Jambu from tomorrow for approximately one week. They are installing underground pipes in the area. CAMBODIA 2. The government created 10 sub-commissions to combat COVID-19 with members from both national and sub-national levels. The 10 sub-commissions have a total of 220 members, including officials from government ...

1 Assessed Event and 11 Other Developments 1. Political crisis in Vanuatu. A political crisis is deepening in Vanuatu after the Supreme Court upheld a decision to expel 19 government Members of Parliament (MPs) from parliament, including Prime Minister Bob Loughman, on June 18. The decision was initially undertaken by the former Speaker of Parliament, who ...

1 Assessed Event and 15 Other Developments 1. JUI-F to hold protests in Sindh, Pakistan. The Islamist political party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), announced a protest movement against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led Sindh government which will begin on June 17. JUI-F’s Sindh chapter leadership announced that the party and its supporters will hold demonstrations across ...

13 Developments Today CHINA 1. Around 11 sub-districts in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, have started to lift blockages from yesterday, according to the official website of the city’s government. These are in Haizhu, Baiyun, Tianhe, Huangpu and Baiyun districts that have been closed off over COVID-19 concerns. 2. The bodies of three miners were retrieved yesterday after ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments 1. Philippine authorities on alert over terror threat. The military and police are on full alert over potential terrorist attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in and around Sulu, in the southern Philippines. This comes after authorities killed an ASG sub leader and a relative of a prominent ...

13 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Australia and the UK reached an in-principle agreement for a free trade deal between the two countries. The agreement was reached between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his British counterpart Boris Johnson. The two leaders met overnight in London. The trade deal is set to be the UK’s first major post-Brexit agreement. 2. More ...

1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments 1. Heavy rainfall across Indian states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in several states of India for the coming few days. Karnataka: Heavy rains are likely to affect the coastal districts of Karnataka until June 17. A yellow alert has been sounded for Dakshina Kannada and ...

1 Assessed Event and 9 Other Developments 1. Centenary parade rehearsals in Beijing, China. The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issued plans for mass rehearsals of its centenary parade yesterday. July 1 will mark the 100th anniversary of the CCP. The CCP ordered the cordoning off of large parts of downtown Beijing this weekend. The rehearsal ...

1 Assessed Event and 21 Other Developments 1. Supporters of Rizieq Shihab protest in Indonesia. Supporters of Rizieq Syihab plan to hold a demonstration demanding the release of the Islamic cleric at the City Hall of Bogor, West Java today. The supporters claim that the mayor’s police report against Shihab related to an alleged COVID-19 protocol ...

8 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. New South Wales and Queensland are on COVID-19 alert. This comes after an infected woman and her husband traveled from Victoria, the epicenter of the country’s latest outbreak, through the two states. The couple visited dozens of sites. Authorities in the two states are rushing to trace close contacts and locate ...

2 Assessed Events and 21 Other Developments 1. Train accident leaves 30 dead in Sindh, Pakistan. At least 30 people have died so far, while 50 others were injured in a train collision accident at Daharki railway station in Ghotki district, Sindh earlier today. The accident allegedly occurred when a Sargodha-bound Sir Syed Express collided with a ...

11 Developments Today CHINA 1. At least six people were killed, and 14 injured in a knife attack in Anqing, Anhui Province on June 5. The Public Security Bureau said on the social networking app Weibo that it was investigating the man who attacked street vendors in the street and the circumstances of the incident. 2. ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments 1. OPM warns Indonesian workers to leave Papua, Indonesia. The Free Papua Movement (TPNPB-OPM) issued an ultimatum yesterday to all Indonesians working in Papua to immediately leave the area of conflict. The warning was issued based on the development of the situation in Puncak regency, Intan Jaya, and Ndugama ...

10 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Six new train services in Melbourne’s north have been added to Victoria’s COVID-19 exposure alerts. The new train services on the Upfield line were added late yesterday after a confirmed case travelled on public transport. 2. Prime Minister Scott Morrison called on Victoria to lift its COVID-19 restrictions. However, state authorities have ...

15 Developments Today CHINA 1. Discussions between China and the US on the trade and economic fronts have resumed, China’s Commerce Ministry said yesterday. Vice-Premier Liu He has held two video calls with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in less than a week, the ministry said. 2. US President Joe Biden ...

1 Assessed Event 25 Other Developments 1. Military and KKB exchange fire at Ilaga airport in Papua, Indonesia There was a gunfight between members of the Airborne Army, Raider 500 and KKB (Free Papua Movement) in the Ilaga airport area yesterday. The Transportation Service Office building which is also the office of the Airport Operator Unit ...

10 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Britain and Australia held another round of talks to advance a free trade deal, the British envoy said yesterday. Both countries want to strike an agreement in mid-June, British High Commissioner to Australia Vicki Treadell said. 2. Stay-at-home orders have been extended for another seven days for travelers in New South ...

1 Assessed Event and 17 Other Developments 1. Traders threaten protests in Karachi, Pakistan. Leaders of the All Karachi Restaurants Association demanded the Sindh government to allow them to reopen their businesses. Trade bodies have a 72-hour ultimatum to the Sindh government from June 1 to meet their nine demands. The office-bearers of the association requested the ...

2 Assessed Event and 21 Other Developments 1. Indian doctors to protest tomorrow. The Federation of Resident Doctors Associations (FORDA) said they will hold a nationwide protest tomorrow against Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and observe it as a ‘black day’. A row erupted over Ramdev’s alleged remark questioning the medicines being used to treat the COVID-19 ...

11 Developments Today CHINA 1. Guangzhou city has closed down a neighborhood and ordered residents to stay home to conduct COVID-19 tests, following an upsurge in infections. Guangzhou has reported 20 new infections over the past week. The testing order applies to residents of five streets in Liwan District in the city center. 2. Hong Kong ...

1 Assessed Event 26 Other Developments 1. Islamist terrorists arrested in Papua, Indonesia. The national police’s counter-terrorism unit, Densus 88, arrested at least 10 suspected terrorists across districts including Jagebob, Kurik, Tanah Miring, Merauke, and others, in Merauke Regency, Papua, Indonesia on May 28. The arrested individuals are linked to the Islamic State-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah ...

12 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Victoria state’s COVID-19 lockdown could likely be extended after the state recorded a rise in COVID-19 cases, despite being shut down for days. Victoria has recorded five new COVID-19 cases and is now dealing with 45 community transmission cases linked to the Melbourne outbreak, with another nine in hotel quarantine. Its ...

1 Assessed Event and 17 Other Developments 1. (Update) Cyclone Yaas continues to affect South Asia. Cyclone Yaas continues to affect India, Bangladesh, and Nepal even as it weakens. India The India Meteorological Department said that Cyclone Yaas had weakened into a deep depression. The storm further moved northwestwards for some more time, recurved northwards, and weakened ...

8 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Increased reports of mouse sightings in Sydney have raised concerns that the mouse plague in regional New South Wales could affect Sydney. However, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization said people should not be afraid. It said it was almost impossible for the regional mice to invade the city. FIJI ...

1 Assessed Event and 20 Other Developments 1. Pro-Palestine protests in Indonesia. The Indonesian Muslim Workers Movement’ (GPMI) has called for a pro-Palestine solidarity demonstration in Jakarta today. It has called on participants to gather near the entrance to Monas, or the National Monument, in Central Jakarta from 10:00 AM (local time). They intend to march ...

13 Developments Today CHINA 1. Around six people were trapped after a roof collapsed in a coal mine in Weishan county, Jining City of Shandong Province on May 26. Since then, one person was rescued yesterday. Search and rescue efforts are underway. 2. Eight people died while four others were injured in an explosion at an ...

3 Assessed Events and 17 Other Developments 1. Farmers to protest in India today. Farmers in Haryana’s Hisar will today protest the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against 350 farmers for clashing with the police earlier this month. In view of today’s protest, the district administration has stepped up security in Hisar. The police will ...

12 Developments Today CHINA 1. Twenty-one people running a mountain marathon cross-country race died in northwestern China after hail, freezing rain and gale winds hit the high-altitude track, state media reported. The rescue headquarters said the participants suffered from physical discomfort and the sudden drop in temperature. 2. A series of earthquakes and aftershocks struck southwest ...

1 Assessed Event 20 Other Developments 1. Papuan separatists detected in new regency in Indonesia. The Head of the Nemangkawi Operation Public Relations Task Force yesterday said that authorities had detected the presence of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Lanny Jaya Regency, Puncak Jaya. These TPNPB fighters have allegedly come from Puncak Regency, ...

1 Assessed Event 9 Other Developments 1. Political crisis in Samoa. Samoa’s constitutional crisis deepened with Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party locked out of the parliament today. The FAST party, its leader Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and a large number of supporters gathered in a tent on the lawn in front of parliament ...

1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments 1. Cyclone Yaas to hit India and Bangladesh by May 26. Weather departments of India and Bangladesh have raised an alert regarding the formation of a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the Cyclone ‘Yaas’ is expected to make landfall on the east ...

13 Developments Today CHINA 1. The European parliament voted overwhelmingly to freeze any consideration of a massive investment deal with China. The parliament demands that China lifts some sanctions against the European Union before it can deal with the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. Some European lawmakers warned that the lifting of the sanctions would not in ...

1 Assessed Event and 19 Other Developments 1. Pro-Palestine demonstrations in Indonesia. Activists are to hold Palestinian solidarity demonstrations across Indonesia today. In Jakarta, a protest is planned at the US Embassy. The protest will likely begin after Friday prayers. In Makassar, protests are to be held at the Al Markaz Al Islami Mosque, the Mandala ...

8 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Thousands of students from cities and towns across Australia are participating in a strike action this afternoon. They will walk-out of classrooms. The students are taking part in the latest march for action on climate change. 2. New South Wales Health said fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been ...

11 Developments Today CHINA 1. Four people were injured and over 9,000 residents affected by extreme weather in Guizhou province, local authorities reported yesterday. Strong gales hit Kaiyang county in the provincial capital Guiyang on May 15. By yesterday morning, more than 800 households were damaged, including one that had collapsed and 75 that were seriously ...

1 Assessed Event and 21 Other Developments 1. Two separatists killed in Papua, Indonesia. At least two fighters belonging to the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed, while one other was injured, in a gunfight near Mayuberi, Ilaga, in Papua, yesterday. The fighters were allegedly part of Lekagek Talenggang’s TPNPB subgroup; last week authorities ...

9 Developments Today AUSTRALIA1. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said yesterday that the government will stick to plans to start reopening the country only from the middle of next year. Australia closed its borders to non-nationals and non-residents in March 2020 and has allowed only limited international arrivals in recent months, mainly citizens from abroad. FIJI 2. Landowners ...

15 Developments Today CHINA1. Guangdong police have detained more than 22,000 suspected gamblers in 1,709 cases in the province since the beginning of the year. Police across the province have also broken up 569 gambling gangs and destroyed a large number of online gambling platforms, payment platforms, secret banks and online service support companies. Bank accounts ...

1 Assessed Event and 18 Other Developments 1. Two Papuan fighters killed in clash in Indonesia. Security forces announced yesterday that they killed two Papuan fighters from the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) in Ilaga, Puncak Regency, Papua. The clash took place near the village of Wuloni. One of the individuals killed was apparently Lesmin ...

2 Assessed Events and 15 Other Developments 1. Cyclone Tauktae warning in India. Tropical cyclone Tauktae is expected to develop and intensify in the Arabian Sea this week, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The disturbance is expected to develop into a tropical storm as soon as today or tomorrow. It is expected to affect western ...

13 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Activists plan to demonstrate in several cities tomorrow to denounce COVID-19-related lockdowns and other restrictions. Organizers have announced the following locations for protests at 12:00 PM (local time): Pityarilla Park, Adelaide; City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane; City Palace, Cairns; Freedom Park, Fraser Coast; Parliament Lawns, Hobart; Batman Park, Melbourne; Supreme Court Gardens, ...

1 Assessed Event and 19 Other Developments 1. Four garment factories vandalized in Bangladesh. Hundreds of workers protested and vandalized four readymade garment (RMG) factories in Dhaka’s Mirpur-14 area on May 8 and 9. They demanded full bonus and a 10-day Eid holiday. Eid al-Fitr falls on May 13-15 in Bangladesh. The government had instructed factories that ...

13 Developments Today CHINA 1. Authorities have shut down 20 websites of illegal social organizations in a special campaign, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said. The ministry also published a list of 160 illegal social organizations shut down by local civil affairs authorities. Launched on March 20, the inter-agency campaign is expected to last for three ...

1 Assessed Event 23 Other Developments 1. Terrorists occupy town market in Mindanao, Philippines. Over 100 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) occupied the market in Datu Paglas town, Maguindanao, in Mindanao. An army spokesman yesterday said the situation had gone back to normal following the incident. The town market was cleared following military operations that included ...

14 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The federal government is warning that Australia’s international borders will remain closed until at least 2022. The country’s borders were closed in March last year as COVID-19 spread across the world. 2. New South Wales (NSW) extended its COVID-19 restrictions for one week until May 17. NSW Health said investigations were still ...

14 Developments Today CHINA 1. The annual summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea started on May 1, authorities in Hainan province announced. The fishing ban, which spans three and a half months, covers the waters north to 12 degrees north latitude of the South China Sea. 2. About a dozen opposition labor unions in ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments 1. Protest for release of activists in Bangkok, Thailand. Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters gathered at the Criminal Court in Bangkok yesterday to demand the release of all political detainees. This includes Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, a prominent activist, who was recently hospitalized. His health has deteriorated in jail due to ...

11 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party claimed victory in a state election in Tasmania. With almost 80 % of votes counted yesterday, the Liberal Party led by state Premier Peter Gutwein was one seat short of the 13 it needed for a majority. The Labor Party won seven seats, with four ...

1 Assessed Event and 5 Other Developments 1. Farmers’ protest returns amid COVID-19 surge in India. Farmer unions, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha, launched ‘Operation Shakti’ against the three farm laws introduced by the central government. They announced a ‘Phir Delhi Chalo’ protest campaign tomorrow against the farm laws. Around 20,000 ...

12 Developments Today CHINA 1. The country will start to phase down coal consumption over the 2026-2030 period. This is a part of the country’s efforts to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions, President Xi Jinping told the Climate Leaders’ Summit yesterday. “We will strictly control coal-fired power generation projects,” Xi said. 2. One person was rescued ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments 1. (Update) Myanmar military member’s house bombed in Yangon. A member of the military administration’s governing body the State Administrative Council, U Thein Nyunt’s house was bombed in Yangon on April 21. His house was attacked with three homemade bombs around 7:17 PM (local time). Only one bomb exploded; ...

12 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The National Cabinet yesterday announced a temporary reduction to the number of incoming flights from India amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in returning passengers. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said chartered and direct flights from India would soon be cut by 30 % and departures to India would be limited. ...

11 Developments Today CHINA 1. The country accused the US and Japan of sowing division after they said they would counter China’s “intimidation” in the Asia-Pacific region and referred to Taiwan in a joint statement for the first time in over 50 years. US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called for “peace ...

1 Assessed Event and 20 Developments 1. (Update) Myanmar security forces kill 26 anti-coup protesters. At least 26 anti-coup protesters were shot dead by the security forces last week, taking the overall death toll since the February 1 coup to 738. People across the country observed the Burmese New Year Festival or the Thingyan water festival ...

11 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. A two-way travel corridor between Australia and New Zealand began today, almost 400 days since the federal government banned overseas travel. Hundreds of travelers went to Sydney International Airport today to take advantage of the trans-Tasman travel bubble. 2. The federal government has signed a USD 1 billion deal with South ...

14 Developments Today CHINA 1. Some pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong yesterday marched in protest calling for the immediate repeal of the national security law. The protesters marched from Wanchai MTR station to the Convention and Exhibition Center where Chief Executive Carrie Lam was addressing an event to mark National Security Law Education Day. 2. Scoot ...

1 Assessed Event and 14 Other Developments 1. (Update) French citizens advised to leave Pakistan. The French Embassy has advised all French nationals and companies to temporarily leave Pakistan. This is after the spate of violent protests witnessed in the country against the publication of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in France and its support by French President ...

1 Assessed Event and 17 Other Developments 1. (Update) Myanmar military attacks ethnic armed group. The Myanmar military attacked an ethnic armed group, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), by launching airstrikes on Momauk Township, Kachin State. The military started bombing at around 4:30 AM (local time) on April 14. Residents of a number of villages including ...

12 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Authorities urged Melbourne residents to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 after viral fragments were detected in a wastewater catchment that services the northern, eastern, and western, suburbs of the city. Approximately three million people out of Melbourne’s five million population reside in these suburbs. 2. Federal health authorities are investigating the ...

13 Developments Today CHINA 1. China levied a record USD 2.75 billion penalty on Alibaba Group Holding Ltd on April 10. This came after an anti-monopoly probe found the e-commerce giant had abused its dominant market position for several years. The fine, about 4% of Alibaba’s 2019 domestic revenues, comes amid a crackdown on technology conglomerates. ...

2 Assessed Events and 22 Other Developments 1. Over 90 killed, including security forces, in Myanmar. Over 90 people were killed, including 32 members of the security forces, in the ongoing crisis in Myanmar over the weekend. Clashes broke out between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and security forces in the Dawphoneyang area of Kachin State’s Momauk ...

15 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. The Greater Brisbane area, Gladstone and Byron Shire have been declared “green zones” by the Victorian government overnight. It means visitors from these areas will no longer have to get tested and quarantine upon entering Victoria. 2. Kalbarri and Northampton were affected the most by Cyclone Seroja last night as ...

1 Assessed Event and 25 Other Developments 1. Anti-lockdown protests in Maharashtra, India. Traders and hospitality associations launched a protest campaign against the strict lockdown measures implemented by the state government. As per the government’s new order, restaurants are to be totally shut except for takeaways, parcels and food deliveries between 8:00 PM and 7:00 AM ...

1 Assessed Event and 22 Other Developments 1. (Update) Myanmar security forces use explosives; dozens more killed. At least 12 protesters were killed, mainly by explosives, and more than 12 were injured in overnight raids conducted by the military in Kale Township, Sagaing Region yesterday. During the raids, security forces used explosives and live rounds against protesters ...

CHINA 1. The top Communist Party official of Ruili City in Yunnan province was dismissed from his post due to what the provincial government called a “serious dereliction of duty” in failing to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in recent months. Three separate COVID-19 outbreaks occurred within a half-year period in the city, which borders Myanmar, under the ...

1 Assessed Event and 15 Other Developments 1. Cyber-attack in Australia. A cyberattack disrupted Channel Nine’s live broadcasts from Sydney, Australia yesterday. As a result of the attack, some of the channel’s news programmes were not aired. The attack primarily affected the broadcast and corporate business units, while the publishing and radio systems continued to be ...

1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments Today 1. (Update) Anti-coup protesters return to streets in Myanmar. Anti-coup protesters returned to the streets after observing a “silent strike” for a day on March 24. They continued to protest against the February 1 military coup and the subsequent violent crackdown on protests. At least eight more people ...

14 Developments Today AUSTRALIA 1. Two men from Brisbane and Melbourne have been arrested for allegedly running a sophisticated terrorist network that helped a number of Australian foreign terrorist fighters travel to Syria between 2012 and 2014. The Australian Federal Police said the two men played senior roles in a southeast Queensland-based syndicate that maintained a ...

2 Assessed Events and 23 Other Developments 1. Farmers to conduct tractor rally in Bengaluru, India today. Farmer unions have given a call for a tractor rally and ‘Vidhana Soudha Chalo’ in Bengaluru today. Thousands of farmers from neighboring districts are expected to arrive in tractors and begin the rally at 11:00 AM (local time). They ...

17 Developments Today CHINA 1. Authorities have started releasing from jail eight of the 12 Hong Kong fugitives arrested at sea while trying to flee to Taiwan last year. Activist Andy Li, who was previously arrested under the national security law, was the first of those marked for release today after serving about seven months behind ...

2 Assessed Events and 23 Other Developments 1. Over a 1,000 flee violence in Myanmar. More than 1,000 people fleeing violence in Myanmar have allegedly crossed into neighboring India’s Mizoram state since late February. The influx of refugees started when Myanmar’s military administration cracked down on protesters opposing the February 1 military coup. Indian lawmaker of ...

1 Assessed Event and 9 Other Developments Today 1. Thousands evacuated due to floods in Australia. Authorities evacuated over 2,000 people from low-lying areas in New South Wales (NSW) and are preparing to evacuate thousands of people today from flood-affected areas in west Sydney. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 18,000 people have been evacuated.The ...

1 Assessed Event and 28 Other Developments Today 1. Eight injured in bomb blast in Nepal. At least eight people were injured yesterday when a pressure cooker bomb exploded at a crowded government office in Siraha district’s Lahan. The bomb exploded on the first floor of the Land Revenue Office at 12:40 PM (local time). At least three ...

11 Developments Today CHINA 1. The US called Chinese tech companies, including Huawei, as a “threat to national security”. The US government released a list of communications equipment and services that were deemed a threat to national security. The list includes five Chinese companies that produce telecommunications equipment and services that have been found to pose an ...

2 Assessed Events and 22 Other Developments Today 1. Dozens more killed in Myanmar protests. At least anti-coup 39 protesters were killed yesterday, while 12 were killed on March 13 by the security forces across the country. The military crackdown on yesterday’s protest marked the deadliest violence since the military coup that took place on February 1. The ...

15 Developments Today   AUSTRALIA1. Black-clad protesters are gathering across the country today as part of demonstrations against a culture that allegedly does not value women. The protests are spurred by rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter. 2. Voters in Western Australia have returned their center-left government to power in a landslide, demonstrating popular support for the ...

1 Assessed Event and 19 Other Developments Today 1. Protests in Visakhapatnam, India. There has been a wave of protests by unions and workers groups against the central government’s decision to privatize the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). The Visakha Ukku Parirakshana Porata Committee, which has been spearheading the agitation against the privatization of VSP, served a notice to ...

18 Developments Today CHINA 1. The National People’s Congress approved the proposed overhaul of how Hong Kong chooses its leaders. This ensures that Beijing has a veto over any elected official in Hong Kong’s political system. They unanimously passed a proposal yesterday to change the size and composition of the body that picks the city’s chief executive, ...

2 Assessed Events and 26 Other Developments Today Assessed Events 1. Rally for International Women’s Day in Pakistan. The ‘Aurat March’ (women’s march) is set to take place today across Pakistan. The mission of the Aurat March is to unite women, trans, and nonbinary people for the cause of gender justice and bring about collective social ...

15 Developments Today CHINA 1. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday said China is ready to work with the US to bring bilateral relations back on the right track. He said the two sides should follow through on the outcomes of the phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joseph Biden ...

28 Developments Today Assessed Events 1. (Update) Trade unions call for general strike in Myanmar. Trade unions in Myanmar called on the general public to go on strike starting today to support the “Civil Disobedience Movement” organized against the military coup. The campaign is an attempt to put pressure on members of the military junta. The ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands, there are 16 Developments today AUSTRALIA1. The country suspended military cooperation with Myanmar and redirected aid to non-government organizations in response to escalating post-coup violence in the Southeast Asian country. Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said the government has raised grave concerns about the increasingly bloody repression of protests since the military coup on ...

In South Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 23 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Mahashivratri festival celebrations in South Asia. The festival of Mahashivratri will be observed by Hindus across South Asia on March 11. It is celebrated annually in honour of the Hindu god Shiva. It is observed by remembering Lord Shiva, chanting prayers, and ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 24 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. (Update) Thousands continue to protest in Myanmar. Thousands of people continued to protest at multiple locations across the country yesterday. This is despite the violent crackdown on anti-coup protests by the military administration a day earlier. However, more than 100 police officers joined ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 17 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Tsunami warnings issued after strong earthquake off New Zealand. Authorities issued tsunami warnings after three strong earthquakes occurred earlier today north of New Zealand. The strongest one measured 8.1 on the Richter Scale and occurred near the Kermadec Islands, approximately ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 29 Other DevelopmentsAssessed Events today  1. Hundreds protest Mushtaq Ahmed’s death in Dhaka, Bangladesh. More than 500 protesters gathered yesterday at the National Press Club in Dhaka to protest the death of Mushtaq Ahmed. Several activists of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were injured in the protests, ...

In North Asia today, there are 13 Developments CHINA1. At least five people died, and eight were injured in a chemical factory accident in Jilin city, Jilin province on February 27. The incident took place after a blackout, which caused the exhaust equipment to stop working. The workers breathed in toxic gases when preparing to resume work. They ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Police, protestors, clash in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 2,000 anti-government protesters and police clashed outside the base of the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok yesterday. The protest started at the Victory Monument and demonstrators marched towards the military barracks where the violence occurred. Protesters ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 16 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Chinese investment in Australia fell by 61% in 2020 to the lowest level recorded by the Australian National University in six years. “It reflects the effects of COVID-19 but also more scrutiny of foreign investment by the Australian government, particularly that from China,” said Shiro Armstrong, ...

In North Asia today, there are 15 Developments CHINA 1. President Xi Jinping yesterday declared “complete victory” in the country’s effort to eradicate rural poverty. China defines extreme rural poverty as per capita income of less than CNY 4,000 (USD 620) each year, or about USD 1.52 a day. That compares with the World Bank’s global threshold of ...

In Southeast Asia today,  there are 2 Assessed Events and 21 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Indonesian army to secure Trans-Papua highway. The Indonesian army (TNI) will secure the 575 km Trans-Papua section of the Jayapura-Wamena highway in Papua province. This is to prevent the illegal flow of goods, such as drugs and liquor. TNI has at least ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 16 developments AUSTRALIA 1. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the state will ease restrictions from midnight, with masks only required in high-risk areas like supermarkets, retail centers, on public transport, in taxis and rideshares and in aged care settings. People may have 30 people in their home, and outdoor ...

In North Asia today, there are 10 Developments CHINA 1. The Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific entered into force yesterday. The agreement will provide broader market opportunities for Asia-Pacific members, said an official with the Ministry of Commerce. JAPAN 2. The country has requested that airlines avoid using Boeing 777 ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. (Update) Myanmar protesters call for general strike today. Protesters have called for a nationwide general strike against Myanmar’s military regime today. The strike has been called with the aim of accelerating the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) against the military regime, which overthrew the ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands  today, there are 15 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The federal government is pulling all its advertising campaigns from Facebook. Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, who oversees public expenditure, today said that the ban would be extended across the government. Facebook continues to block Australians from accessing news. 2. The country yesterday re-opened its travel bubble with New Zealand. This ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 22 Other DevelopmentsAssessed Events today 1. PSP to hold rally today in Karachi, Pakistan. Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) plans to hold a demonstration in Liaquatabad, Karachi today to reject the National Census 2017. PSP chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal reiterated his stance that Prime Minister Imran Khan ...

In North Asia today, there are 12 Developments CHINA 1. At least three amusement parks across China have been temporarily closed due to failures of facilities that caused injuries to visitors amid Chinese New Year holidays. The parks were in Jiguang town, Sichuan Province, Shaoyang county, Hunan Province, and Guangping county, North China’s Hebei Province. 2. China cleared ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 20 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Anti-government protest in Bangkok, Thailand, today, tomorrow. Anti-government and pro-democracy activists are to hold a protest in front of Parliament in Bangkok today from 5:00 PM (local time).  It is unclear who they protest organizers are. On the “Mob Fest” Facebook page, which ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 15 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Several Australian emergency services were hit by Facebook’s local ban on news content yesterday, with pages that warn the public about COVID-19 outbreaks, bushfires and cyclones rendered blank. Fire, health and meteorological services around the country saw problems with their Facebook pages. Today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said ...

In North Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Recovery operations continue following Japan earthquake. Recovery operations continued in Japan following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that occurred in the northeastern part of the country on February 13. The seismic activity mainly affected the prefectures of Fukushima and Miyagi, and parts of ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 21 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Thousands continue protest against Myanmar military coup. Hundreds of thousands of people have continued to protest against the forced military takeover that took place in Myanmar on February 1. Protesters took to the streets across major cities in Myanmar over the weekend. ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 14 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The state of Victoria entered a lockdown that started on February 13 and will end on February 17. The lockdown was imposed after 13 COVID-19 cases of the UK strain were found stemming from a quarantine worker who became infected at a Melbourne hotel. 2. ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 18 Other Developments Assessed Events today 1. Thousands of workers to protest price hike in Pakistan. Thousands of workers will take out a procession against the increasing prices of essential commodities in Islamabad today. The workers belong to the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union. ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 24 Other DevelopmentsAssessed Events today   1. Ten dead after glacier bursts in Uttarakhand, India. Around 10 people have died after a part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off yesterday in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. At least 125 people are missing due to large-scale flooding. The ...

In North Asia today, there are 13 Developments CHINA 1. China’s market regulator released new anti-monopoly guidelines yesterday that target internet platforms, tightening existing restrictions faced by the country’s tech giants. The new rules formalize an earlier anti-monopoly draft law released in November and clarify a series of monopolistic practices that regulators plan to crack down on. The ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Tens of thousands protest against military coup in Myanmar. Tens of thousands of people gathered in major cities across the country to protest against the military coup that took place on February 1. The protesters demanded an end to the military rule ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands  today, there are 14 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Firefighters in Western Australia got under control six fires in the state’s south-west. The authorities said yesterday the fires were most likely deliberately lit. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said all of the suspicious blazes started around the same time on the evening ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 16 Other Developments Assessed Events today 1. Farmers announce ‘chakka jam’ tomorrow in India. Protesting farmer unions have called for a nationwide ‘chakka jam’ (road blockade) tomorrow. The rally has been called against the internet ban by the government, as well the Union Budget 2021 that allegedly ignores ...

In North Asia today, there are 16 developments CHINA 1. Authorities have taken multiple measures to ensure traffic safety during the Spring Festival travel rush and crack down on related violations. Public security authorities and other departments have jointly inspected the safety issues of freight enterprises and vehicles for the transport of passengers, hazardous chemicals and ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 26 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Separatist rebel killed in gunfight in Papua, Indonesia. A suspected separatist was killed in a gunfight with the security forces yesterday in Titigi District, Intan Jaya Regency in Papua Province. The suspect is alleged to be a member of the armed separatist ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 12 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said today that a highly infectious strain of COVID-19 was found to be circulating in the corridors of Hotel Grand Chancellor in Brisbane. Six people were infected with the UK strain of the virus last month, including a hotel quarantine cleaner, sparking a ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 18 Other Developments Assessed Events today 1. Students to launch agitation today in Lahore, Pakistan. Progressive Students Collective (PSC) President Muhsin Abdali announced a nationwide protest of students against police torture and cases against students today. Organizers of the agitation called for the replacement of on-campus ...

In North Asia today, there are 12 Developments CHINA 1. Authorities are maintaining international travel controls and tightened localized restrictions on transport, business and gathering in areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Officials also introduced some policies to discourage travel during the Lunar New Year holiday period. They have allowed free refunds for domestic airline flights scheduled from ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 26 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Indonesia’s Mount Merapi continues to erupt. Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, continued to erupt as it spewed hot ash and smoke as far as 30 kms from its peak yesterday. Located between Central Java and Yogyakarta, the volcano ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 13 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Tropical Cyclone Alert for the Pacific. The Fiji Meteorological Services (FMS) issued a warning for an imminent storm which is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours. The storm is currently located East of ...

In South Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 19 Other Developments Assessed Event today 1. Farmers protest continues in India. Farmers from all across the country are marching towards Delhi in order to take part in a scheduled tractor rally tomorrow. Around 15,000 tractors from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan are present at the Delhi ...

In North Asia today, there are 14 Developments CHINA 1. The country has passed a law that for the first time explicitly allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels in disputed seas. China has maritime sovereignty disputes with Japan in the East China Sea and with several Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea. ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 24 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Five suspected terrorists arrested in Aceh, Indonesia. The Aceh Police Chief of public relations, Sr. Comsr. Winardy, announced on January 23 that five suspected terrorists were arrested by the police’s anti-terrorism unit, Densus 88, in Aceh. Two were arrested in Blang Bintang, ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 14 Developments AUSTRALIA1. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it’s “inevitable” that Google and other tech giants will have to eventually pay for using media content. He was responding to the threat of Google to disable its search engine in the country if it is forced to pay local publishers for news. 2. ...

In North Asia today, there are 10 Developments CHINA 1. The Union for New Civil Servants, Hong Kong’s civil servants’ union, announced its disbandment on the night of January 16. Veteran unionist Leung Chau-ting said the move was made in response to the requirement for the 180,000-strong workforce to pledge allegiance to the city and its ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 25 Other Developments Assessed Event today   1. 20 people killed, thousands displaced, due to flooding in Indonesia. At least 20 people have been killed, and nearly 50,000 people have been displaced by flooding in South Kalimantan and Manado, North Sulawesi. In South Kalimantan, the following ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 11 Other Developments Assessed Event today 1. Cyclone Kimi to make landfall in Queensland, Australia today. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said Tropical Cyclone Kimi is expected to make landfall near Cardwell, Queensland later today. The weather agency added that the cyclone was sitting ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 20 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. JI to hold protests in Karachi, Pakistan, from today. The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will hold protests in Karachi from today until the end of January. They demanded a fresh census in the city to help ensure provisions of rights to the people. They ...

In North Asia today, there are 10 Developments CHINA 1. The US yesterday added China-owned major oil company China National Offshore Oil Corp. to its economic blacklist. The measure was taken against the company in light of its role in China’s campaign of “coercion against other claimants of an estimated USD 2.5 trillion in South China Sea ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 22 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Pro-democracy protests to return after COVID-19 eases in Thailand. Thai pro-democracy protesters said they will return to the streets for anti-government protests after the new wave of COVID-19 infections eases. Leaders of the youth-led movement further added that they plan on resuming ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 15 Other Developments Assessed Event today 1. Mine employees protest in New Caledonia. Several hundred employees and contractors of Societe Le Nickel (SLN) and Vale held a protest in Noumea. They were demonstrating against the blockages and sabotage on Grande Terre island late last ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 17 Other DevelopmentsAssessed Events Today 1. Anti-government protests turn violent in Kathmandu, Nepal. Anti-government protesters clashed with the police in Kathmandu’s Maitighar area yesterday. They were protesting against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve the lower house of Nepal Parliament. Clashes erupted as the protesters ...

In North Asia today, there are 14 Developments CHINA 1. Beijing has tightened rules for the city’s taxi and ride-hailing services after a new asymptomatic COVID-19 case was reported on January 9 involving a driver on a ride-hailing platform. The capital requires passengers of taxi and ride-hailing platforms to register their health status through a phone app ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 22 Other DevelopmentsAssessed Event Today 1. (Update) Authorities locate black box of crashed Indonesian airplane. Authorities in Indonesia yesterday located the two black boxes from the crashed Sriwijaya Air jet. They referred to cockpit voice and flight data recorders to retrieve information regarding the cause of the aircraft. The ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 16 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The foreign ministers of Australia, the US, Great Britain and Canada yesterday issued a joint statement expressing “serious concern” about the arrest of 55 democracy activists and supporters in Hong Kong last week. “It is clear that the national security law is being used ...

In North Asia today, there are 13 Developments CHINA 1. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said yesterday that it had tightened the way it assesses cross-border financing risks, to make it harder for domestic firms to raise funds in overseas markets. PBOC lowered a parameter on cross-border corporate financing under its macro-prudential assessments to 1 from ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 26 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Thousands affected by floods in Southeast Asia. Thousands of people have been adversely affected by flooding triggered by incessant rainfall across the region. The flood situation in Malaysia continues to worsen as more than 40,000 people remain stranded across several states. Similarly, ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 11 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Greater Brisbane will be entering a 3-day lockdown after yesterday’s positive case of the UK strain of COVID-19. Residents in the council areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands are ordered to stay at home from 6:00 PM ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 20 Other Developments Assessed Events Today   1. Farmers threaten to intensify protests in India. Farmers camping at Delhi borders for the last 39 days have threatened to intensify their protests against the recently passed three farm laws. They will intensify protests if their two major demands — ...

In North Asia today, there are 9 Developments CHINA 1. Two major airports in northeastern China are requiring departing passengers show a negative COVID-19 test taken over the previous 72 hours before they can board their planes.  The requirements by the Shenyang and Dalian airports come amid a small but persistent growth in cases in the two ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 14 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Authorities advised residents in Perth’s southern suburbs to stay at home due to the worsening bushfire situation in Kwinana. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued an emergency warning for suburbs in the City of Kwinana, including parts of The Spectacles, Orelia, ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Cairn Energy wins over USD 1.2 billion from India in tax arbitration case. Cairn Energy won USD 1.2 billion in an international arbitration case yesterday against the Indian government over a tax dispute. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 24 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Indonesian military conducts internal investigation over Papua killings. The Indonesian military is conducting an internal investigation into several incidents in Intan Jaya, Papua. This is part of the probe that started in October over the contested killing of a pastor in September. ...

 In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 23 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Farmers on hunger strike today in India; plan to intensify stir. Farmer unions protesting at Delhi’s borders announced a relay hunger strike at all the protest sites from today onwards. The farmers, seeking the repeal of three farm laws, plan to intensify ...

In North Asia today, there are 12 Developments CHINA 1. China will implement its new ferrous scrap import standards from January 1, 2021. The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) said that China’s State Administration for Market Regulation issued the national standard on “Recycling Steel and Iron Raw Materials” on December 14. This move essentially approves physical specifications ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 24 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Activists stage protest against lese majeste in Thailand. Prominent protest leaders including Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, and a few dozen anti-government demonstrators gathered at Siam Paragon mall yesterday. They were standing outside a fashion store owned by a princess. ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 18 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has named Education Minister Dan Tehan as the new trade minister in a Cabinet reshuffle. Former trade minister Simon Birmingham was named the finance minister in October after Australia nominated Mathias Cormann as a candidate for the head of the ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 30 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Tankers’ body on strike in Pakistan. The All Pakistan Oil Contractors Association went on strike, following the breakdown of talks with the Rawalpindi district administration over entry timings into city areas. The association stopped supply on December 16 and parked its tankers ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 22 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Increased security measures across Indonesia for upcoming days. Authorities have increased or are increasing security measures across the country for the upcoming period. Additional police will be deployed to sensitive areas, including transport hubs, shopping malls, markets, and religious sites, ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 10 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Cyclone Yasa makes landfall in Fiji. Cyclone Yasa made landfall in Fiji’s Vanua Levu yesterday. It has since lost intensity and has been downgraded to a category 4 cyclone with a wind speed of at least 195 kmph with ...

In North Asia today, there are 9 Developments CHINA 1. Authorities busted 1,198 mafia-style gangs in rural areas by the end of November in a three-year nationwide crackdown on organized crime launched in January 2018. Data released by the national office against organized crime showed the mafia-style gangs busted in rural areas accounted for a third of ...

In North Asia today, there are 13 Developments CHINA1. A container ship with 16 crew members sank in a collision yesterday in the Yangtze River, according to the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration. Around seven people were rescued and one person was found dead. Eight people are still missing. 2. A bank manager from Beijing has been jailed ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 30 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. FPI leader arrested in Indonesia. Authorities arrested the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), RIzieq Shihab, in Jakarta on December 12. He was arrested for allegedly violating COVID-19 health protocols by inciting people to participate in mass gatherings. He was ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 19 Other Developments Assessed Event Today 1. Thousands of loyalists protested against road blockades in Noumea, New Caledonia. More than 20,000 loyalists led by President Thierry Santa staged a protest in Noumea yesterday. They protested against the roadblocks that were installed after violence erupted over the ...

Pro-democracy groups have scheduled multiple rallies in Bangkok today. The main rally, organized by United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) and Khana Ratsadon (People’s Party), is scheduled to take place at the October 14 Monument in Bangkok. Pro-democracy groups said that they plan to protest against the controversial “lese majeste” laws of Article 112 ...

In North Asia today, there are 9 Developments CHINA 1. The country is carrying out inspections on food importers, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms and restaurants to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through imported cold chain products. The State Administration for Market Regulation said a national platform designed to trace cold-chain imports has been established and gone into operation. ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Seven killed in flash floods in southern Thailand. At least seven people were killed, while several others were injured after flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall affected large parts of Southern Thailand. According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 19 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The country’s borders will likely stay closed for “some time”, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday. Morrison said Australia would keep its borders closed to non-Australian citizens and non-permanent residents. 2. The parliament yesterday passed legislation giving the federal government power to veto any agreement ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 17 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Workers protest against layoffs in Pakistan. Hundreds of Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM) workers held a sit-in protest against layoffs near the Steel Town roundabout on the National Highway in Karachi on November 28. They protested against the government and mill authorities for ...

In North Asia today, there are 9 Developments CHINA 1. Snowfall will affect the northwestern parts of China in the coming days, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). Slight to moderate snow is forecast in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the provinces of Gansu and Qinghai. Some areas near the Tianshan Mountains in ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 18 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Suspected MIT attack kills four in Indonesia. The Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT), or the East Indonesia Mujahideen, is suspected of being behind an attack in Lembantongoa, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi on November 27. Four individuals were killed, and the MIT terrorists allegedly ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 14 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service said there were 54 bushfires across the state during the two-day weekend heatwave. A fire in Northmead, in Sydney’s west, damaged a property before it was brought under control. Firefighters are investigating several bushfires as suspicious, as they ...

In North Asia today, there are 11 Developments. CHINA 1. The coast guards in Guangdong province arrested four alleged suspects, in a case involving smuggling of the precious metal palladium. Three vehicles and 61 kgs of palladium worth 30 million yuan (USD 4.56 million) were seized by the coast guards in Huizhou, Guangdong. Further investigation is still ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 15 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. PDM to hold an anti-government rally in Multan, Pakistan on November 30. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an 11-party opposition alliance, is scheduled to hold an anti-government rally in Multan, Punjab province on November 30. The movement has urged its supporters to ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 19 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Pro-democracy protest scheduled in Bangkok, Thailand today. A pro-democracy protest is scheduled to take place in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district today. Protest organizers, Khana Ratsadon (People’s Party), urged protesters to gather at the Ha Yaek Lat Phrao Intersection at around 4:00 PM (local ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 15 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. Queensland is preparing for a forecast heatwave condition that will hit the state in the coming days. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said the heatwave would be worse interstate in the next few days. The heatwave would move into north-east New South Wales ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 16 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. PDM holds anti-government rally in Peshawar, Pakistan. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an 11-party opposition alliance, held a massive anti-government rally in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa yesterday. An estimated 100,000 people are believed to have attended the rally yesterday. The rally was conducted despite ...

In North Asia today, there are 10 Developments CHINA 1. Hong Kong’s commercial crime police arrested three men yesterday, including two district councilors. A police spokesman said the trio were held in Yuen Long, Sha Tin and Hung Hom on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, in relation to HKD 4.89 million (USD 630,000) worth of campaign expenses for ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 25 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Red shirts join anti-government protest in Bangkok, Thailand. Members and some former members of the Red shirts political movement joined an anti-government protest in Bangkok yesterday. Around 1,500 protesters gathered at Aksa Road, on the western outskirts of Bangkok. The protest site ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 24 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. The state of Victoria announced further easing of COVID-19 restrictions after recording no new infections for 24 consecutive days. Beginning today, it will no longer be compulsory for people in Victoria to wear masks when outdoors, though it remains mandatory in public indoor venues. The state’s ...

In South Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 14 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Violence erupts in Karachi, Pakistan. An anti-encroachment drive by the municipal administration in Mehmoodabad, Karachi came to a halt yesterday after violence erupted due to protests in the area. The protesters took over the Mehmoodabad fire station and blocked Korangi Expressway, which disrupted ...

In North Asia today, there are 15 Developments. CHINA 1. Snowstorms in the northernmost province of Heilongjiang grounded more than 100 flights and forced expressways and schools to be closed, local authorities said yesterday. The province’s meteorological center issued a red alert for heavy snow, the highest in China’s weather warning system, and upgraded the emergency response ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Event and 24 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. (Update) Pro-democracy protest scheduled for tomorrow in Bangkok, Thailand. A pro-democracy group, the Bad Students movement, has scheduled an anti-government protest in Bangkok tomorrow. Protest leaders urged participants to gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection. The group plans to protest against the Education ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 16 Developments AUSTRALIA 1. South Australia’s stay-at-home order that started yesterday will be eased as of midnight tomorrow, Premier Steven Marshall announced today. The lockdown is ending three days earlier than scheduled. Police in the state have fined a few beachgoers and seven people who attended a party, but most South ...

In Southeast Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 12 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. BNP holds protests in Bangladesh. The opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP) held protests against the government across the country over the weekend. In Dhaka, BNP activists protested at the National Press Club on November 14. They also held protests in Khulna, ...

In North Asia today, there are 10 Developments CHINA 1. The eastern Chinese city of Jinan said it has found COVID-19 on beef and tripe, and on packaging for these products from Brazil, New Zealand and Bolivia. The entry ports were Shanghai’s Yangshan port Customs and outer port Customs. More than 7,500 people who may have had ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 19 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Multiple anti-government protests planned across Thailand today. Pro-democracy groups have organized multiple anti-government protests across Thailand today. Participants are being urged to join the protests through various social media platforms. The pro-democracy movement will continue with their core demands including the ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 2 Assessed Events and there are 12 Developments 1. Political turmoil develops in Papua New Guinea. Political turmoil developed in PNG after several senior ministers, including the deputy prime minister, defected to the opposition on November 13. The opposition took control of parliament on November 12 and voted 57-39 to suspend parliament, ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 17 Other Developments Assessed Events Today 1. Traffic plan for Karachi issued ahead of Pakistan Super League playoffs. An alternate-route plan for the citizens of Karachi has been issued ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 Playoffs. The sporting event is scheduled to begin from November ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 19 Other Developments. Assessed Events Today 1. Nearly 1,300 evacuated in anticipation of volcanic activity in Indonesia. Emergency response authorities have evacuated 1,294 residents from parts of Yogyakarta and Central Java in the vicinity of Mount Merapi in anticipation of heightened volcanic activity. A volcano tectonic earthquake occurred ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 13 Developments. AUSTRALIA 1. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today announced that Australians will be able to travel between all states and territories except Western Australia by Christmas. Morrison said the National Cabinet had also agreed to public health measures to ensure states and territories remain open in 2021. 2. The ...

In North Asia today, there are 9 Developments. CHINA 1. At least three people were killed and another injured after an explosion in an expanded polyethylene factory in Hebei Province yesterday. The incident took place in the province’s Wuji County at around 6:00 PM (local time). Rescue work is ongoing and an investigation into the cause of ...

In South Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Event and 16 Other Developments 1. (Update) Thousands protest against France in Pakistan. Tens of thousands rallied in Pakistan on November 7, protesting against France’s position on publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Karachi: Demonstrators trampled on images of French President Emmanuel Macron and burned French flags. Activists from Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan ...

In North Asia today, there are 8 Developments. CHINA 1. A criminal gang of 27 people was awarded prison terms for allegedly extorting locals and bribing local officials by a Beijing court. The defendants allegedly carried out illegal activities in Miyun District from 2001 to 2019. According to the court investigation, the gang had embezzled over USD ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 2 Assessed Events and 26 Other Developments   1. Police use water cannons on anti-government protesters in Bangkok, Thailand. Police fired water cannons at anti-government protesters in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday to prevent them from marching towards the Grand Palace. At least 10,000 anti-government protesters initially gathered outside the Democracy monument ...

Anti-government protesters are set to stage another major demonstration at Democracy Monument tomorrow afternoon. Protesters will reiterate their three main demands: the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, the drafting of a new Constitution, and reform of the monarchy. The office of the prime minister said government would set up a team ...

In Australasia & Pacific Islands today, there are 18 Developments. AUSTRALIA 1. Victoria will allow direct flights from New Zealand beginning November 9, after the state recorded a seventh consecutive day of no new COVID-19 cases and no deaths. State Premier Daniel Andrews said he had written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison this morning to ask him ...

In South Asia today, there is 1 Assessed Event and 12 other Developments. Assessed Events Today 1. Indian farmers block roads as part of nationwide protests. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana blocked roads as part of a nationwide agitation in protest against three farm laws yesterday. They demanded that the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) ...

In North Asia today, there are 12 Developments. CHINA 1. More than 6,000 people in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province in the country’s northwest, have tested positive for a bacterial disease called brucellosis, the local government reported. The outbreak was reportedly caused by a leak at a vaccine plant over a year ago. The government has ...

In Southeast Asia today, there are 3 Assessed Events and 26 other Developments. 1. Anti-government and pro-monarchy rallies scheduled in Bangkok, Thailand. Anti-government protests are scheduled to take place outside the Democracy Monument in Bangkok on November 8. The protests are organized by pro-democracy groups called ‘Free Youth’ and the Khana Ratsadon (People’s Party). They urged ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Anti-France protests continue in South Asia. Hundreds of protesters rallied across Pakistan, Bangladesh and India and burned effigies of French President Emmanuel Macron over the weekend. They chanted anti-France slogans and called for a boycott of French goods. Pakistan Several political, religious and student groups held anti-France rallies. Multiple demonstrations ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS Thousands protest sale of Vale nickel plant in New Caledonia. Thousands of people protested on October 30 against the planned sale of the Vale nickel plant to a consortium led by a Swiss-based commodity trader, Trafigura. The protesters were mainly from Kanak groups, who marched from the French High Commission to the ...

CHINA 1. A bridge collapse killed seven people and injured five yesterday in Tianjin. The accident occurred in the Tianjin New Bay Area, when the Tianjin South Ring Railway Maintenance Co was renovating the bridge, about 50 kilometers from the city’s downtown. 2. The Caixin/Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing in China came in at ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS (Update) Hundreds of royalists demonstrate at Lumpini Park in Bangkok, Thailand. Hundreds of yellow-clad supporters of the monarchy gathered at Lumpini Park in Bangkok at around 4:00 PM (local time) yesterday. They gathered to show their unwavering support for the royal institution amid mounting pro-democracy protests. Some people carried the photo ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Around 25 police officers injured in attack by fisherman in Bangladesh. At least 25 river police personnel were injured when fishermen attacked them at Chandpur’s Laxmirchar in the Meghna river yesterday. Hundreds of fishermen allegedly attacked the officers with sticks and bricks. The police officers allegedly shot rubber bullets and shotgun ...

CHINA 1. More domestic air routes will operate during winter and spring, as the civil aviation regulator said the number of flights is expected to increase by 20%. Around 86,735 domestic passenger and freight flights－excluding those servicing Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan－will operate every week. 2. The Chinese Communist Party will begin a pivotal meeting of ...

AUSTRALIA 1. Defense Minister Linda Reynolds announced Australia will no longer send a Royal Australian Navy ship to the Middle East every year. The country will also withdraw from the US-led naval coalition patrolling the Strait of Hormuz at the end of 2020. The country’s three-decades-long naval presence in the Middle East will come to an ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Anti-government protests scheduled in Bangkok, Thailand today. Pro-democracy groups are planning to hold a major rally at Samyan intersection today at 5:00 PM (local time) in Bangkok. Protest organizers said they will then march to the German Embassy, which is about 1.5 kms away on Sathorn Road. Protesters said in ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS Heavy rains predicted in parts of South Asia this week. Heavy rainfall is predicted by meteorological offices in India and Bangladesh over the coming days. A low-pressure area is developing over the Bay of Bengal that could result in adverse weather conditions in coastal areas. The low-pressure system is likely to intensify ...

AUSTRALIA 1. Victoria, Australia’s second most populous state, recorded one new COVID case and zero deaths today. The new case brought the rolling 14-day average in metropolitan Melbourne down to 5.5 while that in regional Victoria is 0.3. The announcement comes days before Premier Daniel Andrews announces further easing of COVID-19 restrictions on October 25. 2. ...

CHINA 1. China will further ease outbound investment limits and allow more domestic institutional investors to purchase financial assets in the global market. A senior official from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange said that fresh quotas worth USD 10 billion will be issued in several batches under the outbound Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor scheme. 2. ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Thailand revokes emergency decree despite mounting protests. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha revoked the state of ‘severe’ emergency and other related orders in Bangkok yesterday. The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette. The emergency-related orders were lifted a week after they were imposed to tackle anti-government protests. However, demonstrations have ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS Security increased ahead of PDM rally in Quetta, Pakistan. Authorities have increased security as part of a plan ahead of a rally by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) in Quetta, Balochistan on October 25. The rally is to take place in the Hockey Ground Chowk. PDM is a coalition of opposition parties ...

CHINA 1. The mainland reported 14 new imported COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 3,167. Of the new imported cases, eight were reported in Shanghai, three in Guangdong, two in Sichuan and one in Fujian, the National Health Commission said in its daily report. 2. A notice issued by the Ministry ...

AUSTRALIA 1. The country’s second-largest independent gas producer Santos said today that third-quarter revenue fell 22.6%, hit by a drop in energy prices because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm reported revenue of USD 797 million for the September quarter, compared with USD 1.03 billion last year. 2. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton warned that Australia must prepare ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS Protesters give ultimatum for prime minister’s resignation in Thailand. Anti-government activists in the ongoing protest movement gave Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a three-day deadline to submit his resignation yesterday. They also demanded the drafting of a new constitution and reforms to the monarchy. Otherwise they warned that they will step up the ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Water transport workers go on strike in Bangladesh. Workers from the Bangladesh Water Transport Workers’ Federation (BWTWF) went on an indefinite strike at 12:01 AM (local time) yesterday. They are demanding food allowances, health care equipment, appointment letters, identity cards, security, and workplace compensation in the event of accidents. They are ...

AUSTRALIA 1. South Australia is joining New South Wales and Northern Territory in opening its borders to New Zealanders. The state’s Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens, announced the move yesterday with immediate effect. The decision was made at a meeting of the state’s Transition Committee yesterday morning. 2. The state of Victoria today recorded three new cases ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Thousands protest against omnibus law in Indonesia. Thousands of people held protests against the recently passed omnibus law on job creation in Indonesia yesterday. Student groups and labor unions participated in the protests. Over 2,000 people gathered at the State Palace in Jakarta. Authorities deployed additional personnel to the area and ...

CHINA 1. Hong Kong opposition activists plan to hold a virtual rally on October 25. The planned online protest is an attempt to keep alive their campaign for the return of 12 fugitives who were caught at sea while fleeing to Taiwan and who are now being held in mainland China. The activists will also set ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Women healthcare workers continue to protest in Pakistan. Hundreds of women healthcare workers continued their sit-in protest near the Parliament in Islamabad for the fifth day yesterday. They are calling for salary increases and the creation of a service structure, amongst other demands. The workers were among thousands of government employees ...

CHINA 1. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.9% in the third quarter of the year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed yesterday. The economy grew 3.2% in the second quarter and 0.7% in the first nine months. 2. The country denied yesterday that foreign nationals are under threat of arbitrary detention. The denial ...

AUSTRALIA 1. Defense Minister Linda Reynolds has confirmed Australia will participate next month in Exercise Malabar 2020, which she described as a “milestone activity”. The military exercises involve the US, Japan and India. The Australian Defense Force last took part in Exercise Malabar in 2007, before the Australian Government withdrew from the naval drills the following ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Over a thousand protest in Bangkok, across Thailand, yesterday. Over a 1,000 people held anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok yesterday. Protests were held at the Kasetsart Intersection, the Bangkok Remand Prison, and the Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT)’s Public Health Ministry Station in Nonthaburi. Authorities again suspended operations at some Bangkok Mass Transit ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS Thousands protest in Karachi, Pakistan against the government. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters rallied yesterday in Karachi as part of a campaign to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan. The rally was organized by the newly formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of opposition parties. The opposition leaders included– Bilawal Bhutto ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS (Update) Pro-democracy protests continue in Bangkok, Thailand over the weekend. Pro-democracy protests were held in Bangkok and at least 12 other provinces across Thailand yesterday. The rally locations were announced on Facebook by the United Front for Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) yesterday afternoon. In Bangkok, thousands of anti-government protesters gathered at ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. NC members clash with police in Nepal. Members of the Nepali Congress (NC) clashed with police in Sarlahi District on October 14. The clash occurred after the police allegedly blocked NC cadres from filing a First Information Report for a recent incident involving the killing of one of their members. On ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Tens of thousands of protesters defy emergency decree in Bangkok, Thailand. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters staged a protest in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday, defying a “state of emergency” declared by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-cha. The emergency decree was ordered to quell escalating demonstrations against the government and the Thai ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Protests against sexual assault continue in Bangladesh. Protests against the increasing incidents of sexual assault continued for the eighth day across Bangladesh yesterday. People from educational institutions, student bodies, rights organizations and several political parties were demonstrating in Dhaka’s Motijheel Shapla Chattar area, the National Press Club, and the Shahbag ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. TPNPB attack fact-finding team in Papua, Indonesia. The West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB) attacked personnel of the government’s fact-finding team (TGPF) in Sugapa, Intan Jaya Regency, Papua, on October 9. The incident occurred in Mamba village. Two individuals sustained injuries. Authorities have said that the situation is now under control. ...

Violence persisted in Northeast Delhi’s Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar areas yesterday amid continuing dispute over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). At least 13 people have been killed since February 23 including five yesterday. More than 200 people including 48 police personnel have been injured with many having suffered bullet wounds. Acid was ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. PPP-led opposition movement to hold massive rally in Karachi, Pakistan on October 18. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) announced that it will stage a massive rally in Karachi on October 18. The protest will be held under the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). This will be a part of ...

EMERGING ISSUES AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Protests against omnibus law continue in Indonesia. Protests against the recently passed omnibus law on job creation continued across the country yesterday. Protests took place in more than 40 cities or provinces, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Palembang, and Makassar. Protests also occurred in multiple areas of cities. Thousands participated in ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. PML-N stages agitation in Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) launched protests with a rally on Temple Road, Lahore on October 3. Several party workers were gathered there, shouting slogans against Prime Minister Imran Khan and ‘National Accountability Bureau-Niazi nexus’. They expressed solidarity with their leaders — Nawaz Sharif and ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS New Caledonians voted against independence yesterday. The provisional final count results of the independence referendum indicate that New Caledonians voted against independence from France yesterday. The anti-independence bloc secured approximately 53.26% of the votes. French President Emmanuel Macron said that “Voters have had their say. They confirmed their wish to keep New Caledonia ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Multiple protests today against gang-rape incident in India. Protests will be held today in India against the alleged gang-rape incident of a Dalit (lower caste) woman on September 14 in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh police yesterday said that the forensic report revealed that the victim was not raped. Protests have been ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Dozens arrested in Hong Kong yesterday. Police arrested at least 60 individuals in Causeway Bay for allegedly participating in an unauthorized assembly yesterday. Police are also looking for two individuals who allegedly threw a petrol bomb and debris to disrupt traffic on Lung Cheung Road in Wong Tai Sin. Small protests ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Vodafone won an international arbitration case against India on September 25. The Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, the Netherlands ruled in favor of the Vodafone Group PLC in its case against India on September 25. The court said that India’s demand of approximately USD 3 billion from the company as ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. GRS wins Sabah state elections in Malaysia. The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, won the September 26 state election in Sabah. GRS coalition parties won 38 of the 73 contested seats, earning a small majority. The former ruling-Warisan Plus government won 32 seats. Independent candidates ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Tamils in Sri Lanka to protest ban on memorial events. Tamil political parties will participate in a hunger strike tomorrow and have called for a complete shutdown of Tamil areas on September 28. They will protest against the government’s ban to hold a memorial for Tamil Eelam revolutionary Thileepan, who died on ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protests against omnibus bill held in Indonesia yesterday. Protests were held against the omnibus bill on job creation across the country yesterday. Around 3,000 workers protested in Karawang, West Java; 20 in Jakarta; 200 in Medan, North Sumatra and hundreds in Semarang, Surabaya, Bengkulu, Medan, and Makassar, among others. Activists had initially ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Anti-government protests scheduled for September 24 and October 14 in Thailand. Anti-government protesters have called for new protests on September 24 and October 14 in Thailand. Several pro-democracy activists are planning to organize a protest on September 24 outside the parliament building in Bangkok.  The student-led group’s demands primarily include reform ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Farmers to block railways from September 24-26 in Punjab, India. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, a farmer’s body, announced that they would hold a three-day ‘rail roko’ protest in Punjab and block train movement from September 24-26. The action is to protest against the ‘The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Tropical Storm Noul to make landfall in Vietnam later today. Tropical Storm Noul is expected to make landfall around afternoon in central Vietnam today. As of 4:00 PM (local time) yesterday, the storm was located on the southern sea regions of Vietnam’s Paracel Islands. It was moving at a maximum ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Anti-Shiite protests take place in Pakistan. Thousands of anti-Shiite protesters rallied in Karachi, Pakistan on September 11 and September 12. Some demonstrators held banners of the radical anti-Shiite group Sipah-e-Sahaba, which has been linked to the killing of hundreds of Shiites over the years. The rally was held following a series of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Thailand tells universities to stop students’ calls for monarchy reform. Thai authorities summoned the heads of universities yesterday to tell them to stop students demanding reforms to the monarchy. Senator Somchai Sawangkarn, a member of the military-appointed Senate, warned that such calls could lead to violence. Sawangkarn said that letters were sent ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS BKU stages protest in Haryana, India against farm ordinances. The farmers of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) held a state-level protest at Pipli town near Kurukshetra, Haryana yesterday. They expressed their opposition against the farm ordinances promulgated by the Union government. The district administration deployed more than a thousand police officers to stop ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Over 1.8 million ordered to evacuate as Typhoon Haishen hits Japan. More than 1.8 million people across six prefectures in southwestern Japan were ordered to evacuate immediately as Typhoon Haishen hit the region yesterday. Haishen brought strong winds and heavy rainfall in Southwestern Japan as it approached the Amami group of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Prolonged power outages spark protests in Karachi, Pakistan. Residents launched a protest on August 28 in against K-Electric (KE) for its failure to restore electricity after 40 hours in several parts of Karachi. Thousands of people were stuck in traffic jams on Shahrah-e-Faisal for hours as the protesters gathered near the FTC ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Over a thousand rally to support monarchy in Thailand. Around 1,200 people gathered in support of the Thai monarchy inside a sports stadium in Bangkok yesterday. After weeks of students-led anti-government protests, ‘Thai royalists’ waved the national flags and held pictures of the Thai king in support of the monarchy. The ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Terrorist attack prevented in Indonesia. A terrorist plot which planned to attack shop owners in areas dominated by ethnic Chinese communities in Banten province and Tasikmalaya city, West Java was thwarted by the security forces. Police arrested 17 suspected members of the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) before the attacks ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Food delivery workers protest against low wages in India. Swiggy delivery executives in metropolitan cities stood in protest against the company’s new payment structure yesterday. The company has released its response claiming that the figures quoted by the executives are not accurate. The company said, “Reports quoting that Swiggy’s delivery partners ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Authorities arrest more anti-government protesters in Thailand. Thai authorities further clamped down on anti-government protests as they arrested nine more pro-democracy leaders yesterday. They were charged with sedition for participating in anti-government rallies on July 18 and August 3, seeking to oust the military-backed regime and limit the monarchy’s power. They ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Thousands of Pakistanis protest UAE-Israel deal. Tens of thousands of Pakistanis marched yesterday against a deal between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel meant to normalize bilateral relations. Rallies and demonstrations were held in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Hyderabad, and other cities and towns on the call ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Thousands protest in Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of people participated in student-led anti-government protests outside the Democracy Monument in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. The Metropolitan Police Bureau said at least 12,000 people had gathered for the protest at around 7:00 PM (local time). The protest organizers, the Free People Movement, claimed more than ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Flood situations worsens in South Asia. The flood situation worsened in South Asia this week, especially in India and Bangladesh.India Floods in India have affected the states of Uttarakhand and Bihar this week, among other states. Additionally, a flash flood guidance is in place for parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Doctors to go on a nationwide strike today in South Korea. Thousands of doctors in South Korea are planning to stage a series of protests across the country today. They plan to protest against the government’s plan to increase medical student quotas, citing lack of medical infrastructure in rural areas due ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Red alert issued for heavy rainfall in Kerala, India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall accompanied by possible flooding and landslides in the state of Kerala. The warning has been issued for the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Alappuzha for the next ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Pro-government and anti-government protests scheduled in Thailand. Pro-government and anti-government groups plan to stage protests outside the parliament building in Bangkok at 10:00 AM (local time) today. The anti-government protests will be led by the Free People and the Student Union of Thailand, while the pro-government rally is organized by the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Sri Lanka’s ruling Rajapaksa alliance secures landslide election win. Sri Lanka’s ruling party has recorded a landslide election victory and secured another five-year term in elections held on August 5. Final results show that incumbent Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) has won 145 seats of the 225 seats ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protests planned in Brisbane, Australia. Demonstrators are planning to gather at Story Bridge in Brisbane, Queensland tomorrow. They are planning to stage a protest against the alleged poor treatment of refugees held at the Kangaroo Point Hotel. At least 3,000 people have shown interest in attending the protest rally organized by ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Alcohol poisoning kills over a 100 in Punjab, India. Over a 100 people have died in three districts of Punjab, India due to consumption of spurious liquor. So far, 78 people have allegedly died in Tarn Taran, 12 in Amritsar and 11 in Batala.The spurious liquor is suspected to be made of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Hong Kong postpones legislative elections by one year. On July 31, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam announced that the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections will be postponed by at least a year. Lam said the decision was made due to a surge in the COVID-19 outbreak in the city. The elections ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Nationwide Protests planned in Pakistan today Different religious groups along with civil society activists will be staging nationwide protests against Protecting the Foundation of Islam Bill today. Some members of the parliament will also be joining these protests. The protests are against “The Punjab Tahaffuz-i-Bunyad-i-Islam” Bill which was passes unanimously by the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Hong Kong disqualifies opposition candidates from Legislative Council elections. Hong Kong disqualified a dozen pro-democracy candidates yesterday from running in the key Legislative Council (LegCo) election, which is scheduled for September 6. Authorities cited reasons including collusion with foreign forces and opposition to the recently imposed national security law for their ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Terror threat advisory issued in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Law enforcement have received multiple intelligence reports regarding the possibility of a terror attack on Eid-ul-Azha. The intelligence reports claim that the militant outfit “Neo Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)” could possibly carry out attacks in the country ahead of Eid (a Muslim festival). The reports also ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Anti-government protests continue in Thailand. Anti-government demonstrations by various student groups continued in several provinces including Bangkok on July 24 and 25. The protesters continued their demands for the dissolution of parliament, resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha and the rewriting of the constitution. Kanchanaburi: At around 5:40 PM (local time), ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Clifton area in Karachi, Pakistan cordoned off due to terror threat. Law enforcement personnel diverted traffic and cordoned off streets in Karachi’s Clifton area yesterday. This was done in the wake of various security alerts issued by government institutions. Security officials said that recently, threat alerts had been issued to the law ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Anti-government protests continue across Thailand. Hundreds of students under the network of student groups called “Free Youth” staged anti-government protests on the outskirts of Bangkok yesterday.  Similar protests also took place in four other Thai provinces including Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon and Pattani. The protesters continued with their demands ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Traders protest in Islamabad, Pakistan. Thousands of traders staged a protest in Islamabad’s Zero Point area on July 18. They later marched towards the Parliament House. The protest was staged under the banner ‘Horn Bajao Hukamran Jagao’. It was allegedly organized against the government for not allowing reopening of their ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Torrential rainfall continues to affect large parts of China. Torrential rains have continued to affect large parts of China over the last two weeks. At least 27 of the country’s 31 provinces have been severely affected since June. Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have affected more than 37 million people. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Indonesian labor groups plan nationwide protests against the Omnibus bill. Several labor groups and activists are planning to stage nationwide protests against the Omnibus bill on job creation next month. The bill is currently under deliberation at the House of Representatives, as the government hopes to conclude the discussion by early ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Maoists bomb several government buildings in Jharkhand, India. Maoist militants allegedly bombed at least 12 buildings of the Jharkhand forest department in West Singhbhum district in India yesterday. According to the police, over 100 Maoists allegedly attacked the buildings in Barkela forest range of Kolhan forest division on July 11. As ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Thousands of pro-democracy supporters cast votes in Hong Kong. Over 600,000 residents of Hong Kong cast ballots in the democratic camp primaries elections over the weekend. Organizers said 592,000 people had voted online, while 21,000 had cast paper ballots at the end of two full days of polling. The unofficial poll ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Heavy rainfall and floods continue across South Asia. Heavy rainfall coupled with thunderstorms and lightning have continued in parts of India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Some regions are under threat of potential flooding and triggered landslides leading to widespread damage to infrastructure. The flood situation in India and Bangladesh looks grim ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Four ministers quit Palang Pracharat Party in Thailand. Four key members of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) announced their resignation yesterday. This includes the Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Higher Education, Science and Innovations Minister Suvit Maesincee. The deputy secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, Kobsak Pootrakul, ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. At least four suspected Maoists were killed in a gunfight in Odisha, India yesterday. Police allegedly killed at least four suspected Maoists in a gunfight in a forest in Odisha’s Kandhamal district yesterday. The incident allegedly took place at Sirla forest near Tumudibandh area of Kandhamal district. The police said, upon ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Malaysia’s Perikatan Nasional government may call for snap polls.  The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may call for snap elections. Mohamed Azmin Ali, the International Trade and Industry Minister said, the snap polls could take place as early as this year or 2021. In a dinner ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Hundreds of Rakhine villagers take refuge amid new offensive. The military is allegedly conducting offensives against the Arakan Army (AA) in Rathedaung township, Rakhine state. This is according to villagers who have taken refuge in Sittwe, as talk of a gathering army campaign drove thousands from their homes. Around 300 villagers were ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Coal workers launch three-day strike against Indian government. Coal workers launched a three-day nationwide strike yesterday to protest against the government’s move to allow commercial mining. They are against the move to open Coal India to private players and separate the state-run firm’s exploration, planning and design arm Central Mine Planning ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Around 162 dead in landslide at jade mine. Around 162 people were buried in a landslide that swept through an open pit mining site in Hpakant township in Kachin State yesterday. The bodies were recovered by officials and the death toll is expected to surpass 200.  Around 54 injured people were ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Around 162 dead in landslide at jade mine. Around 162 people were buried in a landslide that swept through an open pit mining site in Hpakant township in Kachin State yesterday. The bodies were recovered by officials and the death toll is expected to surpass 200.  Around 54 injured people were taken ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protesters arrested in Hong Kong yesterday. About 50 pro-democracy protesters staged a peaceful “shopping protest” against the impending national security law in a shopping mall in Hong Kong yesterday. Police arrested at least 14 people at the Yoho Mall shopping centre in Yuen Long, primarily for unlawful assembly. The demonstration started ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Border tensions between India and China continue. Indian and Chinese armies have been in a six-week standoff in several border areas of eastern Ladakh. The ties between the two countries are strained after the Chinese military allegedly killed 20 Indian Army personnel and injured around 76 in a violent clash ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Indonesian President Widodo signs the new mining law. President Jokowi Widodo signed the new Coal and Mineral Mining Law on June 10. The new legislation is a revised version of the 2009 Coal and Mineral Mining Law. The proposed law is aimed at expanding and reviving Indonesia’s mining industry. However, it ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Nepal approves new political map. Nepal’s upper house yesterday unanimously approved the new political map to include disputed territories with India. President Bidhya Devi Bhandari gave her assent to the Bill within hours of its passage in the Rastriya Sabha (upper house) This will replace Nepal’s existing political map to ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS A massive fire caused by a gas leak in India’s Assam. An uncontrolled release of gas from an Oil India Limited (OIL)-owned oil well in Baghjan, Assam caught fire on June 9. The oil well is situated near Assam’s Dibru Saikhowa National Park and the Maguri-Motapung wetland. The authorities are yet to ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Malaysia’s Pakatan Plus in political deadlock over PM candidate. The opposition coalition, ‘Pakatan Plus’ reached a political deadlock over the subject of potential prime ministerial candidate again yesterday. “Pakatan Plus” is an informal term that refers to the Pakatan Harapan coalition after Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and several PKR leaders left ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Nepal to pass a constitutional amendment on a new political map today. Nepal’s parliament will take up the controversial amendment on its map today, to include Kalapani and other disputed territories with India. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has decided to fast track the legislative process by shortening the period of public ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Philippines lawmakers withdraw support for anti-terror bill. At least 20 lawmakers in the Philippines withdrew their support as ‘co-authors’ from the anti-terror bill on June 7. The bill was initially approved with an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives on June 3. Many rallied in protest against the proposed law in ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Evacuations begin as India’s West Bengal braces for a spring tide. Thousands of people living in the cyclone-hit villages of south Bengal are likely to be evacuated as the water level in the rivers is expected to rise during the spring tide on June 6. While high tide and low tide are ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Hong Kong legislature passes the national anthem law. Hong Kong’s legislature officially passed the national anthem bill which criminalizes any insult to the Chinese national anthem yesterday. The bill was passed by an overwhelming majority, with 41 lawmakers voting in favor of the resolution. Only one lawmaker objected and no one ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Cyclone warnings issued off the coast of the western coast of India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian sea and Lakshadweep is likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm. It is likely to reach coastal states of Maharashtra and Gujarat this ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. The US takes action against Beijing’s passage of national security law. The U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 29 that he was directing his administration to begin the process of eliminating special treatment for Hong Kong. This is in response to China’s plans to impose new security law in Hong ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Maoists killed in a gunfight with security forces in India. Three Maoists were allegedly killed by security forces in a joint operation in Jharkhand’s West Singhbum in India yesterday. One Maoist was injured who was later arrested by the security forces. The suspected militants were allegedly affiliated to the outlawed People’s ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Chinese parliament approves HK’s national security bill. Chinese lawmakers officially approved a proposal for passing a new national security legislation in Hong Kong yesterday. China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, approved the draft decision by an overwhelming majority during its annual session in Beijing, with only six abstentions. The legislation ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Chinese parliament approves HK’s national security bill. Chinese lawmakers officially approved a proposal for passing a new national security legislation in Hong Kong yesterday. China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, approved the draft decision by an overwhelming majority during its annual session in Beijing, with only six abstentions. The legislation ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Passenger plane crashed near Karachi airport. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crashed near Model Colony, Karachi while flying from Lahore to Karachi on May 22. At Least 97 passengers on board were killed in the crash which occurred near Jinnah International Airport. The flight took off from Lahore International ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protests over National Security Law turn violent in Hong Kong. Several thousands of pro-democracy protesters staged demonstrations in Hong Kong yesterday to oppose the implementation of the new National Security Law. The legislation is being proposed by Chinese authorities in Beijing. The protests took place in Causeway Bay and Wan Chai ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Cyclone Amphan intensifies over Bay of Bengal, likely to hit the coast in the next 24 hours. A Tropical Depression, Amphan, intensified into a cyclonic storm on May 16 and is gradually moving towards the bay of West Orissa, West Bengal in India, parts of Bangladesh and coastal areas of Myanmar. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protest against coalition government in Timor-Leste today. There will likely be a protest against the coalition government in the National Parliament today. The protest has been organized by Associacao Dos Combatentes Da Brigada Negra (ACBN) against the majority coalition. The majority coalition comprises–the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS (Update) Ready-made garment (RMG) workers protests in Bangladesh turn violent. Protests by garment factory workers continued across four districts in Bangladesh including Savar, Chittagong, Gazipur and Narayanganj yesterday. The workers demanded reopening of factories, payment of due salaries, and provision of adequate safety measures. Savar – Several hundred workers of Medlar Apparels Ltd ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Indonesia’s Mimika urges the temporary closure of Freeport. The regent of Mimika in Papua has urged President Joko Widodo to temporarily close Freeport’s Grasberg mine in Tembagapura district as the number of COVID-19 cases in the area continues to rise. As of May 7, 56 employees of the company had ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. China issues strict warning for Hong Kong protesters. China issued a strongly worded warning yesterday to the protesters in Hong Kong that it would not tolerate them “stirring up trouble again” in the semi-autonomous territory. China’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) warned the protesters, “We noticed that the black violent ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protests in Pakistan over murder of a Pashtun activist. Thousands of people defied lockdown to protest against the assassination of a Pashtun political activist, Arif Wazirin of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) last week. Wazir was apparently shot at by unidentified assailants in the north-western province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. The Timor Leste government formed as KHUNTO left leading the coalition. A new government in Timor Leste has been installed after President Francisco Lu-Olo Guterres did not 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 ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. (Update) Migrant workers continue protesting across various states in India. Migrant workers’ crises have been ongoing in India since the beginning of the lockdown. They continued to stage several protests across the country. Some of the protests turned violent. Surat, Gujarat – A large group of about 1000 migrant workers clashed with ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Clashes erupt in the Philippines between military and terrorist groups. Two seperate clashes erupted in the Philippines between the military and terrorist groups. At least four people died in the clashes while one was injured.   The clash first erupted on May 3 between the troops and suspected Abu Sayyaf militants ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Hong Kong police warn of mass arrests at Labor Day protests. Hong Kong police have warned that they will use force to prevent any chaos from erupting today, Labor Day, amid plans by pro-democracy demonstrators to stage protests. The police will deploy 3,000 riot officers with tear gas, rubber bullets and ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Security forces engaged suspected Maoist militants in Chhattisgarh, India. Security forces engaged suspected Maoist militants in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit Narayanpur district yesterday. The exchange of fire broke out around 8:00 AM in the jungle between Kademeta and Burgum villages when a joint team of security forces was out on a counter-insurgency operation by ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Violence involving communist rebels and suspected legal allies continues in communist hotbeds. Early this morning, a 50-year-old activist, the Iloilo coordinator of Bayan Muna, was shot and killed in his rented house in Iloilo City in the Visayas in the Philippines. Initial investigation revealed that the victim was inside his house ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Hundreds of people protest in Bangladesh. Hundreds of people took to the streets, protesting the mismanagement of government officials in distributing relief in Sadar upazila of Jessore yesterday. Several hundred people blocked the Jessore-Magura Highway in Bahadurpur, while another hundred people or so gathered on the streets in Bashtola around 8:00 ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. More than 100 people protest in Hong Kong’s Central. More than 100 protesters gathered at the International Financial Center’s mall in Central, Hong Kong yesterday. The protesters ignored social distancing measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They demanded the release of pro-democracy politicians and activists arrested during last year’s protests triggered ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Indonesia makes labor unions cancel April 30 protests. 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. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Dhaka-10 in Bangladesh goes to by-polls. The Election Commission (EC) will organise by-polls tomorrow for the Dhaka-10 parliamentary seat.  More than 312,000 voters expected to vote amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission has arranged hand sanitizers for the voters, while polling officers will get masks and gloves, in order to take ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Mob attacks policemen in Uttar Pradesh, India during lockdown. A mob of vegetable vendors allegedly attacked policemen with stones in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh yesterday. The incident took place while the police were trying to shut down a market in Bhojpura locality in Aligarh after the 10:00 AM deadline during lockdown. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   1. Series of clashes and civilian slayings in Minbya and Paletwa. There has been a series of intense fighting between the military and the ethnic rebel Arakan Army and slayings of civilians in Minbya, Rakhine State and the neighboring Paletwa Township in Chin State from April 20 to 22.   ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Public Procurement Monitoring Office blacklists 50 construction and supply firms in Nepal. Government offices recommended 50 firms for blacklisting after their “sick contracts” were not extended even after the recent amendment to public procurement regulations paved the way for one last extension. As per the public procurement law, the blacklisted firms ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS Clashes in West Bengal, India over COVID-19 victim’s burial. Police personnel clashed with a mob in West Bengal’s Alipurduar district over the burial of a COVID-19 victim. The incident took place on the banks of the Teesta river in the Salkumarhat area. At least 20 police personnel were injured ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Police ban May Day rallies against omnibus bill on job creation. The Jakarta Police have announced that they will ban all rallies commemorating Labor Day against the omnibus bill on job creation being deliberated in the House of Representatives. The country’s organized labor have announced that they are set to ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS (Update) Health workers and police officers continue to be attacked in India. There are an increasing number of attacks directed at health workers and police officers during the nationwide lockdown enforced in India to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Odisha: Government officials were on lockdown enforcement duty in the Jajpur district on ...

  MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   1. Indonesian workers to hold nationwide rallies on April 30. Workers across the country are planning to stage nationwide rallies on April 30 to press lawmakers to suspend the deliberation of the omnibus bill on job creation. Organizers said they would rally in front of the House of Representatives ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Brimob member allegedly killed in Papua, Indonesia. A member of Brimob Company 3 Battalion A Pelopor, Brigader Mesak Viktor Pulung, was allegedly killed at the base camp of PT Wanagalang Utama, Rawara Pantai village in South Moskona District on April 15. The victim was found dead and had sustained multiple injuries. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Hundreds of workers in Bangladesh protest unpaid wages amid nationwide lockdown. Hundreds of workers have been protesting in Bangladesh amid nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. In the ongoing protests, garment workers for global brands demanded that their wages be paid during a lockdown that has forced most factories to suspend ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Police officers, health officials and doctors attacked in India. Police officers, health officials and doctors are facing sporadic attacks in India. They have been attacked while creating awareness about social-distancing and even while helping people affected by COVID-19.   Bihar A sub-divisional police officer and a health department team were ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   1. South Korea’s ruling party wins parliamentary majority. South Korea’s ruling party won a landslide victory in yesterday’s general election. President Moon Jae-in’s Democratic Party has taken 163 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, partial results and exit polls show. Its sister party is expected to win another 17 proportional ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   1. Chinese survey vessel returns to disputed waters off Vietnam. China has sent back the survey vessel in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. The Haiyang Di Zhi 8 survey vessel left China’s Hainan Island on April 9 and was joined by six coast guard ships on April 13. The ship appeared ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   1. Thousands of garment workers protest in Dhaka. Thousands of garment workers protested in Dhaka yesterday, for the second consecutive day.The protest was held by garment workers against unpaid wages in the past few weeks. The lockdown to curb the growth of COVID-19 has forced the closure of the vast ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Security concerns rise in Papua as fatal incidents continue. There have been more security incidents and fatalities in Papua in the past few days: Three policemen died while two others were injured after a clash with military personnel in Kasonaweja, Mamberamo Raya regency, Papua, yesterday morning. Two of the policemen ...

Synopsis of Freeport’s Security Management Plan   Throughout the mine’s history, PT Freeport’s CoW (Contract of Work) area has seen a regular series of violent incidents. At least six foreigners have been shot and five killed in the last 43 years. The most infamous incident involving foreigners was the 2002 shooting at mile 62 in which two ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Four policemen injured in an attack by Awami League (AL) members. Four policemen were injured in an attack by individuals allegedly associated with a local Awami League (AL) leader in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur district. The policemen were on duty at the Moendia Bazar to raise awareness among the people ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Two farmers killed in land conflict in Indonesia. Two farmers were killed in South Sumatra, Indonesia in a land conflict. A security guard of the oil palm plantation company PT Artha Prigel in Lahat regency, South Sumatra, allegedly killed the two farmers from the Pagar Batu village.   On the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Financial authorities appealed to Sri Lankans living abroad to deposit their foreign currency savings in local bank accounts. Central Bank Governor Professor W D Lakshman and Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle invited all Sri Lankan expatriates abroad and those living in Sri Lanka with foreign currency holdings to consider depositing their ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Indonesia to finish deliberation on the controversial Criminal Code in a week. The House of Representatives in Indonesia has set a target of one week to resolve the controversial revisions to the Criminal Code (KUHP) and the 1995 Correctional Facility Law. This comes amid the fears over COVID-19 being spread ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Vietnam declares COVID-19 a ‘nationwide epidemic’. Vietnam yesterday declared COVID-19 a ‘nationwide epidemic’. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed the official declaration widening social distancing measures to stem the spread of the deadly infection. The decision was taken after more imported cases of coronavirus were on the rise. There are ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Pakistan is considering restoring regular flight operations. Pakistan’s Civil aviation authority (CAA) is considering restoring regular flight operations from April 4.  A spokesperson for the Aviation Division said that the government has not arrived at a final decision yet, but that the issue was under serious consideration. The initial period ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Forest fire kills 19 in China’s Sichuan province. A Forest fire killed 19 people in China’s Sichuan Province yesterday. Of the 19 people who have lost their lives, 18 were firefighters. The fire started on March 30 at a farm and spread to nearby mountains, burning 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) as of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Delhi Police cordoned off the Nizamuddin slum area. The police cordoned off the Nizamuddin slum community in Delhi yesterday after the cluster showed a spike in COVID-19 cases. More than 1,500 people from all over the country and Asia had attended a religious convention held by Tableeghi Jamaat earlier this month. Authorities ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. One foreigner killed in shooting in Indonesia’s Papua. One person was killed in a shooting attack yesterday afternoon in Kuala Kencana district in Mimika, Papua. He was a New Zealander who was a long-term employee in the Freeport area of operations. Two Indonesians were wounded seriously while four others sustained minor ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Mass movements of migrant labourers across India. Thousands of migrant laborers were seen leaving major metros across India over the weekend. Reports came in from cities including New Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur of daily-wage laborers moving towards their hometowns on foot. They were primarily leaving cities due to fears of ...

  MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   North Korea conducted test of multiple rocket launchers–KCNA. The KCNA news agency confirmed today that North Korealaunched a successful test of multiple rocket launchers yesterday. It said that the launch was aimed at examining the strategic and technical features of the “super-large multiple rocket launchers”. South Korea has criticized ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   The Indian government unveiled a USD 23 billion stimulus package. The Indian government yesterday unveiled a USD 23 billion stimulus plan. This to address the concerns of the poor affected by the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. The stimulus package provides direct cash transfers and food security measures, offering relief ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   One killed, four alleged terrorists arrested in Indonesia’s Central Java. The National Police arrested four individuals allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State-linked Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in Batang regency, Central Java on the afternoon of March 25. The arrests were made during a raid at  a house in Subak district. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   All foreigners, except diplomats, banned from entry to Thailand. Thailand issued an emergency decree banning the entry of all foreigners from midnight yesterday until April 30. Returning Thais and diplomats, shippers, pilots, drivers and others permitted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, will still be allowed to enter. All border gates ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Panic-buying ensued in India following Prime Minister Modi’s national lockdown announcement. People across major cities in the country scrambled for supplies as the lockdown came into effect. There were crowds at grocery stores and pharmacies after the Prime Minister ordered a complete lockdown. While essential services have been deemed operational, there ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Finance Minister announces sweeping measures as India goes into lockdown. The Indian Finance Minister yesterday announced several relief measures amid the COVID-19 outbreak.  The slew of relief measures is targeted towards taxpayers and businesses amid the outbreak of COVID-19. Eleven major relief measures taken by the Finance Minister include:   ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Clashes in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine after Arakan Army attacks military facility. The military and the ethnic Arakan Army clashed in at least three locations in Rakhine State’s Minbya Towship yesterday. Spokesmen from both sides said the clashes led to casualties for both the military and the Arakan Army. However, neither ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Massive clashes broke out in Kolkata’s jail.  Clashes broke out in Kolkata’s Dum Dum jail yesterday over COVID-19 restrictions. Prisoners allegedly attacked officials with bricks, stone pelting, ransacked furniture and even set fire to some areas. The clashes occurred after the coronavirus crisis forced the courts to ban family members ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. India reports 18 news cases of COVID-19;  taking the total tally to 173. India reported 18 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday bringing the total number of cases to 173. In light of the growing health crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country last night. In his address, Modi urged ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Thailand requires all visitors to show health certificates beginning March 22. Thailand will require all visitors to show medical certificates and health insurance beginning March 22. The medical certificate should be issued no more than 72 hours before travel and should confirm that the traveler has been tested, and is free ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   COVID-19 cases reach 151 in India; three deaths reported. The number of COVID-19 or Coronavirus cases reached 151 yesterday. Three people have been reported dead so far. Seven more were tested positive for the virus in Telangana yesterday. All seven new cases are Indonesian nationals. Maharastra continues to have the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Timor Leste bans non-resident foreigners from COVID-19-affected countries. The government of Timor Leste has decided to ban non-resident foreign nationals who visited or transited through a country with COVID-19 cases within the past four weeks as of March 18. The countries include China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea. The precautionary ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Indonesia imposes new restrictions on foreign travelers. The Foreign Ministry yesterday said it will prohibit the entry and transit of visitors from seven European countries and Iran from March 20 due to COVID-19 or coronavirus concerns. The seven European countries are Britain, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Vatican City. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has hit 147; fresh measures implemented. Among the confirmed cases, 122 are Indian nationals and 25 are foreigners. There have been three deaths in India till date, including one on March 17. The third casualty of the virus was a 64-year-old man ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS COVID-19 cases reach 124 in India; fresh measures implemented. The number of COVID-19 or Coronavirus cases reached 124 yesterday. Maharashtra registered the highest number of cases at 39. In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, travelers from the European Union, Turkey, and the United Kingdom are prohibited from entering India ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Piracy attempt in Singapore Strait foiled by Singapore and Indonesia navies. An attempt to rob a Liberian-flagged ship in Singapore Strait was prevented by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indonesian navy. The crewmembers locked the alleged pirates inside the engine room of the vessel. They reported the incident ...

  MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   COVID-19 declared national disaster in India as virus cases reach 110. India on March 14 declared COVID-19 as a ‘national disaster’. The official count of positive coronavirus cases in India including foreign nationals, according to health ministry, stood at 110 as on 11:30 PM on March 15. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Police reinforcements deployed to PNG’s Highlands region.  A number of policemen have been deployed to the Papua New Guinea Highlands. This move is followed by several killings in the region in recent weeks. Last weel, at least11 people, including three children, were killed in Hela and Enga provinces. Some houses were ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   India cancels all tourist visas as COVID-19 cases reach over 65. The Indian government has suspended all visas to India. The government issued an updated advisory yesterday which said, “All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15 April 2020. This will come into ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. COVID-19 now a pandemic—WHO. The outbreak of COVID-19, the coronavirus that emerged in China in December, has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “pandemic”. “We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction. We have therefore ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Protest in Indonesia demands halt to omnibus bill deliberation. Hundreds of students, workers and artists rallied in Yogyakarta yesterday to demand that the House of Representatives stops the deliberation of the Omnibus Bill on Job Creation. The protesters were grouped under the People’s Movement Alliance and their demonstration was centered around ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Number of COVID-19 cases in India rises to 40. The number of coronavirus cases in India reached 40 today after one person in Jammu and Kashmir, who had high fever, tested positive. One more person is suspected of having the virus in Jammu and the test results are ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   900 Papuans flee as separatist group occupies villages in Indonesia’s Tembagapura. Residents of at least three villages in Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency, Papua Province have fled their homes and sought shelter in the Tembagapura police headquarter. They want the police to evacuate them to Timika. They said that a separatist ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   (Update) Jamia Hafsa students claim responsibility for vandalizing ‘Aurat March’ mural. Students from Jamia Hafsa have claimed responsibility for defacing a mural, painted ahead of the Aurat Azadi March, in G-7 on March 3. The students’ statement said it was their duty in accordance with the principles of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Road closed as clashes continue in Myanmar’s Shan State. The road from Keysi to Mong Nawng in southern Shan State has been closed by the Myanmar Army after fighting with the ethnic rebel group Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) broke out on February 27. The road closure prevents travel to ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   (Update) 29 people test positive for COVID-19 in India. The number of confirmed COVID-19 or novel coronavirus cases spiked to 29 in India yesterday. Of these, 16 are Italian nationals while 13 are Indian nationals. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday formed a task force and said efforts ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Two police officers killed in separatist attacks in Indonesia’s Papua. Two Indonesian police officers were killed in two separate attacks by the separatist West Papua National Liberation Army in Tembagapura, Papua. On March 2, gunshots at police vehicles at Grasberg mine’s transport depot wounded a police officer who later died ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Nationwide women’s rally set on March 8 in Pakistan amid threats. A march dubbed ‘Aurat March’ is set to take place across Pakistan on March 8. Thousands of women are expected to participate in the march to mark International Women’s Day. Yesterday, Lahore High Court granted official permission ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Fighting continues in Shan State between the military and the RCSS ethnic rebels.  A clash between the government military and the ethnic rebel group Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) broke out in Mong Kai Township yesterday morning. A regional lawmaker said fighting has been occurring in Mong Kai Township and Keysi ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   (Update) One more case of COVID-19 reported in Pakistan. A fifth case of the disease was confirmed in Pakistan yesterday. The new patient was identified as a 45-year-old female resident of Gilgit. It is also alleged that three of the five Pakistani patients were from Gilgit-Baltistan while the ...

  MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Widodo announces Indonesia’s first two cases of COVID-19. President Joko Widodo yesterday announced that two Indonesians, a 64-year-old mother and her 31-year-old daughter, have tested positive for COVID-19. The patients are residents of Depok, West Java, who came in contact with a Japanese citizen in early February. The Japanese ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   (Update) Two more cases of COVID-19 reported in Pakistan. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza reported two more positive cases of coronavirus in the country, taking the tally of those diagnosed with the virus to four. On February 29, a coronavirus ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Muhyiddin sworn in as Malaysia’s PM amid protests from Mahathir and Pakatan Harapan. Parti Pribumi Bersatu President and former interior minister Muhyiddin assin was sworn in as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister yesterday morning. He was sworn in by the Agong amid protests from Bersatu Chairperson Mahathir Mohamad and the Pakatan Harapan ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Death toll rises to 38 in Northeast Delhi CAA protests; no new violence reported. The death toll from violent riots over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) rose to 38 this morning, even as tensions eased in Northeast Delhi. No major incident was reported from the riot-hit northeast Delhi in the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Malaysia’s parliament to decide PM on March 2. The parliament will sit on March 2 to decide the next prime minister, interim prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday after being summoned by the Agong. The king told him there was no candidate with clear majority at the moment. Mahathir also said he ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Malaysia’s Mahathir and Anwar vie for premiership. Interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 94, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar Ibrahim, 72, are vying for the premiership of Malaysia. This comes four days after Mahathir’s party and Anwar’s PKR rivals abandoned the erstwhile ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Death toll rises to 28 in Northeast Delhi CAA protests even as tensions start to ease. The death toll from violent riots over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) rose to 28 this morning, even as tensions eased in some parts of Northeast Delhi. At least 15 people who were injured ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS (Update) Violence over CAA continues in Northeast Delhi, 13 dead. Violence persisted in Northeast Delhi’s Maujpur, Jaffrabad, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar areas yesterday amid continuing dispute over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). At least 13 people have been killed since February 23 including five yesterday. More than 200 people including ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Malaysia’s Pakatan claims to have enough MPs to form government. The erstwhile ruling coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), last night claimed it retained sufficient number of MPs to form the government. A coalition needs to have 112 MPs to keep a simple majority of the 222-seat parliament. “Why should we waste ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Political uncertainty reigns in Malaysia after Mahathir resigns as PM. Malaysia is in deep political uncertainty after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned from his post. King Yang di-Pertuan Agong accepted Mahathir’s resignation but appointed him to stay as interim prime minister until a new prime minister is designated and a ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Delhi Police issues advisory ahead of US President Trump’s visit. Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Delhi, the Delhi Traffic Police yesterday issued an advisory for February 24 and 25. Trump will arrive in India today for the two-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Anwar admits betrayal by coalition partners amid talks of new coalition government. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim admitted last night that he had been betrayed by his partners in the Pakatan Harapan coalition. Members of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu, PKR stalwart Economic Affairs Minister Azmin ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Widodo says he has no sweeping powers in omnibus bill. President Joko Widodo yesterday denied allegations that the proposed Omnibus Bill on Job Creation provides him the power to override laws. “It’s impossible,” he told journalists in South Jakarta, referring to Article 170 of the omnibus bill that stipulates such ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Nepal Telecoms Minister resigns over graft scandal. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota yesterday resigned from his post amid allegations of graft. Baskota’s resignation followed a meeting between ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-chairs Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal in Baluwatar. Sources said NCP co-chairs ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   (Update) Sindh (Pakistan) health dept. issues an advisory on soybean dust allergy. The Sindh health department yesterday issued an advisory on soybean dust allergy. The advisory comes after 14 people from Karachi’s Keamari area died while over 400 others were hospitalized after reportedly inhaling toxic gas on February ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   At least one killed in armed encounter in Papua, Indonesia. At least one person was killed in an armed encounter between alleged Papuan separatists and Indonesian security personnel in Sugapa District in Intan Jaya on February 18. Local media reported that two were killed but the military confirmed only one ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Traffic management plan announced for cricket tournament in Karachi, Pakistan. Karachi police department has released a traffic management plan during Pakistan Super League. The cricket tournament is scheduled to commence tomorrow under a multi-layered security cordon. The traffic management plan will be effective from February 20 – 23 and March 12 – ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Foreign firms struggle to resume operations in virus-hit China. The European Chamber of Commerce (ECC) said foreign companies across the globe are facing disrupted supply chains, rising inventory and quarantine rules meant to contain the deadly epidemic. The virus crisis has become a “logistical nightmare” for firms sourcing supplies and inventories ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS   More than eight people killed in a suicide blast in Pakistan. More than Eight people were killed in a suicide blast on the Shahra-e-Iqbal Road near Quetta Press Club in Pakistan. Two of the people killed in the blast were security personnel.  The blast left more than 20 people ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Australia’s Jetstar crew to strike tomorrow to protest pay offer that will keep them ‘impoverished’. More than 250 ground workers of budget airline Jetstar belonging to the Transport Workers’ Union will strike tomorrow for 24 hours. The strike will be staged in Sydney, Melbourne, Avalon, Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide airports. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. China COVID-19 cases drop for three consecutive days, but WHO warns the future of the outbreak is impossible to predict. The number of new cases from mainland China reduced for three consecutive days beginning February 14. As of midnight yesterday, there were now 1,770 deaths and 70,548 total number of cases ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Toxic gas leak kills five people in Karachi, Pakistan. A Toxic Gas leak killed five people in Karachi’s Keamari area in Pakistan yesterday.  More than 70 others were hospitalized after toxic gas spread. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi said that a ship full of chemicals had anchored at ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATION 1. At least 19 children hurt by shelling at primary school in Rakhine State. One of the students is seriously injured. The school in Khamwe Chaung village in Buthidaung township was hit by artillery fire yesterday morning. A military spokesman blamed the rebel Arakan Army for the attack. The British Embassy issued ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Two hurt in bomb blast at India court. Three persons were injured yesterday in a bomb explosion inside the compound of a court in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state in India. The explosion took place at session court, about a kilometer from the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   EU to partially suspend tariff-free status for Cambodia exports over rights concern. The European Union today announced plans to suspend some tariff-free privileges for Cambodian exports under the Everything But Arms deal. It cited drastic rollbacks on democracy and human rights in the Southeast Asian nation as reason for the ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS   Aam Aadmi Party sweeps Delhi Assembly elections. The ruling Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has made a clean sweep in the Delhi Assembly polls 2020, winning 62 seats in the 70-member House. The party has come to power in Delhi for a third term. The Bharatiya Janata ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS Assam government to conduct a survey to identify indigenous Muslims in the state today. This is in order to segregate them from illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The survey will be conducted to identify the people from Goria, Moria, Desi, and Jola of the tea tribe community of the state, who are considered ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS JUI-F to hold an anti-govt rally in Karachi on February 23. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman yesterday announced his plans to lead the second round of an anti-government movement. After consultation with coalition partners, the JUI-F chief said that the parties will hold a convention in Karachi ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT OPERATIONS Two explosives were found, one arrested ahead of PM Modi’s Assam visit. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Assam today and address a public rally at Kokrajhar after the Bodo peace agreement which was signed in New Delhi on January 27. One suspected United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS Elaborate security arrangements made for the Delhi Assembly polls. The Delhi Assembly elections are set to take place on February 8. The results will be announced on February 11.  At least 190 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards and 42,000 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed.  In ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT AFFECT OPERATIONS India has cancelled valid visas of Chinese nationals over coronavirus outbreak. The Ministry of External Affairs has cancelled valid visas issued to all Chinese and other foreigners who visited China in the last two weeks. The Indian government has also suspended all e-visas issued to holders of Chinese passports and applicants ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to hold a demonstration in Dhaka today. They will hold a demonstration demanding cancellation of city corporation election results. The BNP had organized a similar demonstration on February 2. The BNP leaders, including the two defeated city mayoral candidates Tabith Awal and Ishraque Hossain, joined a demonstration with about ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS The Congress Party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will hold four rallies in Delhi between February 4 and 5. Both the leaders will conduct rallies in Delhi’s Jangpura, Sangam Vihar, Kondli and Hauz Khas areas. After the two leaders, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will address an election rally in the Shastri ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS First case of coronavirus detected in Kerala, India. A positive case of coronavirus was detected in Kerala’s Thrissur district yesterday. The patient was admitted to an isolation ward while the number of people under observation in the state rose to 1,053. The condition of the patient who tested positive, a medical student returning ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Two killed in police firing at anti-CAA protests in Murshidabad, India. Two people were killed, and more than three others sustained gunshot injuries when a group of protestors was attacked yesterday. Unidentified assailants opened fire and hurled crude bombs at protesters demonstrating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Election hotspots identified for Dhaka municipal elections. Municipal elections for Dhaka in Bangladesh are set to take place on February 1. Four parliamentary constituencies have been marked as risky due to fears of factional clashes. These constituencies are Kamrangirchar, Mohammadpur’s Rayerbazar, Chawk Bazar, Pallabi and Badda. Clashes can occur between party-backed candidates and ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATION 1. Spread of Wuhan coronavirus observed to be slowing. The number of cases of Wuhan coronavirus in China reached 40,171 and the deaths 908 as of last midnight. Both the number of deaths and of cases has surpassed the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, which killed 813 and had 8,098 ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. China to cut tarrifs on USD 75 million in US imports. China said it will reduce tariffs on more than 1,700 import items from the US beginning February 14. Those are products on which 5% and 10% taxes were imposed by China in September last year as punitive tariffs against US goods. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS Blast hits near housing estate amid strike, street protests. An explosion took place in a public toilet near Lai Chi Kok public library and Mei Foo Sun Chuen housing estate at 10:47 PM last night. No one was hurt. In a separate incident, the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1. Governments widen countermeasures as Wuhan virus cases in China top 20,000. The number of cases of the Wuhan coronavirus in China has jumped to 20,438 and the deaths to 425 as of this morning. Hong Kong also reported its second fatality from the disease outside mainland China. The US and Vietnam ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Indonesia will not repatriate nationals who joined Islamic State in Syria. Indonesia decided not to take back 687 nationals who left the country to fight with the Islamic State in Syria and other countries. President Joko Widodo and his cabinet made the decision yesterday, Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD said. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS 1.  WHO declares Wuhan virus a global emergency as cases reach 9,480. The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday declared the Wuhan coronavirus a global health emergency. With this declaration, countries can now deny entry to people from affected other countries. The WHO said the main reason for the declaration is not what is ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS WHO to decide whether to declare a global emergency as coronavirus cases reach 7,711. The Emergency Committee of the UN body is meeting today to consider whether the rapid spread of the Wuhan coronavirus now constitutes a global emergency. Yesterday, China’s National Health Commission reported that the number of cases in China ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT BUSINESS OPERATIONS 1.  First cases of domestic transmission of Wuhan coronavirus reported. The first cases of domestic transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus were reported in three more countries yesterday, namely Japan, Taiwan and Germany. The reports came even as the virus continued to spread, with 5,511 cases and 131 deaths in China, ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Indonesia will not repatriate nationals who joined Islamic State in Syria. Indonesia decided not to take back 687 nationals who left the country to fight with the Islamic State in Syria and other countries. President Joko Widodo and his cabinet made the decision yesterday, Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD said. ...

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING OPERATIONS   Dhaka (Bangladesh) city elections on February 1. Dhaka Municipal elections are set to take place on February 1. The government of Bangladesh has banned passenger vehicles on roads of Dhaka from January 31 to February 2. The banned vehicles include motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, taxicabs, microbuses, jeeps, pickups, buses, trucks, and other passenger ...

    MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS THAT MAY AFFECT BUSINESS OPERATIONS   Wuhan coronavirus cases hit over 4,000; US warns vs. travel to all of China. The number of Wuhan coronavirus cases in China jumped to 4,174 and the deaths reached 82, Chinese authorities reported today. The country’s capital, Beijing, also reported its first fatality from the ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, January 27, 2020   Major Issues That May Affect Business Operations   (Update) Mass anti-CAA protests on Republic day in India. Nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) continued yesterday despite the 71st Republic day celebrations in India. Protests were held in several major cities of India including ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, January 27, 2020   INDONESIA   Widodo orders health minister to be more vigilant to prevent spread of Wuhan coronavirus. President Joko Widodo has instructed Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto to increase vigilance regarding the new coronavirus that started in central China’s Wuhan City. “We should ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, January 21, 2020   INDIA   (Update) Round the clock anti-CAA protests in several cities inspired by Delhi. Protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act continued nationwide yesterday. Women in several parts of the country are leading 24/7 protests. The first one was initiated by women of Shaheen Bagh in ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA   Tuesday, January 21, 2020     INDONESIA   Thousands of workers protest against Omnibus Job Creation Bill. Thousands of workers from Jakarta, Banten and West Java protested in front of the Parliament building yesterday against the Omnibus Job Creation Bill. Simultaneous demonstrations were also held in ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, January 20, 2020   INDIA   Anti-CAA protests continue nationwide. Protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) continued over the weekend. Protests took place in most major cities including Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati and Nagaland. Yesterday, hundreds took out a massive anti-CAA march from the gates of Jamia ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA   Monday, January 20, 2020     INDONESIA   Military in Papua’s Intan Jaya on guard against expected separatist attack. The military is now on standby in Intan Jaya regency, Papua to anticipate any retaliation from separatist armed groups. Cendrawasih Military Command Spokesperson Lt. Col. Dax Sianturi ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA   Tuesday, January 14, 2019     INDONESIA   Labor unions protest against omnibus jobs law. Workers from a coalition of labor unions gathered outside the House of Representatives in Jakarta yesterday to protest against the Omnibus Bill on Job Creation. Labor protests were also held in ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, January 13, 2020   INDIA   Protests continue as CAA comes into effect. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) came into effect on January 10, an official notification from the Home Ministry said. The amendment was passed by parliament on December 11. The CAA says that members of Hindu, Sikh, ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA   Monday, January 13, 2020     INDONESIA   Japan to boost cooperation with Indonesia in Natuna and other outer islands. Japan has agreed to increase cooperation in investment and infrastructure development in Natuna and Indonesia’s other outer islands. Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with her ...

Location Map INDIA 1. (Update) Protest continues against violence at JNU. Hundreds of people marched from Mandi House to Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi yesterday to protest against violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on January 5. Students, teachers and civil society groups including senior political leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat ...

Location Map INDONESIA  Chinese vessels leave Natuna after days of standoff with Indonesia. Dozens of Chinese vessels fishing in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone left the area yesterday. “The Chinese fishing vessels are gone. They are leaving the area heading north. They are all getting out of Indonesia’s EEZ,” Vice Admiral Yudo Margono said in Jakarta. ...

Location Map INDIA  1. (Update) Nationwide strike disrupts transport, banks; at least 10 injured in West Bengal. Millions of trade union workers pushed through with their nationwide strike (Bharat Bandh) yesterday. The strike was called to press for labour reforms and to protest against the planned privatization of key industry sectors. The India-wide protest disrupted transport ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Widodo vows to enforce maritime rights in Natuna. President Joko Widodo yesterday vowed to enforce his country’s sovereignty over waters off the Natuna islands. He visited the island amid diplomatic tensions with China over maritime rights. He told reporters that the disputed waters belong solely to Indonesia. “We have a district here, ...

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Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, January 6, 2020   INDIA   JNU students attacked by mob; protests erupt in parts of the country. Violence broke out at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) last night. Unidentified miscreants wearing masks and armed with sticks and rods entered the university campus and attacked students and teachers. Attackers ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA  Monday, January 6, 2020   INDONESIA   Indonesia will never negotiate Natuna with China—Mahfud MD. Indonesia will never negotiate with China over its sovereign rights over the Natuna waters off Riau Islands. Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD made this statement at Beawijaya University in Malang town, East ...

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Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA   Tuesday, December 24, 2019     INDONESIA   Widodo launches use of B30 biodiesel. President Joko Widodo yesterday kicked off the mandatory use of B30 biodiesel, eight days ahead of January 1, when the policy is set to go into force. B30 refers to biodiesel blend ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, December 23, 2019   INDONESIA   KPK supervisory council formed. President Joko Widodo inaugurated the five members of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) supervisory council on December 20. The five new council members were inaugurated in a ceremony at the State Palace. The council was established ...

INDONESIA                               1. JAD extends its territory to Papua—police. The Islamic State-linked militant group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) has extended its territory to Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua. This has been the claim of eight JAD members arrested in the province on December 7, National Police Spokesperson Chief Comr. Asep Adi Saputra said. The suspects are members of ...

INDIA  1. Country wide protests continue; three killed in violence. Country-wide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) continued yesterday. Protests in New Delhi, West Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, were mostly peaceful. Protests were also held in Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, among other states. Two people were ...

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Location Map INDIA 1. Prohibitory order issued in several cities.  Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC areimposed for the next three days in anticipation of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The orders are imposed in whole of Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore and parts of Delhi and Hyderabad. Section 144 bans the gathering of ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Two soldiers killed in Papua gunfight. Two Indonesian soldiers were killed in a gunfight with an armed separatist group in Sugapa in Papua’s Intan Jaya district on December 17. The soldiers were members of a joint security task force made up of military and police personnel. They were on patrol duty when ...

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INDIA   Supreme Court to hear more than 60 petitions against citizenship bill. More than 60 petitions challenging the Citizenship Law will be heard by the Supreme Court today. Among those who filed the petitions include Congress party leader Jairam Ramesh, the Indian Union Muslim League and Asom Gana Parishad. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ...

INDONESIA   192,000 security personnel on terrorist alert for Christmas. About 192,000 police and military personnel will be deployed nationwide to guard against potential terror attacks during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve season. As many as 10,000 personnel will be deployed in Jakarta alone. National Police Spokesperson Argo Yuwono said there are potential risks ...

INDIA   Student protests erupt across country. Students protestors across the country took to the streets yesterday to protest against police brutality in Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). New demonstrations were held in at least 17 cities yesterday. Protests took place cities including Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pondicherry, Lucknow, and ...

INDONESIA   Widodo disappointed at absence of new oil refineries. President Joko Widodo expressed disappointment at the absence of new oil refineries in Indonesia in the past 34 years. He made the statement at the opening of the National Development Planning in Jakarta yesterday. “Up to this moment, of the five refineries that we want ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Indonesia produces up to 0.58 million tons of marine debris each year. Eight ministries revealed yesterday that Indonesia produces between 0.27 and 0.59 million tons of marine debris each year. The information came amid government efforts to reduce waste. Previously, the ministries had presented different figures but now the figure has been ...

Location Map INDIA 1. President gives assent to Citizenship Bill as violent protests continue. President Ram Nath Kovind yesterday gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019, turning it into an Act. Protests against the legislation have intensified since December 10 in the North-eastern states.  To maintain the law and order, five columns of ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, December 10, 2019   INDIA   Citizenship Bill passed in Lok Sabha; protests continue. Lok Sabha (lower house of the parliament) yesterday passed The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019 after a 12-hour debate. After the debate 311 Members of Parliament (MP’s) voted in favor and 80 against it. The ...

INDONESIA   Joko open to death penalty for graft convicts. President Joko Widodo yesterday said at an event that he is open to the idea of death penalty for graft convicts. Widodo said yesterday that if the people of the country want capital punishment to be included in the Criminal Code, it can be included. ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, December 9, 2019   INDIA   43 die in a deadly fire accident in Delhi. At least 43 died and several others were injured in a fire at an illegal factory in the Anaj Mandi area of north Delhi yesterday. Over 56 people were injured in the fire. Police ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, December 9, 2019   INDONESIA   Thousands evacuated due to floods in Bandung. Heavy rains continued during the weekend in Bandung since December 6. The rains caused the Cisangkuy River, part of West Java’s longest river, the Citarum, to overflow. The overflowing led to flooding of ...

Location Map INDIA 1. (Update) Four accused in Hyderabad veterinarian’s rape and murder case shot dead. All four men accused in the Hyderabad veterinarian’s rape and murder case were killed by the police in Shadnagar. The four accused were shot dead by police yesterday on NH-44 near Hyderabad for allegedly trying to escape. The accused were ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Airlangga reelected as Golkar chairman. Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto has been re-elected as chairperson of the Golkar Party. He was elected by acclamation late on December 4 during the party’s national congress. He kept the party’s top post after his potential challengers withdrew from the race. His strongest challenger who dropped ...

INDIA 1. The Cabinet approves Citizenship Bill, protests erupt. The Union Cabinet yesterday cleared the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill for Parliament. The bill is likely to be tabled in the parliament next week. The Citizenship Bill seeks to grant citizenship to all non Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan if they faced religious persecution in ...

INDONESIA  1. Widodo opposes charter amendment. President Joko Widodo has rejected the plan of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) to amend the constitution. He said the nation should focus on the challenges that lie ahead, rather than making political noise. The MPR is pushing for the removal of direct presidential elections and the return of letting ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Tuesday, December 3, 2019   INDONESIA   At least 12,000 Muslims rally in Jakarta. At least 12,000 Indonesian Muslims held a peaceful rally at the National Monument in central Jakarta yesterday. The crowd began to gather at 3:00 AM and dispersed by 9:00 AM. The rallyists, many ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, December 2, 2019   INDIA   (Update) Deadline for FASTags extended to December 15. The government postponed the deadline of mandatory FASTags from December 1 to December 15. “To facilitate sufficient lead time to citizens to obtain FASTag, it has now been decided that all the lanes in the ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, December 2, 2019   INDONESIA 212 Alumni to stage reunion rally in Jakarta today. The 212 Alumni will stage a mass reunion rally today at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta. Police are deploying 9,000 personnel to secure the rally. The police said they will ...

INDIA Uddhav Thackrey sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackrey assumed office as the 17thChief Minister of Maharashtra yesterday at Shivaji Park. Uddhav is the first member of the Thackeray family to be appointed chief minister. His father Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena over five decades ago and the party has played ...

INDONESIA 1. FPI pledges loyalty to Pancasila- Religious Affairs Minister. The hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has pledged loyalty to the five principles of Indonesia’s state ideology Pancasila, Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi said on November 27. The FPI has made a statement to declare loyalty to Pancasila and Indonesia,” Fachrul said after a meeting with ...

INDIA 1. Finance minister acknowledges economic slowdown. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday defended the prevailing economic condition and dismissed concerns of a recession. Nirmala was addressing the parliament. “If you are looking at the economy with a discerning view you see that growth may have come down, but it’s not recession yet or it won’t be ...

INDONESIA 1. 41 named suspects for alleged ATM theft. 41 people were named suspects for stealing from a Bank DKI ATM. The suspects include 13 officials of the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP). Jakarta Police special investigation unit head Iwan Kurniawan said the 41 had been named suspects after confessing to withdrawing money from their ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Wednesday, November 27, 2019   INDIA   Fadnavis resigns, Uddhav Thackeray to be the CM of Maharashtra.  Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena party will be sworn as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra tomorrow. The Shiv Sena is set to form the government in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party ...

INDIA Three ISIS inspired suspects arrested for allegedly plotting an attack in Delhi. The Delhi Police Special Cell and Assam Police in a joint operation arrested three alleged IS inspired suspects from Goalpara, Assam yesterday. The three suspects had allegedly planned a major attack in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi. Police recovered explosives and ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Tuesday, November 26, 2019   INDONESIA  Four dead as ship sinks off North Sumatra. Four persons were found dead and one was still missing after a ship sank off of Pini Island, South Nias regency, North Sumatra, last week. The ship was struck by lightning shortly before ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Wednesday, November 27, 2019   INDONESIA More than 80 Chinese nationals arrested in alleged online scam. The police arrested 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians for allegedly running an online fraud scheme. The suspects were arrested from Jakarta and Malang, East Java upon a tip-off from the ...

INDIA Government formed in Maharashtra; Fadnavis sworn in as the CM.  Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in on November 23 as the chief minister of Maharashtra. President’s Rule, which was imposed in Maharashtra on November 12, was revoked. Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was sworn-in as the is the Deputy Chief Minister. Ajit ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, November 25, 2019   INDONESIA Ma’ruf appointed to lead ‘comprehensive’ counterterrorism campaign. President Joko Widodo has appointed Vice President Ma’ruf Amin to lead a comprehensive campaign against the spread of radical ideologies in the country. Ma’ruf said his task is to ensure that the country is ...

INDIA 1. Charge sheet filed against 4 suspected Babbar Khalsa International terrorists. A charge sheet was filed in a special National Investigative Agency (NIA) court in Mohali yesterday against four alleged Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists. The charge sheet accused the banned group of planning and conspiring to carry out terror acts in Punjab, officials ...

INDONESIA 1. Widodo orders BKPM, ministries to simplify business licensing. President Joko Widodo has instructed the concentration of all business licensing to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). He also ordered the ministries to cancel at least 40 ministerial regulations believed to be impeding investment by December. The president made the instructions yesterday in a cabinet meeting ...

INDONESIA 1. (Update) 74 terror suspects detained after Medan bombing. Indonesian Police Chief Idham Aziz said 74 terror suspects have been arrested after the suicide bomb attack on November 13. Aziz made the statement in the House of Representatives yesterday. The suspects are members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). Of the suspects, 30 were detained in ...

INDIA 1. NRC to be implemented nationwide- Amit Shah. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament yesterday that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be implemented nationwide. The NRC aims to identify illegal immigrants, primarily from Bangladesh, who entered Assam and settled there after March 25, 1971. Theoretically, those who will not be included ...

INDONESIA 1. (Update) 74 terror suspects detained after Medan bombing. Indonesian Police Chief Idham Aziz said 74 terror suspects have been arrested after the suicide bomb attack on November 13. Aziz made the statement in the House of Representatives yesterday. The suspects are members of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). Of the suspects, 30 were detained in ...

INDONESIA 44 JAD-linked suspects in Medan bombing arrested. Authorities have arrested 44 suspects in the Medan suicide bombing on November 13. Two other bombmakers were shot dead during a raid. All suspects are linked to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The suspects include the wife of the ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, November 18, 2019   INDIA  JNUSU to march to Parliament today. The Jawaharlal Nehru Students’ Union (JNUSU) will take out a march to Parliament today to protest against the hostel fee hike. The JNUSU said it will be a march to save public education and appeal to Members of ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, November 18, 2019   INDONESIA Two suspected Medan bomb makers killed in gunfight. Members of Densus 88 counterterrorism squad shot and killed two suspected bomb makers on November 16. The two men were alleged to have assembled the bomb that exploded at the Medan Police station ...

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INDIA 1. Chief Justice under Right to Information Act-Supreme Court.  Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is a public authority and his office comes under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Supreme Court emphasized in its judgement that “in a constitutional democracy, judges can’t be above the law”. However, the ...

INDONESIA 1. Six injured in suspected suicide bombing in Medan. At least six people were injured in a suspected suicide bombing at Medan’s police headquarters in North Sumatra yesterday. The attacker, a 24-year-old man who was formerly an online-delivery motorcycle driver, has been identified by police as the suicide bomber and was reportedly killed in the ...

INDIA 1. Andhra Pradesh government cancels Amravati startup-city project. Andhra Pradesh state government cancelled the Amaravati capital city start-up area project on November 11. The project was being developed in consortium with Singapore based companies. The trade and industry ministry of Singapore yesterday announced that it has noted the decision and said the project was shut ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Wednesday, November 13, 2019   INDONESIA Website launched to report civil servants over radical content. Twelve ministries and state institutions launched a website yesterday called aduanasn.id for complaints against “radical” or intolerant civil servants. The website would allow the public to report “radical” content posted by civil ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, November 12, 2019   INDIA Students clash with police in JNU. Hundreds of protesting students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) clashed with the police personnel yesterday. Students were protesting a proposed hike in hostel fees. The students were allegedly stopped by police personnel in riot gear as they demanded ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, November 11, 2019   INDIA Supreme court allows Hindus to build temple on disputed holy site. In a historic verdict, the Supreme Court on November 9 allowed Hindus to build the Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya where Babri Masjid stood earlier.  The Supreme Court in a ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, November 11, 2019   INDONESIA Palm oil plantation owner arrested for murder. North Sumatra Police arrested an oil palm plantation owner who allegedly hired hitmen to murder two journalists in the area on October 30. The body of one of the victims was found last week ...

INDIA 1. Political impasse continues in Maharashtra after elections. Political impasse in Maharashtra continues for the second week between the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena since the state elections on October 21. The incumbent BJP won 105 seats while its alliance partner Shiv Sena won 75 out of 288 seats in the state ...

INDONESIA 1. Police officer named suspect in student deaths in Kendari protest. A police officer has been identified as a suspect in the deaths of two students during a violent protest in Kendari, North Sulawesi. The suspect was identified after the investigators summoned 25 witnesses, including the suspect and five other police officers. The six police ...

INDIA 1. (Update) Cyclone Maha likely to not hit Gujarat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recent forecasts suggests Cyclone Maha, which was earlier expected to hit Gujarat today, may just skirt the state’s coast. According to the IMD, Cyclone Maha has weakened into a cyclonic storm and is expected to continue losing intensity. Considering Cyclone Maha’s ...

INDONESIA 1. House to invite civil groups to discuss Criminal Code Bill. The House of Representatives will invite several civil society groups to discuss the Criminal Code Bill (RKUHP). Lawmaker Masinton Pasaribu said the House’s Legal Commission wants to solicit suggestions for the evaluation of 14 controversial articles of the proposed law. However, a researcher at ...

Location Map INDIA 1. Thousands of police personnel protest in Delhi. Delhi Police personnel staged a protest outside the police headquarters yesterday, which was sparked by two attacks on their colleagues. The agitation lasted 11 hours and traffic was closed from ITO towards Laxmi Nagar. The protest began at 9:00 AM and had initially been announced ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. GDP grows 5.02% in Q3, slowest in over two years. The growth of Indonesia’s GDP reached 5.02% in the third quarter, the lowest level since the second quarter of 2017. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) said weak investment, low government spending, low commodity prices and weak global demand pulled down growth in the third ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, November 5, 2019   INDIA India pulls out of RCEP. India conveyed its decision to exit the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), foreign ministry official Vijay Thakur Singh announced in Bangkok yesterday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that he was guided by the impact it would have on the ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Tuesday, November 5, 2019   ASEAN RCEP to be signed in 2020 as India rejects deal. The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will have to wait until 2020. The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and five trading partners, namely ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, November 4, 2019   INDIA 37 flights diverted, over 500 delayed due to pollution in Delhi. Air pollution in New Delhi and surrounding towns reached the worst levels so far this year yesterday. Delhi has declared a public health emergency and ordered closure of schools till November 5. The ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, November 4, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo backtracks on plan to revoke KPK Law amendment. President Joko Widodo has said he would not revoke the amended Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law. Instead, he would accelerate the formation of a team to supervise the antigraft agency. Widodo said ...

INDIA 1. Activists, lawyers, scholars targeted by a WhatsApp spyware. Seventeen people including human rights activists, scholars and journalists have confirmed that they were targeted by a spyware on the messaging platform WhatsApp. WhatsApp filed a lawsuit against an Israeli firm whose spyware was used to target users of the messaging platform on October 29. NSO ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Idham Aziz appointed as Chief of Police. Comr. Gen. Idham Azis has been officially appointed as the new National Police Chief replacing Tito Karnavian this morning. President Widodo nominated Idham as a sole candidate for the police chief post after he appointed Tito as home affairs minister. Idham vowed to continue the ...

Location Map INDIA 1. Delhi on high alert ahead of J&K official bifurcation. Delhi is on high alert for the next 48 hours as security agencies have received inputs of a possible terror attack act ahead of Jammu and Kashmir official bifurcation tomorrow. Based on the information, several terror outfits are planning to execute terror attacks ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Student protests continue in several cities. Hundreds of students in several cities staged a rally against the government and house of representatives on October 28 amplifying demands for the state to commit to continuing political reforms. In Mataram, dozens of students participated in a protest in front of the NTB Legislative Council ...

Location Map INDIA 1. Jammu & Kashmir to be bifurcated today. Bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir announced on August 5 becomes effective today. The two new federal entities are the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019, the districts ...

Location Map INDONESIA 1. Establishment of a new province in Papua- Home Minister. Indonesia is ready to establish a new province in the Papua region said Home Minister Tito Karnavian. Following his visit to the region with President Widodo over the weekend, the Minister said he had received proposals from local figures about the establishment of ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, October 29, 2019   INDIA More than 200 fire-related incidents recorded in Delhi during Diwali. More than 200 fire-related incidents were reported in Delhi during the Diwali festival. As many as 214 fire-related emergency calls were received from October 26 until yesterday. “There has been no decline in the ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Tuesday, October 29, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo checks riot damage during visit to Papua. President Joko Widodo inspected destruction from anti-Jakarta riot last month during his visit to Papua province yesterday. Widodo is in the Papuan region since late October 26. He visited Wamena where at least ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Friday, October 25, 2019   INDIA Losses of USD 1.5 billion from Kashmir blockade. The shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir after the central government rescinded the special status of the state under Article 370 resulted in losses of up to USD 1.5 billion. Sheikh Ashiq, president of the Kashmir Chamber ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, October 28, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo, cabinet visit West Papua and Papua. President Joko Widodo and some cabinet ministers have been visiting the provinces of West Papua and Papua. Widodo arrived in Sorong, West Papua late October 26. Today he will be in Jayapura, the capital ...

INDIA 1. Maharashtra and Haryana state elections results announced. The vote count for state elections was concluded yesterday in Maharashtra and Haryana. Results were declared for all 288 assembly constituencies of Maharashtra with the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) securing 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56 seats, the Congress party 44 seats and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ...

INDONESIA 1. Diehard Widodo supporters leave after Prabowo appointment. Projo, one of the biggest volunteer groups supporting President Joko Widodo, has said goodbye to the Indonesian leader after he named Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto as defense minister. The group said they did not understand the president’s decision. Projo supported Widodo in the 2014 and 2019 ...

INDIA 1. Vote count begins in Maharashtra and Haryana. Vote count began this morning in Maharashtra and Haryana for the state elections held on October 22. The results are expected to be announced later today. While the vote count is underway, Thane traffic police announced yesterday to not allow vehicles on Kalyan-Badlapur road. Vehicles will be ...

INDONESIA 1. Explosion in Pertamina oil pipeline, one killed. A worker alleged to be from China was killed in a major fire caused by an explosion at an oil pipeline owned by state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina in South Cimahi, West Java yesterday. West Java Police Chief Insp. Gen. Rudy Sufahriadi said the fire broke ...

INDONESIA 1. Widodo announces new cabinet; Prabowo named as defense chief. President Joko Widodo has named his 34-member cabinet for his second term. His election rival, Prabowo Subianto, a former general, was named as defense minister. Widodo said Prabowo “knows more than I do”. Gen. Tito Karnavian, who this week resigned as National Police chief, was ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, October 21, 2019   INDIA Heavy rainfall in Kerala and Karnataka. Heavy rainfall has continued in Kerala since yesterday. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for four districts – Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram – for today and an orange alert has been sounded for ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, October 19, 2019   INDIA Indian Army launches cross border attacks on terror camps. The Indian army claims that it launched artillery attacks on terrorist training camps in Pakistan Administered Kashmir yesterday. Three terror camps in the Tangdhar sector of Kupwara were allegedly destroyed, and 10 soldiers of the ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, October 21, 2019   INDONESIA President Joko Widodo inaugurated for the 2nd term. Joko Widodo officially took an oath in the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) yesterday to serve the country as the President for the 2019-2024 term. The inauguration marked the start of Jokowi’s second and ...

INDIA 1. BSF allegedly attacked by BGB in West Bengal. A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was killed and another soldier was injured in an alleged attack by the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) in Morshidabad, West Bengal yesterday. The soldier was killed in a firing by BGB after a flag meeting at the India-Bangladesh border. The ...

INDONESIA 1. Police chief appeals against protests ahead of Oct. 20. National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian has appealed to the public not to mobilize during the presidential inauguration on October 20. He made the appeal in the face of the likelihood that students will continue to protest until and even beyond the October 20 event. ...

INDIA 1. Sunni Wakf Board offers to drop claim in Ayodhya Ram temple case-Mediation panel. The Sunni Waqf Board offered to drop its claim to the disputed temple-mosque site in Ayodhya. The board has no objection to the land being taken over by the government for a Ram Temple, a mediation panel of the Supreme Court ...

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INDONESIA 1. Charter change being pushed to end direct presidential elections. Indonesia’s elite are pushing to change the constitution to end direct presidential elections and restore five-year plans to govern the country. The push is seen as an attempt to cut the powers of President Joko Widodo who will be sworn-in for his second term ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Wednesday, October 16, 2019   INDONESIA Police foil bomb plot, terror attacks before Widodo’s swearing-in. Police claim to have foiled a series of planned terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings in some cities, ahead of the inauguration of President Joko Widodo on October 20. National Police Spokesman Dedi ...

Energy major, Total to acquire stake in Adani Gas of the Adani group. French energy major Total will acquire a 37.4% stake in Adani Gas for USD 632 million. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Protests ahead of presidential inauguration banned. The Jakarta Police have banned the conduct of rallies from today to October 20, ahead of the presidential inauguration. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

President Joko Widodo and Gerindra Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto have discussed the possibility of the opposition party joining the new cabinet. The two leaders met at the State Palace on October 11. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The World Bank lowered growth forecast for India’s current fiscal year to 6% yesterday from 7.5 %. The World Bank warned that the “severe” slowdown can further weaken India’s beleaguered financial sector. In the last forecast in April, To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month ...

INDIA ATM skimming gang arrested. A seven-member gang involved in ATM skimming was arrested on October 8 in Bhawanigarh, Punjab. The gang was active in nine states including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Police said the gang skimmed more than USD 84,000 from the ATMs and deceived about ...

INDONESIA Chief security minister stabbed by IS suspect. Indonesia’s Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto, was stabbed by a man yesterday who police say was “inspired” by the Islamic State group. Wiranto was attacked while getting out of the car after attending the inauguration of a university building in Sindanghayu village, Saketi subdistrict, ...

Foreign diplomats banned from entering Papua. Indonesia has banned foreign diplomats and the United Nations from visiting Papua, amid widespread unrest in the region. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Stringent punishments proposed in Indian Arms Act. The Home Ministry has proposed stringent punishment, including life imprisonment, for those illegally manufacturing prohibited firearms, and carrying such arms. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Police foil bomb attack plan linked to 212 Islamist protests. The National Police foiled an attempt to explode bombs in business districts across Jakarta last month. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Rafale fighter jets delivered to India. India accepted the formal delivery of the first of the 36 Rafale fighter jets bought from France yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Six policemen suspended over student shooting in Kendari. Six police officers have been suspended pending an investigation into whether they violated procedures To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Tourists allowed back to Kashmir. Authorities have decided to allow tourists back to Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists were directed to leave Kashmir on August 5. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

We are pleased to provide you APAC Assistance’ List of Special Reports and Assessments. This list includes all east Asia Pacific and South Asia assessments and special reports issued from September 2018 to the present. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1neWHDesd4sj3in3BYJ2PGF1t52JbvUkr/view?usp=sharing  

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, October 7, 2019   INDIA Indian army to deploy howitzers along China border. The Indian Army is preparing to deploy M777 ultra-light howitzers in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The howitzers were recently acquired from the US and they are being deployed for accurate artillery fire support in the mountainous terrain. ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Monday, October 7, 2019   INDONESIA  Indonesia set to have four new military bases. The Indonesian Military (TNI) will have four new bases in the country’s eastern region, President Joko Widodo said during a ceremony commemorating the TNI’s 74th anniversary at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base ...

INDIA Kashmiri separatist fundraising linked to terror groups in Pakistan. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) claimed that leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), raised funds through Pakistan-based terror groups. The APHC is a group of separatist organizations operating in the Kashmir valley. The NIA revealed that the funds were raised through various means ...

INDONESIA   Six policemen probed for allegedly shooting demonstrators. The police investigated six of its personnel for allegedly violating the standard operating procedures (SOP), resulting in the death of two students at a rally against law revision bills in the Southeast Sulawesi provincial capital of Kendari last week. The investigating team of the Police Profession ...

INDIA Jammu leaders freed ahead of local elections. Jammu and Kashmir administration ended the house arrest of all politicians in Jammu yesterday. Politicians from various parties in Jammu were under house arrest for the last two months after the government withdrew the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian ...

INDONESIA Five suspected terrorists arrested. Densus 88, Indonesia’s counter-terrorism squad, arrested five suspected terrorists on the Trans Sulawesi Road in Central Sulawesi on September 29. At the time of the arrest, police confiscated homemade bombs with perfume bottles, arrows, machetes, slingshots, cut nails, sulfuric water solutions, matchsticks, electronic circuits, urea fertilizer, car batteries, flashlights, chargers, ...

INDONESIA 1. President Widodo open to dialogue with Papuan separatists. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has opened the door to holding talks with separatists in the restive region of Papua. Replying on September 30 to reporters who asked if he was prepared to meet Papuan activists demanding an independence referendum, Widodo said, “Yes, there is no problem.” ...

Major Developments in SOUTH ASIA Monday, September 30, 2019   INDIA Opposition parties in Andhra to protest against uranium mining in Kurnool. Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh have decided to launch a fight against uranium mining in the state. The leaders will be visiting Allagadda mandal in Kurnool on October 6 and Thummalapalle in Kadapa ...

Major Developments in EAST ASIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA Tuesday, October 1, 2019   INDONESIA Clashes erupt as protests against law revision bills continue. Clashes between protesters and riot police erupted yesterday as demonstrations against a raft of legal reforms continued. The protesters consisted of thousands of students, activists and workers. They tried to reach the ...

Ban on JKLF upheld by Delhi High Court. A tribunal of the Delhi High Court upheld the ban on Yasin Malik-led Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) yesterday under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.  To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Widodo mulls issuing Perppu to revoke KPK LAW revision. President Joko Widodo is considering issuing a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) to revoke the controversial revision of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law. The Perppu, once issued by Widodo, will still need approval from the House of Representatives to effectively revoke the ...

INDIA   (Update) India on high alert over terror threat. India has been placed on high alert over intelligence inputs saying Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad is plotting terror attacks targeting India’s top officials and key air bases. The inputs include a threat letter, dated September 10 and written in Hindi, received by the Bureau of ...

INDONESIA   Protesting high school students detained after clashing with Jakarta police. Some 200 senior high school students were escorted to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police Station last night after staging a violent rally in front of the parliament building in Central Jakarta in the afternoon. Hundreds of high school students protested against several controversial bills ...

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(Update) Weapons airdropped through drones in Jammu and Kashmir. Eight drone sorties carrying a total of 80 kg of weapons were allegedly smuggled across the border into Punjab by Pakistan-based Khalistani terror group Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) network. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month ...

Protests against revisions to several Indonesian laws turn violent. Thousands of students took to the streets in a continuation of a series of protests against what they perceive to be attempts by the government and the legislature to roll back democracy. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, September 24, 2019   INDIA Army Chief Bipin Rawat warns of infiltration. India’s Army chief Bipin Rawat said yesterday that over 500 terrorists are waiting at terror launch pads in Pakistan to infiltrate into India but the military is ready to respond, “at any level, any range, anywhere.” Security ...

Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, September 24, 2019   INDONESIA At least 20 killed amid fresh unrest in Papua. At least 20 people have been killed, including three shot by police, and dozens injured following a new wave of violent clashes between demonstrators and government forces in Papua yesterday. The protests were allegedly ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, September 23, 2019   INDIA No plans to revise fiscal deficit target after corporate tax cut. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman yesterday said government has no plans to revise the fiscal deficit target for the current fiscal year. The decision on the fiscal deficit target will be taken before the ...

Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, September 23, 2019   INDONESIA Police name 249 suspects in forest fires. The National Police has named 249 suspects for forest fires over the weekend as thousands suffer from smog-related illnesses. According to National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Muhammad Iqbal, six companies have also been named suspects in ...

INDIA Babul Supriyo faces protests at Jadavpur University. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Babul Supriyo faced massive protest from a section of Jadavpur University students after he went to the institute to attend an event organised by RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Supriyo was heckled, thrashed and ...

 INDONESIA 230 people arrested on suspicion of starting forest fires. Police announced the arrest of 230 people suspected of starting fires which triggered the haze that is now gripping the country and has reached Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. Those arrested could be prosecuted under an environmental protection law that mandates a maximum ...

INDIA 1.  India says it expects to gain control over Pakistani Kashmir one day. India’s foreign minister said on September 17 that the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan belongs to India and that he expected New Delhi to gain physical control over it one day. “Our position on PoK is, has always been and will ...

INDONESIA   Three civilians killed in latest violence in Papua. Three civilians were killed and four others wounded when Indonesian security forces clashed with suspected separatist insurgents in easternmost Papua province. The fighting between government troops and suspected West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) rebels took place in Olen, a village in Puncak regency, on ...

Three policemen were injured in an attack by more than 20 people who allegedly managed to free two suspected gamblers arrested in Sector 39 of Gurgaon. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Despite widespread criticism from activists and experts, the House of Representatives passed the new Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) bill into law in a plenary session yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, September 17, 2019   INDIA Caste benefits put on hold by Allahabad High Court. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s plan to include 17 Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the list of Scheduled Castes so they can derive enhanced quota benefits was put on hold by the Allahabad High ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, September 17, 2019   INDONESIA Infant dies of smog-related illness while thousands others hospitalized. A 4-month-old infant in South Sumatra reportedly died of pneumonia and meningitis as Indonesia’s haze problem worsened. “The haze particles can be the medium to spread the bacteria that can cause the infection,” said ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, September 16, 2019   INDIA More than 5,000 people evacuated in Rajasthan after flooding. More than 5,000 people were evacuated while many others remained stranded yesterday as many areas in Kota City in Rajasthan were flooded. Flooding was due to incessant rains that forced authorities to discharge 6,900,000 cusecs ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, September 16, 2019   INDONESIA ‘Dangerous’ air pollution in Borneo leads to school closures. Schools in two cities in the Indonesian part of Borneo island will be closed for a week after smoke from forest fires caused air quality to hit “dangerous” levels, officials said yesterday. The air ...

INDONESIA   Widodo government and lawmakers discuss KPK Law revisions. The discussion on the revision of the law on Corruption Eradication Commission commenced last night at the House of Representatives Building in Jakarta. The House had received the Presidential Letter issued by President Joko Widodo, giving the green light for discussions on revisions of the ...

INDIA   BJP leads state-wide anti-government protests in Madhya Pradesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh (MP) yesterday held its first state-wide protest called ‘Ghanta Naad Andolan’ against the nine-month-old Congress-led Kamal Nath government in the state. BJP state president Rakesh Singh led the agitation in the state capital Bhopal and said that ...

INDONESIA   Government declares three-day mourning for Habibie. The government has declared a three-day mourning for former president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, from today to September 14. The former president died at the age of 83 at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Central Jakarta yesterday. Habibie had been in intensive care at the hospital since ...

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RFID tags made compulsory in Delhi from Friday. From midnight of September 13 onwards, only those commercial vehicles that have radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) will be allowed to enter the national capital, else pay double the tax amount as fine. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, ...

The Corruption Eradication Commission named Bambang Irianto, former president of now-defunct Pertamina Energy Trading, a corruption suspect in oil and gas. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, September 10, 2019   INDIA Terror alert issued for south India. South India has been placed on high alert in the wake of intelligence inputs indicating that terrorists could launch attacks in the region.  Lt Gen S K Saini, GOC-in-C of the Army’s Southern Command, told a news conference ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, September 10, 2019   INDONESIA Nearly 700 native Papuan students return home over Papua unrest. Some 70 native Papuan students studying at various universities outside Papua province have returned home in the aftermath of the Surabaya incident, Papua Police Chief Insp. Gen. Rudolf Rodja said. Fearing for their ...

Masood Azhar released from prison. Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, India’s Intelligence Bureau (IB) suggested that Pakistan has “secretly” released Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Papua governor signs pact to keep peace in the region. Papua Governor Lukas Enembe has signed a pact with Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto and National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to maintain peace in Papua and West Papua. The To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, ...

(Update) Five killed in Mumbai rains kill five, disrupt train operations. Five people were killed in heavy waterlogging in Mumbai this week. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Police vow to hunt down separatists blamed for Papua unrest. Police have vowed to hunt down separatists blamed for violent protests in the region of Papua. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Indonesian rights lawyer named suspect after sharing posts on Papua. Indonesian police yesterday named a prominent human rights lawyer and activist a suspect in connection with Twitter posts about an incident that triggered unrest in Papua. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or ...

INDIA Twenty-three killed in explosion at fireworks industry in Punjab. Twenty-three people were killed and more than 25 were injured after an explosion in Gurdaspur yesterday. The explosion occurred at an unauthorized fireworks manufacturing factory in a densely populated residential area in Punjab’s Gurdaspur. The factory was completely destroyed in the explosion and a number ...

Fire at ONGC Mumbai plant kills five people, disrupts gas supply. Four people were killed in a fire yesterday at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plant in Navi Mumbai. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Jokowi promotes ‘prosperity approach’ for Papua. President Joko Widodo has said he will focus on continuing an approach based on dialogue and prosperity to deal with the unrest that has flared up in Papua and West Papua in recent weeks.  To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, ...

List of our Special Assessment Report produces in 2018-19

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, September 3, 2019   INDIA (Update) No new law to be proposed against NRC.  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Assam government will oppose in the Supreme Court some of the procedures adopted in compiling the latest updated National Register of Citizens (NRC). This was revealed by Assam’s finance minister, ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, September 3, 2019   INDONESIA Four Australians to be deported for participating in Papua protests. Four Australians are being deported from Indonesia after allegedly taking part in a pro-independence demonstration in in West Papua. Indonesian police said the Australians took part in the protest outside the Mayor’s office ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, September 2, 2019   INDIA Exclusion from Assam citizens list will not render people stateless – gov’t.  The government said yesterday that exclusion from the National Registry of Citizens (NRC) in Assam will not make a person “stateless” or a “foreigner” and they will not be deprived of any ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, September 2, 2019   INDONESIA  (Update) Dozens arrested amidst violent protests in West Papua. Indonesian police have arrested dozens of people in the easternmost region of Papua following protests last week in which buildings were set ablaze. In Jayapura, 28 people have been arrested and named as suspects, ...

Dozens arrested amidst violent protests in West Papua, Police ban rallies after mass protests turn violent, Internet shutdown partially lifted in Rakhine,Hong Kong braces for strike after fresh violence. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Port in Gujarat on high alert after reports of infiltration. Ports in Gujarat are on high alert after intelligence agencies warmed of infiltration by Pakistani commandos through Indian waters in the Kutch area. Previously, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh had cited intelligence reports claiming that Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed is training members for underwater ...

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INDONESIA Rioters torch more buildings as chaos erupts again in Papua. More than a thousand angry demonstrators marched around Jayapura, hurling stones and setting fire to buildings. Among the buildings burned were one belonging to state company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, the Papuan People’s Assembly of tribal leaders, the post office and a shopping center. Carrying ...

INDIA CCHF claims three lives in Gujarat. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has claimed three lives in the last two weeks in Gujarat. According to the World Health Organization, the CCHF spreads to humans either by tick-bites, or through contact with viremic animal tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The CCHF has a high fatality ratio ...

INDONESIA   Three, including a soldier, killed as rally turns violent in Deiyai, Papua. Two civilians and a government soldier were killed yesterday during clashes between protesters and security forces after a rally turned violent in Deiyai, Papua province. Four policemen and three soldiers were also injured. A group of about 150 peaceful protesters outside ...

Police chief says security in Papua under control. National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said security and public order in the provinces of Papua and West Papua are now under control. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Some Apple MacBook models banned from flights in India.  India’s Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a notification yesterday banning flyers from carrying certain Apple MacBook Pro models onboard India flights due to concerns that their batteries may overheat and catch fire. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, August 27, 2019   INDIA Navy chief warns of terrorists training underwater units.  Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh yesterday cited intelligence reports claiming terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad is training its members to carry out underwater attacks. The Indian Navy is monitoring and is prepared to face the threat. There has ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, August 27, 2019   INDONESIA New capital to be located in East Kalimantan. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced yesterday that the country’s capital will move to East Kalimantan province. The new capital will be located between Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara districts. East Kalimantan is on the Indonesian ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, August 26, 2019   INDIA Tamil Nadu and Kerala Police on High Alert. Tamil Nadu Police are on high alert following intelligence reports that six Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists infiltrated the state last week. One is believed to be a Pakistani national while the others are believed to be from ...

INDONESIA Widodo to invite prominent Papuans to palace. President Joko Widodo said he would invite prominent Papuans to the presidential palace this week in the wake of the recent violence in the region. The president’s office said an invitation will go out to traditional, community, and religious leaders of Papua. The meeting will discuss ways ...

INDONESIA (Update) Amid fresh violence in Papua, activists take their protest to Jakarta. Anti-racism protests continued in Papua for the fourth consecutive day amid heavy security and a government-imposed Internet blackout in the region. Thousands rallied in front of the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) building in Nabire regency yesterday. The rally began at around 7 ...

Click here to view report :  APAC Assistance – Indonesia Semi-Monthly Country Report Aug 01 – Aug 15, 2019 (1) To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA South Delhi on high alert after protests turn violent in Tuglakabad. A protest by Dalits against the demolition of a temple in the Tughlakabad area of South Delhi turned violent yesterday. Earlier that day, thousands of protesters from the Dalit community flowed into Delhi from various parts of the country and marched from Ambedkar Bhawan ...

INDIA 1. (Update) Floods hit 80 Punjab villages. More than 80 villages in Shahkot and Sultanpur Lodhi sub-divisions of Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts in Punjab came under water yesterday after key rivers overflowed.  River Sutlej breached its banks at four more places. Crops on more than 45,000 acres of land, including 30,000 acres in Shahkot, are ...

INDONESIA 1.  Widodo to visit Papua and West Papua after riots. President Joko Widodo is set to visit Papua and West Papua after the rioting that broke out in the region on August 19. Thousands of demonstrators protested racial abuse against Papuan students in East Java during the commemoration of Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17. ...

INDONESIA   (Update) Security beefed up in West Papua amid violent protests. Indonesia has deployed more than 1,000 security personnel to the province of West Papua amid spreading protests and violence. There were demonstrations in Fakfak with protesters raising their pro-independence flag, a crime under Indonesian law carrying a punishment of up to 15 years ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, August 20, 2019   INDIA (Update) Thousands  evacuated in Delhi as key river breaches critical level . More than 10,000 people living in low-lying areas along the Yamuna in Delhi were evacuated as the river breached the danger mark yesterday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the water level in ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, August 20, 2019   INDONESIA Riots erupt in West Papua over ‘racist abuse’ of students. Thousands of Papuans protested in the cities of Manokwari and Sorong in West Papua province yesterday, blocking streets by burning tires and tree branches. In Manokwari, capital of West Papua, protesters set fire ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, August 17, 2019   INDIA At least 30 killed in north India floods. At least 30 people were killed and dozens more reported missing as heavy downpours struck northern India over the past few days. More than 20 people were killed and nine others injured in heavy rains and ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, August 19, 2019   INDONESIA Militant attacks Surabaya police station on Independence Day. A suspected Islamic militant attacked a police station in Surabaya City, slashing one officer with a sickle, before being shot and taken into custody. The 30-year-old suspect entered the police station on Independence Day, August ...

INDIA Cross-border firing in Kashmir kills eight, says Pakistan Army. Pakistan’s military claimed that three of its soldiers and five Indian personnel were killed in cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. The Pakistani Army alleged that the Indian Army has increased firing along the LoC in an effort ...

INDONESIA Parts of palm oil and timber concession sealed amid forest fires. Indonesia has sealed parts of palm oil and timber concessions owned by 10 companies on Borneo island after a wave of forest fires. The disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) recorded 1,092 hot spots as of yesterday, the highest since the 2015 fires. At least ...

INDIA Religious practices on public roads banned. Religious activities on public roads that hinder traffic will not be allowed in Uttar Pradesh except on special occasions. Police in the state passed verbal orders to organize peace meetings between communities to ensure harmonious implementation of the ban. UP police chief Om Prakash said: “Directives have been ...

INDONESIA   Indonesia will make it easier for foreign investors to obtain visa and work permits. The Indonesian government has promised to make it quicker and easier for overseas investors and foreign workers to obtain visas and residence permits. There will be regulatory changes, including the availability of online applications and a simplified bureaucratic process ...

Terror accused in Burdwan case arrested. A suspect in the 2014 Burdwan blast was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Indore’s Azad Nagar yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

European Union imposes up to 18% duties on Indonesian biodiesel. The European Commission imposed duties of 8% to 18% on imports of subsidized biodiesel. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, August 13, 2019   INDIA China Raises Concerns over Kashmir. China has raised objections over India’s decision to remove the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. Chinese officials raised their objection during the official visit of India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Beijing this week. India ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, August 13, 2019   INDONESIA Sharp rise in hotspots reported in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) fears a possible repeat of the 2015 haze crisis that affected the islands of Kalimantan and Sumatra. The agency reported a sharp increase in peatland and forest fire ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, August 12, 2019   INDIA Flood deaths increase to 169. The flood death toll in the Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra has increased to 169 as rescue teams raced to evacuate people. The death toll was highest in Kerala, where more than 70 people were killed while ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, August 12, 2019   INDONESIA Papua on alert amid threat of separatist attacks on Independence Day. Government security forces will be on alert in Papua province against possible attacks by armed Papuan rebels on Indonesian Independence Day on August 17. The military and police will closely monitor the ...

INDIA Ten people killed in flooding in Kerala. Ten people were killed and more than 13,000 evacuated in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala. Sixty relief camps are set up for affected people. The Kerala Meteorological Department office issued a red alert yesterday and said heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Idukki ...

INDONESIA Indonesia arrests 11 people over alleged bribery. Investigators of Indonesia’s antigraft agency have arrested 11 individuals today in a two-day operation in Jakarta. The arrests have been made in connection with a bribery case involving a House of Representatives lawmaker and a garlic import business. Importers and a lawmaker’s aid were among those arrested. ...

INDIA Slaughter of Animals Banned in Private Houses in Mumbai. Slaughter of animals in private flats and housing was banned by the Bombay High Court in Mumbai yesterday. The court issued the order after hearing a petition by animal welfare groups. The order comes ahead of Bakri Id next week. The court allowed animal slaughter ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, August 8, 2019   INDONESIA   Prabowo to Appear in Ruling Party’s Congress. Former presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the fifth national congress of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) from today to August 10. The congress will be held at the Hotel ...

INDIA Lok Sabha Passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019. After another round of voting in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the parliament), the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 was passed with 370 votes in favor and 70 votes against. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day ...

PLN to cut Employee Salaries for Blackout Compensation. PLN plans to cut salaries of its employees to pay out USD$58.7 million in compensation. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

India scraps J&K special status. The government yesterday scrapped Article 370 that gives special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and bifurcate J&K To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA President Joko Widodo castigated state electricity company PLN after blackouts hit Jakarta and other cities of Java island fornine hours on August 4 To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, August 5, 2019   INDIA Kashmir in lockdown, political leaders under house arrest. Parts of Kashmir went on lockdown and local political leaders placed under house arrest amid tensions following a massive deployment of troops by the Indian government. Media reports said some pro-India leaders from the region, including ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, August 5, 2019   INDONESIA Massive blackout hits Jakarta, Java island for nine hours. A massive blackout that lasted more than nine hours caused gridlocks and disruption to services and facilities, affecting tens of millions of Indonesians in Jakarta and parts of West and Central Java. The power ...

INDONESIA   New capital’s location to be announced only after comprehensive studies—Widodo. President Joko Widodo said the definitive location of Indonesia’s new capital will be announced only after all comprehensive studies on its relocation have been completed and problems related to it have been resolved. Widodo confirmed that the new capital city will be relocated ...

INDIA Airport closed, trains canceled after heavy rains in Vadodara. The Vadodara Airport was closed and several trains were canceled yesterday due to heavy rainfall. Vadodara received very heavy rain on yesterday with over 400 millimeters of rain in 12 hours. Western Railways said that some trains passing through the city had to be diverted ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, August 1, 2019   INDONESIA   Vessel carrying tons of illegal diesel nabbed in Batam. The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) apprehended an unregistered vessel carrying nearly 100 tons of illegal diesel in the waters of Batam, Riau Islands on July 29. The vessel was seized as it carried ...

INDIA Controversial Muslim divorce bill passes in Rajya Sabha. The contentious bill to ban ‘Triple Talaq’ (Muslim practice of divorce) passed in the opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA President chooses Kalimantan to host new capital. National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said President Joko Widodo has decided to move the country’s administrative headquarters to Kalimantan in the Indonesian part of Borneo. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Authorities seize 1 kg of heroin in Punjab. The Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police arrested a suspected drug dealer possessing 1 kg heroin in Pathankot. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Pertamina’s oil spill affects parts of West Java. The oil spill from Pertamina’s Offshore North West Java (ONWJ) block has affected 10 villages and seven beaches in West Java. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, July 26, 2019   INDIA Railway lines inundated near Mumbai. More than 300 workers are racing to restore rail connectivity between Maharashtra’s Badlapur and Karjat after being submerged in floods. The Mahalaxmi Express was caught in the floods on Friday night (July 26) with over a thousand passengers stranded ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, July 29, 2019   INDONESIA Parliament grants amnesty to woman sentenced to jail for exposing sexual harassment at workplace. The House of Representatives has granted a parliamentary pardon to an Indonesian woman sentenced to jail for exposing her employer in a sexual harassment case. The woman from Lombok ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, July 26, 2019   INDIA Three Maoists killed as police overrun rebel camp in Bihar. CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) dismantled a Maoist rebel camp in the Gaya district of Bihar. CoBRA commandos raided the alleged Maoist camp after intelligence inputs suggesting major attack by ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, July 26, 2019   INDONESIA   Special military force vs terrorism revived. President Joko Widodo has revived the military’s Special Operations Command (Koopsus), a special military force that assists the National Police in anti-terrorism operations. “To address the escalating threats to the nation’s ideology, sovereignty and security, as ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, July 25, 2019   INDIA Heavy rains in Mumbai cause waterlogging. Heavy rains in Mumbai and the suburban areas caused traffic jams on waterlogged streets and disrupted local train services yesterday. Weather officials warned that there will be intermittent rains with heavy showers in Mumbai and its suburbs in ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, July 25, 2019   INDONESIA   Prabowo wants Gerindra to be in government. Former presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the Gerindra Party, has asked the blessing of Megawati Soekarnoputri, leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), to have some senior members of his party as ...

Coalition government in Karnataka fails to prove majority. Karnataka’s ruling Congress-Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) coalition government collapsed yesterday To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Suspected militant arrested. Officers from Indonesia’s anti-terrorism unit, Densus 88, arrested a suspect in the province of West Sumatra. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, July 23, 2019   INDIA Maoist rebels use new ways of planting explosives in Chhattisgarh. Left-wing Maoist rebels have been employing a new method of planting explosives to target security personnel in Chhattisgarh. Security personnel found explosives attached to scarecrows installed in farms against birds. Anti-bomb personnel could dismantle ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, July 23, 2019   INDONESIA Pirates attack South Korean vessel in South China sea. South Korea-flagged bulker CK Bluebell was attacked by pirates in the South China Sea near Anambas islands in Indonesia and near the entryway of Singapore Strait. The attack was carried out by seven pirates ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, July 22, 2019   INDONESIA Prabowo, Gerindra open to joining government. The Gerindra Party of former presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is eyeing control of food and energy as a condition for joining the government. In a meeting between the Gerindra Party chief patron and the party’s advisory board ...

Main Issues in South Asia Friday, 19 July 2019   INDIA Evidence of pro-Khalistan activities provided to Pakistan. India handed over to Pakistan a dossier showing proof of pro-Khalistan activities in Pakistan. The 23-page dossier was handed over by the Indian delegation during the Kartarpur Corridor talks at Wagah Border. Khalistan supporters seek to establish a ...

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Friday, July 19, 2019 INDONESIA PDIP has yet to name nominees for Widodo’s cabinet. The ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has yet to nominate cadidates to the next cabinet of President Joko Widodo, PDIP Secretary-General Ahmad Basarah said. All matters related to the cabinet line-up would be discussed ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, July 18, 2019   INDIA Death toll in floods in Bihar and Assam increases to 109. The flood situation came to a head in Assam and Bihar yesterday with 44 more lives lost in the two states. The death toll soared to 67 in Bihar, and to 30 in Assam. ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, July 18, 2019   INDONESIA Government relaxes fines for underpayment of import/export duties.A new regulation has been introduced on the issue of shortage on the payment of import/export duties to the government. The lowered fines are stipulated in Finance Ministry Regulation (PMK) No. 99/2019 on procedures for the ...

INDIA Death toll in floods increases to more than 60. The death toll in floods from torrential rains rose to 66, with Assam and Bihar being worst-affected. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA  Indonesia seizes notorious fishing vessel wanted by Interpol. The Indonesian navy seized a Panama-flagged vessel wanted by Interpol for illegal fishing. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, July 16, 2019   INDIA Pakistan opens its airspace to India airlines. Pakistan opened its airspace for all civilian traffic this morning removing the ban on Indian flights. The withdrawal of the ban is expected to give relief to Air India which had to re-route its international flights due ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, July 16, 2019   INDONESIA No political deal between Widodo and Prabowo—Gerindra. Gerindra Communication Board member Andre Rosiade said party chairman Prabowo Subianto and President Joko Widodo made no political deal when they met recently. “In the near future, Pak Prabowo will explain directly to disappointed supporters,” Rosiade ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, July 15, 2019   INDONESIA Gerindra could still join the government. President Joko Widodo and his losing challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto, agreed on July 13 that there was still a possibility for the latter’s Gerindra Party to join the ruling coalition. The two met at the Lebak ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, July 12, 2019   INDIA Indian government dismisses threats from Al Qaeda Chief. Authorities in India yesterday dismissed Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri’s call to terror groups to inflict “unrelenting blows” on the Indian army. Authorities noted that terror groups including Al Qaeda have been issuing such threats frequently ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, July 12, 2019   INDONESIA Government to build longest bridge linking Batam, Bintan islands. Indonesia plans to build a seven- kilometer bridge to connect Batam and Bintan islands in the Malacca Strait, close to Singapore. The construction, which will begin in 2020 and will be completed in three ...

INDIA Pro-Khalistan group banned. The Government of India yesterday banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) activist group for its alleged anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab. The SFJ is a US-based pro-Khalistan group that seeks to secede from India to establish a Sikh-state in the Punjab region bordering India and Pakistan. The decision to ban the SFJ, ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, July 11, 2019   INDONESIA Islamic State sympathizers will be welcomed as long as they swear allegiance to Pancasila. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said that the “thousands” of Indonesian Islamic State symphatizers still stranded in Syria will be allowed to come home on the condition that they take ...

India: Explosives cache seized from Bangalore. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized five hand grenades in north Bangalore at Soladevanahalli area. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Tax breaks issued to boost investments and employment. President Joko Widodo rolled out corporate tax breaks for labor-intensive industries and research and development (R&D) investments in a bid to create jobs in Indonesia. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, July 09, 2019   INDIA Rickshaw strike in Maharashtra called off, for now. Autorickshaw drivers and operators in Maharashtra have called off their indefinite strike that was scheduled to start midnight today. The Maharashtra Auto Rickshaw Union deferred their protest after agreeing to meet with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, July 9, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo woos millennials for his new cabinet. President Joko Widodo said his new cabinet will probably include millennials or youths under 30 years old. “The new cabinet will probably be colored by young people. We could have a minister as young as 25-years-old. ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, July 08, 2019   INDIA Weapons found during police raids in West Bengal. Police in West Bengal yesterday seized 112 live crude bombs and eight locally-made firearms and arrested 390 people from several parts of the Birbhum district. Police conducted raids in the Birbhum district to control the recent ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, July 05, 2019   INDIA Gurgaon and surrounding area waterlogged. Heavy rains hit the city of Gurgaon southwest of New Delhi yesterday, causing  massive traffic congestion. Poor road and sewage infrastructures were blamed for the frequent waterlogging in Gurgaon during the rainy season. Heavy downpour is expected again in ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, July 5, 2019   INDONESIA   Terrorist groups use Telegram to groom female militants. The Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates have been using text-messaging app Telegram to recruit and groom female militants. Terrorism expert Salahudin, a researcher from University of Indonesia’s Study Center on Terrorism and Social ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, July 04, 2019   INDIA Heavy Maharashtra rains breach dam, 9 people killed. Nine people drowned and 14 more went missing and feared dead after the Tiware dam in Maharatshtra’s Ratnagiri district breached yesterday. The dam breached following heavy rains, flooding several villages downstream. Rescuers recovered nine bodies while ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, July 4, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo to meet with coalition leaders to discuss cabinet formation. President Joko Widodo will be meeting with party leaders in his coalition to discuss the formation of the cabinet. A political leader from his coalition said names from political parties have circulated for ...

INDIA Death toll increases to 35 in rain-hit Mumbai. The death toll from the heavy rains in Mumbai rose to 35 yesterday, as daily life and activity in India’s largest city ground to a halt. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year ...

INDONESIA The counterterrorism unit Densus 88 is tracking terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah’s source of funding after arresting its leader Para Wijayanto. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, July 02, 2019   INDIA Heavy rains kill 12, cause major disruptions in Mumbai. Heavy rains in the last few days have caused deaths and massive disruptions in Mumbai, India’s largest city.  Twelve people were killed and several others were injured after a wall collapsed due to heavy rains ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, July 2, 2019   INDONESIA Police arrest leader, four other members of Jemaah Islamiyah. Indonesian police have announced their arrest of the suspected leader and four other members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in West Java and East Java over the weekend. Para Wijayanto, 54, suspected leader of ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, July 01, 2019   INDIA Maoist abducts three, kill one in Orissa. Suspected left-wing Maoists rebels killed a tribal villager and abducted three others last week in Malkangiri district of Orissa. Maoist carried out the attack, alleging that they were police informers. Police officials in Malkangiri said that the ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, July 1, 2019   INDONESIA Prabowo disbands coalition. Losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto officially disbanded his Adil Makmur or Justice Prosperity Coalition after losing his challenge at the Constitutional Court to overturn the result of the presidential election in April. On June 8, Prabowo gathered top officials from ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, June 28, 2019   SRI LANKA Bomb materials found in Kuttankudy. The Criminal Investigations Department seized a large cache of explosives and bomb materials in different locations in Ollikulam in Kattankudy. About 1,000 detonators, 300 gelignite sticks and close to 500 T56 live ammunition were packed inside PVCs. The ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, June 28, 2019   INDONESIA Court upholds Widodo’s re-election, rejects Prabowo’s claims. Yesterday, the Constitutional Court confirmed the victory of President Joko Widodo in the presidential election in April and dismissed accusations of fraud by challenger Prabowo Subianto. The court’s nine judges threw out the case lodged by ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, June 27, 2019   SRI LANKA Army commander warns of lone wolf attacks. Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said yesterday that the threat from terrorism cannot be completely ruled out. He made the statement before  a hearing of the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) on the Easter Sunday attacks. He said ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, June 27, 2019 INDONESIA Prabowo supporters demonstrate near the Constitutional Court. Supporters of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto are set to continue demonstrating near the Constitutional Court today, when the court is scheduled to announce its ruling on the presidential election dispute. The demonstrators, who belong to the ...

SRI LANKA US revises travel advisory for Sri Lanka. The United States has relaxed the travel advisory it issued on Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Wednesday, June 26, 2019 INDONESIA Police tortured five suspected rioters—Amnesty International. Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) claimed in a report released yesterday that personnel of the National Police tortured at least five people during the recent post-election protests that turned into rioting in Central Jakarta. Amnesty said the ...

INDONESIA Court to rule on election dispute on June 27. The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its ruling on the presidential election dispute on June 27, a day earlier than the initial plan. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Jharkhand man dies in lynching amid rising trend of mob violence in India. A man accused of stealing a motorcycle died in Jharkhand after being beaten by an angry mob last week. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Maoist rebels kill a policeman in Chhattisgarh. A policeman was killed by Maoist rebels at a weekly market in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Prabowo goes abroad amid election dispute trial. Losing presidential challenger and Great Indonesia Movement Party Chairman Prabowo Subianto has gone abroad, his spokesperson, Lukendra Lukistian, said. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA 2 dead, 11 injured as rival political groups clash in Bhatpara. Two people were killed and 11 others were injured yesterday after clashes broke out between rival party workers in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal’s Bhatpara municipality. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, ...

Indonesia: Plans to cut corporate income tax to 20%. The government is prioritizing revising the corporate income tax law to cut the tax rate from 25% to 20% to attract more investment. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, June 20, 2019   INDONESIA   Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits Papua. A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck 250 km west of the town of Abepura in Papua province early today. The quake, with a shallow depth of 12 km, hit at 12:46 AM local time. There were no immediate ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, June 20, 2019   SRI LANKA (Update) Railway strike postponed to 2 PM today. The railway strike which was scheduled to commence at midnight yesterday has been postponed until 2 pm today. Five trade unions of train drivers, train guards, train controllers, station masters and railway supervisors had decided ...

INDIA Eight people injured in grenade attack in Pulwama. Separatist militants hurled a grenade at the Pulwama Police Station in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Court rejects Prabowo camp’s request for witness protection. The Constitutional Court rejected a request by the camp of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto that their witnesses be given protection. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Gang violence in Delhi on the rise. More than 16 people were killed and 22 others were injured in cases of gang violence in Delhi in the last month. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, June 18, 2019 INDONESIA Prabowo supporters set to rally today and until June 28. Supporters of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto belonging to the 212 Alumni Association (PA 212) plan to hold a demonstration outside the Constitutional Court today. PA 212 is the association of participants to the 2016 massive rallies ...

INDIA (Update) Doctors’ strike widens. In most states, doctors have decided that non-essential medical services including services at Out-Patient Departments in hospitals will be withdrawn for 24 hours from 6 a.m. today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Cirebon police find five bombs, tighten security. The Cirebon City police in West Java have tightened security around police stations in the city following the discovery of five bombs on the night of June 15. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, June 14, 2019   INDIA  Cyclone Vayu spares Gujarat, but heavy rains still expected. Cyclone Vayu has spared Gujarat after making landfall at Veraval and changed its course, it is now heading west towards Oman. State officials warned, however, that heavy rains are still expected in several coastal districts ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, June 14, 2019   INDONESIA   Prabowo and Sandiaga to attend election dispute trial. Losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno, are set to attend the Constitutional Court preliminary trial for the 2019 presidential election dispute today. Team Spokesperson Andre Rosiade said the presence ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, June 13, 2019   INDONESIA   32,000 police to secure election dispute trial. The preliminary trial for the 2019 presidential election dispute in the Constitutional Court will be held on June 14 and the court is expected to make a ruling on June 28. The National Police will ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, June 13, 2019   INDIA NIA raids seven locations in Coimbatore. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided seven locations yesterday in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu in a crackdown on suspected Islamic State (IS) modules in southern India and Sri Lanka. The seven arrested suspects were allegedly Facebook friends of Zahran ...

INDIA Cyclone Vayu to hit Gujarat coast this week. The entire Gujarat coastline has been put on “high alert” after cyclonic storm Vayu intensified into a severe cyclonic storm this week. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Four terror suspects arrested in Bekasi. The police’s 88 Anti-terror Special Detachment has detained four suspected terrorists for harboring other militants and for participating in a military drill in Gunung Salak, Aceh province. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Two militants killed in gunbattle in Kashmir’s Shopian. Two militants were killed in an encounter between the state security forces and holed up militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district early today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, June 11, 2019 INDONESIA Full disclosure on May 21-22 riots today. Authorities will hold a press conference today for the full disclosure of the figures they arrested for alleged involvement in the May 21-22 deadly riots that broke out in Central Java. Chief Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said he would reveal ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, June 10, 2019   INDIA Political tensions escalate in West Bengal. Political tensions in the state escalated in the state last week after three more people were killed in the latest clashes at Basirhat between the supporters of the Trinamool Congress party (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, June 10, 2019   INDONESIA Prabowo coalition says Democrats and PAN free to leave. The Democrat and National Mandate (PAN) parties are free to leave the Adil Makmur Coalition of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto. Andre Rosiade, a spokesperson of the Prabowo campaign team, was quick to repond ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, June 07, 2019   INDONESIA   Prabowo-Sandiaga coalition ends. The National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Democrat Party, partners in the Adil Makmur Coalition, the coalition of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno, have hinted of the possibility of leaving the coalition. On ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, June 7, 2019   INDIA Political tensions persist in West Bengal after elections. West Bengal remains tense since the election results were declared on the May 23. Several clashes between the supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were reported in the ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, June 6, 2019   INDIA   BJP worker killed in Telangana. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter was allegedly clubbed to death in Mahbubnagar district in Telangana after the party won a local civic body election. The BJP has accused ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) of the murder. After ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, June 06, 2019   INDONESIA   Jokowi-Prabowo meeting after Eid Day possible. Vice President Jusuf Kalla said a meeting between President Joko Widodo and his losing presidential challenger, Prabowo Subianto, was still possible after Eid al-Fitr. Kalla said he met with Prabowo on June 4 but did not ...

PAKISTAN Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif’s supporters to celebrate Eid at Lakpat prison. Leaders of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have announced that the party’s supporters will celebrate Eid outside Kot Lakhpat prison in Lahore To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA (Update) Suicide bomb suspect influenced by the Islamic State. The man who was seriously injured in an explosion of the bomb that he carried near a police outpost in Kartasura, Central Java on Monday night, June 3, was a suicide bomber influenced by the Islamic State terrorist group.  To access this content, you must purchase One ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, June 4, 2019 SRI LANKA Muslim lawmakers resign after hunger strike. Muslim lawmakers and provincial governors have resigned from their posts after a lawmaker Buddhist monk, Athuraliye Rathana Thero, went on a hunger strike in Kandy. Thero went on hunger strike starting last Friday, May 31, demanding the removal of Minister Rishad ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, June 04, 2019 INDONESIA  Infrastructure drive continues. President Joko Widodo is preparing to press ahead with an ambitious infrastructure drive in his second term, starting with IDR 415 trillion (USD 28.8 billion) allocated in the 2019 state budget. The sum is a 1% increase from IDR 410.7 trillion in 2018 and ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Monday, June 3, 2019 SRI LANKA Former police chief blames President for intelligence failure. Suspended Inspector-General of Police Pujith Jayasundara has petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of failing to prevent the Easter bombings that killed more than 250 people. Pujith disclosed communication gaps between intelligence agencies and security arms of ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, June 03, 2019 INDONESIA S&P upgrades Indonesia’s credit rating. Global rating agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded Indonesia’s sovereign credit rating from BBB- to BBB. The improved rating was given to Indonesia for its “strong economic growth prospects” and prudent fiscal policy. “The sovereign ratings on Indonesia continue to be supported by ...

INDIA Narendra Modi sworn-in as Prime Minister. Narendra Modi was sworn-in as the Prime Minister for his second term in office yesterday after his Bharatiya Janata Party won the general elections with an overwhelming majority. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year ...

INDONESIA Prabowo supporter detained for firearm possession charge. Retired Major General Kivlan Zen, ex-chief of the Army’s Strategic Reserve Command and a known supporter of losing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, was taken into custody by the Jakarta Metropolitan Police To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month ...

INDIA Security tightened in Delhi for PM’s swearing-in ceremony. The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the council of ministers is scheduled at 7 PM today at Rashtrapati Bhawan To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Retired general questioned in assassination plot investigation. Authorities questioned retired Army general Kivlan Zen on his involvement in an assassination plot targeting four high-ranking officials and the head of a survey agency. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

SRI LANKA India, Switzerland revise travel advisory for Sri Lanka. India withdrew the travel warning issued for Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday attacks. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Officials targeted by assassins bared. National Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian disclosed the four government officials targeted for murder by six rioters on May 22. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, May 28, 2019 INDIA Modi to be sworn in on May 30. Narendra Modi is set to be sworn-in as Prime Minister for a second term on May 30. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the general elections last week with an overwhelming majority of 303 seats out of 543 in the ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, May 28, 2019 INDONESIA Murder plot against state officials foiled. Six people, five men and a woman, have been arrested for plotting to assassinate four state officials and the head of a survey agency during the May 22 riots. National Police Spokesperson Insp. Gen. M. Iqbal did not disclose the names ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, May 27, 2019 INDIA Modi tells Imran: trust, terror-free atmosphere vital for dialogue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Pakistani PM Imran Khan that “creating trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism were essential for fostering cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in our region.” Modi expressed his terms of engagement ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, May 27, 2019 INDONESIA Prabowo brings election challenge to court. Losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno, officially challenged the final vote count of the General Election Commission late on May 24. The legal team of the presidential pair, led by former Corruption Eradication Commission leader Bambang ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, May 23, 2019   INDIA Final vote count begins at 8 AM. Counting of votes for final result of the general elections will begin this morning at 8 AM and the result is expected to be announced later in the evening.  The general elections were conducted in seven phases ...

Sporadic rioting and protests have killed at least six people and injured dozens in Jakarta this morning. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, May 23, 2019   INDONESIA   Clashes between rioters and the police continue. Clashes between election protesters and the authorities continued overnight. Police fired water cannons and rubber bullets at protesters setting fires and trying to breach barbed wire barricades. There were about 10,000 protesters at day time ...

A police dormitory and at least 11 cars were burned and one protester was reported dead in the election protest that started yesterday afternoon and continued this morning. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In South Asia, Wednesday, May 22, 2019- INDIA  Eleven people killed in militant attack in Arunachal Pradesh. Eleven people were shot dead by suspected members of the separatist National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) yesterday in the Tirap district of the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. To access this content, you must purchase One Day ...

INDONESIA  Police break up election protest. Early today, police fired tear gas to break up the protest of supporters of Prabowo Subianto in front of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) office and General Election Commission (KPU) building in central Jakarta. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia together with Bhargav Reddy and Carol Librojo discuss the general elections in India, Thailand, and Indonesia. Paul is one of Asia Pacific’s most versatile security and disaster management professionals. Paul has held various demanding roles in military and civil positions. He is a rare expert in the risk management sector with ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, May 21, 2019 PAKISTAN Opposition parties call for protest after Ramzan. Leaders of opposition parties, including Bilawal Bhutto of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Maryam Nawaz of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have called for nationwide protests against.. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, May 21, 2019 INDONESIA Jokowi re-elected according to official count. The final official count of the General Election Commission (KPU) shows President Joko Widodo winning with 55.5% of votes against the 44.5% of his challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto. The KPU released the official results of the April presidential election early ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, May 20, 2019   INDONESIA Prabowo supporters to protest on May 22. Supporters of losing presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto are planning a two-day protest at the General Elections Commission (KPU) building tomorrow and on May 22, when the KPU is expected to announce the victory of President Joko ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, May 17, 2019   INDONESIA 212 Alumni to hold mass iftar at KPU on May 21 and 22. The 212 Alumni Brotherhood, a group backing presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, plans to hold mass iftar (evening meal prayer) in front of the General Elections Commission (KPU) office on May ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, May 17, 2019   INDIA   Central paramilitary forces deployed in Andhra Pradesh. The Election Commission has ordered the deployment of central paramilitary forces in Andhra Pradesh anticipating post-election violence ahead of the announcement of elections results on May 23. The bitter rivalry between the ruling Telugu Desam Party ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, May 16, 2019   INDIA   Grenade attack injures 10 in Guwahati. More than 10 people were injured in a grenade attack on the Zoo Road in front of the Guwahati Central Mall in Guwahati yesterday. The attack was claimed by the separatist United Liberation Front of Assam- Independent ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, May 16, 2019   INDONESIA Prabowo camp not disputing election results at court. The Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno campaign team has said it would not dispute the election results of the April 17 presidential election at the Constitutional Court. Gerindra Party Deputy Chairman Fadli Zon said that in 2014, ...

INDONESIA Prabowo rejects final presidential vote count. Election officials have yet to announce the official final results of the April 17 presidential and legislative elections by May 22. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDIA Violence in Kolkata during political rally. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata was hit by mob violence yesterday. Clashes erupted between the supporters of the BJP and the ruling party in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress party (TMC). To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, May 14, 2019 PAKISTAN Blast in Quetta kills four, injures 11. Four policemen were killed and 11 others were injured in a bomb blast yesterday in the Mini Market area of Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan. Investigators said the bomb exploded close to a.. To access this content, you must purchase One ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, May 14, 2019 INDONESIA 32,000 police and soldiers to secure election agencies amid alleged terror threat. The state security agencies will deploy 32,000 police and military personnel to secure the General Elections Commission (KPU) building ahead of the announcement of the official election results on May 22. The security officers will ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, May 13, 2019 PAKISTAN Separatist insurgents attack five-star hotel in Gwadar. The Pearl Continental Hotel in Gwadar was attacked by separatist insurgents on Saturday, May 11. The attackers were members of the Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA) insurgent group which claimed responsibility for the attack. No foreigners were staying in the hotel during ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, May 13, 2019 INDONESIA Prabowo supporter arrested for threatening to behead Widodo. The Jakarta Police yesterday arrested a supporter of presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto who threatened to behead President Joko Widodo in a video that went viral on  May 11. The man, identified only as HS, was arrested in Parung district ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, May 10, 2019   BANGLADESH Jute mill workers continue strike for fourth day. Workers of state-run jute mills continued their demonstration for the fifth consecutive day yesterday demanding arrears and fair wages. In the Demra area of Dhaka, hundreds of workers of Latif Bawany Jute Mills and Karim Jute ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, May 10, 2019   INDONESIA  Terrorist arrested in Bekasi. The National Police’s Densus 88 detained an alleged terrorist after a raid at a mobile phone store in Bekasi City, West Java on May 8. The operatives also found and seized two pipe bombs and materials for bomb-making. Police ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, May 9, 2019   INDONESIA Protests at election agencies today. A demonstration calling for the disqualification of President Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin from the presidential race is set to be staged at the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and General Elections Commission (KPU) today. Rally organizers did not ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, May 9, 2019   BANGLADESH Jute mill workers call for indefinite countrywide blockade starting May 13. Jute mill workers continued their protests over unpaid dues for the fourth straight day yesterday in Dhaka. Workers have called for an indefinite strike at all state-owned jute mills from May 13, with ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Wednesday, May 8, 2019   BANGLADESH Jute mill workers’ strike continues. Jute mill workers in Khulna and Jessore continued their strike by blocking roads and railways yesterday demanding their outstanding wages.  Jute workers of Platinum, Crescent, Khalishpur, and Doulatpur Jute Mills held separate demonstrations on the Khulna-Jessore Highway and the ...

More than 250 people were killed and 500 others were injured in the suicide bombings at three prominent churches and four high-profile hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Last week, seven defectors from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) were officially accepted into the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM or Bersatu), the political party of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Wednesday, May 8, 2019   INDONESIA  Four provinces being considered as new state capital. National Planning Minister Bambang Prodjonegoro said the government has invited four provinces to suggest locations for a new capital to replace Jakarta. The four provinces are Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan and West Sulawesi. ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, May 7, 2019   INDIA Fifth phase of general elections marred by violence.  Several people were injured in clashes between political parties in West Bengal during the fifth phase of voting in the general elections yesterday. Clashes between the political parties near the polling stations in Arambagh, Barrackpore, and ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, May 7, 2019 INDONESIA GDP grows 5.07% in first quarter. The Indonesian economy grew 5.07% in January-March, according to data provided by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The growth rate is slightly higher than the 5.06% growth in the same period last year. However, it is below expectations. The central bank ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, May 6, 2019 INDIA Fifth phase of voting set today.  The fifth phase of the seven-phased 2019 general elections will be held today in seven states including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. More than 80 million people are eligible to vote in about 96,000 ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, May 6, 2019 INDONESIA Two JAD terrorists killed, three others arrested. Two alleged Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorists were killed in an explosion they had triggered themselves to avoid arrest by anti-terror squad Densus 88 in Bekasi, West Java, yesterday. Densus 88 was led to the terrorists following the capture of ...

Situation Update On Easter Sunday, April 21, Sri Lanka suffered its worst terror attack since the end of the civil war in 2009. More than 250 people were killed and 500 others were injured in the suicide bombings at three prominent churches and four high-profile hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa. Three days after the ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, May 3, 2019   INDONESIA Papuan court sentences Polish man to five years in jail. The Wamena district court in Papua’s Jayawijaya Regency sentenced a Polish tourist to five years in prison for treason yesterday. The verdict was lighter than the 10-year  jail term demanded by prosecutors. Jakub ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, May 3, 2019   INDIA Flight operations suspended due to ‘Fani’.  Flight operations at Bhubaneshwar, Vishakapatnam, and Kolkata will be suspended as Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall today. More than 600,000 have been evacuated from the coastal districts of Orissa and hundreds of thousands more are expected ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Thursday, May 2, 2019   INDIA   Fifteen commandos killed in Maoist attack in Maharashtra.  Left-wing Maoist rebels triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting a vehicle carrying C-60 commandos in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra yesterday. The Maoist rebels attacked the police vehicle on Dadapur road near the village ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, May 2, 2019   INDONESIA   Mount Merapi ejects lava avalanche. Mount Merapi, which is located between Yogyakarta and Central Java, emitted four lava avalanches flowing one kilometer yesterday. The Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) also recorded 22 weak earthquakes. The geological agency has kept ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Wednesday, May 1, 2019   SRI LANKA   US warns of more attacks.  The US believes members of the Islamist militant group believed behind the Easter Sunday attacks may still be at large and planning more assaults. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz said that the terrorist threat is ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Wednesday, May 1, 2019   INDONESIA   Protests on Labor Day. Some 40,000 workers are expected to take part in Labor Day protests in Central Jakarta today. The Jakarta Police will be deploying 26,500 personnel to secure the protests, 1,500 at Istora Senayan area and 25,000 near the State ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, April 30, 2019 SRI LANKA Search operation continues, suspects in Kerala detained.  Security forces continued their nationwide operations to hunt terror suspects behind the Easter Sunday blasts. Several towns including Kamunai in the eastern province remain under curfew. Security forces have found.. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, April 30, 2019 INDONESIA Widodo wants to move capital out of Java. President Joko Widodo has decided to move the country’s capital city away from the crowded main island of Java. Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro announced this in a press conference yesterday, after a cabinet meeting where the move was discussed. ...

Security forces raid terror hideout, 15 killed by suicide blasts.  Fifteen people were killed during a raid on a house in Kalmunai in eastern Sri Lanka To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

INDONESIA Sandiaga open to working with Widodo. Sandiaga Uno, the running mate of presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto, reportedly said he is open to working with President Joko Widodo if he is confirmed as the winner in the presidential election and makes an offer. In an interview with Bloomberg, Sandiaga said he would put the national ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Friday, April 26, 2019   SRI LANKA   Defense secretary quits, US Embassy issues alert. Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigned yesterday, taking responsibility for the suicide attacks on April 21. He said there had been no failure on his own part, but he was taking responsibility for failures of some ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Friday, April 26, 2019   INDONESIA   Challenges await Widodo during his second term. The final result of the April 17 presidential election is yet to be settled, but quick counts by poll organizations show President Joko Widodo and his running mate, Ma’ruf Amin, winning with 55% of the ...

Major Issues in South Asia Thursday, April 25, 2019   SRI LANKA Curfew continues in Colombo; more bombs recovered. A curfew will be imposed tonight from 10 PM till 4 AM tomorrow morning in Colombo and several other cities of Sri Lanka for the fifth consecutive day this week since the bomb blasts on April 21 ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Thursday, April 25, 2019   INDONESIA Wiranto dismisses election fraud allegations. Chief Security Minister Wiranto dismissed as “baseless” accusations that the government and security forces conspired with election agencies to conduct systematic fraud during the April 17 elections. “The accusations are inconsequential, as well as slanderous, incorrect and baseless. They ...

Major Issues in SOUTH ASIA Wednesday, April 24,  2019   INDIA Poll related violence continues. Political violence continued yesterday during the third phase of voting in the general elections, many of which took place in small and remote towns. One person died in clashes between the supporter of the Trinamool Congress party and the Congress Party ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Wednesday, April 24, 2019   INDONESIA Widodo, Prabowo urged to meet. Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and several Islamic leaders have urged President Joko Widodo and his rival, Prabowo Subianto, to meet to cool down the reported public tension at the grassroot level after the presidential election. Kalla and the Islamic leaders ...

More than 300 people were killed and 500 others were injured in what appeared to be coordinated suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka’s major cities on April 21 as Christians celebrated Easter Sunday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year ...

More than 290 people were killed and 500 others were injured in what appeared to be coordinated suicide bomb attacks yesterday To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, April 23, 2019 INDIA Third phase of voting set today. The third phase of polling in general elections will be held today with 117 seats going up for grabs in 15 states including Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. More than 180 million people are eligible to vote in ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, April 23, 2019 INDONESIA Thousands of polling stations to hold revote. More than 2,600 polling stations across Indonesia are expected to hold a revote to make up for technical glitches that reportedly caused problems in 31 provinces nationwide. The General Elections Commission (KPU) received revote requests from To access this content, ...

Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, April 22, 2019   INDIA Modi counters Pakistan’s nuclear threats. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is no longer afraid of nuclear threats from Pakistan. Modi made the declaration during a campaign rally in Barmer City in Rajasthan State yesterday. “Pakistan used to give nuclear threats. What do we ...

Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, April 22, 2019   INDONESIA Pollsters challenge Prabowo camp. The Public Opinion Survey Association, or Persepi, challenged presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto and his campaign team to prove his claims of victory in the 2019 presidential election. Eight Persepi members—Indikator, Charta Politica, Populi Center, Saiful Mudjani Research Center, Indonesia ...

Bhargav  Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, April 19, 2019   INDIA   Trade suspended across J&K Line of Control. India suspended trade across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday over concern that the route was being misused by Pakistan-based terror organizations to smuggle weapons, narcotics ...

Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC FRIDAY, April 19, 2019   INDONESIA   Widodo declares victory as Prabowo rejects election results. President Joko Widodo declared victory in the April 17 presidential election. He made the declaration based on unofficial quick count data of private pollsters which show him winning ...

We are pleased to provide you with this week’s APAC Assistance Indonesia Semi-monthly Country Report. This report covers a summary of the top economic, political and security developments as it affects business outcomes for the period covered March 23 – April 10 2019. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day ...

INDIA Maoists attack polling officials in Orissa. Left-wing Maoist rebels targetted poll officials in two separate attacks yesterday in the Kandhamal district of the central state of Orissa. One poll officer was killed and several others were injured in the attacks. In the first incident, the rebels blew up a van loaded with election officials ...

Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director – Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC – Thursday, April 18, 2019 – INDONESIA – Widodo set to win a second term. The quick counts of five reputable pollsters placed President Joko Widodo ahead of his rival, former military general Prabowo Subianto by 10 percentage points. Widodo has established a ...

Listen to “Audio Overview of South Asia Issues 17Apr2019” on Spreaker. Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019   INDIA   Polling deferred in Tripura. The Election Commission announced yesterday that voting in the northeastern state of Tripura (East) Lok Sabha seat will be postponed to ...

Listen to “Audio Overview of East Asia Pacific Issues 17Apr2019” on Spreaker. Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC WEDNESDAY, April 17, 2019   Firstly in INDONESIA Indonesians will elect today their president, members of parliament and local leaders at district levels. President Joko Widodo is running for re-election for ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, April 16, 2019 INDIA Supporters of rival parties scuffle in Mumbai. A candidate for the Congress party has been given police protection after a scuffle broke out during a Congress campaign rally near Borivali station in north Mumbai. The ruckus broke out when supporters of To access ...

Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC TUESDAY 16 April  Firstly in INDONESIAJakarta Police Chief Inspector General Gatot Edy Pramono said the city police have not identified any potential security threat on election day, including possible conflicts between supporters of political groups. Gatot said the city’s police have taken steps to prevent threats ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, April 15, 2019   PAKISTAN  Hazaras on third day of protest after deady Quetta blast. The Hazara community in Quetta protested for three consecutive days since the deadly April 12 suicide blast that left 20 people dead and at least 40 others ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, April 15, 2019   INDONESIA Conflicts in opposition coalition. Some leaders of the Democratic Party questioned presidential contender and former military general Prabowo Subianto’s remarks in the fifth and last presidential debate before the April 17 election. During the debate held ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, April 12, 2019   INDIA   First phase of elections marred by violence. The first phase of Indian elections was marred by violence in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal.   In Andra Pradesh, two people were killed in a clash between ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC FRIDAY, April 12, 2019   INDONESIA Probowo calls to reject election results. Presidential candidate and former military general Prabowo Subianto challenged supporters at rallies to reject the election result if President Joko Widodo wins a second five-year term. Prabowo staged mass campaign ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC THURSDAY, April 11, 2019   INDONESIA Indonesian armed forces ready to intervene. Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander, Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, declared the military’s readiness to intervene against any attempt to disrupt the April 17 presidential and legislative elections. Air Marshal Tjahjanto ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA THURSDAY, April 11, 2019   INDIA Security stepped up in polling areas of Chhattisgarh. After the attack at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh, at least 15 alleged Maoists were detained in Maoist-hit areas on April 9 by the Telangana state police. The police have issued ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019   INDIA BJP lawmaker killed in Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, Bhima Mandavi, and four others in a convoy of vehicles were killed when Maoist rebels triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) in the ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019   INDONESIA High-risk provinces identified. The Indonesian election supervisory agency, Bawaslu, has identified 16 provinces that are prone to dispute during the April 17 presidential and legislative elections. Bawaslu Commissioner Muhammad Afifuddin said that these provinces scored above ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, April 9, 2019   INDIA Millions in cash seized in Madhya Pradesh raids. Yesterday the Income Tax Department conducted raids at premises of relatives and aides of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, the Central Board of Direct Taxes claimed it had ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, April 9, 2019 INDONESIA Widodo rebukes fraud allegations. President Joko Widodo criticized the opposition’s allegations that fraud is being committed by his camp for the April 17 election. Widodo said anyone who claims that election fraud is being committed should be able to present evidence ...

  Database Extraction of Transnational Crime & Cash Crime Incidents   Database Extraction of Domestic & Gang Crime Incidents   Database Extraction of  CiT Vehicle Robbery Incidents [pdf-embedder url=”https://apacassistance.com/wp-content/uploads/securepdfs/2019/04/Transnational-Crime-and-Cash-Crime-ResearchCiT-Vehicle-Robbery.pdf” title=”Transnational Crime and Cash Crime Research(CiT Vehicle ...

 

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, April 8, 2019 PAKISTANForeign Minister claims India planning another attack. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has claimed that India is planning more military action against Pakistan in the third week of April. He called on the international community to reprimand India for what he described ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, April 8, 2019 INDONESIA Prabowo holds a massive rally. Supporters of presidential candidate and former military general Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno, filled the main stadium of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta during his grand campaign rally yesterday. The stadium ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, April 5, 2019   PAKISTAN Zardari threatens to topple government. Former president and Pakistan People’s Party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari accused the government of trying to roll back the 18th amendment of the Constitution and targeting the opposition parties with corruption charges. He was speaking at a ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC FRIDAY, April 5, 2019   INDONESIA Terror suspects arrested. The anti-terrorism Special Detachment 88 arrested a suspected leader of terror group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) in Karawang, West Java on April 3. The suspect was allegedly involved in several terror acts last year, including the bombings in ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA THURSDAY, April 4, 2019   PAKISTAN Pakistan debt at alarming levels. Finance Minister Asad Umar said yesterday that Pakistan’s basic debts have reached an alarmingly high level and that the country is near bankruptcy. Pakistan is in an economic crisis over mounting external debt, with more than USD ...

Paul Quaglia  – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC THURSDAY, April 4 2019   INDONESIA Widodo retains lead in the opinion polls. Two new surveys indicate that President Joko Widodo and his running mate, Mar’ruf Amin, will win in the April 17 presidential election, with the election just two weeks away. The Melbourne-based Roy Morgan released yesterday ...

Overview On Sunday March 24 Thailand held a general election, its first democratic poll since the May 2014 military coup. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA WEDNESDAY, April 3 2019   PAKISTAN Pakistan could be blacklisted by the FATF. Pakistan could be blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due to “lobbying by India”, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said at a press conference in Lahore this week. Qureshi said he estimated that ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC WEDNESDAY, 3 April 2019   INDONESIA President Widodo stresses neutrality of armed forces. President Joko Widodo stressed that he had repeatedly said in meetings with the Armed Forces and the National Police that they must maintain neutrality. President Widodo was responding to claims by former Pasirwangi ...

Paul Quaglia  – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC Tuesday, 2 April 2019   INDONESIA  Prabowo’s team complains of irregularities. The Prabowo Subianto campaign team complained to the Election Commission (KPU) that it has uncovered irregularities affecting 9% of voters affecting 17 and a half million voters in the election rolls. The anomalies include errors in dates ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, 02 April 2019   SRI LANKA Cases filed against LTTE suspects. The Government says criminal cases filed on 54 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects are set to commence. Justice Minister Thalatha Atukorale said that the police are also still conducting investigations on six suspects. She ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Main Issues in SOUTH ASIA MONDAY 01 April   INDIA PM Modi to strike Balakot in Pakistan in February. Speaking at a campaign rally yesterday, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he decided to strike Balakot in Pakistan in February because he believed it was where terrorism in India was being remote-controlled. ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Main Issues in EAST ASIA PACIFIC Monday, 01 April 2019   Firstly in INDONESIA The presidential candidates’ fourth debate on March 30 was heated at times. Former military general Prabowo Subianto questioned the capability of the Indonesian military to protect the country. He said Indonesia’s defense is too weak because the budget allocated ...

Bhargav Reddy  – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, 29 March 2019   BANGLADESH Fire at an office tower. A fire reportedly engulfed an office tower in Banani commercial district in Dhaka killing 25 people yesterday. More than 73 others were injured in the fire. The number of victims could increase as the blaze trapped others ...

Paul Quaglia  – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC FRIDAY, 29 March 2019   THAILAND The Palang Pracharat Party wins popular vote. The pro-military Palang Pracharat party has won Thailand’s popular vote with 100% of ballots counted. However, the results remain unofficial until final results are announced by the Elections Commission on May 9. The Palang Pracharat ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC THURSDAY, 28 March 2019   THAILAND The Palang Pracharat Party adamant on forming a government. The pro-military Palang Pracharat Party said it is confident it can form a government. The party has not named its allies in its coalition. The Palang Prachart Party won the most votes ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA THURSDAY, 28 March 2019   PAKISTAN Pakistan seeks de-escalation. Pakistan has reportedly requested China to withdraw the technical hold on the United Nations listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist on the condition that India carries out a military de-escalation on the border and ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019   INDIA Naxal attack foiled.  Yesterday police foiled a major attack on security forces and government vehicles in the Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra. Security forces recovered an Improvised Explosive Device, containing four kgs of explosives which was planted below a small bridge in the ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC WEDNESDAY, 27 March 2019   THAILAND  Pheu Thai and PPRP claim the right to form government.  The pro-Thaksin Shinawatra Pheu Thai Party and the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party are staking claim to form a coalition government in the lower house. The Pheu Thai and at least five ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Tuesday, 26 March 2019   PAKISTAN Pakistan Peoples Party leads a protest march.  The Pakistan Peoples Party has launched a protest march against the government from Karachi today. The symbolic march will commence from Karachi’s Cantonment Railway Station and proceed to Larkana where they will have a political ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC TUESDAY, 26 March 2019   THAILAND Parties start negotiations to form a coalition. Two political parties have started negotiations to form a coalition government in Thailand. The two parties are the Pheu Thai Party, which is linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the pro-military Palang ...

v6GdF_19March2019 Transnational Crime and Cash Crime Research     To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA Monday, 25 March 2019   INDIA Security tightened in Kashmir.  Security in Kashmir has been tightened and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across the state after the pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front was banned by the government. Tensions in the valley have been rising since last week ...

Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC MONDAY, 25 March 2019   THAILAND The Palang Pracharat Party wins most votes. In Thailand’s general election held yesterday, the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party appeared to have won the most votes, followed closely by the Pheu Thai Party as vote count reached 92% at 10:30 PM yesterday. The ...

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA FRIDAY, 22 March 2019   INDIA Security situation continues to worsen in Kashmir.  The security situation in Kashmir continues to worsen this week. Two army soldiers were reportedly killed yesterday in two separate grenade attacks in the Sopore district. In another encounter between separatist militants and the security ...

The campaign team of President Joko Widodo and his running mate, Ma’ruf Amin, will reportedly shift its campaign strategy to door-to-door campaigns

 Bilawal Bhutto and former president Asif Ali Zardari were summoned by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for questioning in connection with three separate cases of corruption.

New Survey shows narrowing lead.  A pre-election survey by Litbang Kompas shows the big lead of President Joko Widodo over his challenger, Prabowo Subianto, has narrowed weeks ahead of the April 17 elections.

Students protest in Dhaka. Demanding justice for the Bangladesh University of Professionals student, who died under the wheels of a bus yesterday,

 The KPK raids the office of Religious Affairs Ministry.  Yesterday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated more than USD 42,000 from the office of Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.

India’s general elections will be held this year as the Bhartiya Janata Party-led government completes its five-year term after being elected in 2014. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Bhargav Reddy – APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Major Issues In SOUTH ASIA TUESDAY, 19 March 2019   BANGLADESH Election official killed in southeastern Bangladesh. Seven people, including two electoral officials and four paramilitary personnel, were shot dead and more than 26 others were injured yesterday in a gun attack in the Rangamati district southeast of Bangladesh. The polling officials were ...

Paul Quaglia – APAC Assistance Director Major Issues In EAST ASIA PACIFIC TUESDAY, 19 March 2019   INDONESIA President Widodo extends lead. The latest pre-poll survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting shows that President Joko Widodo has widened his lead over Prabowo Subianto to 26 points. Widodo and his running mate, Ma’ruf Amin, garnered 57.6% up from 54.9% ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in PAKISTAN A blast targeting a passenger train has killed four people and injured six others near Dera Murad Jamali in the southern province of Baluchistan yesterday. Baluchistan is plagued by a separatist insurgency. Terror attacks by the insurgent groups are ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.   Main Issues in East Asia Pacific  Firstly in INDONESIA Vice-presidential candidates Ma’ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno faced off in the third round of presidential debate last night. The debate touched on employment, education, health, and social and cultural issues. Sandiaga, Prabowo Subianto’s running mate was expected ...

Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday in a meeting decided to amend the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, with stricter punishments.

According to Police, the wife of a suspected terrorist blew herself and their children up yesterday in the Sibolga city in North Sumatra.

President Joko Widodo said yesterday that he is considering forming new ministries for investments and exports to tackle a decline in investment and weak export growth.

The Pakistan Air Force reportedly remains on full operational alert with multiple squadrons of F-16 fighters being deployed on its eastern front with India. The Pakistani air space along the border with India is still under restrictions.

Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan persisted as the two countries launched airstrikes following the deadly Pulwama attack. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia PAKISTAN A judge of the Lahore High Court has recused himself from hearing two petitions related to the disqualification of Prime Minister Imran Khan. A request has been sent to the Lahore High Court’s Chief Justice to nominate another judge. The two ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.   Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly, in INDONESIA Prabowo’s running mate, Vice-Presidential candidate Sandiaga Uno said that he wants to change the free trade agreement deal with Australia if his team wins April 19 elections. He claimed that the deal was unfair to Indonesia and ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in INDIA The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for General Elections yesterday. The elections will begin on April 11 till May 19 in seven phases and the results will be declared on May 23. The state assembly elections in ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.   Main issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in THAILAND Six home-made bombs exploded at different locations in the Pak Phayun district of the southern Phatthalung province yesterday. Later, three bombs were discovered and destroyed in the same district. Train services were suspended for three hours. There ...

THAILAND Yesterday, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the Thai Raksa Chart party for nominating Princess Ubolratana as its prime ministerial candidate.

Yesterday Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his disapproval of President Maithripala Sirisena statements on Sri Lanka’s commitment to the UNHRC on war-time atrocities against Tamils.

A level three warning has been issued in the ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra due to thunderstorms and rain in the area.

Police will reportedly deploy more than 1,200 officers at the Constitutional Court today.

A drug suspect was killed in a police operation in Calamba City, Laguna area in Manila’s south east.

All commercial and international airlines are avoiding the eastern airspace of Pakistan in view of continuing tensions with India causing travel delays.

Thailand’s long-awaited general elections (GE) are scheduled to be held on March 24. The March vote is deemed crucial for the country as it returns to democracy nearly five years since the 2014 military intervention led by General Prayuth Chan-o-cha. The election will also be key to returning a sense of stability to a nation ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in PAKISTAN The Government of Pakistan has decided to crack down on extremist and militant organizations by seizing their assets which are in accordance with the National Action Plan 2014 and the United Nations Security Council (Freezing and Seizure) Order ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.   Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly, in CHINA China’s 13th National People’s Congress is set to meet from today until March 15. More than 3,000 representatives will discuss the country’s plan for the next one year including the economy, security and political issues. The Chinese People’s ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in BANGLADESH The Bangldesh Awami League Party backed the Bangladesh Chhatra League president has allegedly forced at least five independent candidates to withdraw from the Dhaka University’s Central Student Union and hall union polls. The polls are scheduled on March ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific   Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly, in INDONESIA Indonesia’s Deputy Chief of Police has raised concern about the increase in fights between supporters of presidential candidates before the election in April this year. There have been various election-related crimes. Different social media platforms are being monitored ...

  Ref Wkly 19-03-01: Pro-Widodo generals targeted in sparring; Bekasi land impedes Adhi LRT; MRT ramps up; Outlook: anti-foreign rhetoric matters; IA-Cepa on 4 Mar; Yogya scuffle; Geothermal assesed; Govs back Widodo; Property regs due; No new poll data To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day ...

This report provides a recapitulation of the significant developments that transpired in Indonesia for the period Feb 09 – Feb 22, 2019 and their potential implications on the country’s business risk outlook. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The Bangladesh Awami League party candidate Atiqul Islam was declared as the Mayor of Dhaka after he won the Dhaka North City

The National Legislative Assembly passed the cybersecurity bill yesterday

A major fire has broken out in Bhashantek Jahangir slum at 1.30 am this morning in south western part of Dhaka.

Two suspects were arrested in a shooting incident which wounded a man in Malabon city in Manila yesterday.

THAILAND One ranger was killed, and another ranger and a civilian were injured by a roadside bomb explosion in the Banang Sata district of Yala province in southern Thailand yesterday. Police have blamed the separatist insurgents active in the region.

The government has issued a high alert across the states bordering Pakistan including Jammu and Kashmir after India

Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in BANGLADESH Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have said they will not apologize for assisting Pakistani occupation forces during the 1971 Liberation War. Several leaders of Jamaat including Secretary General Abdur Razzaq have resigned while citing their failure to reform the party and apologize for its role during the Liberation War. Jaamat has already ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific. Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in the PHILIPPINES Unidentified assailants claiming to be members of the New People’s Army burnt down construction equipment’s of Sta. Clara International Corporation yesterday in Naujan town of the Oriental Mindoro province on the island of Mindoro. The attackers reportedly ...

Firstly in BANGLADESH A hijacker on a flight bound to Dubai was killed after the Special Forces stormed the flight Bangladesh Biman BG 147 at Chittagong airport southeast of Bangladesh. A pistol was recovered from the hijacker. All passengers in the plane were safe and the airport was sealed by security officials. An investigation is underway to ...

Firstly in the PHILIPPINES The Department of Transportation has approved the closure of the Tandang Sora flyover and intersection in Quezon City in the National Capital Region of Manila from March 2. The closure is expected to last until 2020. The closure of the four-lane intersection and flyover is to facilitate the construction of the Tandang Sora ...

One lane of the Katunayake Expressway which connects Colombo with Bandaranaike International Airport and Negombo in the Western province is closed for a week until February 27.

A suspected drug smuggler was shot dead yesterday during an encounter between two drug traffickers and police in the Mae Chan district of the northern Chiang Rai province near the Myanmar border.

Firstly in BANGLADESH Forty-four people have been killed and more than a hundred others were injured in a massive fire that engulfed several buildings at Nanda Kumar Lane in the Chawkbazar area of Dhaka. The fire reportedly started on a building situated on the intersection of roads leading in the Chawkbazar area yesterday.

Firstly in the PHILIPPINES Yesterday a fire has destroyed a large forest area in the Itogon and Tuba administrative districts in the northern province of Benguet. The fire has killed at least five people when blaze spread to a storage area of the Office of Forestry.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police department has issued a traffic advisory for tomorrow on the occasion of Shaheed Dibas.

Yesterday police arrested three alleged members of a major drug trafficking gang and seized assets worth about USD 3.2million during raids on different locations in Bangkok.

Last week, seven defectors from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) were officially accepted into the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM or Bersatu), the political party of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in PAKISTAN Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has signed investment deals worth more than USD 20 billion with Pakistan yesterday during his state visit. Seven agreements and Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the two countries. Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to set up an oil refinery in the southwest of ...

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in INDONESIA Authorities will temporarily close Jl. Pancoran in West Jakarta on February 19 and 20 for the Chinatown Festival in the Chinatown area. West Jakarta Transportation Agency said, “To avoid traffic jams because of the closure, we will divert the traffic to other streets”. Traffic from Jl. Toko Tiga to ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia.   Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in BANGLADESH Gas supply will be suspended in several areas of Dhaka on Tuesday this week to facilitate the construction of metro rail. Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said the suspension will affect most parts of the city ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific.   Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in INDONESIA An explosion was reported near the Sultan Hotel in Central Jakarta yesterday. The hotel is the venue for an upcoming presidential debate. No casualties were reported in the explosion. Authorities are unclear on the motives behind the ...

More than 40 soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed in a suicide bomb attack on their convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said that a supply vessel capsized and sank in Singapore territorial waters yesterday.

Firstly in INDIA Indigo Airlines will reportedly cancel 30 flights per day until March 31 this year. Indigo canceled 50 flights yesterday due to an acute shortage of pilots.

Firstly in INDONESIA A dengue fever outbreak has claimed eight lives in the East Sumba district of the southern East Nusa Tenggara province. Eighteen people have been killed in 2019 in the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Martadi-Kolti highway has been closed for this month due to muddy and slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall at Porke hill in the western Bajura district.

Police have confirmed yesterday that a package retrieved by fishermen off the coast of Vinzons town in the eastern province of Camarines Norte of Luzon contained USD 86,418 worth of cocaine.

On February 11, the Election Commission disqualified Princess Ubolratana as a candidate for prime minister in the March 24 general elections. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

summary of Indonesia General Elections 2019 To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Firstly in INDIA Facebook has partnered with local organizations to curb the spread of fake news identified through an international fact-checking network. It is expected to reduce the spread of fake news by 80% before the elections in April this year. The partnerships will expand its fact-checking capability, in English, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam and Marathi languages. ...

Firstly from INDONESIA Volcanic ash and lava spewing out from Mount Karangetang on the Siau island in North Sulawesi province have cut off the roads and bridges in the area. Bad weather in the region has hampered the evacuation operations. Local authorities are trying to evacuate 508 villagers from the area.

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia Main Issues in South Asia INDIA Agitation by the Gujjar community for reservation turned violent yesterday in several towns of the northern state of Rajasthan. Violence was reported in Dholpur, Karauli and Bharatpur districts. Twenty-six trains have been diverted and 12 have been cancelled due to the ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Papua New Guinea Police in the town of Goroka, Eastern Highlands province are on alert after the National Court decided to conduct a by-election following a petition by the runner-up in the 2017 polls. Bire Kimisopa had challenged the ...

Massive protest were reported yesterday against the Central government’s move to grant the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six ethnic communities of Assam.

Pilots of China airlines have planned to go on strike this morning forcing the cancellation of 26 flights.

INDONESIA: Shares of Freeport-McMoRan rose almost 13% in January and is expected to rise further by 27% in total with the stock price at USD 22 from USD 11.46.

Prime Minister Sheik Hasina said in the parliament yesterday that the government is unable to take any action to ban Jamaat-i-Islaami

The Government of India proposed an interim budget in the parliament last week. An interim budget was proposed because the general elections are scheduled for April – May 2019. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has warned that there will be “massive” implications for the global economy if the trade war escalates between the US and China. 

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has called off her sit-in protest on the third day yesterday.

INDIA Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has continued her sit-in protest for the second day today at the Metro Cinema in Kolkata.

President Widodo has caused a political uproar among opposition parties by suggesting his challenger in the 2019 presidential election employed a foreign political consultant to support his campaign.

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A referendum to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law was held on January 21 in Mindanao. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said yesterday that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Unidentified assailants assaulted two Corruption Eradication Commission investigators in Jakarta on Saturday midnight.

THAILAND Yesterday the Pheu Thai party announced that they have chosen their three prime ministerial candidates.

Yesterday the opposition parties in the eastern state of West Bengal appealed to the Election Commission to deploy central police forces in the state during the upcoming general elections in April this year.

THAILAND Yesterday the pro-junta Palang Pracharath Party revealed three prime ministerial candidates. One of the candidates is Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who will be approached with the offer this week.

INDIA: Yesterday 11 people were arrested in Contai town in the eastern state of West Bengal for vandalism and violent clashes.

Musician Ahmad Dhani was sentenced to 18 months prison by South Jakarta District Court on Monday for hate speech. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Two bomb explosions at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the Jolo island killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Chusak Sirinil of the Pheu Thai party said that the party wants Prayut, in his capacity as the leader of the National Council for Peace and Order, to refrain from using his power under Section 44 of the constitution. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in the PHILIPPINES A grenade attack on a mosque in Zamboanga City on the southern island of Mindanao has killed two people and injured more than three others this morning. The attack comes after the twin blasts in a ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in PAKISTAN Yesterday nine people including three policemen were killed and 21 others were injured when attackers attempted to enter a police compound in Loralai town in the southwestern province of Balochistan. Three armed suicide bombers tried to enter the ...

Security in the national capital Islamabad has been tightened today as the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition seeking review of its verdict of acquitting Aasia Bibi on blasphemy charges in October last year. Paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the city.

Malaysia was barred from hosting the 2019 World Para-Swimming Championships after Malaysia banned Israeli athletes from the event.

Investigations into the murders of liberal bloggers and activists have reportedly progressed at a snail’s pace.

Yesterday two bomb blasts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on the Jolo island killed 20 people and injured more than 100 others.

Poland is set to exclude Huawei from its 5G network in favor of European players following the arrest of an employee of Huawei on suspicion of spying this month.

Yesterday the Supreme Court announced that a review petition will be heard over the acquittal of Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case last year.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in TIMOR LESTE Yesterday President Lu-Olo vetoed the State Budget. The State Budget was passed by parliament on December 24. He questioned various aspects of the budget and criticized it for being unsustainable and for inefficient use of the ...

Yesterday 87 mortar bombs and four landmines were unearthed by the police near a playground in Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka.

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific. Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in THAILAND Yesterday Prime Minister Prayuth said that he would consider joining any party that does not abandon the policies of the current government. He insisted that a political party must invite him to join them first. Prayuth ...

Yesterday the Narcotics Bureau officers arrested five suspects and seized 90 kgs of heroin worth more than USD 6 million in the Kollupitiya area of Colombo.

The Rapid Action Battalion raided more than 15 houses in Chapainawabganj and arrested several suspects of the banned Islamist group Jamaa’atul Mujaheedin Bangladesh (JMB) today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Political turmoil erupted in Karnataka last week. Several members of the Congress party allegedly threatened to withdraw support from the coalition government. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Summary of GDP growth in Timor Leste To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The Election Commission is reportedly considering March 10 for the general elections to meet the 150 days deadline from December 11 set by the constitution. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Main Issues in East Asia Pacific The PHILIPPINES Residents of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur on the southern island of Mindanao have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the plebiscite held this morning. Over 58,688 people voted “Yes” and 112 people ...

APAC Assistance Operations Assistant Bhargav Reddy discusses Main Issues in South Asia Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in PAKISTAN Yesterday the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has filed a disqualification petition against the former president and member of the National Assembly Asif Ali Zardari in the Supreme Court. The petition alleges that Zardari has illegally concealed properties ...

The president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Amit Shah is scheduled to hold a rally at Malda in the eastern state of West Bengal tomorrow.

The security situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate as three civilians were reportedly killed

The Bangladesh Awami League party will be holding rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan ground in Dhaka tomorrow.

Five people were detained with drugs worth USD 49,000 near Jalan Tun Sambanthan in the Brickfields area of Kuala Lumpur this week.

Bhargav Reddy of APAC Assistance Asia Pacific team discusses Main Issues in South Asia Main Issues in South Asia Firstly in INDIA In the southern state of Kerala, the trade unions representing the workers of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have called for an indefinite strike from today. The workers are demanding a single-duty roster, resolution of a ...

On January 11, Timor Leste’s national parliament confirmed its vote of approval to the amendments of the 2005 Petroleum Activities Law. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

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Security has been tightened in Cotabato City in the southern island of Mindanao ahead of the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law scheduled on January 21.

Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Harsha de Silva said that the government had prepaid the USD 1 billion borrowed by the previous regime in January 2014 through international sovereign bonds.

The Army chief Gen Apirat has warned the pro-democracy activists not to cross the line when they hold a rally this Saturday, January 19.

Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Saturday that the federal government has decided not to enter into an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme for now. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The controversy over an expected delay in elections continues with pro-democracy activists demanding that the elections should be held no later than March 10. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Review of Australasian Markets and Global Macro Issues To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

BANGLADESH Yesterday more than 7000 garment workers protested in several towns across the country. They were protesting the pay hike offered by the owners of garment factories on Sunday. A meeting was convened by the committee formed by the government to deliberate on the dispute over wages levels of garment factory workers. Workers from more than 10 ...

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Firstly in SOUTHERN THAILAND An election candidate and his wife were shot dead in the Kabang district of Yala on Sunday night. The police suspect the killings were politically motivated. The candidate was preparing to contest in the impending elections from the Thai Nation Power Party. Officers from Kabang police station and ...

Firstly in SRI LANKA Yesterday two people were shot dead in the Wattala (wat-ta-la) area of the capital city Colombo. The police suspect the shootout was gang-related and the two people killed had connections to the underworld. A machine gun was used in the shootout. Violent clashes between criminal gangs are a major concern for law enforcement ...

Today, Paul will look at issues in Timor Leste, PNG and in Thailand. THAILAND Yesterday a protest was held by pro-democracy activists at the Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok. The activists were protesting an expected delay in elections and called for elections to be held before March 10, being the 150-day deadline set by the constitution. The activists ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in South Asia Main Issues in South Asia BANGLADESH Yesterday in the first meeting of the 10-member committee to resolve the factory workers issues, the representatives from the government and the workers failed to reach any resolution on the dispute over wages. The 10-member committee includes representatives of both the ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses Main Issues in East Asia Pacific Main Issues in East Asia Pacific TAIWAN Premier William Lai said yesterday that he is resigning along with the entire cabinet. His Pro-Independence party was defeated in the elections held in November 2018. President Tsai is expected to appoint a new Premier next week. Tsai is also ...

The governor of the Central Bank of Sri LankaIndrajit and Finance minister Samaraweera will be meeting the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde this week. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Garment workers have continued their strike for the fifth consecutive day today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday Garment workers continued their protests in several towns of the Gazipur district for a fourth consecutive today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Thailand is witnessing elections this year which is one of the most anticipated political developments in Thailand To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday the garment workers continued their strike for the fourth consecutive day.

A bomb blast was reported in the Thepa district of Songkhla province in southern Thailand on Tuesday

The two-day nationwide strike called by the Central Trade Unions association will continue today.

Yesterday more than 200 people participated in a protest at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok.

A two-day countrywide strike has been called by the Central Trade Unions Association. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

A new cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheik Hasina will be sworn in today. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

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The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is expected to conduct a rally on January 19 for the state and general elections expected in April 2019. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn-in yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

  Main Issues in South Asia INDIA Yesterday statewide protests against the Citizenship bill were reported in the northeastern state of Assam. The proposed Citizenship bill grants citizenship to the religious minorities who have fled religious persecution in neighboring countries. The protests are expected to continue today alongside the nationwide strike called by the Central Trade Unions association. The ...

MALAYSIA Malaysia’s constitutional monarch, Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan abdicated on Sunday, January 8. He is the first reigning king in Malaysia to abdicate. Yesterday the Conference of Rulers decided to elect a new king on January 24. Sultan Nazrin of Perak, the deputy king, will serve as acting head of state. The abdication is unlikely to ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses security issues for South Asia. Main Issues in South Asia INDIA A countrywide strike has been called by the Central Trade Unions tomorrow. Workers from the industrial and banking sectors are expected to join the strike. Private transport and banking services are likely to be affected by the strike. The strike is being ...

Main Issues in East Asia Pacific MYANMAR Violent clashes have been reported in the Rakhine State of Myanmar between Buddhist rebels and the security forces. Thirteen officers were killed, and thousands of people were displaced in the violence. The clashes were reportedly over the government’s decision to repatriate thousands of Rohingya refugees back to the Rakhine State.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the elections expected on February 24 is likely to be delayed to avoid overlapping with coronation ceremony. He assured the election will be held no later than the May 9 deadline.

The state government of Kerala led by the Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) organized statewide demonstrations To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Phrao Bappan, a leader of the New Alternative Party, was killed allegedly by a local gang on December 27. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has claimed this week that his party can oust the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

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Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), the political party of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, held its second annual general assembly on December 28-30. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The incumbent Bangladesh Awami League (AL) party has won the general election held yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Mount Agung on Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali erupted again yesterday. The volcano spewed ash over surrounding villages. Yesterday, delegates to the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia annual general assembly passed a resolution calling for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to stay as prime minister until the next general election. Mahathir reiterated that he will keep his promise ...

The incumbent Bangladesh Awami League Party has won the general election held yesterday.

The Government of Pakistan has announced that a countrywide operation will be launched in March 2019, to crack down on terrorism in the country. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Vietnam’s GDP grew 7.1% in 2018, the country’s General Statistics Office announced yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), arrested 10 people from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The judiciary has been appreciated for the resolution of constitutional crisis. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses security issues for South Asia and East Asia Pacific. Main Issues in South Asia SRI LANKA More than 95,000 suspects were arrested by Sri Lanka police for drug possession during countrywide raids in 2018. The suspects were arrested for possession of toxic drugs such as heroin, cocaine, hashish, cannabis, and methamphetamine. Over 736 ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses security issues for East Asia Pacific and South Asia. Main Issues in East Asia Pacific THAILAND Yesterday, high profile politician Suthep Thaugsuban, campaigned in the red stronghold of the Northeast to seek voter support He is co-founder of the action coalition for Thailand party Though he is not running for a position is supporting the ...

More than 95,000 suspects were arrested by Sri Lankan police for drug possession during countrywide raids in 2018.

APAC ASSISTANCE DIRECTOR PAUL QUAGLIA DISCUSSES EAST ASIA PACIFIC SECURITY ISSUES. THAILAND YESTERDAY THE HIGH PROFILE POLITICIAN SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN, CAMPAIGNED IN THE RED STRONGHOLD OF THE NORTHEAST TO SEEK VOTER SUPPORT. HE IS COFOUNDER O FTHE ACTION COALITION FOR THAILAND PARTY. THOUGH HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR A POSITION IS SUPPORTING THE PARTY WITH HIS SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE. WHY IS ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses East Asia Pacific security issues. SINGAPORE-MALAYSIA Singapore’s transport ministry raised concerns with Malaysia over the latter’s establishment of a permanent Restricted Area for military activities over Pasir Gudang from 2 January. SOUTH KOREA DEMONSTRATIONS Economic based Attempt to reduce work time to achieve employability achieved the opposite

PAKISTAN Yesterday four soldiers were killed, and two others were injured in an attack by insurgents in Loralai town of Baluchistan province in south-west Pakistan. Four insurgents were killed by the security forces when they attacked a police training center in the town.

INDIA In the south-Indian state of Kerala, the state government is organizing statewide demonstrations in support of the Sabarimala (Sha-ba-ri-mala) verdict today. The Supreme Court verdict in October allowed entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala (Sha-ba-ri-mala) temple. The demonstration is being called “women’s wall” as millions of women in support of the verdict ...

INDONESIA Tornado kills one in West Java Landslides kill eight people in Western Indonesia To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday, Indonesia raised the danger alert for Anak Krakatau Volcano to the second-highest level. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The Government of Pakistan will launch a countrywide operation in March 2019 to crack down on terrorism. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday an anti-corruption tribunal sentenced former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to seven years in prison. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Yesterday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), arrested 10 people from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The judiciary has been appreciated for the resolution of constitutional crisis. The political crisis in Sri Lanka has rescinded with the appointment of 28 lawmakers and Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe as cabinet ministers by President Sirisena on December 20. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day ...

INDIA Yesterday the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 10 people in raids across 17 locations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The NIA recovered large quantities of explosives, arms and a rocket launcher. The NIA said the terror module named ‘Harkat ul Harb e Islam’, an Islamic State inspired terror module, was about to carry ...

Close to 700 locals fled four villages in Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

A Christian congregation in Kolhapur was attacked. Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party leader Syed Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead in Karachi.

INDIA Eight people were killed and several injured yesterday in an accident causing a pile-up of 50 vehicles. The vehicles included school buses and the accident was caused by dense fog on the Rohtak-Rewari highway between Delhi and Haryana. Dense fog during winter season causes major transport disruptions in northern India every year. Dense fog ...

Philippine President Duterte told troops he wanted the military to destroy local communists the way late Indonesian strongman Suharto crushed Indonesian communists in 1965-1966. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

A ban will be imposed on most types of motor vehicles in electoral areas across Bangladesh on the election day scheduled on December 30. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses security issues in East Asia Pacific. INDONESIA A tsunami triggered by the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano killed more than 200 people and is rising. The tsunami injured more than 800 others in Banten and Lampung provinces. The tsunami also damaged hundreds of structures and destroyed many. Experts fear more tsunamis ...

SRI LANKA More than 45,000 people have been stranded by flash floods triggered by heavy rains last night in the northern province. The five affected districts are Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna. The search and rescue teams have been mobilised together with boats. The Sri Lanka navy and the army personnel have been deployed for relief ...

Earlier this week, concerned Vietnamese sent a petition to the country’s political leaders calling for the implementation of political reforms. The petition was also sent to members of the National Assembly, to the United Nations and to foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, ...

Yesterday President Sirisena appointed 28 lawmakers and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as cabinet ministers. The cabinet formation comes after a month-long political crisis in Sri Lanka. The crisis has led to a dysfunctioning government. Sirisena has retained the defense, and the law and order ministry.  To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven ...

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses East Asia Pacific security issues.   MYANMAR Myanmar forces are conducting new “clearance operations” in conflict-wracked northern Rakhine. The Tatmadaw (military) launched the crackdown after four local Buddhists were attacked and two killed on December 17. The attacks were blamed on Rohingya Muslims. The new clearance operations can spark ...

The two tables show that with the exception of Vietnam and Indonesia, all the economies in the region slowed down in 2017 and in 2018. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

An accountability court deferred the verdicts to Monday, December 24, in two corruption cases against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses East Asia Pacific security issues.   THAILAND The President of the Thai Election Commission Ittiporn Boonpracong said international observers are welcome to monitor the February election, provided they follow procedures and respect the law. He said opposition to foreign election observers by other government officials will not have an ...

Seven civilians were killed, and twelve others were injured near Pulwama in southern Kashmir on Saturday, December 15. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Prabowo Subianto told thousands of his party members that Indonesia will go “extinct” if he loses in next year’s election. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses South Asia security issues. BANGLADESH Over a thousand platoons from Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed yesterday across Bangladesh ahead of the elections scheduled on December 30. Fifty platoons will be deployed in Dhaka. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One ...

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More than 91 people were injured, and several political offices and vehicles were vandalized following the clashes of rival groups across the country on Monday, December 17. The general elections are scheduled to be held on December 30. Over 24 people were injured in a clash between the supporters of the Awami League and Bangladeshi ...

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, the political party of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, has formed a committee to screen membership applications by ex-UMNO politicians. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

APAC Assistance Director Paul Quaglia discusses South Asia security issues. INDIA The government of Odisha has evacuated over 20,000 people in Gajapati district yesterday. Cyclone Phethai made landfall near Katrenikona in East Godavari district yesterday at around 2:45 PM (local time). Miraculously no casualties were reported. The power supply was disrupted in several districts. BANGLADESH Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ...

APAC Assistance’s Bhargav Reddy discusses the main issues for South Asia for WE 15 December 2018. India: The national leadership of the Congress Party confirmed Ashok Gehlot as the chief minister of Rajasthan. Bangladesh: Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr. Kamal Hossain’s motorcade was attacked in Dhaka. Pakistan: Six security personnel were killed in an attack by insurgents in ...

MAIN ISSUES IN EAST ASIA PACIFIC THIS WEEK

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: A ‘Santa rally’ for investors looks increasingly unlikely. Wednesday’s US Fed interest rate decision is now critical. A .25% rise is expected and will increase our pain. No change &/or dovish commentary may be enough for Santa to appear: “If Santa fails to call, the bears will roam on Broad and Wall” old ...

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in as the prime minister (PM) by President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday, December 16. President Sirisena said that he has given the premiership to Wickremesinghe to honor the parliamentary tradition and democracy. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day ...

Tribesmen in Nduga district in Papua province are reportedly scared for their lives after the massacre of Indonesian construction workers in early December. The Jakarta Post reported Rev. Benny Giay, chairman of the Kemah Injili Church Sinode of Papua, as saying two people in Mbua and three in Yigi were shot and killed by the ...

This report provides a recapitulation of the significant developments that transpired in Indonesia for the period Dec 01 – Dec 14, 2018 and their potential implications on the country’s business risk outlook. SECURITY/PEACE/ORDER: Nduga – Papua conflict, Ciracas police station attacked, Terrorist arrested SAFETY/ENVIRONMENT: West Jakarta open defecation health threat, Papua palm oil threat ECONOMY/BUSINESS: Infrastructure projects driving conflict, Jakarta labor rally LEGAL/POLITICS: Call ...

The exodus of politicians from UMNO has continued. Yesterday, six more MPs tendered their common letter of resignation from the former ruling party. On December 12, five UMNO Sabah MPs, along with close to 30 other leaders, left the party. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, ...

The national leadership of the Congress Party confirmed Ashok Gehlot as the chief minister (CM) of Rajasthan today. Sachin Pilot has been confirmed as the deputy CM. The tensions between the supporters of the two leaders caused protests and demonstrations in several districts of the state. To access this content, you must purchase One Day ...

Weekly summary of MAIN ISSUES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

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Clashes were reported in Pabna, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi, Noakhali, Munshiganj, and Khagrachhari on Thursday, December 13. Thirty-five people were injured after political offices were vandalized and several vehicles were torched in several districts. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Cambodia’s parliament amended the Political Party Law that bans opposition politicians from political activities for five years. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Twelve senators and 223 representatives voted to grant President Rodrigo Duterte’s request yesterday. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The US added Pakistan to a blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom. Pakistan was added due to its treatment of its minorities on Tuesday, December 11. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

The results of assembly election conducted on December 7 in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Mizoram were announced yesterday, December 11. Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) was the ruling party in Rajasthan, MP, and Chhattisgarh. They could not secure a majority of the seats in the three states. To access this content, you must ...

Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) celebrated International Human Rights Day yesterday. President Joko Widodo was expected to give a speech and accept the commission’s recommendations. Widodo, however, skipped the event and instead sent Vice President Jusuf Kalla to represent him. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, ...

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was arrested yesterday by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for allegedly tampering a final audit report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

President Maithripala Sirisena ruled out a snap presidential election despite several parties, including the United National Party, demanding him to do so. Under the country’s constitution, the president can declare a presidential election at any time after four years. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One ...

This week, Thailand’s deputy prime minister confirmed that the general election will take place on February 24, 2019. This will be the first general election since the military seized power in the 2014 coup. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One ...

CHART(S) OF THE WEEK: Most Sydney property owners are millionaires (on paper at least). The single biggest reason for that state of affairs is US Federal Reserve monetary policy, mostly dictated astride Wall St, New York. Fed policy is also the main factor influencing global asset pricing over the last decade, if not longer. During the GFC the ...

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to extend martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao for another year. Senators said Duterte will call a joint session of Congress on December 12 to formally seek the extension. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day ...

Two rallies were planned to be staged in Malaysia tomorrow. The first rally, which organizers say will be 500,000-strong, is the anti-ICERD demonstration at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Police in Lahore clashed with supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) yesterday. The PML-N workers were protesting during the appearance of party president and former governor of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, before an accountability court. Shehbaz Sharif has been in the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) custody since October 5, 2018, in connection to the Ashiana Iqbal ...

The major political parties in Thailand plan to boycott a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, December 8, by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Election Commission (EC). The meeting had been organized to discuss details of next year’s general election, to be held tentatively on February 24. To access this content, you must purchase One ...

Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal temporarily restrained Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cabinet of Ministers from functioning in their respective offices. The interim order was issued after a petition was filed by 122 MPs on November 23. The petition challenged Rajapaksa’s continuation in office after losing two trust votes in Parliament on November 14 ...

A faction of the Sunni Islamic movement, Tablighi Jamaat, organized a rally in the Abdullahpur area of Uttara. They were protesting the death of one person during a factional clash at the Biswa Ijtema grounds in Tongi on Saturday, December 1. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day ...

Today, a joint team of Indonesian military and police started to evacuate survivors of Papuan separatist attacks in Nduga, Papua. Cendrawasih Military Commander Maj. Gen. Joshua Sembiring could not confirm the number of Indonesians that will be evacuated. The separatist rebels killed up to 31 Indonesian construction workers on December 1 and 2. To access this ...

Indonesia: The mass killing of the construction workers in Nduga, Papua by separatist Papuans continues to be the main issue. Soldiers are deployed in Nduga to hunt down the killers; In Malaysia, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination continues to be a big issue. “ICERD” is the 1965 UN human ...

In light of the arrest of the brother of high-profile Australian cricketer, Usman Khawaja, APAC Assistance is providing a timely update on terrorism in Australia. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

Summary of violence Bangladesh Election To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

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This report covers a summary of Southeast Asia’s top economic, political, and security developments as it affects business outcomes for the period covered November 17-23, 2018. To access this content, you must purchase One Day Access, Seven Day Access, Fourteen Day Access, One Month Access or One Year Access.

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