3 d. ago Indonesian students defy police, face tear gas as deadly protests spread

Indonesian police fired tear gas into crowds of protesters near two universities in the major regional city of Bandung, student groups and authorities said on Tuesday, raising tensions around demonstrations that have killed eight since last week. The protests began in the capital Jakarta, targeting government spending such as enhanced perks for lawmakers, and have since spread nationwide. They escalated into rioting and looting after a police vehicle hit and killed a motorcycle taxi driver,...

Events

3 d. ago John Lee leads Victory Day delegation to Beijing as Hong Kong prepares events

Hong Kong has dispatched its largest-ever commemorative delegation to Beijing, led by the city’s leader, to honour China’s victory over Japan in the second world war at a highly anticipated military parade, with the city preparing to host a series of celebratory events. At around 8am on Tuesday, delegation members, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and his wife Janet Lam Lai-sim, finance minister Paul Chan Mo-po, police chief Joe Chow Yat-ming and lawmaker Kingsley Wong Kwok, were seen...

Politics

6 d. ago Indonesian president cancels China trip as lawmakers’ homes looted amid unrest

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday cancelled a planned trip to China as days of protests spread further outside the capital Jakarta, with several regional parliament buildings set ablaze. Prabowo had been expected to attend a Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II following Japan’s formal surrender. The protests, the first major test for Prabowo’s nearly year-old government, began in Jakarta this week over lawmakers’...

Politics

6 d. ago Homes of Indonesian finance minister, lawmakers looted as unrest widens

Demonstrations in Indonesia escalated on Sunday with reports of looting at the homes of the finance minister and several lawmakers, as a fire started by protesters at a council building killed at least three people. Frustration with lawmakers, accused of being oblivious to the struggles of common folk, snowballed into widespread violence after a delivery driver was fatally hit by a police tactical vehicle deployed to deal with protesters earlier decrying low wages and financial perks for...

Politics

6 d. ago Indonesia to remove perks for MPs, suspend errant lawmakers amid protests

Indonesian political parties have agreed to revoke a number of perks and privileges for parliamentarians, President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday, following protests and rioting across the Southeast Asian country. Protests in Indonesia escalated on Sunday with reports of looting at the homes of the finance minister and several lawmakers, as a fire started by protesters at a council building killed at least three people. Frustration with lawmakers, accused of being oblivious to the struggles of...

Events

8 d. ago Hong Kong audit regulator imposes fine of US$245,000 on auditor Deloitte

Hong Kong's audit regulator imposed a combined HK$1.9 million (US$245,000) fine on Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and two of its partners for multiple audit deficiencies related to two former listed companies from 2011 to 2013, the authority said on Thursday. The move was part of the first batch of disciplinary cases from the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) with the help of the mainland’s Ministry of Finance (MOF). “The successful completion of these disciplinary cases attests to the...

Politics

8 d. ago Hong Kong audit regulator imposes fine of US$245,000 on Deloitte

Hong Kong's audit regulator imposed a combined HK$1.9 million (US$245,000) fine on Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and two of its partners for multiple audit deficiencies related to two former listed companies from 2011 to 2013, the authority said on Thursday. The move was part of the first batch of disciplinary cases from the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) with the help of the mainland’s Ministry of Finance (MOF). “The successful completion of these disciplinary cases attests to the...

Politics

2 w. ago India to ban ‘harmful’ online money games, threatening US$3.6 billion industry

India’s parliament on Thursday passed a bill to ban online games played with money in a move that threatens the survival of the popular fantasy gaming sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government flagged the high risk of financial harm. The sudden ban has shocked an industry backed by venture capital firms like Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners and which was set to be worth US$3.6 billion in India by 2029. Executives fear imminent job losses and a complete shutdown of many app-based...

Economics

3 w. ago China bans agencies and individuals from dealing with 2 EU banks

China decided on Wednesday to sanction two European banks as a countermeasure against previous financial sanctions from the 27-member bloc. The Ministry of Commerce will ban Chinese agencies and individuals from doing business with UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas, according to its online statement. The two banks are both from Lithuania, a country that has been one of Beijing’s most vociferous critics in Europe and was previously targeted by economic sanctions from Beijing after seeking to...

Economics