Friday, 15 Nov 2024

Asia

Asia News – Get latest breaking news & top stories today in Asia, South-East Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Australia/New Zealand at…

Scientists say India government ignored warnings amid coronavirus surge

NEW DELHI (REUTERS) – A forum of scientific advisers set up by the government warned Indian officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who are part of the forum told Reuters. Despite the warning, four of the scientists said the federal […]

Work amid the pandemic: Guidelines for companies

SINGAPORE – The pandemic has meant a range of ever-evolving working arrangements that force companies to keep adapting to guidelines as they are announced. The latest regulations, which were announced in March and took effect on April 5, state that up to 75 per cent of employees who were able to work from home can […]

India's Stalin eyes power in Tamil Nadu state election

NEW DELHI (AFP) – A politician named after Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin was poised to win power in an Indian state on Friday (April 30), while elections in another key region of the country were too close to call. Exit polls suggested Mr M. K. Stalin’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party had won the elections across […]

Euro zone dips into second recession in Q1, but recovery ahead

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The euro zone economy dipped into a second technical recession after a smaller than expected contraction in the first quarter, but economists said it was now firmly set on a recovery path as pandemic restrictions were lifted amid vaccination campaigns.FILE PHOTO: A view shows the deserted Rue de Rivoli in Paris during a […]

Landslides near power plant in North Sumatra, Indonesia, kills at least three

MEDAN, INDONESIA (AFP) – Landslides have killed at least three people at a Chinese-backed power plant on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, the disaster agency said on Friday (April 30), with fears that the toll would rise. Heavy rain pounded the area in North Sumatra on Thursday evening, triggering the deadly torrent. “There are three people dead,” agency […]

Indian scientists ask Modi to release key epidemiological data

NEW DELHI (BLOOMBERG) – Indian scientists and medical researchers are asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow them access to data that could help study, predict and curb the spread of the coronavirus. While the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has granular data on all residents who have been tested so far, it restricts […]

SCDF to outsource fire safety checks for some non-complex infringements from May 3

SINGAPORE – Fire safety checks for some non-complex infringements will be outsourced to an external organisation from next month, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said on Friday (April 30). Examples of such infringements include the unauthorised change of use of premises such as basement carparks as storage areas, obstruction of escape paths and fire […]

Mandatory online theory test for e-scooter and e-bike riders to start from June 30: LTA

SINGAPORE – Mandatory online theory tests for electric scooter and electric bicycle riders will begin from June 30, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Friday (April 30). The handbooks for both theory tests have been published online, and will cover three modules for both groups of riders. They comprise general information on active mobility […]