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☆ Britain is building the most expensive railway in the world. Many people now think it’s pointless
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Population density and topography obviously have a significant effect on construction costs. “There was also a lack of discussion over the chosen route, which could have followed existing highway corridors.”Rapidly rising construction costs have plagued major projects across the world in recent years. Signs placed on a fence by environmental activists protest against tree-felling operations for the HS2 rail link at Jones Hill Wood in Wendover, England, in April 2021. However, their efforts were in vain and only succeeded in significantly driving up construction costs. ‘Mutilated and pointless’Plans have been dropped for a proposed HS2 railway station at Meadowhall in Sheffield.

Persons: hoardings, Henry Nicholls, it’s, Christian Wolmar, ”, Ricardo Ferreras, “, ” Ferreras, Wolmar, Chris Gorman, Wood, Mark Kerrison, Joe Giddens, Mike Kemp, Rishi Sunak, Anna Gowthorpe Organizations: CNN, Speed, Britain, WHOOSH, Station, London Times, ” Railway, CNN Travel, —, Chiltern, New Economics Foundation, London Euston, Birmingham Airport, Crewe, Conservative, Labour, Birmingham, Sunak, Leeds, High Speed Rail, Hitachi, Alstom, Siemens, Euston, Treasury, Audit Office Locations: United States, Bordeaux, France, China, Japan, London, English, Birmingham, Jakarta, Bandung, London's, AFP, Britain, Ukraine, Europe, Spain, Great, England, Jones, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, Colne, Cross , Hertfordshire, Manchester, Leeds, Scotland, Wales, Euston, Crewe, Meadowhall, Sheffield, Midlands, Nottingham, Liverpool

☆ Militant group blamed for 2002 Bali bombings to be disbanded, say senior leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Senior members of Jemaah Islamiyah, the Southeast Asian militant network blamed for the deadly Bali bombings, have announced they are disbanding the group, according to a report by a Jakarta-based think tank on Thursday. The report from the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) confirmed the authenticity of a June 30 video statement by 16 Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leaders announcing they were dissolving the extremist network. The Al-Qaeda-linked militant group is accused of orchestrating some of the deadliest attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 bombing of Bali nightclubs that killed more than 200 people. Indonesia’s National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) declined to comment on the development, but said it planned to hold a press conference soon. Despite the clout of the figures involved, IPAC noted the group has a history of splinters and it was possible one could emerge in the future, although probably not immediately.

Persons: CNN —, Jemaah Islamiyah, Jemaah, ”, Sidney Jones, Jones, IPAC, ” Adhe Organizations: CNN, Institute for, JI, Counter Terrorism Agency, Radicalism, Deradicalization Locations: Jakarta, Indonesian, Islam, Indonesia, Bali

☆ Taiwan tops Asia's best-performing stock markets so far in 2024 — Japan is No. 2
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A screen displays stock figures at the Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp. headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. The Taiwan Weighted Index has surged 28% so far this year, powered by stocks along the AI value chain. While Taiwan may lead Asian markets, Japan seems to be the favored market going forward, among analysts who spoke to CNBC. While most Asian markets are in positive territory year-to-date, three stock markets — Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines — fell into negative territory. The CME FedWatch tool indicates that 61% of traders expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points in the September meeting.

Persons: Foxconn —, Hai Precision Industry —, Rahul Ghosh, Rowe Price, Ghosh, Ben Powell, Powell, Neel Kashkari, Ken Orchard Organizations: Taiwan Stock Exchange Corp, Bloomberg, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, Hai Precision Industry, Intelligence, Nikkei, CNBC, BlackRock Investment Institute, Bank of Japan, Federal, U.S, Fed, Minneapolis Federal Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Asia, Pacific, Japan, BlackRock, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Jakarta, Philippine, U.S

☆ Voice of Baceprot prepare for Glastonbury debut, metal-mad Indonesia cheers
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Indonesia is home to the most metal fans in Asia so heavy metal bands love coming to play here,” said Hammersonic CEO Ravel Junardy. Lamb Of God vocalist Randy Blythe performs during Hammersonic in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 9, 2015. Indonesian heavy metal band Death Vomit from Yogjakarta are known for their ferocious and brutal sound. Rajawali IndonesiaGerman metal band Kreator holds up a banner during their performance at the Jogjarockarta festival on January 27, 2024. She first saw them live at a music festival in Singapore back in 2021 and says she is looking forward to their Glastonbury debut.

Persons: Sza, Firda “, ” Kurnia, ”, Marsya, Euis Siti Aisyah, Widi Rahmawati, metalhead –, “, Miikka Skaffari, Firda Kurnia, Tom Morello –, replaying, Malala Yousafzai, VOB, Anthrax, Joko Widodo, Olivia Rondonuwu, Indonesia’s, Sukarno, “ Sukarno, Jeremy Wallach, Suharto, ” Wallach, Metallica, –, Widodo, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Jokowi, Metallica's Robert Trujillo, Slipknot, Lamb, God, Ravel Junardy, Randy Blythe, Eddy Purwanto, Dave Mustaine, Corna Irawan, Anas Syahrul Alimi, Anas, “ Dave Mustaine, ” Anas, Kreator, Dougie, Mark LeVine, ” LeVine, LeVine, Faezah Eli Organizations: CNN, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Jakarta Institute of Arts, Malala, “, ” “, Getty, Western, AFP, Megadeth, Rajawali, Machine, Glastonbury Locations: Indonesia, Britain, Dua, Glastonbury, Indonesian, Damar, Oakland , California, Jakarta, Bay, AFP, ” “ Jakarta, “, West, Southeast Asia, “ Indonesia, Asia, Sweden, Finland, Java, Yogyakarta, Rajawali Indonesia German, Rajawali Indonesia, Surabaya, East, North Africa, Egypt, Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom

☆ China is trying to connect Southeast Asia by high-speed rail. Here’s how that’s going
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Imagine jumping on a train in southwestern China, traveling some 2,000 miles and arriving in Singapore – less than 30 hours later. Southeast Asia is the “obvious” choice because of its “proximity to China,” Bowerman adds. “Beijing, I think, ultimately wants to see Southeast Asian countries within its sphere of geopolitical influence. A staff member waits for passengers to board the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train during a week-long public trial phase at the Halim station in Jakarta on September 17, 2023. “In the example of a high-speed railway line between Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore would likely have just one stop – Malaysia would have more,” Wong told CNN.

Persons: China’s, Gary Bowerman, ” Bowerman, ”, Pon Souvannaseng, Peerapon Boonyakiat, Bowerman, Pan Wenbo, Pan, Mei Wei, Wei, “ I’m, Xi Jinping’s, Souvannaseng, Hong Kong –, Hong Kong’s, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Wong Muh Rong, ” Wong Organizations: CNN, Initiative, China Railway, Reuters, East Japan Railway Co, Malaysian, Bentley University, of, Communist Party, Laos Railway, Laos Railway cumulatively, Orient Express, Getty Locations: China, Singapore, Asia, Laos, Kunming, Vientiane –, Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Thailand, Bangkok, Thai, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Southeast Asia, “ China, Peerapon, Cities, Penang, Malacca, Phuket Old Town, Beijing, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Wat, Siem Reap, ”, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Halim, AFP, “

CNN —Indonesia’s transport ministry will launch an investigation after two Batik Air pilots fell asleep during a recent flight, according to state news agency Antara, citing the ministry’s civil aviation director-general M Kristi Endah Murni. The flight, BTK6723, lasted two hours and 35 minutes, and successfully landed in Jakarta, according to Antara and the preliminary report. Around 90 minutes into the flight, the second-in-command then “inadvertently fell asleep,” according to the report. Around 28 minutes after the last recorded transmission, the pilot-in-command woke up and realized the plane was not in the correct flight path. The preliminary report detailed that the pilot-in-command told the ACC that the flight had experienced a “radio communication problem” that had been resolved.

Persons: Antara, Kristi Endah Murni, “, ” Murni Organizations: CNN, National Transportation Safety, ACC, Air Locations: Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Jakarta, ”, Indonesia

☆ Indonesia is heading to the polls to elect Jokowi's presidential successor
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Presidential candidate and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, vice presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar, presidential candidate and Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, presidential candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo and vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD (from left to right) react on the stage during the last presidential election debate at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on February 4, 2024. More than 200 million voters in Indonesia are heading to more than 800,000 polling stations in the world's third-largest democracy on Wednesday to elect President Joko Widodo's successor, a new national House of Representatives and various local legislators. Widodo, also popularly known as Jokowi, beat Probowo in the last two presidential elections. Some of the latest opinion polls showed Probowo netting more than 50% of the vote against two other opponents. Voters have six hours to cast their five ballots for their preferred presidential and vice presidential pairing, as well as legislators at the national, provincial and regency level, along with a regional senator for the national parliament.

Persons: Anies Baswedan, Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo Subianto, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Ganjar Pranowo, Mahfud, Joko Widodo's, Probowo Subianto, general's, Widodo, Probowo, It's, Richard Borsuk Organizations: Indonesia's Defence, Central Java, Jakarta Convention, of, Defense, Nanyang Technological, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, CNBC, Gerindra Party Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Nusantara

He served as mayor of Solo city, where he was born to a working-class family in illegally built shacks along a river, then became governor of the capital, Jakarta, before clinching his first presidential term. Widodo was the first Indonesian president to emerge outside the political and military elite. But critics say he thrived on political compromises, became beholden to political party supporters and accommodated ex-generals who served under the late authoritarian leader Suharto. Under Widodo, Indonesia saw a period of remarkable growth averaging 5% annually, except in 2020, when the economy contracted due to the coronavirus pandemic. His economic roadmap, called “Golden Indonesia 2045,” projects Indonesia becoming one of the world’s top five economies with GDP of up to $9 trillion, exactly a century after it won independence from Dutch colonizers.

Persons: Widodo —, Barack Obama —, Widodo, Suharto, Prabowo Subianto, ” Widodo, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo’s, —, Metallica, Subianto, we’ve, ”, Dwi Mustikarini, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, Xi Jingping, Jim Gomez Organizations: White, Bloomberg Television, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Borneo, Southeast Asia, Solo, Jakarta, Surakarta, Central Java, Widodo's, New York, Widodo, Kyiv, Moscow, China

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Seventeen-year-old Naima Khairiya Ismah started being bombarded by social media posts from candidates for Indonesia's presidential election on before she'd even given voting any thought. Candidates are reaching out through the apps young voters use, the K-pop music many love, and even video gaming events. “As young people, we can't meet the candidates in person,” said first-time voter Ismah, chatting after class outside her Jakarta high school. But their campaigns have been stressing issues that matter to young people: job opportunities, climate change and institutional corruption. Last month, Raka showed up at the popular Mobile Legend Championship e-sport tournament in Jakarta to appeal to young gamers.

Persons: Khairiya Ismah, Joko Widodo, they've, ”, Prabowo Subianto, Ganjar Pranowo, Anies Baswedan, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Subianto, They're, who's, Raka, Subianto's, Chong Sung Kim, Kim, ” Kim, It's, Karlina Octaviany, Baswedan, Ahn, Octaviany, “, Muhammad Fakrezi Syamil, he’s, ” Ismah Organizations: Indikator Politik, Pixar, Subianto's Gerindra Party, Twitter, Golkar, Indonesian, “, Associated Press Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jakarta, Surakarta, Indikator, Indikator Politik Indonesia, South, Israel, Korean, Indonesian, South Korea, South Jakarta

Suryana has spent more than three decades living in the shadow of the power plant in northern Java, just 60 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia’s most populous city. Emissions from burning coal, which is highly polluting but relatively cheap, contribute up to a third of Indonesia’s air pollution according to Siti Nurbaya, Indonesia’s Environmental and Forestry Minster. The Indonesian government has called on residents to use public transportation and has given regulation and financial incentives to residents who want to shift from using gas or diesel-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. The government is pushing to have more than 530,000 electric vehicles on the road in Indonesia by 2030. Because industry is contributing 30% to 40% of the air pollution in Jakarta, in addition to emissions from transportation,” Syuhada said.

Persons: Suryana, “ We’ve, ”, Ginanjar Syuhada, —, Siti Nurzanah, ” Nurzanah, Syuhada, “, Siti Nurbaya, Budi Karya, ” Syuhada Organizations: —, United Nations, Associated Press, World Health Organization, Air, Vital, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, WHO, Jakarta Health Agency, Jakarta's Persahabatan, Persahabatan Hospital, Forestry, Transportation Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Java, Jakarta, Indonesia’s, United, Dubai, Swiss, Indonesian, New York

☆ Southeast Asia haze returns as peatland fires fan global warming fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

watch now"The issue is that currently, most governments haven't really looked at the haze and climate change as a unified issue, yet. Something seasonal, that comes and goes, while climate change is something constant and developing," she added. United Nations Environment ProgramMalaysian officials are undoubtedly haunted by the memory of the 2015 and 2019 transboundary haze episodes. School closures were effected in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore — affecting nearly four million students in Malaysia alone. Vicious cycle in the peatlandsThe haze in southern Southeast Asia is emitted mostly from massive peatland fires in Sumatra and Borneo.

Persons: Al Zulkifli, Helena Varkkey, haven't, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Jusuf Kalla, El Nino, El, Vicious, Varkkey, Sharon Seah, Ulet Ifansasti Organizations: Afp, Getty, El Nino, Universiti, CNBC, ASEAN, Jakarta Globe, United Nations Environment Program Malaysian, World Bank, Kuala, Airport, Nurphoto, ASEAN Specialized Meteorological, Asia, Yusof, Institute, United Nations Environment Program, UNEP, Malaysian, Anadolu Agency, Global, Greenpeace, Oil Locations: Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Al, Southeast Asia, Asia, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Kalimantan, Malaysia, Indonesian, Jakarta, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Sumatra, El Nino, Borneo, Palem Raya, Borneo . Forest, Anadolu, Eco

☆ Indonesia launches first bullet train, WHOOSH, funded by China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative and largely funded by Chinese state-owned firms, the $7.3 billion project opened to the public on Sunday. The train will travel between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in West Java, Indonesia’s second-largest city and a major arts and culture hub. Indonesia's outgoing President Joko Widodo rides the high-speed railway during a test ride in Jakarta. Akbar Nugroho Gumay/APWidodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were photographed taking test rides on the new high-speed railway throughout September. The train deal was first signed in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and construction began later that year.

Persons: Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, Dwiyana, Yasuyoshi Chiba, Joko Widodo, Xi Jinping, Akbar Nugroho Gumay, Li Qiang, ” Organizations: CNN —, Kereta, Surabaya –, PT, PT KCIC, Initiative Locations: CNN — Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, West Java, Indonesian, Indonesia China, Halim, East Jakarta, Padalarang, West Bandung, Surabaya, East Java Province, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Borobudur, AFP, Indonesia, Southeast, China, Rempang, Indonesia’s Riau

☆ Divided again, South Korea beat North Korea in Asian Games basketball
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ro captained North Korea and guard Kim started on the bench, while South Korea had forward Kang Lee-seul, guard Park Ji-hyun and centre Park Ji-su among the 2018 alumni. With South Korea and North Korea still technically at war, there has been diplomatic tension at the Games. North Korean athletes refused to join South Korean rivals for a group photo of medal winners at the shooting competition. North Korea had a cheer-squad numbering a few dozen people high up in the grandstand of the half-full stadium. A North Korea team official sitting beside Jong, who was an assistant coach of the unified team in 2018, said the question was not relevant.

Persons: Ann Wang, basketballers, Lee, Ro Suk, Yong, Kim Hye, Jang, Ro, Kim, Kang Lee, Ji, Jung Sun, Jung, Jong, Ian Ransom, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, North, REUTERS, Rights, Asian, South, China's, Group, Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre, Games, Unified Korean, Jakarta Asian Games, Olympic, North Korea, North Korean, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China, Rights HANGZHOU, Jakarta, South, North Korea, South Korea, South Korean, Korea, Korean, Pyeongchang, DPRK, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Korea's, North Korean

☆ Thailand win first esports medal as princess rides in
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Asian Games - Hangzhou 2022 - E-Sports - China Hangzhou Esports Centre, Hangzhou, China - September 26, 2023 Players from Team Thailand prepare before the Arena of Valor Asian Games Version Bronze Medal Match REUTERS/Ann Wang Acquire Licensing RightsHANGZHOU, China, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Thailand claimed the first esports medal awarded at the Asian Games on Tuesday in an event closely watched by Olympic officials as a princess of the kingdom made a royal entrance to the equestrian event. But an enthusiastic crowd of locals cheered on the Thais at the Hangzhou Esports Centre as they prevailed 2-0 in a best-of-three match for the popular mobile phone game developed by a Chinese tech firm. The players tapped their small screens furiously and communicated with team mates via headsets throughout a contest that stretched to nearly 40 minutes. If esports is the future of the Games, Thai Princess Sirivannavari Mahidol represented its past as she made a regal entrance on a horse named 'Es Fangar's Samba King' in the dressage team event. "Luckily our father is supporting us," said the princess, who represented Thailand in badminton at the 2006 Asian Games in Qatar and equestrian at Incheon in 2014.

Persons: Ann Wang, Sirivannavari Mahidol, King Vajiralongkorn, Zhang Boheng, Zhang, Takeru Kitazono, nation's, Lee Hye, kyeong, Kwon, Martin Quin Pollard, Peter Rutherford Organizations: China Hangzhou Esports, Team Thailand, of Valor, REUTERS, Rights, Asian Games, Olympic, Vietnam, esports, Jakarta Asian, Thais, Hangzhou Esports, Thailand, Games, South, Doping Agency, Olympic Council of Asia, OCA, Thomson Locations: Hangzhou, China Hangzhou, China Hangzhou Esports Centre, China, Rights HANGZHOU, Thailand, Bangkok, Sorawat, India, Qatar, Incheon, North, Jakarta, Communist, Korean

FILE PHOTO-Former Indonesian education minister Anies Baswedan talks to reporters after voting in the Jakarta governor election in Jakarta, Indonesia April 19, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsJAKARTA, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan on Saturday named the chairman of Indonesia's largest Islamic party as his running mate for the 2024 presidential election, a move aimed at boosting his popularity in this Muslim majority country. His vice presidential pick, Muhaimin Iskandar, leads the National Awakening Party (PKB), which has strong ties with Indonesia's biggest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), that boasts 40 million members. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, a senior member of Prabowo's Gerindra party, said the announcement "automatically ended the political cooperation of Gerindra and PKB" but added his party respected Muhaimin's decision. Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; editing by Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anies Baswedan, Former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, Ganjar Pranowo, Prabowo Subianto, Joko, Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo, Anies, Djayadi Hanan, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Muhaimin, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, Prabowo's, Ananda Teresia, Gayatri Suroyo, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Former Jakarta Governor, Saturday, Central Java, Defence, National Awakening Party, Indonesia's, Ulama, PKB, NU, Anies, Thomson Locations: Indonesian, Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, Surabaya, East Java

☆ Southeast Asia's first high-speed train – a boon or bust for Indonesia's economy?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While it could improve overall economic and business productivity, those benefits may be overrun by Jakarta's soaring debt burden as project costs continue to mount. The 142-kilometre train linking Indonesia's capital to Bandung is expected to move at 350 kilometers per hour, driven by electricity with no direct carbon emissions expected during operations. However, escalating costs of the project could push up Indonesia's government debt and overshadow any short-term economic gains. Initially, the train was to be financed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China — a consortium of companies from China and Indonesia tasked with building the rail project. In that scenario, money spent on the train would have been better spent on alternative investments like irrigation projects, he said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Arief Anshory Yusuf, Jokowi, Sri Lanka's, Mao Ning, Mao, Yusuf Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Initiative, Indonesian, Bandung's Padjadjaran University, Australian National University, PT Kereta, Indonesia China —, KCIC, China Development Bank, Reuters, of Economic, Law Studies, Nurphoto, CNBC Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, Southeast Asia, Indonesian, Surabaya, Japan, Indonesia China, China, Entebbe, Beijing, IDR

☆ Jakarta orders civil servants to work from home to fight soaring pollution
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

“The air quality in the Greater Jakarta Area has been very, very bad,” Widodo said. ASEAN is a regional bloc that brings together 10 Southeast Asian countries, many of which have long suffered high pollution levels in their major cities. Ministers in the Southeast Asian country confirmed this week that President Widodo had been battling a cough for weeks and suggested it could be related to worsening air pollution in Jakarta. Air pollution has long plagued the Greater Jakarta area, with factories, coal-fired power plants and traffic congestion all contributing to the smog, according to experts. Experts previously told CNN the health costs of Indonesia’s air pollution cannot be underestimated.

Persons: Joko, Widodo, ” Widodo, Heru Budi, Sigit Wijatmoko, ” Wijatmoko, “, Wijatmoko, Sandiaga Uno Organizations: CNN, Jakarta Gov, CNN Indonesia, 43rd ASEAN Summit, Jakarta Convention Center, ASEAN, Ministers, Tourism, ” Tourism Locations: Jakarta, Swiss, Greater Jakarta Area, Greater Jakarta

[1/2] A worker cleans an electric-powered car Neta V, that is displayed during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang, near Jakarta, Indonesia, August 10, 2023. Dody Hartono, a visitor at the auto show who plans to buy his first EV by 2024, said he wants a better deal. Indonesia has ambitious EV growth plans as it races Thailand and India to build out an EV industry as an alternative to China, the world's largest producer. CONFIDENCE ISSUESToyota (7203.T), its affiliate Daihatsu, and Honda (7267.T) account for two-thirds of auto sales in Indonesia but have been slow to pivot to EVs. Toyota has said it has no plans yet to build an EV in Indonesia.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Dody, EVs, Hartono, China's, Hendra Pratama, Hendra Budi, –, Johan Purnomo, Stefanno Sulaiman, Kevin Krolicki, Himani Organizations: REUTERS, Hyundai, HK, Air EV Lite, Daihatsu, Huawei, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi Motors, Thomson Locations: Indonesia, Tangerang, Jakarta, Thailand, India, China, Southeast Asia

☆ Jakarta is the world's most polluted city. And Indonesia's leader has the cough to prove it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the world’s most polluted city, according to a new study, and the country’s president may have the cough to prove it. Uno said doctors were still diagnosing the cause of Widodo’s cough but added that it might be related to the worsening air quality, reported CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia. But in recent weeks air quality in the capital has become particularly bad, deteriorating to the worst in the world, according to data provided by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. On August 9, Jakarta topped its list of polluted cities after registering “unhealthy” air pollution levels nearly every day, the company said. “Air pollution is a serious problem in Southeast Asia,” said political analyst Bridget Welsh from the University of Nottingham.

Persons: Joko Widodo, IQAir, ”, Sandiaga Uno, Uno, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, ” Budi, Widodo, ” Widodo, Bridget Welsh Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Tourism, Creative, Sandiaga, CNN, CNN Indonesia, Central, IQAir, Skyscrapers, Getty, University of Nottingham, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Jakarta, Swiss, AFP, Greater Jakarta, Central Jakarta, Greater Jakarta Area, Jakarta –, Southeast Asia, Nusantara, East Kalimantan, Borneo

☆ Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesian organizer following sexual harassment allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters —The Miss Universe Organization said Saturday it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and canceling this year’s Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organizers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organizers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless “body checks,” their lawyer said on Tuesday. Capella said in a statement on Instagram she does not condone any form of sexual harassment. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year. The Miss Universe Organization said it was evaluating its policies and procedures to avoid similar occurrence in the future, adding that there are no measurement or body dimensions requirement to join their pageant worldwide.

Persons: Indonesia Reuters —, Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, ” Organizations: Indonesia Reuters, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Miss Universe Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador

☆ Indonesia plans random emission tests on motorists as poor air chokes Jakarta
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JAKARTA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia's capital will force drivers to undergo emission tests, officials said on Monday, amid deteriorating air quality that has made Jakarta one of the world's most polluted cities. Jakarta has been consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities globally since May and last week topped global rankings compiled by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir. "We will start in Jakarta and when it gets better, we will expand it to greater Jakarta," environment minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar told a press conference. President Widodo also advised companies to impose hybrid working and urged weather modification in Greater Jakarta, saying dry weather was contributing to pollution. "Also, keep monitoring the industrial sector and power plants mainly surrounding Greater Jakarta," he told ministers.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Sandiaga Uno, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Widodo, Ananda Teresia, Martin Petty, Susan Fenton Organizations: Swiss, Jakarta, Thomson Locations: JAKARTA, Jakarta, Greater Jakarta, Indonesia

☆ Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia organiser accused of sexual harassment
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A general view during the 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Bachman/ File PhotoJAKARTA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The Miss Universe Organization said it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and cancelling this year's Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organisers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organisers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless "body checks", their lawyer said on Tuesday. "I emphasise that I, as the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who plays a role and participated in the process of organising Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checking as reported," she said. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia's entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year.

Persons: Jonathan Bachman, Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, Fransiska Nangoy, Stanley Widianto, William Mallard Organizations: Miss Universe, REUTERS, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Thomson Locations: New Orleans , Louisiana, U.S, JAKARTA, Malaysia, Jakarta, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador

☆ Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia organizer accused of sexual harassment
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Miss Universe Organization said Saturday it was cutting ties with its Indonesian franchisee and canceling this year’s Malaysia pageant after contestants accused local organizers of sexual harassment. Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with police accusing organizers of sexual harassment, saying they were subjected to topless “body checks,” their lawyer said on Tuesday. “I emphasize that I, as the national director and license owner for Miss Universe Indonesia, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who plays a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checking as reported,” she said. The Jakarta contest was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe competition, to be held in El Salvador late this year. The Miss Universe Organization said it was evaluating its policies and procedures to avoid similar occurrence in the future, adding that there are no measurement or body dimensions requirement to join their pageant worldwide.

Persons: Poppy Capella, Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, Capella, ” Organizations: CNN, Miss Universe Organization, Capella, Miss Universe Malaysia, Miss Universe Indonesia, Miss Universe Locations: Malaysia, Jakarta, Miss Universe Indonesia, El Salvador

☆ Indonesia gives automakers more time to qualify for EV credits in investment bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Stefanno Sulaiman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] A worker stands near a Mini Cooper Electric car, that is displayed during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang, near Jakarta, Indonesia, August 10, 2023. REUTERS/Willy KurniawanTANGERANG, Indonesia, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Thursday it would give automakers two more years to qualify for electric vehicle incentives in Southeast Asia's largest auto market, a move followed by investment commitments by China's Neta EV brand and Mitsubishi Motors. The moves announced at the Jakarta auto show come as Indonesia races Thailand and India to build out an EV industry as an alternative to China, the world’s largest producer. Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s largest auto market and its second-largest production hub behind Thailand. Until now, only two manufacturers have shifted enough production to Indonesia to qualify for full incentives: Wuling Motors (0305.HK) and Hyundai (005380.KS).

Persons: Willy Kurniawan TANGERANG, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, ” Agus, Wuling, Hiroyuki Ueda, Stefanno Sulaiman, Kevin Krolicki, Conor Humphries Organizations: Cooper, REUTERS, China's, Mitsubishi Motors, Toyota, Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi, New Energy Automobile, Wuling Motors, HK, Hyundai, Wuling, Air EV, Reuters, Gaikindo, Auto Show, Astra Motor, PT Astra International, Thomson Locations: Indonesia, Tangerang, Jakarta, Thailand, India, China, Southeast, Neta, Gaikindo Indonesia

☆ Malaysia halts music festival after same-sex kiss by UK band The 1975
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Rozanna Latiff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 1975 have also been banned from performing in Malaysia, said a government committee that oversees filming and performances by foreigners. "I don't see the fucking point ... of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with." Festival organiser Future Sound Asia apologised for the cancellation of the show following Healy's "controversial conduct and remarks". Communications Minister Fahmi said Malaysia was committed to supporting the development of creative industries and freedom of expression. The Jakarta festival's organisers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the band would play.

Persons: disparages, Fahmi Fadzil, Healy, Ross MacDonald, we've, Regrettably, Fahmi, Matt Healy, Carmen Rose, Anwar Ibrahim's, Rozanna Latiff, Bernadette Christina, William Mallard, Robert Birsel Organizations: Communications, Rights, United Arab Emirates, Sound, Twitter, Malay, Thomson Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysian, Jakarta, Indonesia

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