JAPAN: Abe government seeks containment without shutdowns as cases spread again
Nine prefectures reported record-high numbers of new cases on Wednesday, 29 July, as the number of new daily cases nationwide exceeded 1,000 for the first time. Neither prefectural governments nor the national government wants to suspend business and social activities ag… Become a member to read the rest of this article Username or E-mail […]
SPAIN: The politics of new outbreaks
The rising number of Covid-19 infections in recent days is highlighting the regional authorities’ challenges in tackling new outbreaks. However, the central government is unlikely to reimpose a nationwide lockdown anytime soon, given the existing economic pressures. Moreover, Pri… Become a member to read the rest of this article
MALAYSIA: Najib verdict helps PM, but election calculations still complicated
The court decision issued on 28 July finding former Prime Minister Najib Razak guilty of having diverted USD 9.87 from a subsidiary of state development fund 1MDB into his personal bank account may deliver some popular benefits to the current PM, Muhyiddin Yassin. Specifically, h… Become a member to read the rest of this […]
CHILE: Another crisis, another reshuffle
President Sebastian Pinera reshuffled his cabinet yesterday, 28 July. The widely expected reshuffle follows a heavy defeat for the government in recent votes to allow people to withdraw up to 10% of their savings from the private pension (AFP) system to support themselves through… Become a member to read the rest of this article
KOREAN PENINSULA: Border crossing shows Pyongyang’s insecurity in Covid-19 era
After months of denying that it had any cases of Covid-19 in the country, the North Korean government convened an emergency meeting on Saturday, 28 July to announce that it would introduce an elevated state of emergency, claiming that a former defector to South Korea had returned… Become a member to read the rest […]