While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 2, 2025
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Protesters set alight banners as they shout slogans demanding police reform and the dissolution of the Parliament in Bandung, West Java.
PHOTO: AFP
UN calls for investigations over deadly Indonesia protests
The United Nations on Sept 1 called for investigations into alleged use of disproportionate force after six people were killed in protests across Indonesia sparked by anger over lawmakers’ lavish perks.
“We are following closely the spate of violence in Indonesia in the context of nationwide protests over parliamentary allowances, austerity measures, and alleged use of unnecessary or disproportionate force by security forces,” said UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.
“We stress the importance of dialogue to address the public’s concerns,” she said in a statement.
The UN rights office is calling for prompt, thorough and transparent investigations into “all alleged violations of international human rights law, including with respect to use of force”, she said.
Funding cuts to Afghanistan obstruct earthquake response
PHOTO: AFP
The shrinking of funding for Afghanistan, led by US aid cuts, was hampering the response on Sept 1 to a powerful earthquake in the east, with dozens of clinics closed and a helicopter out of use, humanitarian officials said.
The magnitude 6 tremor hit overnight, levelling villages, killing at least 800 people and injuring more than 2,800 in remote mountainside areas.
The ruling Taliban administration and aid officials have a daunting task to rescue and help thousands of Afghans with a tinier budget than ever and an economy in crisis.
Nestle sacks CEO over ‘undisclosed romantic’ office relationship
PHOTO: AFP
Swiss food giant Nestle on Sept 1 dismissed Laurent Freixe as chief executive with immediate effect over an “undisclosed romantic relationship with a direct subordinate”.
The multinational behind Nespresso coffee capsules and KitKat chocolate bars said Mr Freixe’s dismissal followed an investigation.
In a swift move, Nespresso CEO Philipp Navratil was appointed to take over by his fellow board members.
World Bank urges fresh push on economic threat of pollution
PHOTO: REUTERS
Degraded land, polluted air and water stress pose a direct global economic threat but using natural resources more efficiently could cut pollution by half, one of the World Bank’s senior managing directors told Reuters.
The damage is particularly acute for low-income countries most at threat from poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss, Dr Axel van Trotsenburg said.
Speaking alongside the publication of a new report on Sept 1, he said around 80 per cent of people in low-income nations were exposed to all three and the World Bank was committed to responding even as many countries cut aid budgets.
Liverpool sign Newcastle striker Isak in British record deal
PHOTO: AFP
Liverpool finally landed Newcastle striker Alexander Isak on Sept 1 in a British-record £125 million (S$217 million) deal after a protracted chase for the Sweden star that dominated the Premier League transfer window.
Isak has reportedly signed a six-year contract with the Premier League champions after they finally convinced Newcastle to accept an improved bid.
“I feel amazing,” he told Liverpool’s website. “It’s been a long journey to get here. But I’m super-happy to be a part of this team, this club and everything it stands for.
