News Headlines - 22 October 2020

▽Date Announced For New Kyrgyz Parliamentary Elections

Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission (BShK) has set December 20 as the date for new parliamentary elections after an October 4 vote was annulled following public protests that ousted the government and the parliament speaker and led to the resignation of President Sooronbai Jeenbekov.
The date for the new parliamentary elections was approved by the BShK on October 21.
After Jeenbekov's resignation last week, lawmakers elected Sadyr Japarov, a former nationalist lawmaker and convicted kidnapper, who was released from prison by the protesters on October 6, as the new prime minister and handed presidential powers to him on October 16.

▽Thailand lifts state of emergency in Bangkok to calm protests

Thailand on Thursday lifted a state of emergency that had been imposed on the capital Bangkok since last week to quell anti-government protests but failed to do so.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had earlier said he was prepared to lift the decree as a show of good faith and provided there was no more violence.
Anti-government protesters raise a three-finger salute that has become the symbol of resistance at a rally in Bangkok on Oct. 19, 2020. (Kyodo)
But protesters on Wednesday night gave the prime minister three days to resign or they would return to the streets. It is unclear whether the lifting of the decree would help end the student-led pro-democracy demonstrations.

▽JR East to bring forward last train departures on 17 lines in Tokyo | The Japan Times

East Japan Railway Co. said Wednesday it will bring forward last train departure times on 17 lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area from next spring due to the declining trend of late-night passengers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The biggest schedule change is planned for the Takasaki and Ome lines, which will have their last trains brought forward by 37 minutes. Busier lines will also see a change including the Yamanote loop line as well as the Chuo, Sobu and Keihin Tohoku lines, but shinkansen bullet train and limited express services will not be affected.
It marks the first time the company has brought forward last train departure times across almost all lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area at the same time, according to JR East.

▽Japanese researchers show masks do block coronavirus, but not entirely - Japan Today

Japanese researchers have shown that masks can offer protection from airborne coronavirus particles, but even professional-grade coverings can't eliminate contagion risk entirely.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo built a secure chamber with mannequin heads facing each other. One head, fitted with a nebulizer, simulated coughing and expelled actual coronavirus particles. The other mimicked natural breathing, with a collection chamber for viruses coming through the airway.
A cotton mask reduced viral uptake by the receiver head by up to 40% compared to no mask. An N95 mask, used by medical professionals, blocked up to 90%. However, even when the N95 was fitted to the face with tape, some virus particles still sneaked in.

▽Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to federal criminal charges related to opioid crisis - CNN

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, has agreed to plead guilty to three federal criminal charges for its role in creating the nation's opioid crisis and will pay more than $8 billion and close down the company.
The money will go to opioid treatment and abatement programs. The privately held company has agreed to pay a $3.5 billion fine as well as forfeit an additional $2 billion in past profits, in addition to the $2.8 billion it agreed to pay in civil liability... The company doesn't have $8 billion in cash available to pay the fines. So Purdue will be dissolved as part of the settlement, and its assets will be used to create a new "public benefit company" controlled by a trust or similar entity designed for the benefit of the American public.