The measles outbreak in Bangladesh is one of its deadliest health crises in decades, and experts are warning that the lack of measures to increase vaccinations and enhance immunisation across the country could lead to a further spike in cases.
There have been over 60,000 suspected cases of measles, and nearly 600 people have died from the disease since mid-March, according to media reports.
The outbreak has been particularly severe among malnourished children and communities with limited access…
Prabowo’s overseas visits spark debate in Indonesia over benefits for citizens
Indonesia’s deepening ties with France have given President Prabowo Subianto a chance to advance Jakarta’s defence modernisation, strengthen relations with Europe and expand its international footprint.
But analysts say the Paris visit has also fuelled a debate at home on whether deals and diplomatic goodwill arising from Prabowo’s frequent foreign trips can translate into benefits for ordinary Indonesians.
Prabowo, who has visited France four times as president, met his French counterpart…
End for ‘draconian’ sanctions as UK Treasury looks to revamp Consumer Credit Act
Sweeping changes to the UK’s outdated consumer credit laws will liberate lenders from ‘draconian’ sanctions while offering greater protection for consumers, according to experts.
Vietnam detains Australian man who trashed Da Nang cafe in late-night rampage
An Australian man has been detained in Vietnam’s coastal city of Da Nang after allegedly going on a shirtless late-night rampage through a cafe, causing extensive damage and forcing frightened customers to flee.
The incident unfolded at Ge Cafe on Le Hong Phong Street in central Da Nang shortly before midnight on Friday, according to a detailed account posted by the cafe on its social media account.
Local news outlet Tuoi Tre reported that ward police had identified the man as an Australian…
Hong Kong to launch international commercial court to strengthen dispute resolution reputation
Plans to create a new International Commercial Court for high value and cross border disputes in Hong Kong will strengthen its reputation as one of the world’s leading arbitral seats, according to an expert.
Snap polls in Malaysia’s Johor test Umno comeback bid and Anwar’s ruling alliance
Malaysia’s southern state of Johor dissolved its legislature on Monday, setting up an election within 60 days that analysts said would test whether the once-dominant Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition can turn its state stronghold into a launch pad for a wider political comeback.
The vote will also put Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) reformist alliance in an awkward contest against its federal partner BN, with both coalitions set to run against each other in Johor…
45 killed in Myanmar’s Shan state after blast at mining explosive storage facility
A blast on Sunday at a building in northeastern Myanmar said to have been storing explosives for mining has killed more than 45 people, according to rescuers and independent media reports.
About 70 other people were injured in the explosion that took place around noon in the village of Kaungtup, in Namhkam township.
The area, located about 3 kilometres (2 miles) south of the Chinese border, is under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic armed group which has engaged in…
Philippines says Beijing main hurdle to South China Sea code of conduct
Members of Asean might have conflicting claims in the South China Sea but mutual trust existed in the bloc, Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr said on Sunday, singling out Beijing as the biggest obstacle to a code of conduct in the disputed waterway.
Teodoro delivered strong words for China in the final panel of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, taking aim at Manila’s long-time maritime rival for disregarding an international arbitral tribunal, which ruled in favour…
Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Jose Ramos-Horta
The world can learn diplomatic lessons from Asean, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta has said in a strongly worded rebuke to existing global power structures.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Ramos-Horta, who leads the newest and 11th member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, argued that the bloc epitomised how dialogue could prevent conflict and yield dividends.
He acknowledged that Asean was “not heaven on earth”, achieving consensus was “frustratingly slow”…
5 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave freed after 10-day ordeal
Five villagers trapped deep in a flooded cave in Laos have been freed, ending a 10-day underground ordeal that relied on expert cave rescuers racing against time to guide the group through flooded passages before fresh rains further complicated the mission.
Hugs, cheers and tears met four of the group who emerged thin and muddied on Saturday afternoon to be quickly wrapped in foil blankets to regulate their body temperature after days in the damp, cold cave.
Another man was freed overnight.
But…