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…
ASEAN Concludes Digital Economy Pact, Sets November Signing
ASEAN member states have formally concluded negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), with all 10 member nations now scheduled to sign the landmark regional pact in November 2026, according to multiple sources including Channel NewsAsia and Cebu Daily News.
The signing ceremony will mark the culmination of years of multilateral bargaining on the agreement, which first entered discussions under Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2023. The pact establishes a comprehensive regional framework for digital trade, electronic commerce, digital payments, data governance, and the harmonization of digital regulations across Southeast Asia.
DEFA represents ASEAN’s most ambitious attempt to create a unified digital economy area in the region. Key provisions under the agreement include:
- Digital trade facilitation – Elimination of barriers to cross-border data flows and digital services among member states
- E-commerce framework – Standardized rules for online marketplaces, consumer protection, and digital contracts
- Digital payments interoperability – Alignment of payment systems across ASEAN to enable seamless cross-border transactions
- Data governance and privacy – Common standards for data localization, cross-border data transfers, and personal information protection
- Digital identity frameworks – Mutual recognition of electronic credentials across the bloc
For Southeast Asian businesses, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and cloud computing sectors, DEFA will substantially reduce the fragmentation that has long defined the region’s digital economy. The agreement aims to cut compliance costs for companies operating across multiple ASEAN jurisdictions, accelerate cross-border investments, and create a more attractive environment for foreign direct investment in the digital sector.
The timing of the November signing is strategically significant. Indonesia, which currently holds the ASEAN chairmanship, will preside over the formal signing, building on its earlier push to finalize the deal before the end of its leadership term. Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto had previously urged member states to move quickly, warning that “the whole world is looking at DEFA” and describing it as a shield against protectionist trade policies.
The agreement comes at a critical juncture for Southeast Asia’s digital economy, which is projected to reach $1 trillion in gross digital economy value by 2030, driven by rapidly expanding internet penetration and mobile-first consumer adoption across the region, particularly in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Analysts see DEFA as a direct response to the growing digital divergence between Southeast Asia and other major economies, including China’s dominance in regional digital infrastructure and the expanding influence of Western digital platform companies in the region.
The November signing ceremony is expected to take place during the 49th ASEAN Summit, though the exact date and location have yet to be confirmed.
Read the full story: ASEAN to sign digital economy pact in November (CNA)
India, Myanmar Deepen Trade Ties, Accelerate Connectivity Projects
In a significant development for regional economic cooperation and strategic engagement, India and Myanmar have agreed to deepen their bilateral trade ties, accelerate flagship connectivity infrastructure projects, and expand cooperation on cross-border security during Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to New Delhi on June 1, 2026.
Summit Breakthrough
During the talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, connectivity, and security cooperation. According to the joint statement, PM Modi underscored that enhanced connectivity would help foster stronger economic linkages and shared prosperity across the region.
Kaladan and Trilateral Highway Acceleration
Two major regional integration projects were identified for accelerated completion:
The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project — a key Indian initiative designed to link the eastern Indian state of Mizoram to Sittwe port in Myanmar via river, sea, and road transport corridors.
The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway — a strategic road network aimed at boosting cross-border commerce and people-to-people ties across South and Southeast Asia.
Both sides stressed the need to work closely towards the timely completion of these flagship initiatives aimed at boosting regional integration and cross-border commerce.
Rupee-Kyat Settlement Mechanism
In a significant development for monetary cooperation, the two countries agreed to facilitate and expand bilateral trade through the rupee-kyat settlement mechanism.
Both sides welcomed the steady growth in transaction volumes under the arrangement since it became operational in May 2024. The mechanism allows businesses in both countries to conduct trade in their respective currencies, bypassing reliance on third-party currencies and reducing transaction costs.
Scholarships and People-to-People Ties
In a move aimed at strengthening educational and people-to-people ties between the two countries, India announced that the number of Mekong Ganga ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships available to Myanmar students would be increased from 36 to 100 scholarships from 2026 onwards.
Strategic Context
The discussions underscore India’s growing strategic interest in deepening economic and infrastructure engagement with Myanmar, particularly as New Delhi seeks to expand its influence in Southeast Asia and diversify regional supply chains.
The connectivity projects and monetary arrangements signal a broader pattern of India’s deepening economic integration with its eastern and southern neighbors, complementing its Act East policy and broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
Sources: The Economic Times; Economic Times (India eyes Myanmar rare earths)
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…
KBank Partners with Ant International on Blockchain-Based USD Cross-Border Payments
Thai lender KASIKORNBANK (KBank) has entered a strategic collaboration with Ant International to develop blockchain-based infrastructure for real-time, 24/7 cross-border USD transactions, combining KBank’s regulated banking capabilities with AI tools from Ant Group’s cross-border payments arm.
The partnership will leverage Kinexys’ Blockchain Deposit Accounts, a distributed ledger platform by J.P. Morgan, to enable real-time USD liquidity movement. This is expected to improve transaction speeds and address liquidity bottlenecks in the regional cross-border payments market that currently forces SMEs to navigate fragmented clearing and settlement systems.
Under the agreement, the two parties plan to develop end-to-end solutions covering payment acceptance, clearing, and settlement across Southeast Asia, subject to regulatory approvals. The move builds on an existing relationship: KBank’s KPLUS mobile app is already integrated with Alipay+, Ant’s digital wallet gateway, linking to over 1.8 billion consumer accounts globally. KPLUS also serves as a payment option on Google Pay for Thai merchants via Antom.
Dr. Karin Boonlertvanich, Executive Vice President at KBank, said: “This collaboration addresses a fundamental limitation in today’s cross-border financial systems, where liquidity movement remains constrained by fragmented infrastructure.”
Ant International’s Kelvin Li added: “Across emerging markets, industry leaders like KBank are preparing communities for a more interconnected global economy with broader and more secure application of AI and blockchain technology.”
The deal occurs against a backdrop of expanding ASEAN cross-border payment initiatives, including the ASEAN Cross-Border Payment Linkage initiative and individual national CBDC pilots. Thailand’s Bank of Thailand has been exploring digital baht infrastructure since 2022, while Singapore’s Monetary Authority has advanced Project Orchid with the Bank of Japan for cross-border digital currency settlements.
For Asian legal readers, the KBank-Ant arrangement raises questions about regulatory oversight of blockchain-based banking services across borders, particularly as banks increasingly partner with offshore tech platforms to bypass legacy correspondent banking constraints.
Source: FinTech Singapore — Original article
AUKUS Defence Pact Unveils Underwater Drone Program to Protect Strategic Infrastructure
The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have announced a new underwater drone technology development project under their military AUKUS alliance, marking the first major signature project under the pact’s Pillar Two of advanced capabilities.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on May 30, 2026, the defence ministers of all three nations confirmed uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology expected to be operational by next year. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Britain would contribute £150 million to the programme.
The announcement was a direct response to mounting criticism that AUKUS—the trilateral defence pact launched in 2021—had been too slow to deliver. “For too long in AUKUS, we talked too much and delivered too little,” Healey said. “That has now changed.”
The UUVs would carry cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems capable of protecting seabed infrastructure such as undersea communication cables and energy pipelines, conducting strikes, and carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance operations across the Indo-Pacific region.
Healey also confirmed that sensors and weapons systems would be developed for the drones, which he said would ‘rapidly give our forces advanced battle technologies,’ including capability to counter threats to underwater cables and pipelines. He noted the programme would strengthen deterrence in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic waters.
The project comes against a backdrop of increasing concern over undersea infrastructure vulnerabilities. British officials report a 30% rise in Russian vessels spotted in UK waters over the past years, and there have been multiple reports of undersea cables damaged in the Baltic Sea and in waters surrounding Taiwan.
Alongside the drone announcement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its Asia-Pacific allies while pushing them to increase defence spending. He set a target of 3.5% of GDP for allied military budgets, praising South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines for recent defence cooperation with Washington, while calling New Zealand a ‘freeloader.’
The AUKUS partnership remains widely viewed as a strategy to counter China’s growing maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific. China has declined to send its defence minister to the Shangri-La Dialogue for the second consecutive year, while Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly rebuffed Beijing’s repeated accusations of ‘new militarism’ during his speech at the summit earlier the same day.