The Philippines could avert 24,000 premature deaths linked to diseases such as diabetes, stroke and heart failure in the next two decades after it adopted taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday.
The taxes levied this year could cut consumption and avoid nearly 6,000 deaths related to diabetes, 8,000 from stroke and more than 10,000 from heart diseases over 20 years, a WHO research study showed. “The new sugar-sweetened beverage tax may…
‘Huge discovery’ as scientists develop 10-minute universal cancer test that could transform diagnosis
Scientists have developed a universal cancer test that can detect traces of the disease in a patient’s bloodstream.
The cheap and simple test uses a colour-changing fluid to reveal the presence of malignant cells anywhere in the body and provides results in less than 10 minutes. While the test is still in development, it draws on a radical new approach to cancer detection that could make routine screening for the disease a simple procedure for doctors.
“A major advantage of this…
Singapore’s prime minister personally sues critic for sharing article on Facebook
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is suing a vocal critic of his government for defamation for sharing an article on Facebook that suggested he was involved in Malaysia’s multibillion dollar 1MDB financial scandal, according to local media.
He resorted to legal action only after Leong Sze Hian, a financial adviser, failed to comply with a letter sent by the prime minister’s lawyers demanding a public apology and damages over the November 7 post, The Straits Times…
PSD2 interfaces: bank exemptions depend on transparency
Banks, credit card providers, and other account servicing payment service providers (ASPSPs) seeking an exemption from a central component of payment services regulation will need to make a number of disclosures to regulators to support their case, according to new guidelines.
Lion Air may cancel billions in Boeing orders, as airline’s co-founder Rusdi Kirana rages over US plane maker’s bid to avoid crash blame
Indonesia’s Lion Air is reviewing aeroplane purchases from Boeing and has not ruled out cancelling orders as relations worsen over responsibility for a 737 jetliner crash that killed 189 people in late October.
Co-founder Rusdi Kirana is furious over what he regards as attempts by Boeing to deflect attention from recent design changes and blame Lion Air for the crash, while the airline faces scrutiny over its maintenance record and pilots’ actions. Kirana is examining the…
China and the Philippines sign trade and infrastructure agreements
China and the Philippines have signed 29 trade agreements covering oil and gas exploration; trade and investment; banking and finance and other areas, including activity under China’s ‘belt and road’ programme.
Measles outbreak looms in Philippines as people’s trust in vaccines declines: health officials
Health experts on Monday warned against a possible outbreak of measles in the Philippines, as a disease long under control is fuelled by patchy immunisation programmes and declining trust in vaccines.
Measles cases jumped nearly fivefold to 17,300 in the 11 months to November versus last year’s figure, mostly in conflict areas in the south, said doctors and officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We have almost eradicated measles, but we are now seeing a rise in cases,…
Bahraini refugee soccer player arrested in Thailand while trying to fly back to Australia
A refugee football player who was hoping to return to Australia over the weekend after being arrested in Thailand has been put into detention instead and is facing deportation to the country he fled from.
Hakeem al-Araibi was arrested at Bangkok airport last week on an Interpol notice issued at Bahrain’s request.
The 25-year-old told SBS News on Sunday that Thai authorities “discreetly” ordered him to book a flight out of the country.
‘This is barbarity’:…
Tens of thousands of conservative Muslims rally in Jakarta
Tens of thousands of Indonesian Muslims held a rally in Jakarta on Sunday led by hardline groups who had agitated to remove the city’s Christian governor, underscoring the growing influence of Islamist groups ahead of elections in 2019.
The rally was attended by former general, Prabowo Subianto, a nationalist with strong links to Islamists who is seeking to topple President Joko Widodo in next year’s polls after being narrowly defeated in 2014 during a bitterly fought campaign.
The…
Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas marry in Indian royal palace
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra married US singer Nick Jonas on Saturday in a Christian ceremony attended by close family and friends at one of India’s most opulent royal palaces, People magazine reported.
The couple are due to have a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony on Sunday and host a reception in New Delhi next week.
The bride, groom and other members of the wedding party wore outfits designed by Ralph Lauren, the design house said on its Twitter account.
The wedding was officiated…