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By Pam CASTRO MANILA, April 12, 2024 (AFP) – A faster and vastly more effective treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis is being rolled out in the Asia-Pacific region, raising hopes of a “new era” in tackling one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. The region had most of the world’s estimated 10.6 million new TB cases in 2022, and more than half of the 1.3 million deaths, World Health Organization (WHO) figures show. While TB can […]
by Andrew BEATTY Agence France-Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — During Xi Jinping’s decade-long rule, China has built the world’s largest navy, revamped the globe’s biggest standing army, and amassed a nuclear and ballistic arsenal to trouble any foe. With China’s neighbors now rushing to keep pace, Xi’s next five-year term is likely to see a quickening Asia-Pacific arms race. From South Korea developing a blue-water navy to Australia buying nuclear-powered submarines, weapons shopping has surged […]
Says it is time “to decide wisely for future generations” amid climate change (Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte called for a collective effort to address water-related problems amid various water supply issues and water-related disasters due to climate change. During the 4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit (APWS) currently being held in Kumamoto City, Japan, President Duterte said that there is an urgent need “to decide wisely for ourselves and for future generations” regarding water-related […]
by Lucie Godeau Agence France Presse JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia on Thursday ordered 42 Rafale fighter jets from France, as Paris and Jakarta seek to strengthen military ties in the face of growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific. The agreement was announced as Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto met his French counterpart Florence Parly in Jakarta. “It’s official, Indonesia orders 42 Rafale,” said Parly on Twitter. Subianto confirmed a deal had been struck for […]
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Coronavirus cases in Asia-Pacific countries are now being driven by people under the age of 50 who may not know they are infected, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, warning of a “new phase” in the pandemic. Many have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and risk infecting the elderly and other vulnerable populations, the WHO’s Western Pacific regional director Takeshi Kasai told a virtual briefing. “The epidemic is changing. People […]
DA NANG, Vietnam (AFP) — Asia-Pacific nations struggled to salvage the sprawling “TPP-11” trade deal Friday, following America’s pull out from the original pact, with Canada refuting reports an agreement in principle had been struck. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was initially a US-led initiative between 12 nations accounting for 40 percent of global GDP, but excluding Washington’s regional rival China. It was thrown into disarray when President Donald Trump abruptly pulled out of the […]
DANANG, Vietnam (AFP) — The leaders of the the US and China, the world’s two largest economies, are expected to lay out competing visions for the future of global trade Friday in closely-watched speeches to Asia-Pacific leaders gathered in Vietnam. President Donald Trump is likely to wield his “America First” doctrine when he address CEOs ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum at the Vietnamese resort of Danang. In a day mixing big […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Senior Trump administration officials fear a nuclear arms race in Asia-Pacific if an increasingly belligerent North Korea is not reined in, Australia’s foreign minister said Friday after talks in New York. Pyongyang has launched a series of missiles this year, including a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range projectile this month which the North claimed was capable of carrying a “heavy” nuclear warhead, fueling tensions with Washington. It has carried out two atomic tests since […]
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — A top US military commander warned Wednesday that the Asia-Pacific region is at risk of attacks by Islamic State group fighters returning to their home countries. As the group loses territory in the Middle East, radicalised fighters from Bangladesh, Indonesia and elsewhere are likely to target their native countries, Commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said. “It’s not a theory. It’s real. In the past year […]
(Reuters) — The commitment of the United States is vital for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday (January 16) during a visit to Vietnam, the last destination of his six-day trip to the region. “We (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Australia) have agreed that the commitment of the United States is vital for the peace and prosperity of the region,” he told a news conference in Hanoi, […]
MANILA, Philippines | AFP | Monday 10/10/2016 – 19:34 GMT+8 | 259 words The Zika virus is set to spread through Asia, the World Health Organization warned Monday, with hundreds of cases reported in Singapore and two Thai babies diagnosed with Zika-linked microcephaly. The mosquito-borne virus has been detected in 70 countries worldwide including at least 19 countries in the Asia Pacific region, said WHO director for health security and emergencies Li Ailan. A […]
by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Barack Obama begins his 11th and final presidential trip to the Asia-Pacific in earnest on Friday, visiting China to nurture what has become arguably the world’s most important relationship and cementing an eight-year “pivot to Asia.” After a series of US stops outside Washington, the outgoing US president jets in to the picturesque Chinese city of Hangzhou where he will take part in his final G20 meeting. […]
