China reports 7,000 cases of chikungunya virus
More than 7,000 cases of a mosquito-borne virus have been reported across China's Guangdong province since July, prompting measures similar to those taken during the Covid-19 pandemic, BBC reported.
In Foshan city, which has been hit the hardest, chikungunya patients must stay in hospital, where their beds will protected with mosquito nets. They can only be discharged after they test negative or at the end of a week-long stay.
Spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, the virus causes fever and severe joint pain, which sometimes can last for years.
Although rare in China, chikungunya outbreaks are common in South and South East Asia and parts of Africa, according to BBC.
Thousands to join Bangladesh rallies, concerts one year after Hasina's ouster
Thousands gathered in Dhaka on Tuesday to mark a year since protests ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The day featured rallies, concerts, and prayers, with interim leader Muhammad Yunus promising early elections and lasting democratic reforms, Reuters reported.
Yunus urged unity against lingering autocratic forces and said trials for last year’s violence were underway. Security was tight across the capital.
Hasina, in an open letter, denied stepping down and vowed to return. The “July Declaration,” backed by major opposition groups, will outline a path toward democratic renewal, according to Reuters.
Vietnam faces worsening African swine fever outbreak
Vietnam has reported a sharp rise in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, with cases more than tripling in two weeks, state media said Tuesday. The country has confirmed 972 outbreaks and over 100,000 infected pigs this year, up from 514 outbreaks and 30,000 cases in mid-July, according to Reuters.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, with no cure or treatment. While harmless to humans, it is almost always fatal to pigs and poses a serious threat to food security and the pork industry.
The disease has spread nationwide, prompting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to order urgent containment measures. Although Vietnam was the first to commercially roll out an ASF vaccine in 2023, uptake remains low due to cost and efficacy concerns, Reuters reported.
Hong Kong cancels passports, bans financial support for wanted activists
Hong Kong has revoked the passports of 12 overseas-based pro-democracy activists, accusing them of threatening national security through their involvement in the “Hong Kong Parliament” advocacy group, according to Al Jazeera.
The move comes after arrest warrants were issued for 19 activists last month. Authorities also barred financial and business dealings with 16 of them.
Critics, including the group itself, say the action is political persecution and part of Beijing’s growing cross-border repression. Since 2020, over 300 people have been arrested under the national security law, Al Jazeera reported.



