China steps up checks for mpox as Asia goes on high alert after WHO warning

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Hong Kong, which recorded 13 cases this time, said it would remain to” carefully check” the situation and “enhance proactive methods” following WHO’s news. &nbsp,

High-risk organizations have been advised to obtain vaccinations, according to the state in a media release on Thursday.” Members of the public are urged to increase attention and avoid close physical contact with individuals suspected of contracting mpox,” according to officials in a media release. &nbsp,

Additionally, the Hong Kong Department of Health has instructed doctors and hospitals to immediately report suspected mpox cases for “prompt” clinical research and contact tracing as well as to provide travel health advice to Africans. &nbsp,

Japan’s Foreign Ministry issued a level-one health update on Thursday, urging people travelling to or staying in seven American states to practice caution, NHK reported. &nbsp,

SOUTHEAST ASIA ON ALERT

According to figures released by the WHO, nearer to 100, 000 confirmed cases have been reported since 2022, along with 208 fatalities reported. &nbsp,

In 2022, cases across Asia were reported in countries like India, Japan and Singapore. &nbsp,

The Singapore’s Ministry of Health ( MOH) stated on Thursday that there are still low risks for public health related to the mpox outbreak and that precautionary measures are in place.

” While there is ( a ) cross-border spread of a potentially more severe mpox Clade I in parts of Central and East Africa, the outbreak has so far remained within the African continent, with no cases of Clade I exported from the African continent,” according to MOH. &nbsp,

” To time, all mpox infections detected in Singapore have been the gentler Clade II attacks, mostly during the 2022-2023 world outbreak”.

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the political heiress to become Thailand’s youngest prime minister

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ENERGY, YOUTH

Paetongtarn, a policeman turned telecom billionaire who won two elections in the early 2000s, is known in Thailand as Ung Ing or Ung Ing.

She grew up in Bangkok, &nbsp, steeped in the country’s stormy politics as an optimistic Thaksin charted his meteoritic increase.

” When I was eight years old, my dad entered politics. Since that day, my career has also been intertwined with politicians”, she said in a conversation in March.

Thaksin found his way to the league by 2001 and expanded spending on care, rural growth and planting subsidies- dubbed” Thaksinomics” for the weak.

In a martial takeover in 2006, he was thrown from the boat.

After being accused of cheating and being unceremoniously ousted, Paetongtarn described those times as some of her toughest times.

” At times, I do see pictures of my parents pinned to the wall, crossed out and drawn on”, she said in her March conversation.

” At the age of 20, being surrounded by love was extremely difficult to overcome”.

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Sweltering heat in Hong Kong hit outdoor workers, lower-income residents

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According to the Hong Kong Construction Association, which promotes the development of the city’s construction industry, workers are provided with shaded places and warm drinking water.

Freezing clothes, such as hats with wings at the back to guard the neck from the sun, are likewise available.

” We have mobile vests with a fan inside, so that when they’re working, they can lower their body temperature and ( improve ) ventilation inside the construction site”, said the association’s executive director Godfrey Leung.

However, a string of extreme heat warnings was likely stifle construction completion and make construction times longer for projects involving public housing and infrastructure.

The only thing we can do is set aside a time for rest so that we can track our personal development. Then we can make it up in the fall or spring, if the design phase permits”, said Leung.

Additionally, development personnel who are registered receive health checks.

LESS RELIEF FOR GIG WORKERS

But, low-wage gig workers face a tougher day.

” Some workers may need to work in rural regions, for example, washers on the roads or the countryside. They does not receive substantial support from employers, like real rest stations for those in resolved work locations”, said Terry Wong, a manager at the Hong Kong Red Cross.

Every time the station issues a warm weather advisory, the charitable organization sets up cellular rest areas throughout the city.

So far, it has given out 1, 100 summers products to employees this year, more than the 700 that were distributed in 2022.

Each system consists of a lightweight fan, liquid beverages, a bottle of water, and a handful of tickets for essentials in supermarkets.

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Baptism of fire awaits Paetongtarn as Thailand gears up for PM vote

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In a crucial parliamentary vote on Friday ( Aug 16 ), political newcomer Paetongtarn Shinawatra will attempt to become Thailand’s youngest prime minister, a day after his ouster and an unrelenting power struggle between the nation’s warring elites. If the 37-year-old daughter of contentious political heavy Thaksin Shinawatra prevails, onlyContinue Reading

Commentary: Thailand’s wait for a durable political system continues

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UNCERTAINTY IN THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AND INVESTMENT Culture

Unabhängig of the results of the prime minister voting, the new civilian administration will continue to be prone to domestic politics and extra-parliamentary interference. Mr Srettha’s resignation likewise portends a good change towards more, not less, conservative-military control over politicians in the coming decades.

But his death is doubtful to fire large-scale protests. Pheu Thai’s common support for the now-dissolved MFP has significantly decreased since its treachery.

A further problem may be Thaksin’s political interests. After his one-year jail term officially ends on August 31st, the former prime minister may produce controversial maneuvers.

His efforts to establish himself in front of the other alliance partners as well as the army could be superseded by a Paetongtarn administration. Thaksin’s two-decade much struggle with the military for democratic power seems set to continue, albeit within the confines of an uncomfortable empire.

All of this is unlikely to help Thailand in terms of restoring investment trust. Policy continuity may continue to beelusive in the areas of expense and economy because social fragility is likely to persist.

There will be much more uncertainty about priority foreign investment sectors as well as the fate of the current proposals to legalize casinos and decriminalise cannabis employ, despite the previous administration’s stimulus and hospitality schemes appearing likely to continue.

So Thailand’s wait for a tough political system continues. Is it still important to see whether foreign investors may continue to support it for a long time.

Harrison Cheng is a producer at Control Risks, a chance consulting firm.

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China’s spending slump weighs as e-commerce giant Alibaba misses estimates

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As the company’s home e-commerce sales were under pressure from optimistic spending by Taiwanese consumers in a sluggish market, Alphababa Group Holding missed business expectations for first-quarter income on Thursday. A slowing Chinese economic recovery, coupled with a consistently weak home market, higher levels of job insecurity, and consumer confidenceContinue Reading