Daily round-up, Sep 8: Vietnam bar fire death toll rises; Najib not given special treatment in jail, says Malaysia; SFA updates mask advisory for wet market food handlers

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Let’s get you up to speed with the day’s stories. The death toll from a fire on Tuesday night at a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam has risen to 32. The blaze engulfed the second floor of the building, trapping customers and staff. The building’s staircase and emergency exit were blockedContinue Reading

UMNO split widens on ‘free Najib’ rally cry

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SINGAPORE – Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak’s jailing for corruption has accentuated a deepening divide inside the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO), one that threatens a party-splitting schism with new general elections on the horizon. One UMNO camp seeks to distance itself from the newly incarcerated but still influential ex-leader, while a rival […]

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5 Afghan girls’ schools reopen after student demands

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Khaliqyar Ahmadzai, the provincial head of information and culture, told AFP five schools had reopened, without offering an explanation. “A few days ago female students approached the principals of five schools demanding that their schools be reopened,” he said. “Since then, classes have resumed and these schools are now functioning.”Continue Reading

India and Japan plan more military drills to strengthen ties

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India and Japan will deepen cooperation on defence, with India inviting investment by Japanese companies and plans for joint military exercises involving their air forces, the two sides said on Thursday (Sep 8). Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks in Tokyo with his Japanese counterpart, Yasukazu Hamada, ahead ofContinue Reading