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Oil price jumps over 4% and gold slides as the US and Iran trade attacks –business live
Asian shares tumble with South Korea’s Kospi down nearly 10%
DGIST secures four projects under the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Group Research Support Program, spanning basic science to cutting-edge deep tech
- DGIST secured one Science Research Center (SRC) project and three Basic Research Laboratory (BRL) projects, taking the lead in addressing national challenges in science and technology - DGIST reaffirms its world-class convergence research capabilities spanning AI, robotics, and advanced biotechnology
Venezuela’s Post-Quake Politics
People are openly and forcefully voicing their anger at the government for the first time in years.
Two giant Asian praying mantis species are spreading across Europe, helped by climate change and urbanisation, and scientists warn they are threatening pollinators, frogs and lizards
Two giant Asian praying mantis species are rapidly spreading across Europe, leading scientists to officially classify them as invasive threats to native wildlife.
Scientists warn invasive Asian mantises are threatening Europe's wildlife
Two striking Asian praying mantis species that have rapidly spread across Europe have now been officially classified as invasive, raising new concerns about their impact on native wildlife. Boosted by climate change and urban environments, these fast-breeding predators are expanding northward, where they prey on native insects, pollinators, and even small vertebrates while also reducing native mantis populations through deadly mating interactions.
Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood
Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia.
Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood
Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia.
Photos: Durham's first Korean convenience store is now open for business
Dosirak Outpost, a Korean-style convenience store, opened in downtown Durham on July 9. It features many Korean snacks, shelves of cup noodles, stationery, and a variety of other items that celebrate Korean and Asian American culture.
UK housing market downturn eases but sentiment remains ‘fragile’, surveyors say
Brent crude dips slightly below $78 a barrel; most Asian stock markets bounce back
Super Typhoon Bavi
The third category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026 crossed the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands and Guam before continuing toward Asia.
How trips to Asia are making some Americans healthy again
Nations like China, Vietnam and the Philippines are trying to attract more medical tourists to boost local economies as wait times and costs elsewhere climb.
Oil prices rise after fresh US strikes on Iran and return of sanctions on Tehran
Almost all major Asian stock markets fall, with Samsung Electronics shares sliding for a second day
Oil prices jump after US strikes on Iran, while shares in Asia are mixed
Asian shares are mixed and oil prices have surged more than 2% after the U.S. launched strikes on Iran.
Spain's Santander overhauls Asia-Pacific business, FT reports
Spain's Santander has overhauled its Asia-Pacific business under new management, removed its top banker in Beijing, and tightened employee oversight in the region, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
INCUBASE Studio Accelerates Collectible Entertainment with GochaGocha's 23-Location Asia Debut of a New Photo Card Experience
INCUBASE Studio is expanding its IP entertainment ecosystem with the launch of GochaGocha, a new smart photo card machine platform developed by subsidiary INCUTix. Following a rapid rollout across 23 locations in Hong Kong, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok in early June, GochaGocha introduces a new channel connecting fans with officially licensed content through discovery, collectability and convenience.
US futures and Asian shares are mixed while oil prices decline as some exporters opt to raise output
Asian shares and U.S. futures are mixed following a long weekend on Wall Street.
Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa at Super Rapid and Blitz Croatia; medal chances at Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships: Indian Sports LIVE, July 4
Here are all the updates from Indian sports on July 4, 2026.
One year after federal funding cuts, Mississippi's Vietnamese health navigators face an uncertain future
More than a year ago, federal cuts to health-related grants threw into uncertainty Mississippi’s only advocacy group devoted to serving the needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders statewide, and they are still working to figure out how to recover.
India, Japan deepen business ties
The leaders of India and Japan pledged Thursday to strengthen economic ties, as cross-border dealmaking picks up between the two Asian nations.
How crypto, real estate and watches added up for Trump last year
The real estate mogul has become the billion-dollar crypto man.
Cost-Free Entertainment Platforms Propel Growth in the Ad-Supported Streaming TV Sector
The FAST market is driven by increasing consumer adoption of cost-free streaming, expanding ad-supported content, and enhanced personal advertising technologies. This growth is further accelerated by smart TV integration, diverse content offerings, and rising digital video libraries, notably in Asia-Pacific. Free Advertisement (Ad)-Supported Streaming Television (TV) (FAST) Market Free Advertisement (Ad)-Supported Streaming Television (TV) (FAST) Market Dublin, July 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
WHO, Member States discuss expanding South-East Asia Emergency Health Fund SEARHEF
With climate-related disasters, disease outbreaks and other health emergencies becoming more frequent and complex across South-East Asia, WHO and Member States today discussed measures to strengthen and expand the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to ensure countries have rapid access to life-saving support when crises strike. "Health emergencies are becoming more frequent, more complex and more costly. Countries need rapid, flexible financing that can be mobilized immediately when lives are at risk. SEARHEF represents regional solidarity in action, enabling Member States to support one another when emergencies strike," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge WHO South-East Asia Region. She was addressing the Fifteenth Meeting of the Working Group on the Governance of SEARHEF.
STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Launches the “STARTO NEWS ARCHIVES” Newsletter Service
Japanese talent agency STARTO ENTERTAINMENT, Inc. has launched the “STARTO NEWS ARCHIVES,” a free digital newsletter service for fans across Asia and beyond ...
Efzimfotase alfa demonstrated improvements in bone health in treatment-naïve pediatric patients with hypophosphatasia achieving median difference of 1.67 vs placebo in RGI-C Score at week 25 in MULBERRY Phase III trial
Positive results from the MULBERRY Phase III trial showed that efzimfotase alfa (ALXN1850), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in bone health in children (2 to
📸 Where’s he pulled that from?!?!? Uzbekistan score a stunner
Although progressing is almost impossible for the Uzbeks purely because of their poor goal difference after the heavy defeat to Portugal, the Central Asians have by no means given up here. Eldor Shom...
Angels fire g.m. Minasian
The Anaheim Angels fired general manager Perry Minasian on Friday
‘Unhealthy environment’: Arctic researcher Li Xueke leaves the US for Hong Kong
Li is among a growing cohort of US-based researchers moving to Asia as Donald Trump terminates grants for climate-related projects.
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment Announces New Cohort
The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) has announced their Emerging Executives Committee for 2026.
It's Xbox's turn (again), as console prices keep going up
Microsoft announced a price hike for the Xbox Series consoles today, the third in little over a year. Effective August 1, the Xbox Series S, which launched in 2020 for $300, will cost $500 in the U.S. The Xbox Series X, which launched in 2020 at $500, will go for $800. This follows a round of PlayStation 5 price increases from Sony this spring, and a slow-motion increase for Nintendo’s Switch 2, which will kick in in the U.S. in September. (Mind you, there were also eight video game industry price hikes in six months of 2025). The chart up top shows the sudden ascent of console prices over the past year, a sudden surge in an already unusual hardware generation. Prices had been flat for years, now “up” is the new “flat.” Game console prices used to go down across the length of a console generation, but not this time around. Microsoft’s explanation for the new price hike today: We hoped another price increase would not be necessary, and we have spent the last several months working with suppliers on options. Unfortunately, console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027. The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis, but the effects are particularly hard on consoles. Unlike phones, computers, speakers, and other consumer devices, consoles are typically not sold at a profit, but instead for less than they cost to make. This is an issue well beyond game consoles. Apple announced price hikes on its computers and tablets today as well. Game File is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe Item 2: Brutal Bungie cuts Bungie laid off “most” of its Destiny development team and some developers who worked on Marathon, the newest game from the struggling Sony-owned studio. A WARN notice issued by Sony to Washington State, where Bungie is based, tallied cuts impacting 292 workers, effective next month. That’s strictly for Bungie/Sony jobs in Washington and wouldn’t account for any elsewhere. The video I clipped below shows the redacted list of Bungie cuts filed to Washington State officials. As you’ll see, I had to scroll for a while… In a note emailed to PlayStation workers and published online, PlayStation game studios chief Hermen Hulst offered the following explanation for these latest cuts at Bungie: This is painful news, especially for talented colleagues whose roles have been eliminated. This decision was made only after extensive discussion and careful consideration, and I want to provide some context on how we arrived here. Over the past several months, together with Bungie leadership, we reviewed the studio’s long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within our broader portfolio strategy. We explored multiple alternatives before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities and long-term goals. In 2022, Sony bought Bungie for $3.7 billion. The studio’s marquee game, the multiplayer live service shooter Destiny 2 was losing popularity at the time. Its next game Marathon, released earlier this year, has been well-reviewed but had a slow start. Bungie is renowned for making great shooter games, and Destiny fans have mourned the wind-down of Destiny 2. They’ve also expressed bewilderment over reports that Destiny 3 is not, per Bloomberg, immediately in the cards.
The Painting That Is Still on Trial in South Korea: How the unending Korean War became a permanent excuse to criminalise expression
By Boram Jang, East Asia Researcher at Amnesty International In a Seoul courtroom in March this year, a prosecutor read out charges against Jeon Seung-il, a former art student, from an indictment first written in 1989. The language had not changed, nor had the charges. Thirty-seven years later, only the young defendant had grown old. In 1989, he was 23 years old in a South Korea still shaped by decades […]
Rebound in tech shares pushes Asian shares higher, while oil prices fall
Shares are mostly higher in Asia, led by tech-driven gains in Japan and South Korea.
South Korea juggles digital sovereignty and alliance politics
South Korea’s closest allies are increasingly challenging its control over digital platforms, data and technological infrastructure.
Cincinnati Latin-Asian restaurant announces closure after 10 years in business
A restaurant that fused Latin and Asian cultures together in Cincinnati is preparing to close its doors at the end of the month.
Steam Machine Sells Out in Japan Despite Woeful Pricing
As was the case with the Steam Deck, Valve is selling the Steam Machine via Komodo Station, an Asian reseller that serves much of South-East Asia, and as a result, it skips the reservation and lottery system that is currently in place on Valve's own Steam Store. While this doesn't combat issues like...
Invasive ticks confirmed in Connecticut, pose health risks
Two invasive tick species, the Lone Star tick and the Asian longhorned tick, have been confirmed in Connecticut.
Microsoft Needs Its Own AI Strategy | AI & Business for June 23
Plus, tech job cuts, Sam Altman’s web of investments and Asia’s stock-market fever.
The Tech Sell-off Goes Global
Investors are bracing for rough trading after stocks in Asia and Europe were clobbered on Tuesday. A.I. companies like SpaceX are getting hit hard.
Explainer: The health risks of extreme heat
The world is baking under extreme heat, with Europe, Asia and parts of the U.S. all dealing with scorching temperatures.
Businesses In Europe, Asia See Costs Cooling On Peace Hopes
Eurozone businesses reported that their input costs rose at the slowest pace since the outbreak of the conflict, and they in turn increased their prices at a slower pace.
Healthcare Investors GHO, CBC Weigh New Global Fund to Tap Into Asia’s Boom
Global Healthcare Opportunities and CBC Group discussed launching a new global fund after their merger, the firms’ heads said, as the healthcare investors move to tap into Asia’s rise as an innovation hub.
Pinterest and SM Entertainment Partner on K-Pop Content With Hearts2Hearts
Pinterest and SM Entertainment have partnered to launch official Pinterest boards tied to K-pop group Hearts2Hearts' second mini album, Lemon Tang, offering fans exclusive behind-the-scenes visuals.
Infringement risks of AIGC in entertainment industry (Part 2)
From talent contracts to AI tool whitelists, AIGC compliance is no longer just risk control but a core issue for financing, listing and digital asset operations
First-ever 3D map of the ‘black box’ of female genitals created by scientists: ‘Super important’
North Side restaurant owner’s stroke leaves family business in limbo
After a stroke left Asian Bite owner Gunawan Halim hospitalized, his family is grappling with medical bills, lost income and the possibility of losing the restaurant they hoped to one day pass down to their children.
Atmospheric sciences professor recognized for contributions in Asia-Oceania | University of Hawaiʻi System News
UH Mānoa professor Yuqing Wang has been named a Fellow of the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society for groundbreaking research
ReelShort CEO Joey Jia Eyes Broader Entertainment Ecosystem at APOS
ReelShort CEO Joey Jia says vertical storytelling will be the most important channel for future IP as the platform expands across Southeast Asia.
Amazon Bets APAC Future on Building the "Entertainment Hub"
At Asia's leading media conference, held this week in Bali, Amazon regional entertainment leaders touted its radical localization strategies, 600-plus distribution partners, and the new ad-supported tier in India built on Amazon MX Player.
Tech Founder’s Downfall in Indonesia Shows Rising Business Risks
The trial of one of Southeast Asia’s most successful entrepreneurs is adding to concern about governance under President Prabowo Subianto.
Putin hosts leaders of Southeast Asian nations, seeking to boost their business ties
MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin hosted leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Wednesday as Russia seeks to bolster business and other ties with the nations of the regional …
COL Group, Virtue Asia Team for Southeast Asia Microdrama Brand Push
V47 Entertainment’s specialist agency Virtue Asia has struck a deal with China-listed microdrama company COL Group to develop and distribute brand-funded entertainment across Southeast Asia, the compa...
Prime Video Pushes Beyond Streaming to Build APAC Entertainment Hub
At APOS, Prime Video executives outlined a plan to evolve the platform into an entertainment hub across Asia-Pacific, backed by 600 partnerships.
Prime Video Pushes Beyond Streaming to Build APAC Entertainment Hub, Top Executives Reveal at APOS
Prime Video is doubling down on its ambition to become a unified entertainment destination across Asia-Pacific, with executives highlighting the company’s expanding ecosystem strategy during the APOS ...
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council
United States Announces U.S. Government Members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council Press Release June 16, 2026 Today, at the fifth annual Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF 2026), the United States announced the following inaugural members of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Vice President Bethany Aquilina Brez Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Senior Vice President Sarah Witten Assistant Secretary of Commerce, David Fogel Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, Caleb Orr U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick Launched in Washington, D.C., in April 2026, the U.S.-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council serves as the premier bilateral platform to accelerate trade and catalyze private sector investment between the United States and Uzbekistan. The Council is Co-Chaired by Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Sergio Gor and Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The Council gives American businesses direct access to U.S. government financing, trade promotion, and market development tools to execute large-scale projects in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan holds significant reserves of critical minerals essential to U.S. technology, defense, and energy sectors. The Council provides a direct mechanism to advance U.S. access to these resources through transparent, mutually beneficial partnerships. Through their participation, the American members of the Council will deepen the institutional framework for American commercial engagement in Uzbekistan.
Pastor Jamal Bryant On Asian Business Boycott, Black Spending Power
How one clip from an Asian creator pushed the Atlanta pastor to challenge Black spending habits and demand a test of economic dependence.
This popular brain supplement was linked to shorter lifespans in men
A large-scale study suggests that men with higher levels of the amino acid tyrosine may have shorter lifespans, potentially losing close to a year of life expectancy. The finding is especially intriguing because tyrosine is commonly associated with brain health and is often used in supplements aimed at boosting focus and performance.
Hormuz Reopening Would Offer Relief for Asia, but Economic Scars Will Remain
For months, Asia has suffered a physical supply crunch that will likely drag on its economies long after the crucial waterway reopens.
Millennial moved to Bangkok, pays $2,500 in rent, and works US hours
After years of dreaming about Southeast Asia, Andrew Corona traded San Diego for Bangkok. He says the move changed how he defines success.
PREVIEW: Iran seek first World Cup knockout stage appearance
Iran’s participation in this year’s World Cup is something of a surprise, but a welcome one for supporters in need of an escape from current events.The Western Asians were the third team to reach ...
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities – reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action.Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% – over half – of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation – driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion – fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative – supported by the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Philanthropy – seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” ____________________For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
ENTERTAINMENT: Flag Day concert, ‘Anastasia’ musical on weekend ‘set list’
The Little Rock Winds’ 29th annual Flag Day concert, 7 p.m. Sunday on the old parade ground behind the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in MacArthur Park continues the band’s America250 celebration with a program of marches, patriotic songs, and pop tunes.
ENTERTAINMENT: Flag Day concert, ‘Anastasia’ musical on weekend ‘set list’
The Little Rock Winds’ 29th annual Flag Day concert, 7 p.m. Sunday on the old parade ground behind the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in MacArthur Park continues the band’s America250 celebration with a program of marches, patriotic songs, and pop tunes.
Asian stocks fall as US and Iran exchange fire
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Asian shares fall after a tech sell-off on Wall Street, while oil prices gain
Asian shares have mostly retreated and oil prices are higher after the U.S. launched fresh airstrikes against Iran, raising questions again over prospects for a permanent end to the war.
Chasing Storms for Science
Storm chasers Jen Walton and Anastasia Tomanek, of Girls Who Chase, work with the Doppler On Wheels team to pursue the secrets of tornadoes and hailstorms.
Videos Show Chinese Businesses Hawking North Korean Labor
On social media, Chinese entrepreneurs are touting cheap labor across the border, as trade between the two countries regains momentum.
Seattle’s first Summer Asian ArtsFest showcases more than 30 performers
The festival, running June 16-20, will feature performances from artists in music, drama, stand-up comedy, dance and more.
Seattle’s Asian American performers take the spotlight in first Summer Asian ArtsFest
The festival, running June 16-20, will feature performances from artists in music, drama, stand-up comedy, dance and more.
The Four National Science and Technology Institutes Including DGIST to Foster K-Deep Tech Unicorns
- Recruiting companies for the “2026 Emerging Tech Global Launchpad” program until June 19 - Providing full-cycle support for global growth, such as overseas PoC, investment strategy, and linkage with international conferences - Expanding the technology startup ecosystem based on the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region, the central region, the Honam region, and the southeastern region
Nvidia Strikes AI Infrastructure Deals With South Korean Tech Firms
Nvidia is teaming up with leading South Korean technology companies to build large-scale artificial-intelligence infrastructure in Asia, seeking to solidify its data-center footprint and expand its AI ecosystem.
How a few AI chip giants warped Asia's stock picking game
Sam Konrad's stocks are having a fantastic year, thanks to AI-fueled rallies in Taiwan and South Korea, but his fund is so top heavy with winners, he now needs to ditch his best performers.
Startup Stage: Bliink targets Southeast Asia's SME business travel market
The startup is building an AI-powered corporate travel platform designed to bring managed travel services to small and medium-sized enterprises across Southeast Asia.
VIEW Tech stocks dive as Fed bets rattle AI rally
Asian markets extended last week's bruising selloff with high-flying semiconductor stocks taking the heaviest beating and South Korea's KOSPI sinking more than 4.5%.
Future-proofing the Asia-Pacific region: risk mapping exercise yields insights on preparing for future health crises
In this age of seeming permacrisis, how might countries across Asia and the Pacific collectively anticipate, prepare for and respond to public health emergencies – including possible pandemics – that lie ahead? Key answers could be found from the outcomes of a regional mapping exercise launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF) Stakeholders Meeting held on 11 June 2026 in Malaysia. For the exercise, WHO mobilized an extensive network of contributors, synthesizing 228 distinct inputs from 11 Member States - including Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Viet Nam from the Western Pacific Region - alongside leading academic institutions and regional partner organizations, as well as WHO regional and country offices. The exercise identified a diverse range of opportunities to boost regional operational readiness, transitioning the focus on health security investment in individual countries to a unified, interoperable health security collective for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
WHO urges targeted action to strengthen emergency workforce capacities for shared health risks across the Asia-Pacific region
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11 June 2026 – At a time when the world is more interconnected than ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) is disseminating a comprehensive regional analysis of shared health risks across Asia and the Pacific, urging Member States to invest in enhancing workforce capacities regionwide to mitigate these risks and ensure health systems are better prepared to anticipate, tackle and withstand a range of crises and shocks. Over 100 delegates from 49 countries and areas in the Asia-Pacific region reviewed results from the regional risk analysis during the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APSHAF) Stakeholders Meeting in Malaysia. Synthesizing insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and more than 800 multisectoral experts, the regional analysis highlighted an urgent imperative: countries must proactively invest in emergency workforce preparedness to navigate a landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks and geophysical events increasingly overlap. These complex converging crises create devastating, compounding impacts on health systems and communities - reiterating the need for investing in a fit-for-purpose regional health workforce and multisectoral action. Key findings: an evolving risk landscape More than half of the participating countries ranked flooding, cyclones, dengue and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as being of high or very high risk, while antimicrobial resistance, landslides and gastroenteritis remain widespread concerns as well. “Given that 51% - over half - of these assessed hazards are deeply interconnected, isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Extreme weather events like cyclones and floods directly trigger subsequent disease outbreaks, while environmental degradation - driven by sea-level rise, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion - fuels health risks across the Pacific. Mitigating these cascading risks requires unified, cross-sectoral action linking environmental, agricultural and public health policies to build true regional resilience.” Priority recommendations for action To address critical vulnerabilities, WHO calls on Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to urgently prioritize the following strategic actions: Bridge workforce capacity gaps. Embed and standardize emergency preparedness within academia to promote regional workforce interoperability. Foster multisectoral coordination. Address ad-hoc taskforce responses and fragmented surge support through formalized contingency plans and standard operating procedures that are frequently updated and tested. Secure sustainable financing for emergencies. Overcome systemic barriers to access dedicated funding for both immediate anticipatory actions and long-term emergency preparedness initiatives. Enable emergency-ready primary health care. Embed emergency management into public health workforce readiness planning. Ensure that emergency planning is inclusive. Establish clear pathways for inclusive emergency planning that actively involves communities most at risk and other vulnerable groups. Optimize communication. Update risk communication and community engagement strategies, aligning them with seasonal risk calendars. Elevating workforce readiness to meet regional health risks While the gaps identified are significant, the Asia-Pacific region possesses solid foundational pillars, including dedicated clinicians, laboratory staff, rapid response teams, emergency medical teams and extensive community networks. However, to adequately address the compounding nature of modern crises, the various components of the emergency workforce must collaborate cohesively. True resilience depends entirely on transforming this currently fragmented workforce into a highly trained, interconnected and rapidly deployable asset. To achieve this, WHO is actively advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative. This initiative - supported by the Gates Foundation and Institute of Philanthropy - seeks to build a seamless network of emergency workforce across borders and sectors, ensuring that when a crisis strikes, a standardized, well-coordinated and trained workforce is immediately ready to respond. “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” said Dr Gina Samaan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific. “It is the definitive factor that will determine how effectively the Asia-Pacific region safeguards health and protects lives in an increasingly unpredictable future.” For more information, or to arrange media interviews, contact: Ara Johannes, WHO Western Pacific Health Emergencies Division: johannesa@who.int WHO Western Pacific Communications: wprocom@who.int
Shooting trials for Asian Games, Indian athletes at Taiwan Open, wrestlers in Ulaanbaatar Open: Indian Sports LIVE, June 7
Here are all the updates from Indian sports on June 7, 2026.
Multiple sources, joint analysis: pooling public health data for stronger public health intelligence across the Western Pacific
WHO Western Pacific countries and areas endorse a new policy brief on multi-source surveillance. A new World Health Organization (WHO) policy brief outlines a transformative approach to public health intelligence that connects data across a range of systems, sectors and disciplines. By creating a single, actionable picture of health threats based on multiple sources, such an approach aims to fill critical data gaps and aid countries in decision-making. WHO Member States across the Western Pacific endorsed the policy brief, Multi-source Surveillance to Support Public Health Action and Decision-making, at the WHO-led Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APSHAF) Stakeholders Meeting held on 11 June 2026 in Malaysia.
Pragg clinches Norway Chess title; India face Japan in U18 hockey Asia Cup final; IND (W) vs. BAN in SAFF final: Indian Sports LIVE, June 6
Here are all the updates from Indian sports on June 6, 2026.
High Growth Tech Stocks In Asia Featuring Damai Entertainment Holdings And 2 Others
In recent weeks, Asian markets have been navigating a complex landscape influenced by global geopolitical developments and economic indicators. As investor sentiment remains buoyant with optimism surrounding AI and technology advancements, this article explores high-growth tech stocks in Asia, featuring companies like Damai Entertainment Holdings that are poised to capitalize on these trends. A good stock in this environment is one that demonstrates resilience through innovation and has the...
‘The next China is still China’: McKinsey’s Joe Ngai and Nick Leung on why global business can’t write off the Chinese economy
“You can’t find another China. There’s no other China out there now," Greater China chair Joe Ngai says.
match.asia Launches Exit HealthCheck to Help SMEs Avoid Common M&A Deal Killers
Singapore, June 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many SME transactions fail before completion. Buyers and sellers may struggle to align on expectati...
National Security Without Consensus: Taiwan’s Domestic Politics Through 2028
As Taiwan faces mounting military pressure from Beijing, Simona Grano argues that the greatest security risk is not military pressure but the domestic political fragmentation undermining its defense strategy ahead of the 2028 elections.
Scholar makes Forbes 30 Under 30 Healthcare & Science list in Asia
Hoang Minh Hieu Nguyen has been recognised for his contributions to and potential in healthcare and science in Asia.
Asia-Pacific has a healthcare access problem. But tech can get it back on track
Healthcare access in Asia-Pacific is undergoing a squeeze. Digital technologies can help ease the burden on demand, supply, cost and quality
Towards a responsive health system and equitable access to quality RMNCAH services
Indonesia’s vast geography and sociocultural diversity shape the delivery of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services in ways that are both enabling and challenging. Across provinces, significant variation has been observed in how services are planned, resourced, and delivered. These variations in service standards and quality are felt daily in the lives of women, newborns and adolescents. Despite these challenges, progress is visible. National estimates show a drop in maternal mortality ratio, from 331 to 140 per 100 000 live births since 2000, signaling improvements in care quality and access. Fertility has stabilised and contraceptive use has grown, yet unmet reproductive health needs persist, and adolescent pregnancies continue to reflect early marriage and limited access to youth-friendly services.To better understand how Indonesia’s health system has evolved under decentralisation, the Ministry of Health, supported by World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), IPAS and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted a joint external review of RMNCAH programmes. This review draws on multiple sources of evidence, including existing literature, policy documents, national health system data, as well as field visits to six selected provinces to represent Indonesia’s geographic and administrative diversity. During the field visits, review teams observed service delivery in health facilities, spoke with health workers and local leaders and met mothers and families to understand how RMNCAH policies are operationalised. One of the challenges identified was the management of low birthweight (LBW) infants, a major contributor to neonatal deaths, under resource constraints. One midwife described a severe case of extremely LBW twins, one stillborn and the other died after three days of care. She recalled how the surviving infant struggled to swallow and may not have received breast milk, while simultaneous emergencies required the team’s attention, affecting the care provided to the infant.A subsequent review of the case by the district health office revealed insufficient antenatal care, fragmented maternal medical history due to population mobility, referral delays, limited provider capacity in neonatal intravenous access and a heavy workload that constrained proper newborn monitoring. These insights informed recommendations to strengthen both system-wide and service-level responses. Since the early 2000s, Indonesia’s decentralisation initiative has given much of the responsibility for funding, staffing and managing health services to regional governments. While the Ministry of Health sets national clinical standards, daily management of public health facilities falls under regional authorities through the Ministry of Internal Affairs. While this arrangement allows services to be tailored to local needs, it also depends heavily on local capacity for planning, budgeting and management. Health facilities and district health offices are better positioned to translate national priorities into local action when they have access to consistent technical support, helping health workers manage resource constraints and infrastructure gaps.The complexity of Indonesia’s health system governance is no easy feat to navigate. Understanding these dynamics is essential to strengthening policy, improving coordination and ensuring more equitable access to services across Indonesia. Under the leadership of Ministry of Health, recommendations from this exercise will be key in guiding the nation’s roadmap to an equitable and quality health system for RMNCAH.Written by Edit Oktavia Manuama, National Professional Officer (Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health), and Jessie Yunus, National Professional Officer (Gender, Rights, Equity, and Disability Inclusion)
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