Foreign portfolio investments shrinking with overseas investors pulling $2.8 billion from rupiah government bonds and its stock market until June this year
asia52 minutes ago
It's taken 30 years to develop a potent vaccine against malaria, and the wait could be worth it if it is used with basic preventive measures like bed-nets and insecticides. The tropical disease, spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, caused some 584,000 deaths in Africa, more than 80 per cent of them children. That number could come down drastically with the European drugs regulator clearing the vaccine's use on Friday.
This is small step in the bigger fight against the spread of the disease across the world where poor hygiene and sanitation are impediments. Open drains are an invitation for the insects to breed and abound.
It is estimated that 3.2 billion people are at the risk of being infected. Children under the age of five and pregnant women are more prone to the disease as their immune systems are weak. World health authorities plan to bring down cases to zero by 2030, but vector control measures at local government levels should be stepped up if these lofty targets are to be met.
Donors like the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation have funded and supported research against the disease, which led to the production of the vaccine, and their patient philanthropy must be commended.
What's been lacking is the political will to root out diseases like malaria and other mosquito-borne infections like dengue. Now that the vaccine is here, efforts must be made with donors and foreign help to create robust health care systems in Africa. The fight against Ebola proved the world can come together to battle a scourge that threatened humanity.
It's important to stay vigilant against malaria and provide more funds for research in the battle against other deadly diseases. Awareness is important, but it is back to basics health care, sanitation and hygiene that could save lives.
Foreign portfolio investments shrinking with overseas investors pulling $2.8 billion from rupiah government bonds and its stock market until June this year
asia52 minutes ago
The top priority for travellers is fully understanding the specific limitations around what losses or incidents would qualify for payouts under their chosen insurance policy
kt network1 hour ago
A brigade consists of between 3,000 and 7,000 troops, so generating 35 to 50 more such units would present a significant challenge
world1 hour ago
The move follows a one-day walkout in June, the first such collective action at the company, which went decades without unionisation
asia1 hour ago
The Audi RS3 Sportback is the superhero hot hatch version of the tame Audi A3 commuter
entertainment1 hour ago
Four off-duty police officers attacked while returning home in Alice Springs
asia1 hour ago
Narendra Modi says New Delhi seeks to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region
asia1 hour ago
There are an unknown number of people trapped under the rubble of the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital, according to Ukraine President Zelensky
world1 hour ago