These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Obec denies bag caused pupil's bent spine
A claim that a heavy school bag caused a spinal deformity in a Khon Kaen student has put the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec) on alert.
Panthongthae Dibunmi Na Chum Phae, a Mathayom 3 (Grade 9) student at Chumphaesuksa School, at Khon Kaen Hospital sought treatment on Monday after she suddenly fell ill and developed a fever.
The 14-year-old schoolgirl was treated by a doctor who, after examining an X-ray, found her spine was bent and suspected it might have been caused by her carrying a heavy bag over a long period. – Bangkok Post
Two garment workers dead, 31 injured in crash
Two garment workers died and another 31 were injured in a traffic accident in Svay Rieng province’s Svay Teab district yesterday.
The Labour Ministry said that the accident occurred at about 7am when the workers were on their way to work and the truck they were travelling in overturned. – Khmer Times
Government, NGO to visit Kachin camps in August
The government and Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (KHCC) have scheduled a field survey of refugee camps in Kachin State next month in preparation for the resettlement of internally displaced people (IDPs).
The planned visit comes as a result of a meeting between the government’s Kachin IDP Resettlement Working Group and KHCC in Nay Pyi Taw on July 24. – Myanmar Times
Asian countries turning back wealthy world's waste
Several Southeast Asian countries, sick of being the wealthy world’s rubbish dump, have in recent weeks turned back container-loads of waste from foreign shores.
It comes after China last year stopped accepting the world’s used plastic, having previously been the biggest market for recyclables. – New Straits Times
‘Trusted’ Duque faces Palace, Senate probes
The Senate blue ribbon committee will begin next week its inquiry into the alleged irregularities hounding Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the allegations of conflict of interest against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
Malacañang will also investigate allegations of conflict of interest against Duque although he still enjoys the trust and confidence of President Duterte, according to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. – Philippine Daily Inquirer