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.
Dr M arrives in Hanoi for official visit
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Hanoi today for his inaugural official visit to Vietnam, after becoming the prime minister for the second time in May last year.
The special aircraft carrying Dr Mahathir touched down at the Noi Bai International Airport at 8.20pm local time (9.20pm in Malaysia).
Upon arrival, he was welcomed by Minister and Chief of Government Office of Vietnam Mai Tien Dung. – New Straits Times
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says escalation of violence becoming more serious
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (Aug 27) the escalation of violence in anti-government protests that have rocked the Asian financial centre for three months is becoming more serious.
Mrs Lam was speaking in public for the first time since anti-government demonstrations escalated on Sunday, when police fired water cannon and volleys of tear gas in running battles with protesters who threw bricks and petrol bombs.
"Protesters are no just throwing things, but things that could seriously hurt, including flammable petrol bombs, and have destroyed shops in the affected district," she said. – Straits Times
FFP calls for autopsy over rebel's death
The Future Forward Party (FFP) is calling for an autopsy to be conducted on the body of insurgent suspect Abdulloh Esormusor, as his death raises serious questions about transparency in the handling of security suspects.
Wayo Assawarungrueng, the FFP deputy spokesman, said an autopsy should be performed on Abdulloh's body since doubt persists over what led to his death. – Bangkok Post
Tackling city issues with tech
The Digital Yangon App that can be used by the public to deal with issues such as abandoned vehicles, water problems, fire and waste disposal issues can now be used in six downtown areas of Yangon, said Yangon Region Minister of Kayin Ethnic Affairs Daw Naw Pan Thinzar Myo.
Daw Naw Pan Thinzar Myo made the announcement at a press conference about the app last Friday.
The Digital Yangon App was first tried out in Kyauktada township in March, and during the pilot period was mostly used to handle complaints about rubbish, road problems and abandoned vehicles, said U Mya Moe Aung, a member of Yangon’s Digital Economy Development Committee. – Myanmar Times
PH 3rd highest in number of measles cases – WHO
Fake news about vaccines, along with the Dengvaxia controversy, has taken a heavy toll on babies and toddlers in the country as measles cases have tripled and the number of deaths from the preventable disease has quadrupled over the past seven months, according to health authorities.
Records from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that some 80 percent of the deaths due to measles in the Philippines in the first half of the year were children aged 1 to 4 and infants below 9 months. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Funcinpec HQ sale ‘a sign of party’s demise’, says analyst
The headquarters of the royalist Funcinpec party in Preah Sihanouk province has been put up for sale, just two months after two others in Mondulkiri and Kampong Chhnang provinces came onto the market with a price tag of nearly $1 million.
The proposed sale comes as party president Prince Norodom Ranariddh remains hospitalised in Phnom Penh following a tragic traffic accident in June last year that took the life of his wife. – Phnom Penh Post