Myanmar is set to hold general elections on 8 November amid a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.

An armed group in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state confirmed Monday it had taken three election candidates of Aung San Suu Kyi's ruling party prisoner ahead of a November election already marred by mass disenfranchisement.Militant group the Arakan Army (AA) has for nearly two years been locked in battle against the military, fighting for more autonomy for the state's ethnic Rakhine population.Both sides stand accused of rights abuses, with hundreds killed or injured and some 20

Japan and Vietnam agreed to step up security and defence cooperation Monday, reaching an agreement in principle for Tokyo to export defence equipment and technology to the Southeast Asian nation.The deal comes as concerns mount over China's increasing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea, with Beijing expanding its military presence in the region.The pact would allow Japan to export equipment, likely including patrol planes and radar, to Vietnam, according to Japanese news agen

Tens of thousands of protesters defied a ban on gatherings of more than four people to mass at a major Bangkok landmark Sunday, carrying posters portraying activists detained in four straight days of strident anti-government rallies.The youth-led movement has suffered several blows this week, with scores arrested after demonstrators surrounded a royal motorcade and flashed "democracy salutes" at Queen Suthida.The government reacted with emergency measures - including banning gatheri

China has passed a new law to improve its handling of disease outbreaks - including protecting whistleblowers - following a cascade of criticism over its coronavirus response and accusations of an early cover-up.The new biosecurity law, approved by lawmakers on Saturday, flags the right to report "acts that endanger biosecurity" and calls for risk prevention systems, ranging from active monitoring to emergency plans.It takes effect from 15 April next year."Any work unit or indi

More than 1.1 million voters in Myanmar's western Rakhine state will be disenfranchised in upcoming national polls, according to data released by the election commission Friday, a move that experts warn could fuel yet more conflict.Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to be returned to power in the 8 November election – only the second since the country emerged from outright military rule.But with virtually all Rohingya Muslims st

Tens of thousands of Thai pro-democracy protesters rallied across Bangkok Saturday, defying an emergency decree banning gatherings for a third consecutive day to demand the resignation of the prime minister and reform of the powerful monarchy.Police had used a water cannon against peaceful demonstrators on Friday but protestors said they were not cowed by the escalation in tactics."I'm concerned for my safety but if I don't come out, I have no future," said business studen

Dozens of companies, from biotech start-ups to Big Pharma, are racing to develop a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, because the world needs it and for the potential pay day.Here's an update on the quest for a magic bullet against the coronavirus that has already killed more than a million people worldwide.How Many In The Pipeline? The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 42 "candidate vaccines" at the stage of clinical trials, up from 11 in mid-June.10 of

Thai police used a water cannon against protesters Friday night in central Bangkok, as the pro-democracy activists defied an emergency decree banning gatherings for a second night running.Around 2,000 pro-democracy demonstrators in the city's main shopping mall district had been chanting for the release of arrested activists and hurled obscenities at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.Several hundred riot police advanced towards them in formation, calling on the protesters to go home or fa

Some 10,000 Thai protesters gathered Thursday in defiance of a sweeping crackdown after authorities moved to crush months of pro-democracy demonstrations by imposing emergency powers and rounding up leading activists.Protesters chanted "Prayut get out!" and "Free our friends!" as they confronted police at Ratchaprasong, a busy junction in central Bangkok, despite a new decree that bans gatherings of more than four people - aimed at quelling student-led demonstrations.The g