As severe weather continues to rage, more than a thousand people are dead, while millions are affected across vast swathes of Southeast Asia and South Asia. In Sri Lanka, all 25 districts have reported damage of varying degrees. In Indonesia, illegal logging has contributed to soil erosion, making the devastation worse.
The Indian government has denied a visa to evangelical preacher Franklin Graham, son of the well-known Billy Graham, who was expected to attend an event in Kohima on 30 November. The decision has provoked harsh reactions in Nagaland, where the Naga Students' Federation denounces a ‘selective and discriminatory’ policy, especially after the relaxation of special permits for visitors who want to participate in certain cultural festivals.
Between the fall of 2024 and 2025, 1,891 new HIV infections were recorded. The rise in the Rohingya camps of Cox's Bazar is "worrying". Only one specialised hospital exists in the country, and it is on the verge of being overwhelmed. Shortages of kits and staff, and social stigma hinder prevention and treatment. Experts are calling for more funding, sex education, and greater awareness.
On World AIDS Day, which falls each year on 1 December, the story Rev Reji Thomas, a Kerala native, highlights the plight of HIV-positive Indian children who are often abandoned by their own relatives due to social stigma. Today, his Bless Foundation, founded in 2009, cares for 28 minors, who not only found a refuge, but also the opportunity for treatment and education.
The country wants to diversify its trade routes with the region, reducing its dependence on Pakistan. This trend has strengthened after recent hostilities with its neighbour. In the last month, Afghan traders have lost 200 million dollars. The trade balance with the five Central Asian countries has reached 1.7 billion.
The alarm was raised in a report by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Long-term resilience measures are needed to combat economic losses, health crises and the collapse of energy infrastructure. Asphalt and concrete in cities are exacerbating the emergency. The continent's water resources are also at risk.
