Vietnam: two vaccines against swine fever close to approval

Today's headlines: Iranian embassy in Riyadh reopened; The new secretary of the Chinese Communist Youth League is 52 years old; Indian nuns stand in solidarity with female athletes protesting against sexual abuse; Electronic cigarettes banned in Turkmenistan.

VIETNAM-UNITED STATES

Two vaccines against African swine fever co-developed by US scientists and tested in Vietnam are close to approval, global veterinary officials said, in what would be a major step forward in tackling a deadly animal disease ravaging herds around the world. African swine fever has disrupted a global market worth 0 billion for years. After decades of unsuccessful attempts due to the complexity of the virus, vaccines being tested in pilot projects by Vietnamese companies are showing "very promising" results, said Gregorio Torres, head of the scientific department of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OMA).

CHINA

The Communist Youth League - once the cradle of China's leaders, but recently downsized by Xi Jinping - has a new head at the age of 52: A Dong, former deputy governor of the northeastern province of Jilin. A Dong replaces the 54-year-old He Junke. At the end of last year, the Communist Youth League had 73.5 million members aged between 14 and 28.

THAILAND-MYANMAR

At the request of Myanmar generals, the Provincial Electricity Board of Thailand cut off the supply of electricity across the Moei River to two border towns in Karen State - Shwe Kokko and Ban Le Ko - where groups of Chinese businessmen had made 'illegal investments'. Investments were reported for a casino, entertainment complexes and housing estates worth USD 1.5 million.

INDIA

The Religious Conference of India expressed solidarity with the female wrestling athletes who have been protesting against sexual abuse in New Delhi for several weeks. "We, the women and men of the Conference of Religious of India, support you for daring to challenge patriarchy and asserting your rights as women and human dignity," reads a letter of solidarity published by the Conference president, Sister Mary Nirmalini, of the Apostolic Carmel.

IRAN-SAUDI ARABIA

Iran has reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia, seven years after diplomatic relations were severed. Representatives of the Iranian and Saudi Foreign Ministries attended the ceremony in Riyadh. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Alireza Bigdeli said it was a sign that cooperation was 'entering a new era'.

RUSSIA

The number of victims of the new Russian alcoholic drink 'Mister Sidr', which was put on the market in recent months due to a shortage of Western imports, has risen to 25, and another 50 are hospitalised with serious intoxication problems, some in intensive care. Most of the intoxicated are in the Volga area, where the super-alcoholic concoction is produced.

TURKMENISTAN

The sale of electronic cigarettes has been banned in Turkmenistan. As Turkmen.news reports, they had recently become very popular in the most fashionable places in the country, where the usual tobacco products are almost completely banned, although no legislation has been officially issued in this regard.

• Asia
• Today