AnewZ Morning Brief - 13 September, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 13th of September, covering the latest developments you need t...
Afghanistan is facing a sharp increase in measles and other diseases, with over 12,500 new measles cases reported in March alone, as its strained health system struggles to respond amid declining international aid.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a sharp rise in measles cases in Afghanistan, with a 42% increase recorded in March compared to the previous month. According to the latest data, more than 12,500 new measles cases were documented, highlighting a growing public health concern. Alongside measles, other diseases such as acute diarrhea, malaria, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever have also seen significant increases, with acute diarrhea cases rising by 9.4%, malaria by nearly 11%, and Crimean-Congo fever by a staggering 81%.
While these diseases are spreading at an alarming rate, there has been some relief in other areas. Respiratory illnesses, which had been a major burden, decreased by almost 19%, with fewer cases of COVID-19 and dengue fever also reported. COVID-19 infections dropped by 42%, and dengue fever cases declined by nearly 31%, suggesting some positive trends amid the broader health challenges.
Despite these fluctuations, Afghanistan’s healthcare system remains under immense strain. The WHO has stepped in to support 123 health centers across 20 provinces, as well as three major hospitals, in an effort to stabilize the situation. However, the organization has previously warned that without sufficient funding, up to 80% of its supported health facilities could close by June, leaving millions without critical medical care.
Afghan health officials have yet to respond to the latest measles surge, but concerns over the disease have been growing for months. Late last year, Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, acknowledged a worrying increase in measles cases, confirming nearly 6,000 positive cases out of 10,000 suspected infections. He emphasized plans for a nationwide vaccination campaign to curb the spread, though it remains unclear whether these efforts have been fully implemented.
The rising cases of preventable diseases like measles underscore the fragility of Afghanistan’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly amid economic instability and reduced international aid. Without sustained support, the country risks further outbreaks, leaving vulnerable populations, especially children, at greater risk of illness and death. The coming months will be critical in determining whether health authorities and international partners can reverse these troubling trends.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Japan has reached a record 99,763 centenarians as of September 1, with women accounting for roughly 88 percent, marking the 55th consecutive year the country has hit this milestone.
The World Health Organization has added GLP-1 drugs to treat diabetes to its essential medicines list, alongside treatments for cystic fibrosis and cancer, and said it hopes this will improve global access to the costly drugs.
Zambia has formalised a strategic partnership with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to bolster domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) announced on Friday.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital in Toulon after suffering a training crash which left him with broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a back fracture, his team Israel-Premier Tech said on Thursday (August 28).
Bulgaria reported outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza on three farms in the southern part of the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said on Monday, as Europe faces a seasonal upturn in the deadly disease.
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