At least two pro-reform protesters have been killed and dozens more injured after hundreds of Bahraini riot police, armed with tear gas, rubber bullets and clubs, stormed their makeshift encampment in the main traffic circle in the capital, Manama, while they slept.

The pre-dawn assault on Pearl Roundabout, which has become the focal point for protesters demanding reform, was meant to disperse the crowd and regain control of the area.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Salmaniya hospital, the main medical facility in Manama, Maryama Alkawaka of Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, said that she saw dozens of injured demonstrators being wheeled into emergency rooms early on Thursday morning.

Nazea Saeed, a journalist with Radio Monte Carlo, said hundreds of people had gathered at the hospital. Speaking to Al Jazeera from the scene, she said the crowd is chanting: “Down with Al-Khalifa”, in reference to the country’s ruling family.

“People are also chanting that the blood of the victims will not be in vein,” she added.

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MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) The state weather bureau downgraded storm warning signals further Tuesday morning as Typhoon “Juan” (international codename: Megi) continued to move away from the Philippines and towards the South China Sea.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) plotted Juan at 210 kilometers west southwest of Laoag City and moving northwest at 22 kilometers per hour with maximum winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph. Read full article here.

With the trend towards a healthy lifestyle on the rise, so is the demand for natural products like traditional medicine (TM). Just over the last five years, China exports of traditional medicine to the ASEAN region have increased by more than 150 percent from US$81.36 million in 2004 to US$210.80 million in 2008.

Aside from its being a natural and holistic alternative to western medicine, traditional medicine’s affordability, accessibility, effectiveness, and long heritage are the factors driving the growth of the industry.

An inaugural exposition to be held in Singapore aims to further accelerate the growth of the TM sector by providing a platform for TM organizations from the region to showcase the latest in patent medicine, raw herbs, herbal extracts, health supplements, health care and therapy, as well as equipment and related services.