Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 9 — new records in Philippines & Indonesia as global infections top 12 mln
As of 00:38 GMT July 9 there was 73,769 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 3,108, or 4.40 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
AirAsia In Talks To Secure Funding Of Over $230 Million
Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia Group Bhd on Thursday said it was in talks to raise more than 1 billion ringgit ($234.52 million) in funds, a day after its auditor cast doubt on its ability to continue as a going concern.
— NDTV Profit
Well-designed policy can avert regional rise in income inequality
A public health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic destroys economic growth and pushes millions into poverty. Without policy interventions, it will also worsen income inequality.
— AEC News Today
Philippines ranks last in cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific — report
The Philippines ranks last in cancer preparedness in the region with an overall score of 42.6 out of 100, well below the regional average of 66.5, while Australia (92.4), South Korea (83.4), and Malaysia (80.3) lead the region.
— BusinessWorld Online
AirAsia: Financial institutions willing to support request for funding over RM1b
AIRASIA Group Bhd, which plans to shore up liquidity to ensure sufficient cash flow, has received indications of support from certain financial institutions in its request for funding, amounting to more than RM1 billion.
— The Malaysian Reserve
Frontline Heroes: Women Health Care Workers
In Indonesia, heart-breaking stories about health care workers who died as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak started appearing in newspapers within weeks of the first diagnosed cases in the country.
— The Asean Post
UN Human Rights Council talks about rights of people with disabilities amid climate change
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) looked into the rights of people with disabilities in the context of climate change during its 44th session in Geneva on July 8.
— Vietnamplus
Staggering number of snares emptying forests in Southeast Asia
A snaring crisis is decimating wildlife in Southeast Asia and increasing the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to humans, warns a new report from WWF that estimates for the first time the number of snares in the protected areas of several countries in the region.
— Malaysiakini
ADB Asian Development Bank : Strengthens Partnership with WHO to Help Asia and the Pacific Combat COVID-19
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today strengthened its partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing that increased collaboration is helping to expand critical health care across Asia and the Pacific and contain the spread and impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Marketscreener
ECiM Libra launches Asean scholarship
ECiM Libra Foundation co-founder Dato’ Lim Kian Onn announced the foundation’s inaugural Asean-wide scholarship programme aimed at closing the educational gap for the underprivileged in the region with an allocation of $3.5 million for the upcoming 2020-21 academic year.
— Khmer Times
RCEP believed to be signed this year
Chairman of the Indonesia Food and Beverage Industry Association (GAPMMI) Adhi Lukman has expressed his belief that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement will be signed this year, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Vietnamplus
Experts press digitalization of food chains in Asian cities
IF governments could raise their investments efforts in the digitalization of their food chains, experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) believe that food supply in cities will stabilize and incomes will increase in rural areas.
— Business Mirror
AirAsia confident in continuation of business despite emphasis of matter by auditor
AirAsia Group Bhd said it is confident in the continuation of its business despite an emphasis of matter by its auditor highlighting significant uncertainties for the low-cost carrier to continue as a going concern given the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Edge Markets
COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia surge beyond 180,000
The number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asian countries increased to 180,786 on Thursday, including 4,945 fatalities and 99,251 recoveries.
— Anadolu Agency
ADB boosts Covid response fund by $4 billion
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised additional funds from the US dollar bond market for its ordinary capital resources (OCR) to boost its coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) response in Asia and the Pacific.
— Business Mirror
Sustainable tourism and fisheries key to growth in post-COVID Pacific
Developing countries of Asia and the Pacific are experiencing unbalanced tolls of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Modern Diplomacy
ASEAN delves into economics of conserving biodiversity
Biodiverse areas produce ecosystem services that are indispensable to economic and social development. Assessing them informs decision-makers better about the value and priorities for conserving natural capital.
— Philippine Information Agency
Bursa volume tops seven billion securities; AirAsia rebounds
The FBM KLCI settled up 3.31 points or 0.21% at 1,586.81 at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon break today as Asian equity indices tracked US stock gauges’ overnight rise. AirAsia Group Bhd’s share price rebounded.
— The Edge Markets
Social interactions done right: Which SEA brands are leading the pack?
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen social restrictions implemented across most countries in Southeast Asia, and consumers spending more time at home.
— Marketing
NNC Chairs the 1st ASEAN Video Conference on Progress of ASEAN Strategic Framework and Plan on Nutrition
Adopting to the new normal, the Philippines, as lead country for the ASEAN Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Nutrition 2018-2030, virtually convened the nutrition focal points of the (ten) 10 ASEAN Member States last 18 June 2020.
— Philippine Information Agency
Private Equity: Hard landing expected for PE industry
Southeast Asia’s private equity (PE) scene is in for a challenging year as portfolio companies wrestle with cratering demand and stretched balance sheets.
— The Edge Markets
ABL existence in peril due to COVID-19 pandemic
The ASEAN Basketball League is in danger of folding after 10 seasons due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Manila Bulletin
Digital availability is now key for brands
The e-commerce landscape across Southeast Asia has had to adapt rapidly to the impact of COVID-19 and “digital availability” will be essential to future marketing strategies, an agency expert believes.
— WARC
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
US lobby group calls for full taxes on all Cambodian rice
Cambodian rice exports to the US could face full tariffs after a lobby group called for the imposition of full tariffs on the crop.
— Khmer Times
Cambodia’s Exports Remain Positive despite Covid-19 Threat
During the first five months of 2020, Cambodia’s exports demonstrate positive trends despite the threat of Covid-19 pandemic.
— AKP
Cambodia allocates 1.16 bln USD for economic, social supports during COVID-19
The Cambodian government has allocated 1.16 billion U.S. dollars to address the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Economy and Finance Ministry Secretary of State Vongsey Vissoth said here on Wednesday.
— Cambodianess
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Indonesia Sees Record Virus Cases With New Clusters Emerging
Indonesia reported a record jump in daily coronavirus infections as a military academy and an industrial area emerged as the nation’s newest clusters, which President Joko Widodo called a “red signal.”
— Bloomberg
Dengue fever cases reach 71,633 until July 8: Health Ministry
Indonesia’s Health Ministry has recorded 71,633 cases of dengue fever in total across Indonesia as of July 8 this year.
— Antara News
French Child Predator Faces Death Sentence, Castration
Jakarta Metro Jaya Police Chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana confirmed that a child predator Francois Abello Camille a.k.a Fran or Mister, 65, is threatened to face death sentence and chemical castration for sexually abusing 305 minors.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Public urged to adapt to new normal
The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has urged the public to adapt to new normal in order to prevent possible second wave of Covid-19.
— KPL
PM visits farms, industries to boost local suppliers, production
The Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Thursday visited an organic vegetable production group and processing industries in Xaythany district, Vientiane.
— Vientiane Times
COVID-19 preventive measures remain in place at schools in Champassak
The Champassak Provincial Department of Education and Sports has confirmed COVID-19 preventive measures will remain in place after the resumption of teaching and learning at schools across the province.
— KPL
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
AirAsia: Financial institutions willing to support request for funding over RM1 bln
AirAsia Group Bhd, which plans to shore up liquidity to ensure sufficient cash flow, has received indications of support from certain financial institutions in its request for funding, amounting to more than RM1 billion.
— The Borneo Post
Arrest Warrant Issued For Jho Low’s Royal Kuwaiti Business Partner
Kuwait has been rocked tonight by an announcement from the Home Ministry that an arrest warrant has been issued for one of the kingdom’s most prominent and powerful royal sheikhs, Sabah Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah (Sheikh Sabah).
— Sarawak Report
Malaysia’s 2020 census to be conducted online
While the Covid-19 pandemic continues wreaking havoc across the globe, disrupting various public and private sector activities, the first phase of implementation for the Malaysian Population and Housing Census 2020 (Census 2020) exercise will be conducted online via a technology-friendly e-Census method.
— OpenGovAsia
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar Short Lists 5 Firms to Restart Steel Plant in Myingyan
MM Times reported that Myanmar’s Ministry of Planning, Finance and Industry has shortlisted five companies to apply to form a joint venture with state-owned steel plant in Myingyan.
— Steel Guru
Myanmar to expedite India-backed infra projects
Myanmar has decided to expedite India-backed infrastructure projects and widen security ties with India as it seeks to balance China’s expanding presence in the country in the backdrop of Beijing’s active cross-border support for rebel groups and push for early completion of BRI projects.
— Economic Times
Myanmar says US report fails to reflect significant steps in combating human trafficking
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (July 8) issued a statement, saying that the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report recently released by the US State Department failed to reflect Myanmar’s significant steps taken in combating human trafficking.
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Cebu Pacific to lay off over 800 workers as virus impact ‘worsened’
Cebu Pacific said Thursday it would lay off more than 800 employees by August as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to “negatively impact” the airline industry.
— ABS-CBN News
Palace admits early lapses in response to pandemic
Malacañang on Thursday admitted that the government should have immediately expanded its capacity to test for the coronavirus when the Philippines recorded its first case from outside transmission on January 30.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippines ranks last in cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific — report
The Philippines ranks last in cancer preparedness in the region with an overall score of 42.6 out of 100, well below the regional average of 66.5, while Australia (92.4), South Korea (83.4), and Malaysia (80.3) lead the region.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Singapore secures three of top five South-east Asia deals despite Covid-19 slowdown
There were 141 such deals worth US$1.4 billion (S$1.95 billion) in the region in the three months to March 31.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
GE2020: Singapore all set for Polling Day with additional safety measures
A day ahead of Polling Day on Friday (Jul 10), 1,100 places across the country were being prepared to become polling stations.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore public sector and industry partner to develop technologies to mitigate climate change
Industry leaders with the support of the National Research Foundation signed a MOU, committing to jointly develop the first end-to-end decarbonisation process in Singapore.
— OpenGov
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Prayut on Tour: PM to ‘Gather Opinions’ in Visits to Newspapers
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is meeting three major media groups in an effort to gather public opinion on coronavirus social policies, his aides said.
— Khaosod English
Activists want Thailand to lead total ban on wildlife trade
With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to sweep the globe and the World Health Organisation saying 75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, campaigners against wildlife crime say Thailand could become a global leader in helping to prevent pandemics by cracking down on poaching and ceasing to be a gateway for illegal wildlife trade. Activists …
— The Thaiger
No fast return to Thailand says Australian ambassador (video)
Australian citizens married to Thais have been told to expect to spend weeks or even months gathering the permissions, documents and flight tickets needed to return to Thailand.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam is seeking a return to nuclear power
A draft power plan by the Ministry of Industry and Trade envisages building nuclear power plants with a capacity of 1,000 MW by 2040 and 5,000 MW by 2045.
— Vietnam Insider
Vietnam 2020 economic growth seen at 3%-4%: government economic advisors
Vietnam’s economic growth is seen slowing down to 3%-4% this year from an expansion of 7.02% last year due to wider impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, a group of government economic advisors said on Thursday.
— The Chronicle Herald
Vietnamese Health Ministry promotes online public services
The ministry has reached its target for providing online public services five years earlier than the initial schedule.
— OpenGovAsia
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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