Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 2 — new cases increase by almost 200,000 per day
As of 00:43 GMT July 2 there was 61,434 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 1,012, or 1.67 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
Faster speeds seen after Vietnam internet cable repaired
Internet users in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR should now be now experiencing faster and more stable international internet services following the completion of repairs to the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) undersea cable.
— AEC News Today
Beijing coronavirus outbreak could have link to South or Southeast Asia, study claims
A new coronavirus outbreak in Beijing could have come from strains that originated in South Asia or Southeast Asia, according to a study by Harvard University researchers.
— South China Morning Post
Mekong nations urge Laos to review Luang Prabang dam impacts
Neighboring countries have called on Laos to consider the cross-border environmental impacts of a hydropower plant it plans to build on the Mekong River.
— VnExpress International
China agrees to resume ASEAN talks on South China Sea code of conduct
China has committed to resuming negotiations with ASEAN on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC), interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
— VnExpress International
Over 2,100 more virus cases reported in Southeast Asia
The number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asian countries increased to 155,291 on Thursday, including 4,475 fatalities and 88,697 recoveries.
— Anadolu Agency
WHO asks South-East Asia Region countries to pay attention to mental health, suicide prevention
With the coronavirus pandemic still accelerating, impacting lives and livelihoods and causing fear and anxiety among people, the World Health Organization on Thursday called upon countries in the South-East Asia Region to pay a greater attention to mental health and suicide prevention.
— Outlook
Indo-Pacific in Focus as Australia Substantially Lifts Military Spending
A starkly changed world has fired up Australia, prompting a realignment in its relationships with India, Indonesia, and the Pacific, backed by a substantial increase in its defense budget.
— The Diplomat
In Limbo in ASEAN: Pandemic and Irregular Migration
COVID-19 has led to stricter border control measures the world over. This has had a particularly harsh impact on irregular migrants.
— Reliefweb
China Launches Naval Exercise in South China Sea
China kicked off naval exercises in the contested South China Sea on Wednesday, showcasing its ability to storm and seize islands with coast guard and navy ships, according to analysts and satellite imagery.
— Radio Free Asia
Cash Flow Pressures Weigh on Asean Small Businesses
As small businesses prepare to reopen after a challenging period, they are looking to reinvent themselves to ensure long-term competitiveness and resiliency.
— Finews.asia
Good governance, solidarity in ASEAN vital to address Covid-19 crisis
It is vital to have good governance and strengthen ASEAN’s solidarity and unity to respond to the crisis brought about by Covid-19, according to some speakers from ASEAN countries.
— The Edge Markets
Banks demoted from list of most valuable companies
Thailand’s biggest banks aren’t so large when it comes to their market values.
— Bangkok Post
Small businesses in Asean rank technology as top investment priority: UOB, Accenture, and Dun & Bradstreet
Small businesses in five Asean markets – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam – are counting on technology to help them tide over the Covid-19 outbreak crisis, according to a recent survey conducted by United Overseas Bank (UOB), Accenture, and Dun & Bradstreet.
— The Edge Singapore
ASEAN Steel Demand to Shrnk in 2020
Discussions in SEAISI e-Conference revealed that steel consumption in the ASEAN-6 countries is expected to decline by 2.1 percent to 79.3 million tonnes in 2020 mainly because of a drop in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.
— SteelGuru
Spotify rolls out Lyrics feature for Southeast Asia
Now you can sing along with your favourite tracks with Spotify’s Lyrics.
— Bandwagon
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
400 factories in Cambodia suspend operations, affecting over 150,000 workers due to COVID-19
About 400 garments, footwear and travel goods factories in Cambodia have suspended their operations, leaving over 150,000 workers jobless due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a joint statement on Wednesday.
— Khmer Times
Cash handout programme 80% complete
Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation Vong Soth confirmed on Thursday that the implementation of the Cash Transfer Programme For Poor and Vulnerable Households During Covid-19 had been implemented for more than 80% of the over 560,000 families.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Schools to be reopened in ‘three stages’
With guidance from Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, is in the process of reopening schools in three stages. But no timeline has been set, ministry spokesperson Ros Soveacha said on Thursday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Indonesia to Produce COVID Vaccine for Its Own Exclusive Use
Indonesia will be producing a coronavirus vaccine for itself due to concerns about global distribution of foreign-produced vaccines, the head of Indonesia’s national COVID-19 research team announced Thursday.
— VOA News
Indonesia’s Daily Covid-19 Cases Set New Record
Confirmed cases of coronavirus infections in Indonesia soared by 1,624 on Thursday, the highest single-day rise since the outbreak, to take the country’s total to 59,394 in a gloomy start of the month.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia now upper middle-income country, World Bank says
Indonesia is now officially an upper-middle income country, an upgrade from its previous status as lower-middle income, according to the World Bank’s latest country classifications by income level published on Wednesday.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Dengue fever cases in Laos rise to 2,345
Dengue cases in Laos have reached 2,345 with seven deaths since January, Lao Ministry of Health reported in its press release on Thursday.
— Xinhua
Draft Law to Empower National Assembly in Approving Reshuffles
National Assembly members held discussions on Tuesday in regard to giving the National Assembly’s own standing committee the power to approve immediate appointments and reshuffle high-level cabinet officials.
— The Laotian Times
Mekong nations urge Laos to review Luang Prabang dam impacts
Neighboring countries have called on Laos to consider the cross-border environmental impacts of a hydropower plant it plans to build on the Mekong River.
— VN Express
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia suspends Pakistani licence holders in Malaysia
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) is temporarily suspending Pakistani licence holders who are currently employed in Malaysia.
— Malay Mail
Malaysia to take legal action against EU over palm oil campaign
The Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities will file legal action against the European Union over alleged discriminatory anti-palm oil campaign through a dispute settlement mechanism under the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
— The Borneo Post
Covid-19: Malaysia’s economy expected to recover next year, says minister
The country’s economy, which is currently experiencing a contraction caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, is expected to fully recover next year.
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
More than 160 dead in Myanmar jade mine landslide
The battered bodies of more than 160 jade miners were pulled from a sea of mud after a landslide in northern Myanmar on Thursday, after one of the worst-ever accidents to hit the treacherous industry.
— Eagle news
Transit trade improves, $4 bn earned from Kyaukphyu-Kunming gas pipeline
Myanmar is seeing its transit trade improve, and nearly US$4 billion has been earned from the Kyaukphyu-Kunming gas pipeline alone, said Deputy Minister for Commerce Aung Htoo.
— Eleven Myanmar
Railway authorities organize coordination meeting to upgrade Yangon-Mandalay train track
Officials from Myanmar Railways held the 38th coordination meeting to upgrade Yangon-Mandalay railway yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Cebu hospitals hit critical level
Big hospitals in Cebu City have reached the “critical level” in capacity due to a surge in new coronavirus cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
DOH says safe to transport properly-sealed remains of COVID-infected OFWs from Saudi
The Department of Health assured the public on Thursday that it would be safe to bring home the remains of overseas Filipino workers who died of COVID-19 as long as they are properly sealed.
— ABS-CBN News
Defense chief says pact with China forbids PHL to develop Sandy Cay
The Philippines—not China—is still in possession of Sandy Cay, the sandbar closest to the island of Pagasa in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana asserted on Thursday.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Worst dengue outbreak in Singapore’s history expected this year with more than 14,000 cases reported so far: NEA
More than 14,000 cases have been reported since Jan 1, with the total number expected to surpass the high of 22,170 reported in 2013, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Thursday (July 2).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Exclusive: Banks to tighten lending practices for Singapore commodity sector – sources
Commodity trade financiers in Singapore are teaming up to improve lending practices and transparency after a spate of defaults, four sources with knowledge of the matter said.
— Reuters
1.2 million Singaporean households to get $340m in utilities support
Some 1.2 million Singaporean households will receive a total of $340 million in utilities support.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Tourism in Thailand to lose up to $47bn from Covid-19: UN study
Global tourism revenues are expected to fall by up to US$3.3 trillion due to Covid-19 restrictions, with Thailand standing to lose $47 billion, according to a UN study published on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
BAAC offers 1 year debt moratorium to 3.3 million farmers and farmer’s groups
Thailand’s state-run Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) has agreed to grant a one-year debt moratorium to 3.3 million farmers, farmer’s groups, agricultural cooperatives and village funds from April.
— Thai PBS News
Union calls for review of mass lay-offs
The labour union of the Business Organisation of the Office of the Welfare Promotion Commission for Teachers and Educational Personnel (Otep) is calling on management to review its lay-off scheme, saying it is unfair to terminate jobs when the organisation’s financial woes stem from poor management.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam among Asian countries shows strongest recovery signals in manufacturing
The purchasing managers indexes (PMIs) of Asian countries witnessed slight pumps despite the disparity of speed in June and Vietnam is within the group showing the most positive signals in manufacturing recovery, according to Bloomberg.
— Vietnam Times
Faster speeds seen after Vietnam internet cable repaired
Internet users in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR should now be experiencing faster and more stable international internet services following the completion of repairs to the Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) undersea cable.
— AEC News Today
China conducts military drills in South China Sea, Vietnam protests
Vietnam’s foreign ministry has lodged a complaint with China over military drills in the South China Sea that it said were “detrimental” to Beijing’s relationship with the ASEAN.
— India Today
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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About Asean morning news.
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