Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19: UN chief calls for calm, warns of global recession
The upheaval caused by the coronavirus — COVID-19 — is all around us
— AEC News Today
Coronavirus Exposes Dependency of Southeast Asia’s Manufacturers on China
Southeast Asian manufacturers hoped the U.S.-China trade war would elevate their position as a global production hub, at the expense of their giant neighbor to the north.
— BRINK
COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 16 — 4 deaths, 304 new cases
As of 01:40 GMT March 16 there was 916 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 293 on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
Mosque visitors hard to track
Health authorities have only managed to track down 54 out of the 132 Thais who attended an event in Malaysia that has been linked to scores of Covid-19 cases across Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
— Bangkok Post
Japan grants $4 million for MRC
The Japanese government on Friday granted nearly $4 million to the Mekong River Commission to advance its flood and drought monitoring and forecasting functions.
— Khmer Times
COVID-19 updates: Laos, Myanmar only in ASEAN reporting no infections
Laos and Myanmar are so far the only ASEAN countries that have yet to report a single coronavirus case since the outbreak emerged nearly two months ago, while its neighbors such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are scrambling to contain the disease.
— Coconuts Singapore
PH hosting of ASEAN Para Games delayed to October
The 2020 ASEAN Para Games was postponed to October 3 to 9, but under the condition that the coronavirus pandemic is under control and no longer a threat.
— Rappler
ASEAN food security: Corruption, micronutrients and food import dependency region’s biggest challenges
The Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2019 listing crowned Singapore as the country with the highest food security score worldwide, but closer examination of the index data reveals several pressing concerns, not only for Singapore, but for other ASEAN countries as well.
— FoodNavigator-Asia
The Covid-19 crisis is hurting Asia’s gig economy workers and they want the government to help
This year looked like it would get off to a good start for Malaysian director Woo Ming Jin, who had a new film slated to hit cinemas on Valentine’s Day.
— South China Morning Post
Coronavirus: Asean travellers rush to enter Singapore before border restrictions affecting them kick in
With her luggage packed, Ms Nadine rushed to the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and bought a ticket for the earliest available flight to Singapore.
— The Straits Times
Can hot weather stop coronavirus? SE Asia surge raises doubts
A dramatic surge in coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia in recent days has increased doubts over a theory that warmer weather could stem the spread of the virus, health experts say.
— Yahoo Finance
ASEAN-China cooperation in time of COVID-19 pandemic
The year had just begun when news of the coronavirus outbreak shook the world.
— The Jakarta Post
The Indo-Pacific Linus blanket
Countries, like the character Linus in the comic strip Peanuts, find it difficult to give away their security blankets, grow up and deal with the world as it really is.
— East Asia Forum
Will virus-hit Belt and Road grind to a halt?
As of 16 March 2020, over 100,000 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
— The Asean Post
3 high-growth industries to watch out for in Southeast Asia
As Asia’s economies have matured, industries have diversified away from agriculture, energy, and tourism to more of a wide range of product and service-based industries.
— e27
2020 will be the year of making smart cities sustainable
With half of the people in ASEAN already living in urban areas, governments in the region are increasingly looking to establish smart cities to make cities more livable, and offer new services and economic opportunities.
— The Business Times
SE Asia Stocks-Slump as Fed relief measures fail to calm virus panic
Southeast Asian stock markets tumbled on Monday, with Malaysia hitting a near ten-year low, as drastic policy measures by the U.S. Federal Reserve did little to soothe investor nerves over the lightning spread of the coronavirus.
— Reuters
To Solve Regional Problems Asean Should Include Communities
ASEAN should improve the accreditation process for civil society organisation (CSOs) to support more community-based activities that can help solve regional problems.
— The Good Men Project
ASEAN nations red flag Europe
Nations across the 10-country ASEAN region are introducing bans on travel from Schengen visa countries in Europe and the United Kingdom.
— TTR Weekly
Southeast Asian Peninsula Displays Large Concentrations of Fires
The entire southeastern Asian peninsula appears to be on fire.
— SpaceRef
In Southeast Asia’s Virtual Banking Race, Incumbents Might Have An Early-Mover Advantage
In Southeast Asia, the imminent entrance of virtual banks is set to shake up the banking industry.
— Fintech News Singapore (blog)
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health Seeks Passengers on Flight PG933 as Cambodian Man Infected
Cambodian Ministry of Health on Monday urged individuals who sit next to a Cambodian man infected with Covid-19 on flight PG933 to get a health test or contact 115.
— Fresh News
Cambodia Announces Nationwide School Closures as COVID Response Ramps Up
The Education Ministry announced on Monday the closure of all public and private educational institutions across the country, as the Cambodian government ramped up its response to the global pandemic, almost two months after the first reported case in the country.
— VOA Khmer
Cambodia Issues Regulations for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 and EBA
On February 25, 2020, Cambodia issued regulations to support businesses recently impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as well as from the partial withdrawal of ‘Everything but Arms’ (EBA) status by the European Union (EU).
— ASEAN Briefing
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Indonesia trade surplus touches US$2.34 billion in February
Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of US$2.34 billion in February 2020, with exports reaching US$13.94 billion and imports touching US$11.60 billion, according to an announcement from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News
Indonesia’s COVID-19 tally rises to 134 as 17 new cases reported
The government has announced 17 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 134 as of Monday afternoon.
— The Jakarta Post
COVID-19: Tax office pushes back filing deadline, scraps direct services
The Taxation Directorate General has cancelled direct face-to-face services and is advising all taxpayers to use online facilities for filing their annual tax returns (SPTs) in compliance with the government’s social distancing policy to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
PM orders preschools, kindergartens closed
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has ordered the temporary closure of preschools and kindergartens across the country in the wake of the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus in many countries.
— Vientiane Times
Covid-19: Laos ready for potential outbreak, says PM
Today the Lao PDR is comprehensively ready to deal with possible outbreak of Covid-19 especially in terms of personnel, medical equipment, health facilities with Mittaphab Hospital and Hospital 103 designated as main hospitals dealing with Covid-19 cases,” said Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
— KPL
Central China province donates anti-coronavirus materials to Laos, ROK
Central China’s Hunan Province has donated supplies to aid the novel coronavirus fight in Laos and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Covid-19: 125 new cases, bringing cumulative total of 553 – Adham Baba
A total of 125 new positive Covid-19 cases have been reported as at noon today, bringing the cumulative total of confirmed cases to 553.
— The Borneo Post
Sarawak to impose 14-day stay-home notice on all inbound travellers
All foreign and domestic visitors coming into Sarawak will be issued a 14-day stay-home notice as the state embarks on its latest control measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
— CNA
MOF announces unit to monitor ESP 2020 implementation
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has announced the formation of an inter-agency economic stimulus implementation and coordinating unit (Laksana) at the ministry to monitor the implementation of the 2020 economic stimulus package (ESP 2020).
— New Sarawak Tribune
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar workers seek up to K15,000 minimum wage
Workers’ groups have presented surveys to support their claim that the daily minimum wage should range between K6000 (US$4.33) and K15,000.
— Myanmar Times
Tour companies charter flights to bring home 2500 Myanmar pilgrims
Tour operators will charter flights to bring home more than 2500 Myanmar pilgrims stranded in the ancient Indian city of Bodh Gaya next week, according to the group coordinating the flights.
— Myanmar Times
Local fuel prices fall Ks305-345 per liter in over three months
Local fuel prices have continued to fall by Ks305 to Ks345 per liter over the past three months as global oil prices went down to around US$31 per barrel, according to local filling stations.
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PH coronavirus cases now at 142; 1st Filipino recovers from disease
The Philippines now has a total of 142 cases of the novel coronavirus after two more patients tested positive as of Monday, March 16.
— Rappler
COVID-19 checkpoint queues stretch kilometres in Manila
Vehicles entering the Philippine capital were stuck in kilometre-long queues Monday at checkpoints enforcing a quarantine aimed at curbing the nation’s rising coronavirus cases.
— CNA
Philippines detects bird flu outbreak in quail farm
The Philippines has detected an outbreak of avian flu in a northern province after tests showed presence of the highly infectious H5N6 subtype of the influenza A virus in a quail farm, the country’s farm minister said on Monday (Mar 16).
— CNA
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
17 new COVID-19 infections in Singapore in largest single-day increase to date
The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 17 new COVID-19 cases on Monday (Mar 16), bringing the country’s total to 243.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Non-essential trips abroad: Those in isolation may have to use own leave
Employees who insist on proceeding with non-essential, non-work-related travel outside Singapore may have to use their annual leave to serve out their quarantine, stay-home notice or company-imposed leave of absence periods.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Commentary: COVID-19, the biggest crisis ever for Singapore’s aviation industry and Singapore Airlines
The global aviation industry is facing its biggest crisis in at least several decades.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
PM calls on everyone to help confront COVID-19 pandemic
Thailand can survive the COVID-19 pandemic, but only with the cooperation of all Thai people, by delaying all foreign travel, strictly observing the 14-day self-quarantine upon their return and heeding the advice of health officials on what to do during a health crisis, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday night.
— Thai PBS News
Songkran officially postponed
In a shock move, an urgent meeting of the Covid-19 Administration Centre, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, today approved a motion to postpone the Songkran holidays from April 13-15 to later, undisclosed dates.
— The Thaiger
33 new cases: Thailand’s biggest single day jump
Thirty-three new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Thailand today, the nation’s biggest single day increase, bringing the total number of infections to 147 since the virus struck in January.
— The Thaiger
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Việt Nam ranks 96th in global talent competitiveness index
Việt Nam is ranked 96 out of 132 countries on the 2020 Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), down four positions compared to last year and nine positions in 2018.
— Viet Nam News
All in Vietnam must wear face mask in public places for coronavirus prevention
All Vietnamese and foreign nationals are required to wear face masks in public places such as airports, bus stations, supermarkets, and public transport vehicles in Vietnam from Monday, daily newspaper Vietnam News has reported.
— The Star Online
Japan-Vietnam Defense Ties in the Headlines With Naval Shipbuilding Cooperation
An engagement this month spotlighted ongoing collaboration between the two sides in the security domain.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for March 17 added by Digital Editor on
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