Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
US$126 million is lost every day to natural disaster in the Asian-Pacific
Two years ago, Asia-Pacific lost US$126 million a day due to natural disasters.
— Viet Nam News
ASEAN countries among world’s outperforming emerging economies: Report
Driven by pro-growth policies and presence of dynamic companies, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are among the world’s best performing emerging economies, said a report released by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) on Thursday (Sep 14).
— Channel NewsAsia
Asean military spending not really about China
Although Southeast Asia countries are spending more on military defense equipment, it doesn’t mean they are increasing the risk of conflict in the region, according to Tim Huxley, Executive Director at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
— Viet Nam News/ Inquirer.net
Cambodian NGOs Reject Invitation to Regional Forum on Proposed Lao Dams
A Cambodian coalition of NGOs dedicated to raising public awareness about the risks associated with dams on the Mekong River said Thursday that it will boycott a regional stakeholder forum for two proposed hydropower projects in Laos because its concerns were ignored by the organizing body.
— Radio Free Asia
Asia-Pacific turns to innovative finance to stamp out malaria
With grant funding for malaria drying up, global health advocates have come to this year’s World Economic Forum on ASEAN with a pitch for more innovative financing — including from institutions such as the Asian Development Bank.
— Devex
eBay simplifies retail order processing in SE Asia
Global e-commerce giant eBay has launched the “eBay SEAPaSS” shipping platform to support eBay sellers in Southeast Asia by simplifying retail order fulfilment and providing automated shipping.
— The Nation
Thai sets MICE standard
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is moving forward to leverage MICE venues to achieve Asean venue standards.
— The Nation
Industry 4.0 brings about opportunities for Mekong integration: PM
The fourth Industrial Revolution has created great opportunities for promoting the integration of the Mekong countries, with the increasingly important role of soft and digital connectivity in economic connectivity, stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
— Nhan Dan Online
Climate-driven hunger on the rise
After a decade of declining numbers of hungry people, the world is now witnessing a reversal of this positive trend.
— The Asean Post
Deeper integration urged amongst Mekong countries: WEF ASEAN
Mekong River leaders said there is a need to promote its inner strengths, economic integration, as well as its vibrant market and young labour force to ride on the wave of the fourth industrial revolution, during a session on new vision for Mekong region within the framework of World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) on Wednesday in Hà Nội.
— Viet Nam News
ASEAN youth prefer working for MNCs and the governments: Survey
As per the survey by WEF and Sea, ASEAN youth show a strong preference to work for foreign multinationals and for governments.
— People Matters
Indonesia, Malaysia learn strategy to handle terrorism from Philippines
Indonesia and Malaysia are jointly learning the strategy to handle terrorism in Marawi City, Mindanao, the Philippines, in order to handle terrorism comprehensively.
— Antara News
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47
Cambodian NGOs Reject Invitation to Regional Forum on Proposed Lao Dams
A Cambodian coalition of NGOs dedicated to raising public awareness about the risks associated with dams on the Mekong River said Thursday that it will boycott a regional stakeholder forum for two proposed hydropower projects in Laos because its concerns were ignored by the organizing body.
— Radio Free Asia
EU lawmakers call for Cambodia to release opposition leader
The European Parliament urged Cambodia on Thursday to drop all charges against opposition leader Kem Sokha, deepening the international outcry over his detainment.
— Reuters
Sam Rainsy ignores court summons again
Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy again failed to appear at Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning over allegations that he insulted the King.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47
Indonesia Wins IMF Backing for Response to Emerging Market Rout
The International Monetary Fund backed Indonesia’s response to a selloff in its currency, saying higher interest rates and foreign-exchange intervention were appropriate steps to help lessen the volatility.
— Bloomberg
Indonesian mine watchdog sues government for concession maps
Environmental activists are suing the Indonesian government for the release of records of mining licenses and concessions, in a move seen as crucial to bringing greater transparency to the extractives sector.
— Mongabay
Indonesian court rules militant guilty of terrorism
An Indonesian court sentenced an Islamic militant on Thursday to 11 years in prison after finding him guilty of conducting training in preparation for a terrorist attack.
— Associated Press via The New York Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Temple donates RM20,000 to Laos flood victims
DEVOTEES from Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya rallied together to collect RM20,000 in donations for flood victims in Laos.
— The Star Online
Cambodia to withdraw troops as Laos, Cambodia agree on ways to resolve border dispute
Cambodia will withdraw troops from the disputed Laos-Cambodia border area by 5 pm today, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen announced here yesterday.
— Vietiane Times
Lao Government and Viet Phuong to build bauxite and alumina factory in Laos
Vietnam News reported that the Lao Government and Vi?t Ph??ng Group from Vi?t Nam signed a contract for exploiting and processing bauxite ore and building an alumina factory in Laos’ Sekong province.
— SteelGuru
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia Expects To Write Off Up To 70% Of 1MDB Losses
Malaysia’s finance minister Lim Guan Eng said that authorities have reason to believe that up to 70 per cent of the misappropriated money from state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad of around $4.5 billion are irretrievable.
— Investvine
Gov urges industry players to support B10 biodiesel
The government has urged industry players, especially companies involved in the logistics, plantation and manufacturing sectors to support its efforts in increasing the domestic palm oil consumption through the use of B10 biodiesel.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia charges ex-PM Najib’s lawyer with money laundering
A lawyer representing former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was charged with money laundering on Thursday, as anti-corruption agents try to retrieve billions of dollars siphoned off from a scandal-plagued state fund.
— Asia One
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Jailing of Reuters journalists ‘nothing to do with freedom of expression’, says Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar’s State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, says two jailed Reuters journalists can appeal their seven-year sentence, and that their jailing had nothing to do with freedom of expression.
— ABC News
Suu Kyi defends jailing of Reuters reporters
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday robustly defended the jailing of two Reuters journalists for reporting massacres by the military at the height of the Rohingya ethnic cleansing. She received quick global criticism for it.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pops)
Kyainseikgyi Township receives Ks 10,128 million for community driven development project
The Karen (Kayin) State’s Kyainseikgyi Township has received Ks 10,128 million for the community driven development (CDD) project, which has been carried out in joint cooperation between the World Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, and the Department of Rural Development within a period of four years, the project coordinator said to KIC News on September 12.
— BNI
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
P1.1-B worth of cash, relief goods for ‘Ompong’ affected areas
With Typhoon Ompong threatening to hit a large part of the country, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Ricardo Jalad said some PHP1.1 billion worth of cash and other relief items have been prepositioned in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
— Philippine News Agency
‘Full-blown food crisis’: Philippines president denies rice shortage amidst calls for state of calamity
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has denied that there is any rice shortage in the country despite senators calling it a ‘full-blown food crisis’ and urging him to declare a state of calamity.
— Food Navigator-Asia
Hot money inflows highest in 4 months
Foreign portfolio investment inflows hit a four-month high of $225.85 million in August, reversing a net outflow of $57.52 million in the same month last year on the back of good second quarter corporate earnings results.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Singapore’s ST Engineering to buy aircraft part maker from GE for $630 million
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd on Thursday said it had agreed to purchase aircraft part manufacturer MRA Systems from General Electric Co for $630 million.
— Reuters
Singapore businessmen attend 15th CAEXPO to explore business opportunities
The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is leading a delegation of 187 business representatives to participate in the 15th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, China, according to a SBF press release reaching here Thursday.
— Xinhuanet
Singapore-based blockchain platform JET8 is turning everyday social media users into paid micro-influencers
JET8 is a Singapore-based, global social media platform with technology that allows brands, agencies and influencers to engage and sell to social communities through user-generated mobile content.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Elections will be held on Feb 24, govt maintains
GOVERNMENT LEADERS reiterated yesterday that the national elections will be held on February 24, now that the last two electoral organic laws were promulgated on Wednesday.
— The Nation
Dtac users ‘must switch’ to avoid service loss
Almost 95,000 customers on Total Access Communication’s (Dtac) 850MHz mobile phone network must switch to use other spectrum services by midnight Saturday to keep using their services.
— Bangkok Post
UN raises concerns about Thailand’s attitude toward human rights activists
Thailand is among 38 countries named by the United Nations for having an alarming and shameful attitude towards human rights defenders.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Grab, Moca to promote cashless payment in Vietnam
Grab Company (Grab) and MOCA Technology and Service Joint Stock Company (Moca), a digital payments service in Vietnam, have partnered to promote cashless payment on Grab platform and in Vietnam.
— Telecom Asia
Dog meat trading to be banned in central Hanoi by 2021
Dog meat selling will be banned in the inner districts of Hanoi from 2021 according to the local Department of Animal Health.
— Vietnam Insider
H&M, Zara earn big money in Vietnam
H&M has been open in Vietnam for one year, while Zara celebrated its two-year presence in Vietnam recently. Both fashion brands have prospered here thanks to the number of Vietnamese fashion fans.
— Vietnam Insider
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.
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