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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Mayday, mayday, mayday: “It’s apocalypse now” for Asia-Pacific airlines — IATA Boss
The future of civil aviation across Asean and the wider Asia Pacific region looks grim as airline after airline ground their fleets, the industry facing its biggest crisis in decades.
— AEC News Today

COVID-19 in Asean: update for March 31 — 7,000 Asean cases; 250 deaths
As of 01:14 GMT March 31 there was 7,032 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 302, or 4.49 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Virus to Keep Almost 24 Million People in East Asia Impoverished
The economic fallout from the coronavirus epidemic will prevent almost 24 million people from escaping poverty in East Asia and the Pacific this year, according to the World Bank.
— Bloomberg

COVID-19 Cases Rise Across Southeast Asia as Governments Step Up Damage Control
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar took more preventative measures in response to the COVID-19 crisis Monday as each of the four Southeast Asian countries reported small increases in confirmed cases that threatened to tax overstretched health care systems.
— Radio Free Asia

Only Two-thirds of Export Value of Textiles and Clothing From ASEAN Constitute Their Own GDP – Says ASEAN-Japan Centre
Textiles and clothing1 are archetypal industries through which ASEAN member states achieve industrialization and integration into the global economy, according to Global Value Chains in ASEAN: Textiles and Clothing published by the ASEAN-Japan Centre.
— Business Wire (media release)

Southeast Asian Central Banks Coordinating Efforts, Indonesia Governor Says
Officials from leading Southeast Asian central banks have agreed to coordinate efforts to boost their economies, all struggling under the blow from the coronavirus pandemic.
— Bloomberg

Amid COVID-19 Crisis, Southeast Asia’s Migrant Workers Fall Through the Cracks
Amid the coronavirus crisis, countries have moved to shut borders, impose travel lockdowns, recall diasporic citizens, and ban foreigners from accessing local public health infrastructure.
— The Diplomat

ASEAN discusses response to public health emergencies
The first teleconference of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Public Health Emergencies was held on March 31 under the chair of Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Vietnam.
— Vietnamplus

China’s Mekong Security Role in the Headlines with New Joint Patrols
Last week, China conducted another iteration of its joint patrols with three riparian countries in the Mekong River. The development spotlighted one aspect of Beijing’s continued effort to advance collaboration in the Mekong subregion and Southeast Asia more generally.
— The Diplomat

Threat to Terminate US-Philippine Pact Resonates Around Southeast Asia
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to terminate a lynchpin military pact with longtime treaty ally the United States — if implemented — could not only shake Manila’s defense policy but impact the delicate balance in ties between Southeast Asia and U.S. and China, analysts say.
— Radio Free Asia

Hong Kong-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, Investment Agreement to take effect for Philippines in May
The part relating to the Philippines under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Investment Agreement (IA) between China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will take effect on May 12, the HKSAR government announced on Tuesday.
— Xinhuanet

COVID-19: FIA, AFBA warn of food shortages in Asia
Industry bodies representing food and beverage industries across Asia are calling on governments to shore up the supply and distribution of goods.
— Food & Drink Business

Coronavirus rocks Asia Pacific lending
Syndicated lending in Asia Pacific plunged to the slowest quarter in eight years as the coronavirus pandemic took its toll with several countries imposing lockdowns and grinding a range of business activities to a halt.
— Reuters

COVID-19 Cases Rise Across Southeast Asia as Governments Step Up Damage Control
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar took more preventative measures in response to the COVID-19 crisis Monday as each of the four Southeast Asian countries reported small increases in confirmed cases that threatened to tax overstretched health care systems.
— Radio Free Asia

Vietnam suspends residents’ border crossing from/to Laos, Cambodia over COVID-19
The Vietnamese Government has decided to suspend cross-border activities of individuals at main and secondary border gates, and trails in border areas sharing with Cambodia and Laos from April 1 as part of measures to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19.
— Vietnamplus

U.S. Support for ASEAN in Fighting COVID-19
As the leader in the global health and humanitarian response to COVID-19, the United States has acted swiftly to support our ASEAN partners in combating the COVID-19 virus.
— Mirage News

The Geopolitics of Southeast Asia’s Coronavirus Challenge
After months of speculation about an understated coronavirus challenge in Southeast Asia, COVID-19 finally gone regional in Southeast Asia as expected over the past week: with all eleven countries finally registering at least one case.
— The Diplomat

Drilling, deepwater projects face uncertain future in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s rig market looks set to decline this year, with various oil companies in the region already making significant cuts to their 2020 capex budgets due to the current global conditions, according to Rystad Energy.
— Offshore

Solar, wind and hydro projects are threatening key wildlife habitats in Southeast Asia, India
Renewable energy is crucial in the fight against global warming, but the development of wind, solar and hydropower projects in important conservation areas could spell disaster for birds, great apes and other wildlife.
— Eco-Business

Community responsible for subregional interests in Mekong-Lancang
The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Mlmcechanism (MLC) is a cooperation mechanism in line with the current trend of globalisation and integration.
— Khmer Times

SE Asia Stocks-Markets rise as China factory activity rebounds
Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Tuesday as data showed China factory activity unexpectedly expanded in March after contracting to a record low in the previous month even though the coronavirus pandemic showed few signs of abating.
— Reuters

Lark available for free across the Southeast Asia region
Singapore’s Lark Technologies Pte Ltd has made its digital collaboration suite, Lark, available for free across Southeast Asia, including Viet Nam.
— Viet Nam News

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

More Than 5,000 Tested for Virus in Cambodia; National Tally Reaches 109 Cases
The Ministry of Health revealed that Cambodia had tested around 5,700 people for the novel coronavirus as of Tuesday, with the country reporting 109 cases in total and 23 recoveries.
— VOA Khmer

PM: No Unnecessary Lockdowns and Stay Away from Unrecognised Medication and Test
Cambodian Prime Minister has reassured his fellow country people of no planned lockdown of cities, markets and restaurants, while urging them not to use unrecognised COVID-19 medication and testing materials in fear of the disease.
— AKP

Surrogate mothers from Cambodia given suspended jail terms in landmark case
A group of 32 women who acted as surrogates for Chinese clients were found guilty of human trafficking and handed suspended jail terms with an order to raise their children “well” in Cambodia’s first trial of surrogate mothers.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia Imposes Entry Ban on Foreigners, Makes Quarantine Compulsory for Returning Citizens
The Indonesian government will temporarily ban all foreign visitors from entering the country and oblige all its citizens returning from other countries to undergo a two-week quarantine to stop imported cases of Covid-19, officials said on Tuesday.
— Jakarta Globe

COVID-19 fallout: Indonesia increases budget spending by $24.8 billion
Indonesia has decided to increase the state budgetary spending for 2020 by Rp405.1 trillion (US$24.8 billion) to deal with the social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak, said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
— Antara News

Jokowi’s Large-scale Social Restriction Annuls Lockdown Option
Presidential spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman said the option to impose a coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown or territorial quarantine offered by a number of regions is rejected as President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo decided to apply large-scale social restrictions.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Laos goes into total lockdown
Laos a tiny landlocked country sharing borders with Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Myanmar went into lockdown 30 March.
— TTRW

Laos put brakes on all bus services, stations
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has announced the suspension of all bus services and temporary closure of bus stations as a preventative measure against Covid-19 following the first confirmed cases in the country.
— Vientiane Times

Laos allows shuttle flights to evacuate foreigners
Shuttle flights will be allowed for countries to pick up their citizens from Laos, the Lao foreign minister said when briefing foreign embassies and diplomatic representatives and international organisations here about the Covid-19 situation.
— The Star

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Covid-19: Six more deaths, 140 new cases but 58 recoveries
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah announced six new deaths from Covid-19 in Malaysia today.
— Malay Mail

Malaysia’s stay-at-home order preventing major spikes in COVID-19 cases, says government
Malaysia’s stay-at-home order has prevented major daily spikes in coronavirus infections, the government said on Tuesday (Mar 31), but the World Bank warned the trade-reliant country’s economy would shrink this year for the first time in more than a decade.
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia apologises for telling women not to nag during lockdown
The Malaysian women’s ministry apology came after online posters on how to act at home sparked a public outcry.
— Aljazeera

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar reports first death from COVID-19
Myanmar said Tuesday that a nasal cancer patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus has passed away, marking the country’s first confirmed death from the disease.
— AA

Myanmar journalist hit with terrorism charges for interviewing insurgents
A Myanmar journalist faces up to life in prison for publishing an interview with a rebel group operating in the country’s restive Rakhine state, a week after the insurgents were classified as a terrorist organisation.
— France24

Myanmar Villagers Tell of 150 Homes Burned in Deadly Army Air Attacks
Artillery fire and aerial bombardments by Myanmar forces killed three civilians and burned scores of houses in their communities in mid-March amid fighting between Myanmar forces and the rebel Arakan Army in war-ravaged Rakhine state, villagers recounted Monday at a press conference.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Philippines Coronavirus Testing to Be Stepped Up Soon: WHO
Coronavirus testing is expected to increase substantially in coming days in the Philippines, where the high number of deaths relative to confirmed cases reflects lower testing so far, a World Health Organisation official said on Tuesday.
— The New York Times

Duterte draws flak after saying frontliners ‘lucky to die’ for PH
President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn strong criticism for romanticizing the deaths of medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak in the country when he said they were “lucky” to die in the service of the Philippines.
— Rappler

Covid-19 cases now 2,084; death toll climbs to 88
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 538 new positive cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2,084.
— Philippine News Agency

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Covid-19: LTA waives vehicle entry permit fee for M’sian motorists in S’pore as goodwill gesture
All Malaysia-registered car and motorcycle owners in Singapore who stayed on here due to Malaysia’s movement control order to curb Covid-19 will get a one-off Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee waiver.
— Mothership

Coronavirus: 7 points to note beyond the headline numbers
Singapore announced another 47 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday (March 31), but the briefing by the multi-ministry task force went beyond headline numbers.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

No ERP charges at most gantries from April 6 amid fewer cars on roads
THE majority of electronic road pricing (ERP) gantries in Singapore will be free of charge starting April 6, while the remaining locations will see rates significantly reduced.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Thailand announces 127 confirmed new cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus as restrictions tighten in many provinces
Thailand- On Tuesday morning a press conference from members of the Ministry of Public Health and Department of Disease Control confirmed 127 new confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus in Thailand and one additional death.
— The Pattaya News

Medical chiefs ramp up Covid-19 test capacity
Up to 40 more labs will be given approval to run tests for Covid-19 infections nationwide by the end of this month, according to the Department of Medical Sciences.
— Bangkok Post

Government Covid19 Center says no Bangkok shutdowns, curfews or lockdowns needed at this time, warns against April Fool’s day jokes
Bangkok An official from the Thai Government’s Covid19 Administration Center addressed the public today and said in an agreement with Bangkok officials at this time they feel there is no need for further lockdowns, a stay at home order or shutdowns in Bangkok.
— The Pattaya News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam to implement 15 days of social distancing in coronavirus battle
Vietnam will begin 15 days of social distancing from Wednesday to curb community transmission of the coronavirus, the Southeast Asian country’s prime minister said on Tuesday.
— Reuters

Violators of quarantine regulations to face criminal punishments in Vietnam
Those breaking the epidemic prevention and combat regulations in Vietnam will face criminal punishment, Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday.
— Xinhua

Covid-19 hotspots account for three new cases in Vietnam
Two Vietnamese and one Brazilian associated with two Covid-19 hotspots in Hanoi and HCMC were confirmed infected Tuesday evening.
— VnExpress

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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About Asean morning news.

Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news roundups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Asean English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Asean English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Asean daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Asean news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.30am Bangkok time.

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