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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for April 15 — Indonesia & USA set record for one-day deaths; Asean cases top 15,000
As of 01:19 GMT April 15 there was 15,003 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 545, or 3.70 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

ASEAN+3 countries adopt joint statement on COVID-19
The Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) via video conference on Tuesday issued a joint statement.
— Viet Nam News

SEAMEO-Japan Education for Sustainable Development Award now accepting entries
All public and private schools in the 11 Southeast Asian countries, which also comprise the member-countries of Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), are invited to submit entries for the 2020 SEAMEO-Japan Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Award with the theme “Addressing Plastic Problems for Transforming Communities.”
— Rappler (media release)

Covid-19: AirAsia, like other low-cost airlines, fighting for survival
IN 2001, when Tan Sri Tony Fernandes introduced Asia’s first low-cost airline, AirAsia, by purchasing a failing two-plane carrier for less than US$1, it was the perfect time and place.
— New Straits Times

Coronavirus exposes ASEAN divisions on rice security
The rapid spread of new coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia has exposed the region’s divisions on food security, particularly as rice-growing nations move to lock up supplies of the staple.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

China’s post-COVID-19 woes to flow through the Mekong
As China shows signs of recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, speculations abound about what a post-COVID-19 future will look like.
— East Asia Forum

‘Slow ASEAN’ would be terrible for the region
South-east Asian nations have pledged to establish a joint fund and medical stockpile as the economic and human costs of the COVID-19 pandemic spiral up across the region.
— Financial Review

Negotiations for South China Sea Code of Conduct a ‘failed process,’ expert says
Negotiations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea are a “failed process,” a maritime expert said, even as the Philippines hails progress in the talks.
— CNN Philippines

Southeast Asia fighting COVID-19, recording more infections
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith announced on April 15 that the Government has decided to extend the validity of Directive No. 06/TTg on COVID-19 prevention and control, with physical distancing measures to continue for 14 more days until May 3.
— Vietnamplus

Three ASEAN States Push Back on Beijing in South China Sea
In an unusual show of unity against China, Southeast Asian nations have been pushing back on Beijing’s sweeping assertion of sovereignty over the South China Sea amid dissatisfaction over its stance in negotiations for a Code of Conduct, analysts say.
— Radio Free Asia

Asean Plus Three eye joint rice, cash reserves during pandemic
THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), along with partners China, Japan and South Korea are now eyeing to use their joint rice and cash reserves to ensure food security among their members during the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.
— Business Mirror

Politics and Crisis: A Discussion Series Re-imagining ASEAN in a time of crisis
WITH AROUND 650 million inhabitants and a land area covering 4.5 million kilometers, the Southeast Asian region is home to the world’s ninth largest economy and a diverse set of cultures, beliefs, and political systems.
— BusinessWorld Online

Asean conducts interagency online meetings on pandemic
THE Asean Coordinating Council Working Group on Public Health Emergencies (ACCWG-PHE) held its inaugural meeting on March 31, while United States interagency officials joined them on April 1 via online videoconferences to discuss Asean-US cooperation to counter the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Business Mirror

“Sustainable Financing Framework” for ASEAN healthcare amidst COVID-19 crisis
Stable and sustainable health financing is considered an essential component for achieving crucial health goals in population.
— BioSpectrumAsia (media release)

ESCAP’s COVID-19 response: the case for social protection grows stronger
On April 8, ESCAP released a report that laid out the social and economic impacts of the coronavirus in the region and its vision for government responses.
— Asean Today

Mekong river groups urge China to show transparency after dam report
Groups working to protect the Mekong River have called for greater transparency and cooperation from China after a report that Chinese dams held back water during a damaging drought in downstream countries last year.
— Reuters

COVID-19 Report: Singapore, Malaysia reach grim milestones
Infections in Singapore and Malaysia hit new milestones with cases surpassing 3,000 and 5,000, respectively.
— Coconuts Singapore

Poll: Virus Spurs ASEAN Consensus Against Animal Trafficking
More than nine out of 10 people in Southeast Asia want the state to end wildlife trafficking, according to a new poll from the World Wildlife Fund that shows unprecedented consensus after COVID-19 spread from animals to humans.
— VOA Khmer

ASEAN Leaders Make Vow On Food And Medicine Supply
Southeast Asian leaders pledged to keep trade routes open to protect food supplies and stockpile medical equipment at a summit held online Tuesday, as they warned of the crippling economic cost of the coronavirus.
— The Asean Post

Asean replaces EU to be China’s largest trading partner
Asean, as a bloc, has replaced the European Union to become China’s largest trading partner in the first quarter of this year, according to China’s Global Times citing data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs.
— The Star Online

‘Unprecedented’ cooperation within ASEAN necessary to fight COVID-19, say analysts
coordinated approach to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia is necessary, but it would be unprecedented and require transparency from countries involved, experts have said.
— CNA

U.S.’s meddling in Mekong River countries hybrid war at its worst
On April 13, Reuters reported on a U.S. government-funded study which alleged that China had withheld much-needed water from its dams along the Lancang River (which becomes the Mekong River upon entering Southeast Asia and continuing its flow towards the South China Sea) during last year’s drought for inexplicable reasons that therefore supposedly contributed to worsening the situation for the people of the Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
— CGTN

China Is Not The Greatest Fish Thief In The South China Sea – Analysis
Most casual observers– if asked which country is the greatest fish thief in the South China Sea– would quickly answer “China”. After all it is widely portrayed as the general ‘bad boy’ of the region.
— Eurasia Review

ASEAN economic bloc calls for regional fake news crushing co-operation
The Association of South-East Asian Nations ASEAN has made a regional fake news crackdown and e-commerce enablement a part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Register

SE Asia Stocks-Mixed as grim warnings for global economy offsets Chinese rate cut
Southeast Asian stocks ended mixed on Wednesday, with losses led by Indonesia and Thailand, as warnings of a global recession and a sharp decline in oil prices offset a key interest rate cut by the Chinese central bank.
— Reuters

Coronavirus raises the focus on social responsibility in the Asia-Pacific
What a difference a year makes in the way that conversations on ESG, and its potential implementation, are playing out in the Asia-Pacific region.
— The Asset ESG

Challenges Of Remote Learning
As of 14 April, almost two million people around the world have been infected with the deadly new COVID-19 coronavirus.
— The Asean Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Cambodia Reports No Case of Covid-19 Today While Five Recovered; Total Case 122; Total Recovery 96
Cambodia reported no new case of Covid-19 on Wednesday, while five patients recovered today, according to the Ministry of Health’s press release dated 15 April 2020 (updated as of 9:00 a.m).
— Freshnews

UN Rapporteurs Raise ‘Deep Concerns’ over Draft State of Emergency Law
Four United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Tuesday raised “deep concern” over a draft of the “state of emergency” law, which is expected to be passed by the ruling party-dominated Senate this week.
— VOA Khmer

Man charged after criticising PM’s coronavirus response
Kampong Thom Provincial Court today charged and jailed a man accused of inciting unrest over the government’s decision to cancel Khmer New Year celebrations and restrict inter-provincial travel in a bid to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Indonesia to Bring 34 Million People Under Partial Lockdown
Indonesia expanded a partial lockdown to more areas near Jakarta, the epicenter of the country’s coronavirus cases, as authorities stepped up efforts to restrict movement of people ahead of the nation’s biggest festive season next month.
— Bloomberg

Indonesia posts US$743.4 million trade balance surplus in March 2020
Indonesia’s trade balance recorded a surplus of US$743.4 million in March 2020, with exports valued at $14.09 billion and imports at $13.35 billion, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News

Indonesia records 5,136 COVID-19 cases, 446 recoveries
The Indonesian Task Force for Acceleration of COVID-19 Handling has recorded a total of 5,136 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease until Wednesday (April 15, 2020), with 469 deaths and 446 recoveries.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Laos records no new Covid-19 case for three consecutive days
Laos has not recorded any new Coronavirus infections for three consecutive days since April 13, the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control said on Wednesday.
— Vientiane Times

Laos tests 30 more negative cases of Covid-19
Laos tested 30 more cases of Covid-19, which all of them were tested negative, with the total number of confirmed cases in the country remaining at 19.
— The Star

Laos extends lockdown by 14 days for fight against Covid-19
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday asked the Lao people to strictly follow the recommendations of the National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control as the nationwide lockdown was extended by 14 days till May 3.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

New Covid-19 cases plunge to 85, recovery rate now up to 52pc
New coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections have fallen to the lowest since March 14, with just 85 more cases reported today.
— Malay Mail

List of essential services expanded to 15 for MCO Phase 3
The third phase of Movement Control Order (MCO) which came into effect today, has seen the list of essential services been expanded to 15 from only 10 during the second phase.
— New Sarawak Tribune

Sabah, Sarawak flights for post-quarantine, transit passengers
Only those who have completed their quarantine and passengers flying in from overseas on transit are allowed to board domestic flights to Sabah and Sarawak, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.
— New Sarawak Tribune

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

12 more test positive for Covid-19 in Myanmar, 74 cases so far
Twelve more people tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday (April 15), bringing the number of infections to 74 in total in Myanmar, said figures released by the Health and Sports Ministry.
— The Star Online

Myanmar sues pastors for mass gatherings amid lockdown
Myanmar’s Yangon regional government Tuesday (April 14) filed lawsuits against four people including a pastor and a preacher for mass gatherings while 10 places in the region are on lockdown, government official told Xinhua.
— The Star Online

Announcement for 21 days facility quarantine and 7 days home quarantine
The Ministry of Health and Sports had earlier announced the 14-day facility quarantine, followed by another 14-day home quarantine, for prevention of COVID-19 infection from the foreign visitors and the positive patients.
— 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

PH ready for trial of Japan flu drug for coronavirus treatment
The Philippines is ready to participate in the clinical trial of Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan as possible treatment for coronavirus, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Wednesday, April 15.
— Rappler

Philippines COVID-19 recoveries overtake deaths as cases leap to 5,453
The number of patients who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines overtook the death toll on Wednesday as the Department of Health (DOH) reported that cases nationwide jumped to 5,453 with 230 new infections.
— GMA Network

‘Anti-body’ treatment vs. COVID-19 still under study, says DOH
The effectiveness of anti-body treatment against COVID-19 is still under study, the Department of Health said on Wednesday.
— GMA Network

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

COVID-19: More than 140,000 employers to get first payment under Jobs Support Scheme from Wednesday
More than 140,000 employers will start to receive the first payouts under the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) from Wednesday (Apr 15), said the Inland Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a press release.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Record 447 new cases; most linked to dorms
New Covid-19 cases in Singapore broke records for the second time in three days, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) announcing 447 new cases yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore, NZ to keep trade lines in essential goods open amid virus outbreak
SINGAPORE and New Zealand have concluded negotiations to keep trade lines in essential goods open amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

‘Not Enough Money,’ Prayut Slashes 3-Month Relief Program
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday said the government may be able to pay only one month of the promised three-month cash relief package for workers affected by the coronavirus epidemic.
— Khaosod English

Cabinet to consider easing restrictions in last week of April: PM
After a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (April 15), Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he is pleased that the number of infections has remained in two-digit numbers for a while and it appears as if the situation has been brought under control.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Blood Supplies Running Low After Pandemic Drives Donors Away
The Thai Red Cross is facing a severe shortage of blood supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic, the organization said Wednesday.
— Khaosod English

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s Covid-19 cases increase to 267
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday (April 15) morning confirmed one more Covid-19 case, bringing the total in the country to 267.
— The Star Online

Vietnam extends coronavirus lockdown in 12 high-risk locations
Hanoi on Wednesday announced that social distancing measures in 12 cities and provinces will be extended to at least April 22 and possibly April 30.
–– Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

China Plus One: Understanding Vietnam’s Appeal to Investors in Asia
Facing rising costs in China and trade tensions with the US, many foreign investors have sought to complement their China operations by shifting some production to other lower-cost countries.
— Vietnam Briefing

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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