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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

COVID-19 in Asean: update for April 20 — Singapore #1 place for COVID-19 in Asean
As of 01:09 GMT April 20 there was 19,508 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 783, or 4.18 per cent, on the day prior. Of this 141, or 0.72 per cent, are classified as serious or critical.
— AEC News Today

How Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand rank in talent competitiveness
Singapore has taken the third place in the recent Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2020, topping the list in Southeast Asia and APAC for the seventh consecutive year.
— Human Resources Online

Thailand Proposes Joint Study With China, Neighbors On Mekong River Drought
Thailand on Friday called for a joint study with China and neighboring countries to determine what caused a devastating drought in the Lower Mekong Basin last year, after a U.S.-funded report indicated that Chinese dams had restricted the flow of water downstream.
— Eurasia Review

Southeast Asia could be the next coronavirus hot spot — these charts show why
The number of coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia has risen quickly in recent weeks, with mounting worries among experts that the region could turn into a hot spot for the fast-spreading disease.
— CNBC

Jetstar Asia to operate temporary services to KL, Manila, Bangkok
Singapore’s Jetstar Asia will operate five return services a week to three destinations in Southeast Asia — Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Manila — with the aim to create essential travel links and assist with freight in the region from April 21.
— New Sarawak Tribune

EU-ASEAN council bats for more secure cross-border data transfers
THE EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) said that Southeast Asia must improve secure cross-border data transfers to achieve a projected $300-billion Internet economy in five years.
— BusinessWorld

The Indo-Pacific Outlook: a new lens for ASEAN
With China–US tensions and geopolitical turbulence increasing, many in the Asia-Pacific have looked at how ASEAN would respond to remain united, central and relevant.
— East Asia Forum

China Ups Ante in South China Sea with New Place Names, Districts
China has upped the ante amid rising tensions in the South China Sea by declaring two new administrative districts for the contested region and releasing a new map naming all the islands and reefs it claims.
— Benar News

COVID-19 puts focus on social responsibility in Asia Pacific
The coronavirus pandemic has magnified and exposed social imbalances in the region – underscoring the importance of financial inclusion as well as environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG).
— The Jakarta Post

Tiger Beer raises funds for local food outlets in Southeast Asia
The #SupportOurStreets initiative is calling on consumers across Southeast Asia to help local pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and food courts survive during these difficult times.
— The Drinks Business (media release)

Eco-friendly gear: Southeast Asia finds ways to minimise waste during coronavirus outbreak
Wearing a face mask, sanitising one’s hands, and using other protective equipment to stem the spread of the coronavirus have become essential for many people around the world.
— Eco-Business

The COVID-19 rice economy: what a pandemic means for Southeast Asia’s staple
As cities and countries impose lockdowns, people around the world, from the UK to India, are struggling to access food.
— Asean Today

Thailand corporate profit outlook bleakest in Southeast Asia
Estimating and comparing companies’ results in the first quarter since the Covid-19 outbreak is more a guessing game than a science.
— Bangkok Post

How Covid-19 is impacting food-and drink-markets in Southeast Asia
The spread of Covid-19 is forcing Southeast Asian consumers to change their eating habits and embrace new shopping practices, says Mintel Apac food-and-drink analyst Tan Heng Hong.
— Inside Retail Asia

Coronavirus Gives 60% Boost to Mobile Streaming in South East Asia
Online video weekly minutes on mobile devices leaped by 60% in aggregate across in Southeast Asia, as the coronavirus pandemic sparked lockdowns and stay at home orders.
— Variety

Forerunners, stars, and budding newcomers in Asean’s corporate governance scene
The Code of Corporate Governance (CG Code), like a guiding light, serves to strengthen listed companies in their governance.
— The Business Times

Southeast Asia stocks – Most rise on hopes of more stimulus in China
Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Monday, with Malaysia leading gains, as China, the region’s prime trading partner, cut a key interest rate and promised more measures to prop up an economy battered by the cornonavirus pandemic.
— Today Online

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Senate greenlights draft law before submission to the CCC
The Constitutional Council of Cambodia is expected to review the “State of Emergency” draft law soon after it was unanimously adopted by legislative bodies, passing it to the final phase of becoming legislation.
— Khmer Times

Mandatory quarantine for 30,000 workers begins
Some of the roughly 30,000 workers from factories and enterprises across the Kingdom who went on leave during Khmer New Year began their government-imposed 14-day quarantine on Monday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

IMF: Cambodia’s GDP growth to slow down to minus 1.5% in 2020
Cambodia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to slow down to -1.5% as the decline in tourist arrivals and the impact on the garment industry resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
— Construction Property

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Fitch Solutions slashes Indonesia’s economic growth projection due to pandemic
Fitch Solutions has downgraded Indonesia’s economic growth projection to 2.8 percent, down from its initial projection of 4.2 percent, as consumption and investment growth are expected to slow amid weakening global economic expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia expects tourism revenues to plunge by USD10 billion
Minister of tourism and creative economy, Wishnutama Kusubandio reckons tourist arrivals could be as low as five million this year.
— TravelMole

Indonesia Reports 185 New Coronavirus Cases, Total 6,760
Indonesia reported on Monday 185 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number of infections in the Southeast Asian country to 6,760, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
— The New York Times

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

Covid-19: no new cases reported
Covid-19 Taskforce has confirmed no new infections for April 20. The total of Covid-19 infection cases has remained at 19 for eight consecutive days.
— KPL

103 Hospitals among facilities in Laos treating Covid-19 cases
The 103 Hospital has been among health facilities in Laos providing treatment for Covid-19 since last month, before the disease began spreading in the country.
— Vientiane Times

Lockdown Breakdown? Vientiane Population Takes to the Road
Residents of Vientiane Capital have taken to the road following the end of the Lao New Year holiday, despite an order from the Prime Minister to stay at home.
— The Laotian Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

COVID-19: Malaysia announces record low of 36 new cases, aims for single digit infection rate
Malaysia announced a record low number of new COVID-19 cases since the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO).
— CNA

Minister: Malaysia Airlines-AirAsia merger still an option
A merger between cash-strapped Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia could still be happen, according to a senior government official.
— Travel Mole

CM: Penang records second lowest number of Covid-19 cases in the country, with 80pc recovery rate
Penang is well heading towards becoming a green zone with its low number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and high recovery rate, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Total number of COVID-19 cases reaches 117 on Monday
The National Health Laboratory (Yangon) released the test results of the first batch of 181 lab specimens on 20-4-020 where 6 tested positive for COVID-19 and 175 tested negative.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

World Bank to lend $50M to help Myanmar fight coronavirus
The World Bank said Monday it has approved $50 million in emergency financing to help Myanmar improve its hospital system to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
— Mynorthwest

Myanmar economy still forecast to grow despite global recession: IMF
Myanmar is among just 10 percent of the globe projected by the International Monetary Fund to post economic growth this year. The rest of the world is expected to slip into recession.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

Duterte declares P246.28 billion savings for coronavirus measures
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared P246.28 billion worth of savings, as part of the Philippines’ coronavirus warchest.
— Rappler

Philippines coronavirus cases rise to 6,459, death toll hits 428
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed 200 new coronavirus cases in the country, raising the total number of cases to 6,459 as of 4 pm on Monday, April 20.
— Rappler

Ex-DFA chief urges govt protest on China’s new districts in South China Sea
FORMER Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario has urged the Philippine government to lodge a diplomatic protest against China after it established two new districts at the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

MOH preliminarily confirms daily toll of 1,426 COVID-19 cases, bringing total to 8,014
The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Mon (20 Apr) has preliminarily confirmed an additional 1,426 cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore as of 12pm today – Singapore’s highest daily toll to date.
— The Online Citizen

Dengue cases expected to exceed 16,000 cases unless immediate action taken: NEA
With two-thirds of the year still to go, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) is already warning that the number of dengue cases in 2020 is projected to surpass 2019’s figure, unless immediate measures are taken.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Nuclear no more: Singapore latest APAC nation to lift all Japanese food bans
Singapore has joined Philippines, Brunei and New Zealand in officially lifting bans on all food items from Japan, but some strict restrictions remain in place from China, Taiwan, and South Korea due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.
— Food Navigator-Asia

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Weakening baht bolsters Thai exports in March
Thailand’s exports entered the positive territory in March after contracting 4.47 per cent in February, the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) said on Tuesday (April 21).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Almost 300 horses die from sickness
African horse sickness has killed almost 300 horses, forcing the Department of Livestock Development to collect blood samples from horses in the hope of finding a vaccine.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

First Thai-made coronavirus test kits delivered
The first coronavirus test kits made in Thailand are on their way to laboratories around the country after being delivered to Government House on Thursday (April 16). Developed by Siam Bioscience and the Department of Medical Science, the RT-PCR virus test kits meet World Health Organisation standards and will go straight into battle against the nationwide pandemic.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam sees no new Covid-19 cases for four days in a row
For the fourth day running, not a single new case of Covid-19 has been detected in Vietnam.
— The Star Online

Vietnam Airlines sells Cambodia Angkor Air stake
The 49% stake was snapped up by ‘undisclosed buyers’ according to the Cambodia civil aviation ministry.
— Travel Mole

Vietnam protests Beijing’s expansion in disputed South China Sea as world remains occupied with coronavirus
China has bolstered its presence in the South China Sea by setting up two administrative bodies on islands in the disputed water, dubbed “its youngest city”.
— ABC

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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