Asean morning news for February 18

Asean morning news for February 18
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Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

Trump’s trade deal poses new dangers to Southeast Asia
After two years of alternating between tense escalation and fleeting periods of calm, the United States and China reached a preliminary phase one trade deal in December 2019.
— East Asia Forum

China, ASEAN announce first coronavirus summit
Outside of China, 694 cases of the new Covid-19 coronavirus have been confirmed in 25 countries with three deaths.
— AsiaNew.it

Jokowi Wants Indonesian Tourism to Surpass Neighboring Countries’
President Joko Widodo or Jokowi presided over a limited cabinet meeting Monday at the Presidential Office to discuss efforts to leverage the country’s competitiveness index and the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
— Tempo

Chinese FM to discuss coronavirus fight, Lancang-Mekong cooperation with ASEAN FMs in Laos
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Vientiane, capital of Laos, from Wednesday to Friday for the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Coronavirus Disease, spokesperson Geng Shuang announced Monday.
— Xinhuanet

India proposes to strengthen its association with ASEAN and East Asia Summit countries: Modi
India complies with Paris Agreement goal to keep rise in temperature to below 2 degree Celsius said PM Modi.
— Daily Excelsior

Thailand leads in ASEAN with its smart cities
Thailand introduced the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) initiative to transform three Thai provinces into smart cities during the 2019 ASEAN Summit. This move has proved to be a successful one, one report notes.
— OpenGov

Thailand to deepen cooperation with other ASEAN members in combatting drug smuggling
Thailand’s narcotics control agency on Monday announced it will be intensifying joint efforts with officials from other countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to suppress drug smugglers on planes coming from Africa.
— Xinhuanet

Vietnam works to ensure safety for ADMM Retreat
A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence on February 17 inspected preparations regarding security, safety, medical preparedness and others for the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat slated for February 18-20 in Hanoi.
— Vietnamplus

AGBrief Postpones ASEAN Summit Due To Coronovirus Fear
Asian gambling B2B publisher AGBrief issuing a corporate statement has moved to postpone its flagship ‘ASEAN Gaming Summit’ (17-19 March 2020) citing travel disruptions and potential health risks from coronavirus outbreak as the reason.
— Inkedin

Freedom of Navigation in South China Sea Critical to Prosperity, Says Indo-Pacific Commander
Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke today at the Halifax International Security Forum, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
— US Dept of Defense

Digital banking in Southeast Asia
In 2019, the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) announced that it will issue five digital bank licences to non-bank players to add value, innovation and diversity to the region’s financial hub.
— The Asean Post

Why Southeast Asia startups with remote teams are thriving
Jack Hill may not have foreseen the massive revolution telecommuting would create in the global work scene when he postulated a flexible working structure for workers who reside in distant locations in his book Telecommunications-Transportation Trade-off.
— e27

First ‘Star Wars Virtual Run 2020’ to be held in Southeast Asia
The first edition of Star Wars Virtual Run Southeast Asia 2020 will be held from May 4 to 31.
— The Jakarta Post

Recent Developments Surrounding the South China Sea
A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple territorial disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons. The waters are a major shipping route for global commerce and are rich in fish and possible oil and gas reserves.
— The New York Times

The 4th AJWELP in Brunei Darussalam Supports and Empowers Women Startups from ASEAN Member States
The 4th ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs’ Linkage Program (AJWELP) was organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) and co-organized by DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from 10 to 13 February 2020.
— Business Wire (media release)

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Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

 

Cruise passengers scatter, take Cambodia bus tours despite virus fears
A scramble intensified on Monday to trace passengers from a US cruise liner allowed to disembark in Cambodia despite at least one traveller later being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus.
— Business Times (very annoying popups)

PM infected with coronavirus is fake news, says Health Ministry
The Health Ministry today flatly denied a social media post that Prime Minister Hun Sen has been contracted with COVID-19 from an elderly US woman disembarking from MS Westerdam in Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, saying it is fake news.
— Khmer Times

Scramble to track Cambodia cruise passengers after infection
Health authorities scrambled on Monday to track hundreds of passengers who disembarked from a cruise ship in Cambodia last week after a woman tested positive for coronavirus, heightening fears about the spread of the disease around the world.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

102 specimens of suspected COVID-19 patients tested negative: Minister
Indonesia’s Health Ministry has declared 102 out of 104 specimens of suspected coronavirus patients negative, while the test for two other samples has yet to complete, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy said.
— Antara News

Government aims to boost Indonesia’s ‘doing business’ ranking to 53rd in 2020
The government hopes to boost the country’s “doing business” ranking to 53rd place on the World Bank’s list this year in a bid to attract more investment into the country.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia military to blame for 2014 Papua killings: Rights commission
Indonesia’s military shot dead four students in the country’s restive Papua region during 2014 protests and carried out “gross human rights violations”, a commission investigating the uprising concluded Monday.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

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Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

 

State auditing body uncovers more cases of financial irregularity
The State Audit Organisation (SAO) inspected 104 state-funded projects and government bodies in 2019, exceeding its plan of 99, as financial irregularities continue to be detected.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Vientiane on Alert Amid Rising Air Pollution Levels
The Lao government is closely monitoring air quality in the capital of Vientiane as pollution levels rise, although the current level of air quality meets set safety standards.
— The Laotian Times

Education ministry to revamp secondary school curriculum
The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced it is prioritising the improvement of the secondary school curriculum as part of the sector’s overall five-year strategic plan for 2021-2025.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

First Malaysian coronavirus patient cured, discharged
A Selangor resident who was the first Malaysian to test positive for the Wuhan virus, or Covid-19, is now cured and has been discharged, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced today.
— Malay Mail

M’sia works on sending back 110 containers of plastic waste
Malaysia has begun the process of sending back 110 containers of plastic waste that are still in the country, according to Deputy Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment & Climate Change Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.
— The Sun Daily

Gobind: Malaysia to choose 5G partners based on own security standards
Malaysia’s own security standards will dictate which companies take part in its planned 5G rollout this year, its communications minister told Reuters today, as the United States pushes countries to exclude China’s.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Myanmar students evacuated from SARS-CoV-2 hot zone go home (video)
Myanmar Minister for Health and Sports, Dr Myint Htwe, yesterday (Feb 16) met with the 59 Burmese students and officials repatriated from the coronavirus hot zone of Wuhan as they completed their 14-day quarantine and prepared to return to their homes.
— AEC News Today

China’s CITIC to build Myanmar’s huge Kyaukphyu Deep Seaport, first phase to cost US$1.3 bln
The planned multi-billion dollar Kyaukphyu Deep Seaport project will be developed with the contribution of 70 per cent by the China International Trust and Investment Corporation Consortium (CITIC) and 30 per cent by Myanmar, said Deputy Commerce Minister U Aung Htoo on Feb 16.
— The Star Online

Myanmar Tour Guides Object to Granting Entry to Chinese Tourists With Health Notes
Mandalay tour guides say the government’s call for travel agencies to ask Chinese visitors for health clearances is motivated by financial concerns, not health worries.
— Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

26 Filipinos in Japan, 1 Filipino in UAE confirmed to have COVID-19
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the total number of Filipinos overseas who had been infected with the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has now reached 27.
— Eagle News

Pangasinan town to implement plastic ban starting March 1
The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bani will implement ban on single use plastics and styrofoams in the municipality starting March 1 this year to reduce cost on operations and maintenance for waste disposal.
— Philippine Information Agency

Over 25,000 stranded Filipinos hope to return to Hong Kong amid coronavirus crisis
Tales of misery continue for more than 25,000 stranded Filipinos who hope to return to Hong Kong for work as the Philippine government remains firm on its ban on travelers coming to and from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
— Rappler

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Two additional cases of COVID-19 infection confirmed by MOH; Both cases traceable
As of 17 February 2020, 12 pm, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed and verified two additional cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore.
— The Online Citizen

Growth forecast slashed to -0.5 per cent, exports dropped 3.3% in January due to COVID-19 fears
On Monday (17 Feb), Singapore announced that its January’s non-oil domestic exports fell even as its growth forecast for 2020 was revised downwards partly due to the Covid-19 epidemic.
— The Online Citizen

COVID-19: New Stay-Home Notice with stricter measures for Singapore residents, long-term pass holders returning from mainland China
The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Feb 17) announced a new Stay-Home Notice (SHN) for Singapore residents and long-term pass holders returning to Singapore from mainland China.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

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Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

 

Thai government considering officially extending Songkran Holiday this year to boost tourism
The economic sector is discussing an extension of holidays during the Songkran festival – from April 11-19 – before it proposes the measure to the government on February 18, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.
— The Pattaya News

Gov’t Eyes Plan for State Media to Take Over Coverage in National Crisis
The government’s proposal to monopolize news coverage during times of national crises drew criticism on Monday from media personalities, who warn that the measure risks eroding press freedom even further.
— Khaosod English

Thailand announces one more confirmed case of COVID19 bringing total to 35 in Thailand
The health ministry said on Monday that Thailand had recorded one new case of the novel COVID19 coronavirus and was increasing screening of visitors from Singapore and Japan entering the country.
— The Pattaya News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam firms look for alternative sources of raw materials as epidemic closes China market
Vietnamese companies, many of whom are facing a shortage of feedstock and raw materials as a result of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, have started looking at alternative sources.
— The Star Online

Vietnam will commercialise 5G in 2020
Two Vietnamese organisations have stated they will commercialise 5G telecom devices by 2020.
— OpenGovAsia

HCM City scales up smart city development project to all districts
The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has urged all districts to conduct programmes on smart city development, with specific targets, roadmaps and implementation measures suited to the characteristics of individual locality.
— VietnamPlus

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

 

 

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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