Morning News Brief [March 17, 2020]

Hot News

1. The Pentagon said that the military is ready and willing to support US civilian authorities to join the fight against coronavirus, such as setting up field hospitals and backup beds.

Reference:

• CNN (https://us.cnn.com/2020/03/16/politics/pentagon-coronavirus-trade-offs/index.html) 

2. The US announced that it will be pulling out of al-Qaim and two other key military bases out of eight in Iraq in an attempt to reduce its footprint in the country.

Reference:

• BBC (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-51914600) 

World

1. French President Emmanuel Macron locked down the country and told the people to stay at home unless the importance of buying food, going to work and medical checking.

Reference:

• Channel NewsAsia (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/covid-19-coronavirus-france-lockdown-macron-12544854)

2. 16 new cases of coronavirus, which make a total of 33 cases, have put Venezuela in nationwide quarantine, and the government is preparing benefits for its citizens.

Reference:

• Reuters (https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-venezuela-maduro/venezuelas-to-implement-nationwide-quarantine-as-coronavirus-cases-rise-to-33-idUKKBN21401J?rpc=401&)

3. Israeli PM announced that the country will be totally locked down but introduced a series of new preventive measures in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Reference:

• Sputnik (https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202003171078589108-netanyahu-says-israel-wont-impose-total-lockdown/) 

 

Regions

1.  Taiwan’s air force was seen scrambling once again to warn off Chinese jets, complaining that China should focus more on fighting COVID-19 rather than step up military drills.

References:

• The Straits Times (https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/taiwan-again-scrambles-jets-to-warn-off-chinese-air-force) 

2. Leaders of the G7 pledged to join forces to halt the economic recession in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which they branded as a human tragedy and global health crisis.

Reference:

• AFP (https://www.afp.com/en/news/3954/g7-pledge-do-whatever-it-takes-safeguard-economy-doc-1py07c5)

3. The Minister of Trade and Industry reaffirmed that Singapore has months’ worth of supply and also planned for a disruption of supplies from Malaysia over many years.

Reference:

• Channel NewsAsia (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/coronavirus-covid-19-chan-chun-sing-food-supply-12545326) 

4. Thailand will postpone the Sangran in the new year holiday to next time and ban people from the large gathering in public to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

Reference:

• Bangkok Post (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1880290/virus-puts-paid-to-songkran)

Cambodia

1. Prime Minister Hun Sen restricted the citizens from traveling to EU, Iran, US and ordered officials who have returned from the EU, the US to be quarantined for 14 days. 

Reference:

• Khmer Times (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50702467/pm-restricts-citizens-from-travelling-to-covid-19-worst-hit-countries/)

2. The Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports issued a directive to close down all public and private educational institutions across the country to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Reference:

3. The Government has launched a $50-million special fund for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to combat the pandemic COVID-19 and 20% withdrawal of EBA.  

Reference:

• Khmer Times (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50702354/50-million-emergency-fund-for-small-and-medium-enterprises/) 

4. President of the National Authority for Combating Drugs has urged that legal proceedings against major drug criminals be closely monitored so that they cannot escape charges.

Reference:

• The Phnom Penh post (https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/drug-cases-need-monitoring)