ASEAN IN FOCUS

Indonesia’s Mt Merapi erupts, spewing ash 6 km high

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted twice on Sunday, sending clouds of grey ash 6,000 metres into the sky, the country’s geological agency said. The two eruptions lasted around seven minutes, according to the agency, and prompted local authorities to order residents to stay outside a three-kilometer no-go zone around the rumbling crater near Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta. The agency did not raise the volcano’s alert […]

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Cafes, shops reopen as Singapore eases virus curbs

  SINGAPORE (AFP) — Shops and cafes reopened in Singapore on Friday as coronavirus measures were relaxed — but the city-state’s leader warned people “not to go overboard celebrating”. More than two months after a partial lockdown was imposed, massage parlours and spas also resumed operations while beaches were no longer off limits and sports and other facilities opened again. “I feel happy because I can come out… a few restrictions still apply but I’m […]

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Laos government declares victory over COVID after all 19 patients recover from virus

https://youtu.be/uxTS0cFiu1s   (Eagle News) — EBC correspondent Marianne Leal in Laos reports how the Laos government has declared victory over COVID-19. Laos only has a total of 19 COVID-19 cases since the outbreak of the disease that had severely affected countries all over the world. Laos is one of the few countries with no COVID-19 fatality. All of the 19 coronavirus patients in Laos have already been discharged from hospitals. No new cases have also […]

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Indonesian military jet crashes into residential area

KAMPAR, Indonesia (AFP) — An Indonesian military fighter jet ploughed into a residential area in Sumatra on Monday, but the pilot ejected safely and there were no injuries on the ground, the air force said. The one-seater Hawk 209 was returning from training maneuvers when the pilot reported engine problems and ejected from the British-built plane, which then crashed into a group of empty houses, according to officials. No one on the ground in Kampar […]

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Indonesia posts record virus infections as restrictions eased

    JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — Indonesia posted a record number of coronavirus infections Wednesday, sparking calls from health experts for the world’s fourth most populous country to slam the brakes on easing restrictions. Last week, the capital Jakarta opened mosques for the first time in nearly three months, as its governor announced the gradual reopening of shuttered offices, restaurants, shopping malls and tourist attractions. Similar easing measures are happening across the vast archipelago, home […]

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Singapore approves anti-viral drug for COVID-19 patients

SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Singapore has approved the use of the anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients, authorities said Wednesday, becoming the latest country to do so. The US authorised the emergency use of remdesivir in hospitals at the start of May, followed by Japan and South Korea, while Europe has been considering following suit. It has been granted conditional approval in Singapore for treatment of some adult virus patients, such as […]

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Phl Embassy in Malaysia to open on June 10 after lifting of lockdown measures

Filipinos seeking consular services advised to have online appointment (Eagle News) — Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles Jose said that the Philippine embassy there is expected to open on June 10 as the movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia expires on June 9. “Nakatakda na pong matapos ang movement control order sa Malaysia ngayong June 9, that’s Tuesday next week, and we expect na magbubukas na po ang ating embassy sa June 10,” Ambassador Jose […]

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Thais seek sun and surf as officials re-open some beaches

By Jonathan KLEIN and Pitcha DANGPRASITH in Bangkok PATTAYA, Thailand (AFP) — People returned to some of Thailand’s famed sandy beaches Monday, keeping well apart but enjoying the outdoors, as authorities eased some coronavirus restrictions for the first time in more than two months. In Pattaya, visitors marveled at the clarity of the turquoise-blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand, and pensioners eager for exercise promenaded along the beach. Social distancing rules still applied, with […]

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Stranded Filipinos from Myanmar and Bahrain repatriated to the Philippines, DFA reports

(Eagle News) – Ninety-one Filipinos from Myanmar were repatriated back to the Philippines after being stranded in the capital city of Yangon, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported on Tuesday, May 19. In a statement, the DFA said that some of the Filipinos were stranded due to flight cancellations, while others lost their jobs due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Most of the Filipinos who were repatriated were staying in Yangon. Others came from the capital, Nay […]

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Singapore apologises for virus text message error

SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Singapore has apologized to more than 350 people who contracted COVID-19 for accidentally sending them a text message saying they had tested positive again, the health ministry said. A technical glitch led to the message being sent out at the weekend, the ministry said late Monday, adding that no confidential information was revealed. A follow-up message was sent to the 357 people affected pointing out the mistake and “to apologize for […]

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Vietnam resumes rice exports to PH, other ASEAN countries amid virus crisis

  (Eagle News) — Starting this month, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam decided to resume rice exports to the Philippines and other members of ASEAN to help countries needing additional rice supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said this was a very welcome development. The Department of Agriculture said this would enable the region to maintain adequate food supply and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. “We welcome the decision by Vietnam to […]

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PHL gov’t’s decision to end VFA to complicate counter-terrorism operations in region, says US Defense Dept

US Embassy “questioned AFP’s capacity to conduct sustained counterterrorism operations” amid pandemic, says Pentagon report   (Eagle News) — The United States’ Department of Defense said that the Philippine government’s decision to end the Visiting Forces Agreement will “likely present new challenges for US counterterrorism operations.” In the latest report by the US “Lead Inspector General (Lead IG)” to the US Congress, it said that the end of the VFA could complicate US operations in […]

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