Morning News Brief [March 12, 2020]

Hot News

1. Trump’s administration announced that the US will be suspending all travel from Europe, excluding the UK, to the US for 30 days to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Reference:

• RT (https://www.rt.com/usa/482889-trump-cororavirus-adress-measures/) 

2. WHO declared Coronavirus outbreak a world pandemic after 118,000 cases confirmed in 114 countries including 4,291 deaths.

Reference:

• Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/declares-coronavirus-global-pandemic-live-updates-200311235023766.html) 

World

1. Camp Taji in Iraq that hosts the US-led coalition against Islamic State was attacked by 18 rockets which led to 3 deaths and 12 wounds.

Reference:

• RT (https://www.rt.com/news/482886-iraq-base-casualties-confirmed-taji/) 

2. Pakistan’s Parliament passed the first national law that targets child abuse offender, two years after the case of rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl shocked the nation.

Reference:

• The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/12/pakistan-passes-law-against-child-abuse-in-wake-of-zainab-ansari-case) 

3. The US congress passed a more powerful resolution that limit Trump’s military action against Iran, and will now proceed to the white house where Trump is expected to VETO. 

Reference:

• Sputnik (https://sputniknews.com/us/202003111078542121-us-congress-passes-war-powers-resolution-limiting-trumps-military-action-against-iran/)

Regions

1. Thailand cancelled the grant of visa on arrivals for 18 countries and visa exemption of three others, namely South Korea, Italy, and Hong Kong to contain  COVID-19.

References:

• Bangkok Post (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1876449/thailand-cancels-visa-on-arrival-for-18-countries-visa-exemptions-for-3) 

2. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister had a phone conversation with Malaysian counterparts to discuss strengthening bilateral ties to fight COVID-19.

Reference:

• China.org (http://www.china.org.cn/world/2020-03/12/content_75803538.htm) 

3. Myanmar’s parliament has blocked a bid by Aung San Suu Kyi’s party to reduce the role of the military in politics.

Reference:

• Japan Times (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/11/asia-pacific/politics-diplomacy-asia-pacific/myanmar-parliament-aung-san-suu-kyi-military/#.XmmR9m5uJPY) 

4. A foreign patient has become the first person with COVID-19 to die in Indonesia, a health ministry official said , adding that it is unclear if the virus had caused her death.

Reference:

• Channel NewsAsia (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/indonesia-bali-first-covid-19-death-foreigner-coronavirus-12526222) 

Cambodia

1. The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) said 12 more Chinese ships transporting raw materials for garment industry will arrive in Cambodia this week.

Reference:

• Xinhua Net (http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-03/11/c_138866500.htm) 

2. The Ministry of Justice had denounced the World Justice Project report that ranked Cambodia at 127 out of 128 in its rule of law performance.

Reference:

• The Phnom Penh Post (https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ministry-refutes-justice-ranking) 

3. The new Ministry of Industry,Science, Technology and Innovation is to respond to the emerging and global Technological trends and has two subs-units under  the reformed .

Reference:

• Khmer Times (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50700789/new-ministry-in-the-vanguard-of-digital-revolution-in-kingdom)

4. Ministry of Health spokeswoman suggested journalists not to spread the identity of COVID-19 patients due to right to privacy violation. 

Reference: 

• Khmer Times (https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50700792/ministry-urges-journalists-to-respect-patient-privacy)