Philippines

Philippine: Duterte expresses optimism Asean can overcome Covid-19 pandemic

MANILA, Aug 8 (Xinhua): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday expressed optimism that the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will overcome the Covid-19 pandemic through joint efforts.

Myanmar

Number of public transport commuters surges in Myanmar's Yangon in August

YANGON, Aug 8 (Xinhua): The number of public transport bus commuters surged to over 1.1 million in Yangon on Friday, showing upward trend compared to late July, an official from Yangon Region Transport Authority (YRTA) told Xinhua on Saturday.

World

France's Macron to co-host Lebanon donor conference on Sunday, officials say

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video-link on Sunday, his office said, as countries mobilise to help rebuild Beirut after this week's massive blast.

Nation

Technician fined RM1,000 for violating home quarantine order

BALIK PULAU: A 42-year-old man was handed a RM1,000 compound for violating his home quarantine order by visiting a fair at the Spice Arena Convention Centre here on Friday (Aug 7).

Indonesia

Indonesia allocates US$684mil to lend to regions to boost economy, step up spending

JAKARTA, Aug 8 (The Jakarta Post/ANN): The government is allocating Rp10 trillion (US$684.72 million) this year to provide loans for regional administrations, while taking measures to step up government spending, as it seeks to speed up the recovery of the pandemic-hit economy.

Nation

Over 7k returnees placed under mandatory quarantine since July 24, says Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 7,364 people, who returned to Malaysia since July 24, have been placed under mandatory quarantine, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

AseanPlus News

FBM KLCI to trade at 1,578-1,600 next week - healthcare, tech and small caps in focus

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 (Bernama): The benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) is expected to move between 1,578 and 1,600 points next week, with healthcare, technology-related and small cap counters anticipated to be on investors’ radar.

Nation

Ismail Sabri: 16 arrested, 164 compounds issued on Friday (Aug 7) for violating MCO

KUALA LUMPUR: The police arrested 16 people and issued compounds to another 164 for violating the recovery movement control order (MCO), says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

World

Philippines confirms 4,226 new coronavirus cases, 41 more deaths

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines' health ministry on Saturday reported 4,226 new coronavirus infections and 41 additional deaths.

India

India: Covid-19 tally rises to 2,088,611 as deaths surge to 42,518; landslide death toll rises to 19 as 47 go missing

NEW DELHI, Aug 8 (AP): India has recorded 933 Covid-19 fatalities in the past 24 hours as fresh infections surged by another 61,537 cases to reach nearly 2.1 million.

Nation

Azmin: Sabah Bersatu has huge potential to bring changes to state

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has huge potential in bringing changes to the state, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

World

South Korea floods, landslides kill 26 as heavy rains continue

SEOUL (Reuters) - At least 26 people have died after 46 days of heavy rains in South Korea, with the country's longest monsoon in seven years causing more flooding, landslides and evacuations on Saturday.

AseanPlus News

S.Korea: 43 more Covid-19 cases, death toll from flood rises to 21

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Xinhua): South Korea reported 43 more cases of the Covid-19 as of Saturday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 14,562.

World

Russia reports more than 5,200 new coronavirus cases

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian authorities reported 5,212 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Saturday, pushing its national tally to 882,347, the fourth largest in the world.

Animals

Extra-large cat Biggie Smalls finds love and a new home

Biggie Smalls has been described as a sweet boy with the prettiest blue eyes. He has no obvious health problems, but it is recommended he lose a little weight.

AseanPlus News

Early-stage coronavirus vaccine trial begins in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Aug 8 (The Straits Times/ANN): Volunteers being screened for Lunar-Cov19's early-stage clinical trial that is set to last till October

Nation

It's anyone's right to do so, says Hamzah on Dr M setting up new political party

KOTA KINABALU: Everyone has a right to set up their a new political party including Dr Mahathir Mohamad, says Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin.

Nation

So be it, says Hamzah on Sabah governor’s decision to dissolve state assembly

KOTA KINABALU: If the Sabah head of state had indeed allowed for the dissolution of the state assembly to pave way for snap polls, so be it, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

Indonesia

Indonesian capital closes dozens of offices as Covid-19 cluster infections found in workplaces

JAKARTA, Aug 8 (Xinhua): The Indonesian capital of Jakarta has shut down over three dozens of offices after several employees were tested positive for the Covid-19 (coronavirus).

World

Beirut blast: 154 confirmed dead, more than 60 still missing

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP): More than 60 people are still missing in Beirut, four days after a massive explosion at the port left more than 150 people dead, a health ministry official said Saturday (Aug 8).