Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Oct 30)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaks with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo during a group photo at the La Nuvola conference center for the G20 summit in Rome, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. The two-day Group of 20 summit is the first in-person gathering of leaders of the world's biggest economies since the Covid-19 pandemic started. - AP

Malaysia:

Covid-19: 5,854 new cases, cumulative total now 2,466,663

Covid-19: Two new clusters, active clusters now stand at 438

Covid-19: 63 new deaths as of Friday (Oct 29)

Don’t blame others if disciplinary action taken for refusing Covid-19 vaccination, teachers warned

Govt to use Langkawi international tourism bubble as benchmark before reopening border, says Nancy Shukri

Budget 2022: Inclusive but could be better for Sabah and Sarawak, says Jeffrey

Clashes of govt candidates will be avoided during Melaka polls, says PM

Local products that tread on race and religious sensitivities no longer allowed, says Tuan Ibrahim

PM assures automatic registration, Undi 18 will be implemented from Jan 1

I'm here as a tourist, says Najib on Melaka visit

Budget 2022 will ensure direct aid to those affected by pandemic, says NRC chairman Muhyiddin

Tangga Batu MP apologises for 'drinking Malay women' statement

talian Prime Minister Mario Draghi poses with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as he arrives for the G20 leaders summit in Rome, Italy October 30, 2021. - Reuters

Singapore:

Singapore reports 3,112 new Covid-19 cases and 14 deaths on Saturday (Oct 30)

Singapore: 22 men arrested in operation targeting online child sexual exploitation activities

Golf legend Greg Norman lands in Singapore and says Asian Tour deal 'only the beginning'

Singapore central bank expects strong GDP growth despite virus surge

World leaders to talk climate, economy and Covid-19 vaccines at G20

G20 leaders to try to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees - draft

Singapore: Six people die of complications, including 44-year-old as island confirms 4,248 new Covid-19 cases on Friday

Idea for women to watermark nude pics wins award

Indonesia:

Indonesia reports 620 newly-confirmed Covid-19 cases and 27 more deaths on Saturday (Oct 30)

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo attending three meetings abroad after 20 months at home

France and Indonesia to work on 'true strategic partnership'

Indonesia foreign minister and Chinese counterpart voice serious concerns over AUKUS nuclear submarine deal

Indonesia steps up fight against climate change

Bali suitcase murder: Relatives in disbelief that jailed US woman released early for good behaviour

Woman in Bali ‘suitcase murder’ freed

A performer plays with fire to entertain tourists on the Thai island of Phuket on Saturday, October 30, 2021 as the country prepares to welcome visitors fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 coronavirus without quarantine from Monday (Nov 1). - AFP

Thailand:

Thailand confirms 9,224 Covid-19 cases and 88 deaths on Saturday; cases below 10,000 again

Racing to reopen borders: Tourism reboot in Asean as peak season approaches

Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport gets ready for Thailand’s Monday (Nov 1) opening

Thailand capital Bangkok prepares to reopen selected schools on Nov 1

Thailand's reopening plan in November triggers mixed reactions

Russell Crowe’s heart still in Thailand

Thaksin’s daughter steps up

Thai airline staff roll out the welcome mat

Heirs continue food legacy amid loss

Philippines:

Philippines logs 4,008 new Covid-19 cases as total now goes above 2.78 million on Saturday (Oct 30)

Philippines logs record daily Covid-19 deaths as data reclassified

Philippines beauty Cindy Obenita crowned Miss Intercontinental 2021 in Egypt

Philippines' Bangsamoro polls now pushed back three years to 2025

Philippine capital region Metro Manila remains under alert level 3 until Nov 14 despite decreasing infections

President Duterte’s performance rating falls in Philippines amid Covid-19 pandemic

Self-rule vote in restive region postponed

A youth receives the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine at Cu Chi Town Primary School in Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnam began vaccinating adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 this week. - AFP

Vietnam:

Vietnam logs 5,227 new Covid-19 cases and over 22,000 deaths in total

Welcome to Vietnam in the “new normal”

Vietnam Airlines share trades to be limited from Nov 3 over losses

Vietnam's VinFast plans to raise at least US$400 million via first green loan

US unhappy with Vietnam's decision to jails citizen journalists for 'abusing democratic rights'

UN experts call for release of Vietnamese activist

Journalists jailed over ‘anti-state’ FB posts

Myanmar:

Myanmar such a big headache as isolated China is cracking under the strain of keeping Covid-19 out of its towns

Chinese city on Myanmar border vows Covid-19 curbs despite disruption

US State Dept outraged with Myanmar's junta and urges investigation of military torture

Myanmar reports 905 new Covid-19 cases, 22 more deaths as govt confirms schools to reopen in November

Dozens of homes destroyed in Myanmar shelling, say reports

Asean to ‘stand by’ Myanmar

Residents look on surrounded by floodwaters on the outskirts of Phnom Penh following heavy monsoon rains. - AFP

Cambodia:

US State Dept outraged with Myanmar's junta and urges investigation of military torture

Cambodian minister says tourism in country down by 90% as Asean reported over 30,000 new Covid-19 cases on Friday

Cambodia's quarantine requirements still applicable to all nationalities, says country's top medical expert

Four EU-backed projects launched in Cambodia to support fishing communities

Curtains raised on entertainment and arts venues

Laos:

Laos to prioritise Vietnam and China when restarting international tourism

Laos reports 856 new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases as another senior citizen dies of virus complications on Saturday

Laos health authorities concerned with high Covid-19 death rate in October as another 447 new cases reported in country

Raid uncovers meth stash

Brunei:

Brunei confirms cross-border activities suspension extended 15 days

Brunei announces booster shots to be given for the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses

World leaders give Brunei’s Asean chairmanship the thumbs-up

People wearing masks walk on the street amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic in downtown Seoul, South Korea, on Saturday, October 30, 2021. - Reuters

AseanPlus:

Japan keeps tourism freeze despite plunge in virus cases

China's new local Covid-19 cases hit six-week high (update)

Flights and weddings cancelled as China tackles Covid-19 outbreak

CPO futures seen trading with upward bias next week

Qatar Airways is Skytrax’s ‘Airline of the Year’ for a record sixth time

Police find body of solo hiker on Hong Kong hillside days after he set off alone

Huawei revenue drops 32 per cent in first nine months as US sanctions cripple its once lucrative smartphone business

South Korea's Moon presses Pope Francis again to visit North

Chinese sentiment turns against public denunciation of famous pianist Li Yundi for hiring a sex worker

US ‘China Initiative’ racially profiled scientists, ruined careers

Teen seeks to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the globe

The wins and woes of Hong Kong’s rainbow families – has city made progress on policy and law for LGBT community?

China takes aim at US and its allies over ‘unreasonable’ claims at WTO trade review

FBI director asks US businesses to work more closely with the agency to defeat Chinese espionage efforts

China drafts tough rules to stop data from leaving its borders as Beijing tightens grip on information