A member of the Indonesian army takes part in a security drill ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix MotoGP race at the Mandalika International Circuit at Kuta Mandalika in Central Lombok on Saturday, March 19, 2022. - AFP
Malaysia:
* Covid-19: 65.6% of Malaysia's adult population given Covid-19 boosters
* Covid-19: Another 24,241 cases bring cumulative total to 3,951,678 on Friday (March 18)
* Covid-19: Only 185 new cases in Categories Three to Five, says Health DG
* Covid-19: Revoke fully-vaccinated status if fraudulently obtained, MMA urges govt
* Khairy: International travellers to be issued a traveller’s card once borders reopen
* Digitalisation of Malaysia's education system must go faster, says Mustapa
* 1MDB: Ex-Goldman banker’s wife was a ‘co-conspirator,’ US argues
* RMAF to conduct inter-agency search and rescue exercise in Sarawak
* Gov't seeking long-term solution to Felda issues, says Mustapa
* RM1,500 minimum wage policy comes into effect May 1, says PM
* Amendment bill to increase SOP violation fines to RM100,000 will not be tabled, says PM
* Govt has paid RM1.5mil ex-gratia payments to Muhammad Adib’s next-of-kin, says PM
(From left to right) Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s Italian rider Tony Arbolino, Red Bull KTM Ajo Team’s Spanish rider Augusto Fernandez and Elf Marc VDS Racing Team’s British rider Sam Lowes gesture to each other during the qualifying session for the Indonesian Grand Prix Moto2 race at the Mandalika International Circuit at Kuta Mandalika in Central Lombok on Saturday, March 19, 2022. - AFP
Singapore:
* Singapore's total Covid-19 caseload crosses 1 million mark as it reports 10,244 new infections on Saturday (March 19)
* Mental health task force in Singapore working with social media platforms to mitigate cyber bullying
* Divorces in Singapore rise by 2% in 2021 as maintenance and family violence cases fall
* Singapore's anti-drug strategy has kept situation here under control, says home affairs minister
* Singapore health minister says Omicron wave has "clearly peaked”
* Singapore: Omicron peak is over, but hospitals remain strapped due to non-Covid-19 admissions; 10,594 new cases on March 18
* Hong Kong court clears captain of Singapore-flagged cargo vessel of fraud over false Covid-19 declaration
* The art of the Russian persuasion
Indonesia:
* Indonesia reports 7,951 new Covid-19 cases and 188 more deaths on Saturday (March 19)
* MotoGP champ Quartararo on pole as Marquez crashes twice in Indonesia
* Indonesia-Malaysia agree on MoU on placement and protection of domestic workers
* Indonesia to build battery energy storage system this year
* About 87% Indonesians have Covid-19 antibodies, state survey shows
* Marquez tops weather-hit third practice for Indonesian GP
* Indonesia - ‘Dry season to start late in most parts of country’
* East Timor, Asia's youngest nation, votes for president
People play and relax on the Siloso beach lagoon on Sentosa Island in Singapore. - AFP
Thailand:
* Thailand records 25,804 Covid-19 cases and 87 deaths on Saturday (March 19)
* Not getting vaccinated is like walking into speeding Bangkok traffic, says Thailand's top medical expert
* Travel allowed but no water-splashing parties this Songkran
* Thailand further eases Covid-19 restrictions despite record-high cases
* Thailand all set to treat Covid-19 as endemic, plans to scrap pre-arrival PCR test
* Chicano culture with Thai twist
* Govt scraps pre-travel test
Philippines:
* Philippines govt plans special vaccination days in areas with low immunisation coverage as cases continue to drop
* From the brick phone to the iPhone: Visit the web museum for mobiles
* Philippine designer Lenora Buenviaje is a special one all right - she fashions gowns out of recycled trash
* Filipinos must be careful in doing online transactions, says think tank
* Philippines records lowest monthly unemployment rate after Covid-19 outbreak
* ANN special report: Ukraine through Filipino eyes
* Over 100,000 arrive since borders reopened
Japan's Yuta Watanabe (left) and partner Arisa Higashino celebrate winning their mixed doubles semi-final against Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Thailand's Sapsiree Taerattanachai at the All England Open Badminton Championship at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, central England, on March 19, 2022. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam reports 150,618 new Covid-19 cases as total now is almost 7.8 million as of Saturday (March 19)
* Vaccination certs, trade and investment among issues to discuss during Malaysian PM's visit to Vietnam
* Vietnam adjusts Covid-19 controlling target as cases continue to surge in country
* Vietnam government says power plants facing coal shortages
* Vietnam's EV Maker VinFast mulls up to US$1 Billion funding round
* Vietnam Airlines offers low-cost tickets for domestic and international return flights
* Govt irked by ‘unsuitable’ US prize for jailed dissident
Myanmar:
* Asean envoy seeking favourable conditions for Myanmar peace process
* Myanmar confirms 31 cases of Omicron sub-variant BA.2
* Myanmar to reopen to international tourists
* Blackouts and soaring fuel prices add to despair
* Telenor gets approval to sell subsidiary
A couple from South Africa walking along Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi. - AFP
Cambodia:
* China’s Xi commits 20 million Covid-19 jabs to Cambodia, says PM Hun Sen's spokesman; another 117 cases confirmed on Saturday
* Cambodia and Saudi Arabia vow to further promote ties and cooperation
* Asean launches negotiations to upgrade trade in goods agreement after meeting in Phnom Penh
Laos:
* Laos may cancel Lao New Year festivities amid Covid-19-Omicron outbreak
* Inflation rate in Laos hits 6-year high of 7.3 per cent
* Laos' Covid-19 daily cases exceed 1,000 for first time since January
Brunei:
* Trend on daily number of Covid-19 cases showing a decline in effective reproduction number (RT), says Brunei minister
* Omicron threatens Asean economic recovery, says ADB in its special report
* Covid-19 pills only for high-risk adult patients, says Brunei Finance minister
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida during a signing of agreements in New Delhi, Saturday, March 19, 2022. Kishida is meeting with Modi to strengthen their partnership in the Indo-Pacific and beyond in view of China’s growing footprint in the region, an Indian official has announced. - AP
AseanPlus:
* China reports first two Covid-19 deaths in more than a year
* China food scandal: meat producer exposed using food off the floor and making staff wear filthy uniforms in undercover report
* Hong Kong’s Star Ferry is struggling to cover salaries, pay off loans after logging HK$70 million in losses over past 2 years
* China: 16 officials punished for pandemic control lapses
* CPO futures poised for technical correction next week
