Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (April 26, 2022)

A woman holds placard while taking part in a vigil ahead of the planned execution of Malaysian drug trafficker, Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, outside Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday, April 26, 2022. - Ruters

Malaysia:

* Covid-19: Daily cases drop below 2,500 mark for first time since Jan 17 this year

* Covid-19: Sabah records 51 new cases on Tuesday (April 26)

* Kundasang quake: Tremors felt on Mount Kinabalu

* Folic acid and iron to be added to fortify wheat flour sold in Malaysia, says Khairy

* Mat lajak case: Appellate court sets May 11 for case management of Sam's appeal

* Malaysia can learn much about rail travel from Japan, says Dr Wee

* Last-ditch effort to save Nagaenthran from the gallows dismissed

* Fireworks disposal sets off thick smoke, sounds of explosion at police storage facility

* No evidence of political hand sustaining chicken cartels, says Nanta Linggi

* Govt likely to introduce targeted fuel mechanism: Mustapa

* Road works on major highways suspended to avoid congestion during Raya period, says Fadillah

* Pahang's RM2.1bil debt to Federal Govt written off via water restructuring supplementary agreement, says MB

A worker stands as fresh fruit bunches are unloaded to be distributed from the collector site to CPO factories, as Indonesia announced a ban on palm oil exports effective this week in Kampar regency, Riau province, Indonesia, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. - Reuters

Singapore:

* Singapore reports 3,688 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday (April 26); manufacturing output grows 7.1% in first quarter

* Singapore remains fully open to trade and investments, says Finance Minister Lawrence Wong

* Singapore Court dismisses last-minute bid by mother of Malaysian drug trafficker to halt execution

* Last-ditch effort to save Nagaenthran from the gallows dismissed in Singapore

* Relief, revival as Singapore scraps its Covid curbs

* Richard Branson again urges Singapore not to execute Nagaenthran

* Singaporeans hold vigil for Malaysian in high-profile death row case

* Asean parliamentarians issue open letter on Myanmar political impasse

* Malls, restaurants in Singapore take down barriers as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted

* Field day for storm-chasing photographers

* Fewer safe distancing ambassadors as curbs ease

* Asian shares advance on back of rally on Wall Street

Indonesia

* Indonesia's ‘Mudik’ trips pick up as govt trials traffic policies

* Indonesia's Bali to deport man for dancing naked at sacred mountain

* Indonesia president Jokowi's rating slumps amid soaring cooking oil prices

* Emerging markets - Indonesian rupiah rises after crude palm oil excluded from export ban

* China lockdown amps up inflation scare for global markets

* Indonesia may widen palm oil export ban if local demand not met

* Critically endangered Sumatran tigers lost to animal traps

* Anak Krakatoa erupts

Jean-Baptiste Sanchez (right), captain of the Energy Observer, a boat powered by hydrogen and other renewable energy sources, looks at the catamaran's solar panels as it is moored in Pattaya on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, during a round the world voyage. - AFP

Thailand:

* Jab under-5s to prevent deaths in healthy toddlers, says top Thai virologist; daily cases hovering above 13,000 on Tuesday (April 26)

* Thai central bank ready to act if baht is too volatile

* Thai policeman who killed doctor at zebra crossing released on bail

* Thai March exports beat forecast, but shipments to Russia tumble

* ‘Zero Covid’ ordered for Thai durian exports after China scare

* Shortage of parts, semiconductors slow down Thai car exports

* Thailand records 13,816 Covid-19 cases and 120 deaths

Philippines:

* Rising politics star in Philippines pledges support to sports development and aim to produce world-class athletes

* Esscom probes claims of three Indonesian fishermen ‘held’ in Philippine waters

* Philippines may consider rate increase in June: Diokno

* Philippine envoy in Canada denies pre-shaded ballot allegation

* Philippine police in pursuit of Maguindanao bus bombers

* They’re keeping it all in the family

* Nation starts giving out second Covid-19 booster dose

Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on Tuesday (April 26, 2022) is having a chat with Vice President of Laos Pany Yathotou when he hosted a reception for the visiting politician at the National Assembly Hall. - Vietnam News/ANN

Vietnam:

* Vietnam reports 8,431 new Covid-19 cases as total infections goes above 10.6 million as of Tuesday (April 26)

* Vietnam eyes doubling of power generation capacity by 2030

* Vietnam stocks drop again, spooked by arrest of executives

* Proposal to reduce Vietnam tax for import petrol

* Ho Chi Minh City to close most Covid-19 hospitals

* Illegal loggers turn jungle tour guides

Myanmar:

* Myanmar junta court to give verdict in Suu Kyi corruption trial

* Myanmar court postpones Suu Kyi verdict until April 27 - source

* Myanmar arts business booms after digital transformation

* Court delays Suu Kyi’s verdict

A court in military-ruled Myanmar on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, postponed by a day delivering a verdict on the first of almost a dozen corruption cases filed against the country’s former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. - AP

Cambodia:

* Daily Covid-19 cases in Cambodia down to a mere two; govt say mask-wearing now optional nationwide

* China-aided water project for rural schools in Cambodia has been fully completed

* Cambodia removes outdoor mask mandate amid high vaccination rates

* Police arrest 95 Cambodians for illegal border crossing

Laos:

* Revamp of EDL in Laos seen as important part of economic revival of country

* Laos Covid-19 infections continue downward trend despite New Year celebration

* New bridge between Laos-Cambodia will lead to closer ties, says Lao PM

Brunei:

* Brunei and Asia-Pacific committed to resilient future

* Brunei child immunisation rate at over 95 per cent

* Active Covid-19 cases drop below 1,000 in Brunei; only 150 new cases reported

Seoul residents enjoying a picnic outing with friends and family members at a Han river park in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. - Reuters

AseanPlus:

* First probable case of children's mystery liver disease detected in Asia

* Beijing to test 20 million for Covid as lockdown jitters grow

* Covid lockdowns send China’s economy reeling as outbreaks spread

* Kim will 'strengthen' North Korea's nuclear weapons: state media

* Asian markets mixed but China, Fed keep confidence in check

* North Korea stages nighttime military parade

* Unsung heroes aiding Shanghai’s epidemic fight

* S. Korea key for Europe to manage fallout from China-US rivalry: Report

* Hong Kong’s Lam says no plan to further ease border controls

* US made 'crystal clear' its concerns, will respond if China builds base in Solomons

* Human Rights Watch chief to step down after nearly three decades

* Jeff Bezos takes aim at Musk’s Twitter deal with China jibe

* Japan PM says cooperation with S.Korea is more necessary than ever

* Climate and big agriculture are slashing insect populations ‘by half’

* TVB stars apologise over Filipina role in TV series 'Barrack O'Karma 1968'

* Elon Musk to buy Twitter for US$44bil and take it private