Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (July 19, 2022)

Tourists visit the town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO world heritage site in Laos. - Xinhua

Malaysia:

* Covid-19 Watch: 3,080 new cases bring total to 4,626,061

* Covid-19: Second booster allowed for those aged 50-59, says KJ

* Inflation in Malaysia still manageable thanks to subsidies - economist

* Single system for hiring maids in the works, says Saravanan

* Comedy club case: Siti Nuramira nabbed by Jawi officers after posting bail

* PM: The courts will be our front line in fight against Sulu heirs' claims

* Rafizi lodges report against Najib for failing to act on Sulu heirs' claims

* Preacher nabbed for rape of girl, 14

* Online scams cost victims nearly RM3bil since 2017, Dewan Rakyat told

* MOE prepared for contingency plan should Covid-19, ILI cases rise

* Strong ties with Japan helped build up MMEA, says former DG

* Medicine shortage expected to be resolved in two weeks, says Dr Noor Azmi

A worker prepares an outdoor restaurant on Sentosa Island in Singapore. - AFP

Singapore:

* It's five figures again as Singapore reports 13,794 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday (July 19)

* Interpol alerted as Singapore man and Thai wife go missing after allegedly failing to deliver RM102 million of luxury goods

* Singapore growth to moderate further next year as global inflation seen easing

* Four-year-old girl dies after getting Covid-19; second death in Singapore of patient under 12

* S’pore organisations among most targeted in the world by ransomware attacks, study says

* Global inflation hasn’t peaked yet, says Singapore central bank

* Singapore plans a further strengthening of crypto regulations

* Netflix phishing scams: Victims in S’pore lost at least RM39,916 in July

* Standard sender ID for CPF

* Oil prices rise on tight supply worries, soft dollar supports

Indonesian SAR (Basarnas) shows a rescue team searching for victims of a ferry that sank in bad weather with 77 passengers and crew on board, at the waters of Maluku islands on Tuesday (July 19). Seach now ongoing for 13 missing pasengers. - AFP

Indonesia

* Meta units - Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - agree to Indonesia tech licensing rules amid blocking threat

* Indonesia's internal affairs' chief suspended over alleged fatal shootout in his home involving two special agents

* Google, Meta bow to sweeping taxes, content curbs in Indonesia

* East Timor hopes to join Asean under Indonesia presidency next year

* Facebook, Google, WhatsApp illegal in Indonesia unless they register for licenses

* MMEA: Four Indonesians nabbed for attempting to sneak woman out of country

* Cases spike as fourth wave sets in Indionesia

* Many nations condemned Russia at talks, says Jakarta

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha attends a no-confidence debate at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Thailand's opposition parties on Tuesday began a no-confidence debate targeting Prayuth and ten of his Cabinet members, who face accusations of corruption and economic mismanagement. - AP

Thailand:

* Thailand expects tourism revenue of up to US$65bil next year as country records 2,125 confirmed Covid-19 cases on Tuesday

* Emerging markets - Bank of Thailand hold rates at record low despite inflation Asian currencies fall on dollar strength

* Thai opposition grills PM in parliament as censure debate begins

* Malaysian ringgit, Thai baht hit by safety flows, growth woes

* Lottery vendors call for GLO chief to step down

* Russian billionaire is second mogul to dock in Samui

* Spyware ‘targeting activists’ in Thailand

* Cops praised for coming to tourists’ rescue

Philippines:

* Philippines mulls fertiliser deals with China, Russia and even others; country in need to increase food production

* Asian shares slip as investors eye inflation and earnings

* American razzmatazz in Asia; led by the Philippines filming starts ahead of Asian league's launch

* Philippines to revise Covid-19 restrictions in August, , says new president Marcos Jr

A child learns embroidery during a lesson in Hanoi on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. - AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam reports 1,097 new Covid-19 cases as no deaths are reported on Tuesday (July 17)

* Vietnam listed among top 10 best destinations for expats in 2022

* Vietnam central bank says it will stick to monetary policy that supports economic growth

* South Korean, one of three major drug kingpins in South-East Asia extradited from Vietnam

Myanmar:

* Myanmar marks 75th anniversary of killing of founding father but his daughter Suu Kyi is languishing in jail

* Myanmar rebels claim killing and capturing junta troops

* Myanmar's central bank orders companies and banks to suspend foreign loan repayments

Members of the Myanmar security forces stand guard on a street in Yangon on July 19, 2022, on the 75th Martyrs' Day that marks the anniversary of the assassination of independence leaders including general Aung San, father of the currently deposed and imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi. - AFP

Cambodia:

* Cambodia's child protection programme bears fruit as violence against kids in the country on the decline

* Cambodia cops arrests 11 drug traffickers and seizes almost 45kg of illicit drugs

* Three killed in floods after heavy rain

Laos:

* South Korea continues boosting nursing education in Laos

* China remains Laos' top foreign investor, says investment minister

Brunei:

* Recovered cases with lingering symptoms urged to seek medical help, says Brunei's top health official

* Brunei duo jailed for illegal transferring of fuel at sea

Girls wade through a waterlogged road after heavy rains in Ahmedabad, India,on Tuesday July 19, 2022. - Reuters

AseanPlus

* Rising issue as China’s Covid-19 cases near 700 as Shanghai widens testing and thousands of tourists stranded due to lockdown

* Asian shares weaken as traders eye central banks' rate plans

* Authorities in south China apologize over Covid-19 break-ins

* Malaysia says China's 2022 total palm oil imports likely lower

* Sri Lankans to protest against Wickremesinghe's bid for president

* Athletics - Four new Covid-19 cases reported in Japan's worlds delegation

* Athletics - Rojas collects third straight triple jump world title

* Analysis: The 2.5 seconds that sealed Shinzo Abe's fatal security lapses

* With Japan's ex-PM Abe pale and lifeless, a doctor at the scene prayed for a miracle

* Olympics-LA28 announce key dates for Summer Games

* Artificial heart gets green light to go on market

* North Korea ‘nears end of Covid crisis’ amid resurgence

* China: Ex-political adviser expelled from CPC

* Scorching heat expected to resume this week in China

* Promoting women will boost economic potential of US and S.Korea - Yellen

* Hong Kong stocks slide as Apple parts suppliers, Macau casino operators suffer on earnings pressure

* Elderly man in China demands daughter’s child take his surname as he provides for whole family or he will ‘die’

* Three-way fight to lead bankrupt Sri Lanka; acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe faces tough fight for top job