Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Friday (Oct 21, 2022)

A general view shows Mayon volcano as it spews white smoke into the air in Legaspi City, Albay province. - AFP

Malaysia:

* Covid-19: Small number of XBB variant cases detected, no cause for alarm yet, says Khairy

* Covid-19 Watch: 2,561 new cases bring total to 4,875,131

* GE15: Umno rubbishes talk of Zahid not defending Bagan Datuk seat

* GE15: Nazri Aziz takes a bow, says it's time to go

* GE15: Employees must get reasonable time off to vote, says MEF

* GE15: KJ game for challenge of recapturing a seat for Barisan

* Leaders greedy for power and wealth are destructive for the nation, says Selangor Sultan

* Bank Negara international reserves fall to US$104.5bil as at Oct 14

* Multi-billion ringgit investments reflection of investors’ confidence in Sabah, says Hajiji

* Defence Ministry: Frances Naval Group to complete LCS project within time frame

* Najib's bid for SRC conviction review to be heard from Jan 19

* Egg supply expected to stabilise by end-October, says Domestic Trade Ministry

Cars for sale are parked at used car dealerships in Singapore. - Reuters

Singapore:

* Singapore's quirky car market offers rare profit for some as prices soar

* Singapore to offer those aged 18-49 Covid-19 bivalent booster later in the year, says its health minister

* What to know about Singapore's constitutional changes to protect definition of marriage

* Move to protect definition of marriage from court challenges will satisfy most S’poreans: Observers

* Jail, caning for man in SG who raped woman he duped with fake profile and bogus S$2,500 offer for sex

* Oil wavers as rate hike talk offsets fading China demand hopes

* Singapore govt takes first steps to legalise sex between men

* Asian shares mostly fall as investors watch for inflation

Indonesia:

* Indonesia says child deaths from acute kidney injury rise to 133 as another six killed in floods and landslides in Indonesia's Bali

* Indonesia posts US$3.9bil budget surplus in Jan-Sept

* Indonesia and Russia discussing use of Russian payment system Mir

* Interim Jakarta governor to replant trees ordered cut by ex-governor Anies

* Capital A’s platform to tap into Indonesia

* Indonesia: Meds found to have ingredients linked to AKI

* Indonesia: Mysterious breeding habits of aquarium fish vex experts

Special force members take part in an anti-terror security drill as part of preparations for the summit meeting of the G20 in Bali, Indonesia. - AP

Thailand:

* Thai growth could reach 3.5% this year as visitors to country to double in 2023, says its finance minister

* Thai mobile operators True and DTAC shares rise after merger cleared; combined entity now worth RM34.5 billion

* Merger to form Thailand's largest mobile firm gets nod after 11-hour meeting

* Fleeing Thai sergeant arrested over theft of 95 police guns

* Army collecting evidence on alleged graft in Thai military housing project

* Celeb’s charity swim draws flak in Thailand

Philippines:

* Over one million children in Philippines unprotected by routine vaccine, says UNICEF

* Filipino ‘anti-cheating’ helmets go viral as students take inspiration from Thailand

* Philippines: WHO official warns pandemic "not yet over"

* Philippines reports local transmission of Omicron XBB subvariant, XBC variant

* Philippines to get US military helicopters after scrapping Russia deal

* ‘Honour deal to buy aircraft’ - Russia tells Philippines

Long-tailed boats cruise slowly through the tranquil mangrove tunnel in Yaring district of Pattani in southern Thailand. Besides the mangrove forest, Pattani – one of the five southernmost provinces in Thailand – offers unique and memorable experiences for travellers – comprising beautiful nature, diverse cultures, and mouth-watering local cuisine. - Bernama

Vietnam:

* Vietnam eyes stronger cooperation in halal food industry with Malaysia

* Vietnam's 'wave of repression' threatens climate goals, say rights groups

* Emerging markets: Vietnam dong falls to record low as most Asian currencies set for weekly losses on aggressive Fed

* International food expo opens in Ho Chi Minh

* Vietnamese cuisine voted among best in the world

* Towards a digital, green economic partnership - signed deal between Singapore and Vietnam

Myanmar:

* Myanmar rebels attack key border town

* UN urges Myanmar's neighbours to stop forced returns

* Myanmar to hold flower festival to revive pandemic-hit tourism sector

* Myanmar villagers say army beheaded high school teacher

* Once welcomed, now a burden - The story of the Rohinya

Vietnamese United Nations peacekeepers stand during a ceremony commemorating the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the United Nations at the Hanoi International Exhibition Centre in Hanoi. - AFP

Cambodia:

* No Covid-19 deaths reported in Cambodia since April, says PM Hun Sen

* Cambodia and Timor-Leste sign deals to boost bilateral ties

* Cambodia issues new guidelines for legal casino operators

* Hun Sen vows to ‘finish’ exiled opposition figure

Laos:

* Lao central bank bans money exchanges units from selling foreign currency

* Spiraling inflation in Laos forces people to cut expenses

* Thai Smile Airways to launch flight from Bangkok to Luang Prabang

Brunei:

* Brunei’s second quarter GDP dips 4.4 per cent y-o-y

* Brunei's Covid-19 cases rise for third straight week

A medical worker in a protective suit walks under Chinese national flags, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China. - Reuters

AseanPlus:

* Just 30 days to go - Qatar's glitzy World Cup is ready and expensive

* China scrubs reports of teen quarantine death from internet

* Yuan falls to lowest since 2008 global crisis, despite state bank support

* Energy and security on agenda when Australia and Japan leaders meet

* Hong Kong cancels screening of Batman film shot in the city

* US charges seven in alleged plot to repatriate US resident to China

* China locks down parts of Xi’an as Covid-19 restrictions ripple

* Two giant Chinese pandas land in Qatar for first-ever ‘panda diplomacy’ in Middle East ahead of this year’s World Cup

* Hong Kong police are now tracking prostitution ring after arresting Japanese actress and eye on syndicate that lured her to city to provide sexual services

* Netizens rally for lone M’sian player on stage at Dota 2 tournament after teammates downed by Covid-19

* 'Purrfect' place for stray cats in Shanghai

* Asian shares lower, yields rise on aggressive rate hike jitters

* 'Robbing women': Japan's sperm donation law spurs controversy

* AI knows how much you’re willing to pay for flights before you do

* Janitor in US accused of spreading STD to co-worker by urinating in woman’s water bottle, allegedly recorded by hidden camera

* Aussie job engine brakes in September, supports slower rate hikes

* Chip industry’s crisis in China hammers firms

* Battersea Power Station receives more than 250,000 visitors

* Cricket-Bowlers beware! High totals loom in T20 World Cup

* HK$120 million worth of illegal cigarettes seized, six arrested in land-sea operations by Hong Kong customs