Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Feb 22, 2025)

A horse-drawn carriage driver takes passengers for a ride around the National Monument (Monas) park in Jakarta. To the eye of a tourist, the delman can appear as a colourful addition to the city, adorned by decorations and small bells that tinkle when the horse moves. But some owners still rely on harmful traditional medications, including puncturing the horse's muscles with bamboo sticks to pass a rope through to "cleanse" its blood. - AFP

Malaysia:

* King returns safely after receiving treatment abroad

* Discuss, not accuse, says Anwar on Opposition allocations

* Former PM Ismail Sabri now in stable condition, fully regains consciousness

* Perhilitan uses duck meat bait in effort to capture croc seen in Klang River

* Perak Customs seizes contraband cigs, firecrackers, booze and drugs worth RM3.7mil in multiple raids

* Foreigners use 'guerilla tactics' to evade arrest by Immigration in Klang

* Explosions, tremors in Bagan Ajam from Air Force bombing drill, say Penang cops

* Suspect in child rape attempt at mosque remanded seven days, say cops

* LRT services at four stations disrupted after passenger falls onto tracks, says Rapid Rail

* Newly reconstructed Tun Teja bridge a fresh tourist attraction, says Melaka CM

* Game over for scammers as cops raid condos worth RM16mil bought with illegal proceeds

* Ringgit set to reach RM4.36 support level amid optimism over US trade deal

* Special officers not out to undermine Opposition reps in Perak, says MB

* Safety measures at all train stations to be enhanced, says Loke

* Hold off making display of medicine pricing at GP clinics mandatory, says MMA

People take picture of the Rain Vortex from a observation bridge as a train passes at Jewel Changi airport in Singapore. The government will pour an additional US$3.7 billion into upgrades at Changi airport, including a long-awaited fifth terminal, as the nation seeks to maintain its position as a top global aviation hub, its leader said. - AFP

Singapore:

* Motorcyclists account for over 55 per cent of traffic accidents in Singapore last year

* Eight people hurt after chain collision involving 14 vehicles on Singapore's PIE

* Singapore prepared to tackle challenges in fast-shifting global landscape: Senior Minister Lee

* Zoos and aquariums must do more than just entertain

* Private property residents in Singapore cheer news of climate vouchers and ageing-friendly fittings

* La Nina arrives in Singapore, but may not have cooling effect due to long-term warming

* Oil settles down US$2, posting weekly loss as Mideast risk premium fades

Indonesia:

* Indonesia's Trade Ministry launches Gemini Academy to support SMEs with AI integration

* Prabowo holds leaders retreat amid emerging signs of dissent and ongoing students' protest

* Bali bombing survivor fears losing life-saving aid to Indonesia's budget cuts

* Asean special envoy discusses Myanmar crisis with secretary-general

* Last carriage horses of Indonesia’s capital endure harsh lives

* A tough 100 days for Prabowo

A student protester hold Indonesian flags during a rally against the recent budget efficiency and other policies implemented by President Prabowo Subianto, in Jakarta, Indonesia. - AP

Thailand:

* Thai rice farmers demand better support as prices plummet; many are vowing protests if situation do not improve

* Thai government pledges crackdown on call centre scams with regional cooperation

* Explosive thrown at Thailand's Narathiwat army base ahead of ministers’ visit

* Hailstorm damages houses in Thailand's Phayao province, floods a village

* Thai goldsmiths raise ornament-making fee for first time in nine years

* American golfer Angel Yin moves into third-round lead at LPGA Thailand tournament

Philippines:

* Dengue fever outbreak rages in Philippines - already more than 43,000 cases in less than two months

* Exit from ‘Dirty Money’ list is complete; Philippines now aim to boost investment and further improve economy

* Philippines exit from dirty money ‘grey list’ is ‘good news’ for overseas Filipino workers, says Speaker

* Philippines finally exits dirty money ‘grey list’* Filipino man kills father, neighbour after accused of stealing firewood

* ESCAP urges Asean to strengthen Paris agreement commitments amid global climate uncertainty

Catholic faithful gather at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral popularly known as the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines to pray for the healing and recovery of Pope Francis as part of a nationwide call for prayers initiated by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines. - AP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia fortify ties in new development phase

* Vietnam firmly committed to multilateralism, international solidarity, says UN ambassador

* Tourists wearing this hat in Vietnam may face US$3,000 fine, entry denial

* Vietnam approves over US$88bil rail link project to connect with China

* UK's King Charles affirms support for multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam

Myanmar:

* Myanmar returns more than 100 Chinese scam centre workers on Saturday (Feb 22)

* Myanmar allows overseas workers to import EVs under special scheme

* 46 Indonesian human trafficking victims return home from Myanmar

* Myanmar holds food industry development forum to bolster domestic food production

Malaysia Mountaineering Federation (PMM) is actively preparing to host the Asean Climbing Championship, which expected to be held in early July. The championship would be a series of competition to get our athletes ready for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. - Bernama

Cambodia:

* Rising hotspots signal early warnings of transboundary haze threats in South-East Asia

* Booming platform economy offers convenience to consumers in Cambodia

* Cambodia discovers, safely neutralises another war-left US aerial bomb MK-82: official

* Cambodia: Demining efforts to restart following US aid waiver

Laos:

* 50 elephants, much-loved animal of the people, featured in festival to mark Laos' 50th founding anniversary

* Lao Forestry ministry beefs up protection of conservation areas

* Laos to boost tourism amid increased popularity

Brunei:

* Brunei bank warns against issuance of fraudulent certificate

* Bruneians reflect on nation’s independence

* Asean bolsters ties with China, bloc also eyes new collaborative opportunities

USA's Kristi Kirshe pushes past China's Wang Wanyu during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series women's rugby match between Chima and USA at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada. - AFP

AseanPlus:

* Malaysia to capitalise on Asean chairmanship to be global focal point

* Asean delegates begin converging on Desaru ahead of AEM Retreat

* Malaysia, France to boost cooperation in AI, defence, says Anwar

* Bangladesh-Malaysia relations strengthened on International Mother Language Day

* China's new visa-free policy for Asean tour groups boosts tourism, cultural bonds

* Alang leads Malaysian archers' golden charge in Asia Cup

* Malaysian law firms opens new office in China's Shantong province

* Chinese universities launch DeepSeek courses to capitalise on AI boom

* Dr Dzul: Malaysia receives 2,220 mpox vaccines through Asean Covid-19 Response Fund

* Chinese team develops strain of rice that may help cut the risk of heart disease

* Student shot dead in Bihar, India for not sharing answer sheet

* Chinese President Xi signs orders to revise military rules

* Alleged drug kingpin shot dead in Sri Lanka courthouse

* Actor Lee Min-ho denies he is dating K-pop star Park Bom of 2NE1 after ‘husband’ posts

* South Korea: Police building case against Yoon for obstructing arrest

* Japanese Cabinet approves ‘emergency’ urban bear shootings

* Tesla is safest in the world, says driver whose Cybertruck self-drove into pole

* Australia government pledges A$8.5bil to healthcare as election looms

* Driver of Hong Kong school bus dies after crashing into fence

* China to welcome foreign investment in more sectors of economy

* Hong Kong’s M+ museum, MoMA sign first-of-its-kind collaboration deal

* Joint projects and visas: how US embassy job cuts could play out in China

* Arab Leaders' Summit kicks off in Riyadh amid plans for Gaza reconstruction

* Pope Francis not out of danger, but expected to live, says medical team

* Hong Kong budget: Can Paul Chan make needed cuts without angering the public?

* China’s bold new agricultural plan puts AI, biotech and seeds behind self-sufficiency push

* China car accident acts as cupid for woman injured by driver whose hospital care led to love