Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (Feb 23, 2025)

A Rafale fighter jet (left) is parked next to E-2 Hawkeye plane during the media tour aboard French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle berth at the US former naval base in Subic Bay, Zambales province, north of Manila on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The aircraft carrier strike group, which includes a trio of destroyers, joined the Philippine Navy for drills in the South China Sea that Manila said were aimed at enhancing "interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities". -- Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP

Malaysia:

* Public told to be wary of fake Sultan Ibrahim social media accounts

* Ismail Sabri stable but needs close medical supervision, says aide

* Increasing nurses’ working hours could risk exhaustion, increase in accidents, says Dr Mah

* EPF clarifies investment income and 2023 dividend payout

* Perak Speaker to notify EC on Ayer Kuning seat vacancy

* Chow Kon Yeow to contest for DAP CEC post at upcoming polls

* Police record statements in probe into death of disabled man at LRT station

* Twelve people rescued after being trapped in Kulim hotel lift

* Sex assault suspect in mosque said to be an OKU

* MOH orders two online shopping platforms to remove gummy candy ads

* Chery to build RM2.2bil auto industrial park in Hulu Selangor

* Culprit spreading fake articles about me is from India, says Jaclyn Victor

* Umno ready to cooperate but must remain dominant in Sabah state election, Ahmad Zahid says

* Optimism over US trade deal may see ringgit reach the RM4.36 support level

* Bursa Malaysia expected to remain range-bound between 1,579 and 1,600 from Monday (Feb 24)

Firefighters battle a blaze at a recycling warehouse in the Kranji industrial area in Singapore on February 19, 2025. The fire was finally out out offcially on Sunday (Feb 23). -- Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

Singapore:

* Singapore and Hong Kong lead Asia's drive to cash in on crypto boom

* From raising awareness to potential breeding: How Rainforest Wild Asia helps to conserve wildlife

* Kranji Crescent fire in Singapore finally put out after 4 days, confirms SCDF

* Girl taken to hospital after her foot is trapped in escalator at Singapore mall

* Rare hormonal condition keeps 41-year-old Singaporean looking forever young

* La Nina is coming, but may not bring much needed cool weather

* 11 e-Sports golds up for grabs at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Indonesia:

* Indonesia explores new export markets amid US tariff concerns

* Mt Lewotobi eruption: Indonesia govt relocates hundreds of families to temporary housing

* New Indonesian science minister vows no increase in varsity tuition fees

* Govt buildings in Central Java town vandalised amid punk song controversy

* Thousands protest budget - Proposed cuts in spending don't go down well with students

* From Yolo to Yono - Young Indonesians embrace frugality and redefine spending habits.

Well-wishers wave national flags as Japan's Emperor Naruhito appears with Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko (right), Crown Prince Akishino (third lrft), Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter Princess Kako (left) on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 65th birthday in Tokyo onSundayFebruary 23, 2025. -- Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP

Thailand:

* Thai govt thanks The White Lotus and Blackpink's Lisa for boosting Samui’s popularity

* Malaysia as Asean Chair prioritises peace efforts in southern Thailand, says Thaksin

* Thai, Cambodian police free 215 foreigners in scam centre raid

* 11 injured in Thai insurgent bombing in Yala’s Bannang Sata district

* Insurgent bombing hits Narathiwat Airport ahead of Thaksin’s visit

* In Thailand, who owns Social Security funds?

Philippines:

* Suspected Filipino trafficking victims intercepted in Thailand

* Philippines health ministry sounds warning as country grapples with rising dengue cases

* French aircraft carrier stages combat drills with Filipinos in disputed sea and visits Philippines

* Man kills live-in-partner then kills self in Batangas, Philippines

* Chinese hybrid rice thrives in Philippines, enhancing food security

* Manila welcomes removal from money laundering list

Railway workers guide a train at a railway crossing in Hanoi. Vietnam has announced that it will build a US$8 billion rail link from its largest northern port city to the border with China, boosting links between the two Communist-ruled countries and making trade easier. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam capital Hanoi aims to develop 10 urban rail lines by 2035, says top official

* Big success: Online sales drive business success to new heights in Vietnam

* Vietnam government publishes map of its Gulf of Tonkin baseline

* Asia Rice - Sluggish demand, high supplies pin Vietnam rates to over 3-year low

* HCM City offers tuition waivers for kindergarten, high school students

* Vietnamese enterprises urged to proactively respond to escalating trade tensions

Myanmar:

* Myanmar authorities arrest bank robber in Mandalay

* 50kg of Ice worth almost RM900,000 seized in eastern Myanmar

* Fuel prices surge in Yangon compared to last week

* Over 100 call centre workers returned to China

A couple of factory workers drive a motorbike as they head to their daily work at Koh Rongeang village outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia. -- AP Photo/Heng Sinith

Cambodia:

* Cambodian court president disciplined for early release of murderer

* 215 ‘victims’, including 109 Thais, rescued from online scam gang in Cambodia

* A decades-old rocket-propelled grenade kills two toddlers; bomb found at Cambodian countryside

* Giant puppet parade attracts spectators in Cambodia's cultural province

Laos:

* Lao women caught crossing into Thailand after escaping Myanmar scam hub

* China-Laos-Thailand railway benefits hailed

* Lao Telecom to increase investment to US$17.29mil in 2025

Brunei:

* China congratulates Brunei on country's 41st anniversary of independence

* Joint Brunei operation uncovers multiple violations

* 24 participate in sign language course in Brunei

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino (right), Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter Princess Kako (left) appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 65th birthday in Tokyo on February 23, 2025. -- Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP

AseanPlus:

* 12th Working Group-Asean Economic Community meeting concludes after two days

* Sawda becomes first junior girl to win Asian meet gold in 62 years

* Digitalisation will help MSMEs tap into Asean market

* Malaysia plans major economic push as Asean Chair

* Chinese take record 9 billion domestic trips during CNY: Report

* British actor Emrhys Cooper tackles Sabah's Borneo Ultra Trail Marathon

* Japan emperor hopes for peace, 80 years after WWII end

* Pope Francis spends peaceful night in hospital after respiratory crisis, says Holy See

* Chinese woman steals US$620,000 from company to seek emotional value from male models

* Spokesperson slams Australia for slandering lawful China military exercises

* Rescuers search for eight trapped in India tunnel collapse

* New Zealand says Chinese naval vessel fires live rounds in new drill

* German's largest Japanese community is thriving in Dusseldorf

* The AI mess - Artificial intelligence is polluting the web with bogus images and data

* Panda-themed open-top bus to serve cross-harbour sightseeing route in Hong Kong

* Global conflicts hit export of Kashmir handicrafts

* Backlash as Chinese influencer claims to earn US$41,000 a day doing nothing

* South-East Asia, world need UN special rapporteur on democracy

* US to axe China-based diplomats to cut size of mission by 10%: sources

* Man airlifted to hospital after shark attack off northeast Australian coast

* President Yoon, South Korea Parliament prepare for final phase of impeachment trial

* Korean National Assembly to stress illegal nature of martial law, president maintains he acted within his rights

* EU ready to use trade bazooka, top official warns ahead of meeting Trump team

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

* Nepal community fights to save sacred forests from cable cars

* Bangladesh Attorney General, Anti-Corruption Commission challenge Khaleda acquittal

* A breakup of the Taliban would be a scary scenario for Afghanistan, Pakistan and neighbours: Comment