Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (April 21, 2025)

Filipinos offer candles in front of a picture of Pope Francis following the Vatican's announcement of Pope Francis death, at the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines, on Monday, April 21, 2025. -- REUTERS/Noel Celis

Malaysia:

* No Cabinet reshuffle, PKR polls strictly a party matter, says Anwar

* Najib's legal team to file contempt action despite AG's advice, says Shafee

* 1MDB chose to split US$1bil, not Bank Negara's call, says witness

* Najib's 1MDB trial: ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng will be called as key defence witness, Shafee confirms

* More languages to be offered in schools as electives, says Education Minister

* JS- SEZ to strengthen Asean’s supply chain resilience, says Tengku Zafrul

* Education Ministry ready to implement home-based classes during Asean Summit

* Melaka records 666 online scam cases, RM19.52mil total losses since January

* Tengku Zafrul, Amir Hamzah heading to Washington, Malaysia seeking fair resolution on US tariffs

* FBM KLCI ends flat just below 1,500; ringgit hits 12-week high against US dollar

* Asean Industrial Park proposed in JS-SEZ to drive regional future tech growth

* Zayn Rayyan murder: Traces of blood found in room and bathroom, court told

* Zayn Rayyan neglect trial: No foreign DNA present in forensic samples

* Jakim reviews controversial remarks by PAS president on haj, election

* Proposal to limit PM's tenure, drafting of political financing bill under review, says Azalina

* National Unity Minister extends condolences to global Catholic community over Pope's death

Pope Francis delivers his address at the Theatre of the University Cultural Centre in Singapore on September 12, 2024. Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025 announced The Vatican. -- Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP

Singapore:

* Orchard Road fatal brawl: Jail, caning for bouncer who had knife in his possession

* Child abduction by a parent: 22 cases of children taken out of Singapore between 2019 and 2024

* Changi Beach now safe for swimming, says NEA, following recent oil spill

* Deepfakes target election in Singapore

* Six taken to hospital after fire at Singapore's People’s Park Complex

* One taken to hospital with minor burn injuries after shophouse fire at Boat Quay

* Singapore's Keppel gets $1.5 billion in capital commitments for its funds

* Actor Edwin Goh, back in Singapore, quit smoking and binge-drinking while living in Sydney

* Stocks, dollar slide as Trump's attacks on Fed shake markets

* CIMB commits RM10bil to boost Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone

* Singapore's Keppel gets $1.5 billion in capital commitments for its funds

Indonesia:

* Kulit Wayang, a Malaysian movie packed with local and Indonesian stars, win many hearts with its unique cultural promotional campaign

* Top Chinese and Indonesian officials forge closer security links

* Prabowo faces leadership test as Jokowi influence lingers

* Arrests of Indonesia judges raise concerns over poor judicial oversight

* Actor Edwin Goh, back in Singapore, quit smoking and binge-drinking while living in Sydney

* Zahid calls for stronger people-to-people ties with Indonesia

* South Korea's LG Energy Solution pulls out of Indonesia EV battery investment

* Prabowo facing resistance due to greater military influence in government

* Emerging Asian currencies strengthen as Trump questions Fed

Worshippers attend a mass at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption which was visited by Pope Francis in 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, April 21, 2025. -- AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Thailand:

* Tourist areas in Narathiwat still safe for Malaysians visit, says Thai tourist police

* Sultan of Kelantan expresses concern over security issues at Malaysia-Thai border

* Probe into Thai building collapse widens following arrest of China Railway boss

* Thailand kicks off process to pick new central bank governor

* Chinese Exec linked to Bangkok building collapse arrested

* Cancer of billion-dollar cyberscam industry spreading globally: UN

* Seven dead, 40 injured in double-decker bus crash in Prachinburi

* Seven earthquakes hit Thailand's Mae Hong Son province, Myanmar border

Philippines:

* Philippines Marcos describes Pope Francis as "best pope in my lifetime"

* US, Philippines open Super Bowl of drills amid China tensions

* Airline passengers set to pay higher charges in the Philippines

* 'Shared adversity' as Philippines, US launch joint military drills; integrated air and missile defence simulation also included

* Why money is going to Manila -- The foreign selldown on the Bursa Malaysia does not seem to be slowing down

* Money, power, violence or death in high-stakes elections in the Philippines

A man takes a photo of St. Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi on Monday, April 21, 2025. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam tycoon's jail term cut to 30 years in US$17bil money laundering case

* Vietnam property tycoon back in court for life sentence appeal

* Vietnam's aviation industry soars back to pre-pandemic levels; recorded over 20.7 million passengers in first quarter of 2025

* Vietnamese exporters reinvent solutions on US’ 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs

* Vietnamese, Lao PMs pledge closer ties

* WhatsApp, the latest dangerous virus travels in chat: Here's how to defend yourself

Myanmar:

* Malaysia's diplomatic footwork in Myanmar praised as strategic breakthrough, say analysts

* Crime syndicates in South-East Asia go global, defying crackdowns; scammers largely based in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos

* Myanmar detains 278 more foreign nationals over online fraud and criminal activities

* Chinese ceasefire monitoring delegation reportedly arrives in Myanmar

* Arctic sea ice reaches smallest extent in 46 years after unprecedented melting

People pray during mass at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila on April 21, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Pope Francis died on Monday, April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. -- Photo by Jam STA ROSA / AFP

Cambodia:

* Thousand-year Khmer statue ready for Paris debut

* Calls reissued for end to illegal gold mining in north-eastern Cambodia

* Cambodia launches tourism port in Kampot

* Beijing slams 'appeasement' of US in trade deals that hurt China

Laos:

* Vietnamese President to visit Laos

* US assets decline amid tariff, Fed consternation

* Xi's visits to South-East Asia hailed as inspiring, strategic and timely

Brunei:

* Borneo adventure expedition flags off with message of unity and friendship

* Brunei showcases rich Murut traditions at cultural night

* Stocks and dollar slide as Trump's Fed attacks jangle nerves

A woman holds a placard depicting a portrait of Pope Francis reading -- Goodbye Francis, thank you holiness, today all the people cry for you --at St Peter's square following the death of Pope Francis in the Vatican on Monday, April 21, 2025. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025 aged 88, a day after making a much hoped-for appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said in a statement. -- Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP

AseanPlus:

* Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88

* After Pope Francis' death, focus turns to cardinals who will choose his successor

* Singer Francesca Kao, who performed famed duet with Jacky Cheung, spotted at his concert

* 8,500 tickets for Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Sports Park opening show gone in 30 minutes

* UAE and China teams shine at KLK Borneo Sevens

* Thai AirAsia X plans capital increase to exit rehabilitation

* Leading South Korea presidential candidate vows to address Korea Discount

* India-Bangladesh trade spat stings at a time of global tariff uncertainty

* Indians battle respiratory issues, skin rashes in world's most polluted town

* Dust storm forecasting tool to boost solar energy production in China

* Japan denies manipulating currency to weaken yen

* China pushing strongly for globalisation drive

* Second Boeing jet starts return from China, tracker shows

* Vance arrives in India as Trump trade war hangs over visit

* Ishiba says Japan won’t just keep conceding in US tariff talks

* Superstar Jacky Cheung would rather have wrinkles than a stiff face

* Labor holds polling lead two weeks out from Australia election

* China is reining in smart driving tech weeks after fatal crash

* Chinese battery maker CATL launches second generation of fast-charging battery

* At China auto show, EV makers to grapple with autonomous-tech crackdown, launch Tesla 'killers'

* In the US, TikTok is by far the most popular social media platform among teenagers

* Redefining culture, one stroke at a time -- that South Korean artist Lee Sang-hyun

* Hong Kong must become global supply chain hub to navigate US trade war: experts

* Tokyo's first baby hatch opens to prevent child abandonment and abuse

* Gold soars to record high on trade war concerns, weaker dollar

* China’s first robot marathon runners trip, emit smoke, fall apart

* Lee Min-ho voted most popular Korean actor for 12 years in a row: survey

* HK star Sammi Cheng's 'black tape' look sparks online buzz – fashion-forward or fashion faux pas?

* China and Brazil to discuss expanding farm exports amid US tariff escalation with Beijing

* South Korean military under fire for ‘lack of discipline’ after series of major accidents

* China wife films affair of husband, shares online, mistress sues for clip removal and payout

* Athletics-Chopra hopes eponymous event will bring Diamond League to India

* Swedish lass Ingrid Lindblad wins maiden LPGA title at JM Eagle LA Championship; second rookie after Rio Takeda to achieve feat