Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Nov 1, 2025)

Front row from left to right, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chile's President Gabriel Boric, Chinese President Xi Jinping, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and back row from left to right, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Vietnam's President Luong Cuong, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Peru's Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Teresa Mera, Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, Taiwan's envoy to the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Lin Hsin-i pose for a group photo at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. - Yonhap via AP

Malaysia:

* Digital transformation, AI at helm of APEC meet; Malaysia highlights moral, environmental risks

* US trade pact does not force M'sia into blind compliance, says Tengku Zafrul

* No injuries in PETRONAS Tower 3 restaurant fire / Fire breaks out at PETRONAS Tower 3

* Malaysia committed to supporting peace process through regional cooperation, says Khaled

* Malaysia sees significant drop in influenza cases, reports Health Ministry

* 58,428 Form Four students identified as thalassemia carriers since 2016

* 'Orangutans should not be used as symbol to attack palm sector'

* Man arrested for alleged molestation of boy at Pulau Melaka mosque

* RTM faces internal investigation for misidentifying Asean leaders, says Fahmi

* Exit clause in US-Malaysia trade deal not a real safeguard, says Rafizi

* Malaysia's unemployment rate declines to 3.2% in 2024, says DOSM

* Significant spike in turbidity level at Johor River Basin due to burst pond

* Woman nabbed for alleged physical abuse of four-year-old son

* Lenggeng sewage pit tragedy ruled accidental, cops say NFA

* Syed Saddiq powers through Ironman Malaysia to beat 13-hour target

* Malaysia strengthens efforts to address marginalised children, youth in Asean, says ministry

Singapore:

* Malaysia hands Asean baton after landmark year of sustainable diplomacy 

* JPJ: Singaporean vehicle owners, drivers to be barred from leaving M’sia over unpaid VEP fines

* Coach operator Aeroline temporarily suspends trips between Singapore and Malaysia from Nov 6 to Dec 5

* Singapore police seize over S$150 million in assets tied to Prince Group, local media reports

* Ten days’ jail for Australian who went on shoplifting spree at Changi Airport

* Oil ends slightly up at weekend, trade choppy on report, denial of US attack plan on Venezuela

Indonesia:

* Wei Chong-Kai Wun stopped by Indonesian pair at Hylo Open semis

* Indonesian soldiers tortured, forced to admit LGBT involvement, killing one

* South Korea's Lee hopes to keep cooperating with Indonesia in military security

* Pentagon chief seeks to boost US ties with flurry of talks in Asia

* South Korea's Lee hopes to tackle AI and demographic issues at APEC summit

Thailand:

* Asia-Pacific leaders wrap up Apec summit after Trump and Xi agreement on trade truce

* Beyond borders: The allure of Malaysian men in Southern Thailand

* Thailand seizes 350mil baht in scam-linked assets tied to Cambodian tycoon and senator

* Contaminated Thai herbal inhalers can irritate the nose and throat

China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung during their meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, November 1, 2025. -- Yonhap via REUTERS

Philippines:

* China gives commitment to expediting South China Sea code of conduct, says Khaled

* From Philippine Palace media office: A ‘horror’ special

* China's military says it tracked Philippine patrol in South China Sea

* Philippines and Timor Leste eye formalisation of defence cooperation

Vietnam:

* Crowns, beauty products, fried chicken: South Korean culture meets diplomacy at Apec summit

* Malaysia-Vietnam ties stronger, more results-oriented than ever

* Death toll rises to 28 in central Vietnam floods

* Vietnam's ancient town Hoi An works to restore tourism after devastating floods

Myanmar:

* Global brands and skilled workers exit hit Myanmar's garment export 

* Myanmar extends State of Emergency in 63 Townships across nine States and Regions

* Myanmar fireworks festival goers shun politics for tradition

* South Korea and China sign seven MOUs including currency swap and online scam cooperation

Cambodia:

* US and Cambodia revive defence drills after Asean nation agrees to Trump-backed peace deal

* Working hand in hand: Malaysia hunts seven suspects after Singapore busts Cambodia scam ring

* Cambodian boxers defended by their president from ‘toxic’ critics

* Cambodian tourism minister: Kingdom ‘safe and secure’ for guests, online scams should not concern visitors

Laos:

* Documentary on China-Laos friendship screened in Laos

* Lao Vice President calls for more support for MSMEs as drivers of economic growth

* Laos explores eco-friendly business through waste management

Brunei:

* Vietnamese, Bruneian leaders pledge to promote the practical development of bilateral ties

* Trade-in campaign promotes responsible e-waste disposal in Brunei

* KFC Brunei launches ‘Nasi Katok Colonel’: Your favourite local bite, the Colonel’s Way

South Korean golfer Choi Hye-Jin in action during the Maybank Golf Championship 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, on Saturday (Nov 1, 2025). Hye-Jin has been the leader of the pack in all three days of competition. -- Photo: Bernama

AseanPlus:

* Sabah/Sarawak - Man jailed 104 years for raping stepdaughters since 2020

* US offer of assistance to Asean must be based on ADMM framework

* Asean reaffirms 'no nukes' stance, says Defence Minister

* Asean Defence Ministers' forum strengthens regional bloc’s voice on global security, says Khaled

* One year not enough, continuity essential to build sustainable legacy for Asean, says Defence Minister

* US Secretary of War advocates for prudent nuclear testing

* With fragile Gaza ceasefire holding, Trump wants to make headway on Indonesia-Israel normalisation

* China's Xi pushes for global AI body at APEC in counter to US

* Chinese man hides in box to enter building, robs woman before leaving in crate

* US bans new Chinese telecoms gear, citing national security risks

* China, South Korean ships in 15-hour Yellow Sea stand-off last month: report

* South Korean President optimistic about ties with Japan after summit with Takaichi

* Four years after cutting down 105 hectares of forest, Nepal’s Sagarmatha Airport lies abandoned

* Al skills gap in Bhutan’s civil service shows urgent training need: survey

* Ningxia launches China's first MR archaeological adventure

* Indian Sikhs given visas for festival in Pakistan

* Xi champions free trade at Apec

* Is China’s new Type 076 drone carrier starting key catapult test?

* Stampede at South India temple claims at least 10 lives

* Japan mother shocked as friend becomes son-in-law despite 30-year age gap

* South Korea to woo China's Xi with state visit as APEC wraps up

* Japan mother shocked as friend becomes son-in-law despite 30-year age gap

* Japan PM Takaichi’s debut summits with China, South Korea reflect pragmatic foreign policy

* Who’s hiring in China? Pet care and advanced manufacturing stand out

* Australian marsupials contaminated with harmful "forever chemicals": study

* Australia, Canada sign deal to strengthen critical minerals cooperation

* Afghan woman defies Taliban govt as accredited ambassador to Austria

* North Korea says denuclearisation is unrealisable 'pipe dream' before China, South Korea summit

* Heart And Soul: Sambal petai... a taste that feels like home!

* Cricket - India's Iyer discharged from hospital after spleen injury

* Tennis -- Tennis-India's Bopanna retires at 45 after Grand Slam and world ranking feat

* Golf -- 'Almost there' - S. Korea's Choi Hye-Jin maintains her tournament-long lead at Maybank Championship heading into the final round

* Golf -- Maybank Championships 2025: Day three highlights - high in action, splendid in drama