Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (March 22, 2026)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) is distributing aid to victims of recent floods after performing Eid al-Fitr (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) prayers, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, at Darussalam Mosque in Aceh Tamiang, Aceh. --Photo by Handout / Presidential Palace / AFP

Malaysia

* Heatwave warning issued for Padang Terap, 12 other areas at caution-level

* Call to strengthen National Artistes Day as platform to honour creative talent

* Govt intensifies efforts to reduce non-revenue water, strengthen supply system

* Sarawak reviewing strategies to strengthen rabies control

* Datuk Lat urges artists to remain active, keep creating

* Woman killed, two others hurt in Miri crash

* Kuala Kangsar joins list of areas issued Level 1 heatwave alerts

* Pulau Gaya bridge collapses near KK, Raya visitors fall into sea

* Report to be submitted on Penang land tax hike, says CM Chow

* Ringgit set to remain stable at 3.95 level against US dollar next week

* Cops say crash involving JPJ vehicle ongoing, urge to stop speculations

* Volatility seen continuing for Bursa Malaysia this week after the Hari Raya break 

* Primary schoolers make the nation proud at Bangkok Innovation Awards

* Juvenile Bryde's whale found dead in rock embankment along Tg Aru beach

* Explosive morning: Blaze at fireworks stall sends sparks flying into Nibong Tebal eatery

Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand plays her shot from the third tee box during the third round of the Fortinet Founders Cup 2026 at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California.-- Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty Images/AFP

Singapore

* Shockwave of chaotic Middle East war is rippling through the global economy

* Singapore PM Wong congratulates Anutin and is now aiming to expand bilateral cooperation 

* Two more Malaysians arrested in Singapore over government official impersonation scams

* Singapore’s last five yellow-top taxi drivers nearing end of the road

* Singapore ministers visit Johor royal family’s Hari Raya Open House, discuss ways to enhance cooperation

* One person taken to hospital after fire involving power-assisted bicycle in Balestier, Singapore

* ‘Dangerous times’ for Singapore indie restaurants

 Indonesia

* Indonesia made no US$1bil commitment to the Board of Peace, says Prabowo

* Aceh Tamiang flood recovery nearly 100%, says Indonesian President

* Indonesia awards Aidil Fitri remission to over 150,000 prisoners

* Indonesia's central bank clarifies new rule on foreign currency transactions

* Indonesia optimistic of 5.5 per cent growth on festive stimulus, work from home policy

* Governments worldwide shield households from rising energy costs due to the Middle East conflict

Vietnamese People’s Navy (VPN) Quang Trung, and the US Navy's USS Fitzgerald enter Sydney Harbour ahead of the Kakadu International Fleet Review, a biennial maritime exercise marking 125 years of the Australian Navy, in Sydney, Australia. Photo: REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Thailand

* 'He is the boss, now' - Thai PM Anutin tightens grip on power by securing new term

* Re-elected Thai PM faces immediate economic, legal tests amid energy shock

* Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project risks delay, may miss 2030 launch

* Analysis: Oil war shock is driving up Thailand’s costs and testing state intervention

* Thailand monitors UK meningitis outbreak, urges vigilance

* Six essentials face tighter price controls as Thailand moves to curb costs

Philippines

* Alert Level One raised over Bulusan volcano in Philippines amid rising unrest

* Philippines allows temporary use of dirtier fuel amid the Middle East crisis

* Three suspected rebels killed in clash with troops in central Philippines

* Philippines eyes raising women police recruitment quota from 10% to 20%

* Fuel shortage cuts hours of electricity in Philippines' Quezon island town

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns a shot against Magda Linette of Poland during Day 5 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. -- Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

Vietnam

* Vietnam accelerates shift to ethanol fuel as Iran war drives up energy prices

* Vietnam and Russia to sign energy deal, confirms Hanoi

* Vietnam unveils official list of newly elected lawmakers

* Vietnam's Communist Party secures nearly 97% of assembly seats

* Vietnam police officer dies attempting to stop illegal sand mining

Myanmar

* Yangon authorities prepare for 2026 New Year water festival

* Vehicle fire at Yangon fuel station engulfs entire facility

* US allows 30-day sale of Iran oil at sea in bid to tame prices

* K-pop sensation BTS returns with a stunning comeback concert in Seoul after a four-year hiatus

K-pop boy band BTS performs onstage during a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea. -- Photo: Kim Min-Hee/Pool Photo via AP

Cambodia

* Amazing achievement: Cambodia registers fourth newborn rare Mekong dolphin in 2026

* Huge crowds of tourists enjoy the equinox sunrise at Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat

* Cambodia-China street art performance held to promote tourism

* Cambodia records third newborn rare Mekong dolphin in 2026

Laos

* Lao government cuts school week to three days amid fuel crisis

* Laos shifts from paper household books to digital records

* Fears grow over US drug supply’s rising dependence on Chinese ingredients

Brunei

* Smooth traffic at Brunei-Miri border on first day of Hari Raya

* Brunei royal family host Hari Raya reception for VVIP guests

* Iran FM Araghchi delivers Alidilfitri message, expresses appreciation for South-East Asian muslim solidarity 

Athletics - World Indoor Championships - Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena, Torun, Poland - Sunday, March 22, 2026; Japan's Mako Fukube reacts after placing fourth in heat 6 of the women's 60m hurdles. -- Photo: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

 Aseanplus

* Iran says Hormuz open to all but 'enemy-linked' ships

* Over 100 foreigners inspected in festive Immigration operation

* Selangor Immigration inspects 200 foreigners over festive period

* Malaysian 'London Townhouse' in KL reflects owners' memories from living abroad

* PETRONAS looking at alternatives if Strait of Hormuz blockade persists, says DPM

* West Asia conflict: Subsidies rose from RM700mil to RM3.2bil in less than week, says Anwar

* India blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza film

* Sri Lanka raises fuel prices by 25% as conflict bites

* How a water crisis is reshaping farming in Bangladesh

* South Korea reports new bird flu case; total rises to 60

* Taiwan says delayed US F-16s to start arriving this year

* India withdraws domestic airfare caps in relief to airlines

* One of two Japanese detained in Iran released: Japan govt

* Rights groups fear use of arrest to stifle free speech in Pakistan

* BTS draws over 100,000 fans to Seoul comeback concert: label

* China set to impose stricter food import rules on foreign exporters

* Kermadec Islands, New Zealand hit by 5.1-magnitude quake: GFZ

* Australia fuel supply strong, no plans to ration, energy minister says

* US sounds alarm over China’s humanoid robots amid security concerns

* Taiwan leader says two nuclear power plants 'meet conditions' to restart

* Nepali migrant workers face uncertainty as Middle East conflict disrupts jobs

* Cathay extends Hong Kong to Middle East flight suspension until end of April

* 12 killed, dozens injured as bus collides with train in southeastern Bangladesh

* Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

* Japan could consider Hormuz minesweeping if ceasefire reached, minister says

* Pet owners evacuating UAE urge Hong Kong to loosen 120-day quarantine leash

* Four years after deadly China Eastern plane crash, investigators offer no answers

* Trump confirms delay of Xi meeting in Beijing as China ‘maintains communication’

* Did unauthorised structure lead to high casualties in South Korea's deadly factory fire?

* US says mainland China not planning to attack Taiwan in 2027 after threat assessment

* Over 400,000 violations of airplane portable battery rules logged in South Korea in past year

* Trump threatens to ‘obliterate’ Iran's power plants if Strait of Hormuz not opened within 48 hours

* New bird species confirmed in Japan for first time in 45 years, found on Tokara Islands in Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture

* Soccer - Japan coach hails Nadeshiko character, Hamano after Asian Cup triumph