Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Oct 16, 2026)

Motorists ride through the smoke of a fire at Sungai Tabuk village in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Province on October 16, 2026. Toxic haze has covered parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for weeks as Jakarta struggles to contain fires that have scorched large tracts of Borneo and Sumatra, with the smoke drifting across the region. -- Photo by MUDA SAGALA / AFP

Malaysia

* 'Go away, I don't want to see you', says Tuanku Muhriz in ticking off Negri MB

* Haze: Schools must close, public gatherings cancelled if API exceeds 200, says Health Ministry

* Malaysia on track to exceed 2026 GDP growth forecast

* Haze: Pasir Gudang hits very unhealthy API reading, 33 unhealthy nationwide

* Major power outage hits JB, thousands of residents left in the dark

* Customs Dept officer found dead at KLIA quarters, husband surrenders to cops

* Suspect held over claims of abuse, unnatural sex at tuition centre

* All entry points to have biometric ID systems by Q3 2027, says Home Ministry

* Senior politician detained over alleged khalwat in PJ

* Immigration Dept nabs 73 undocumented foreign workers during raids in JB

* Some 160,000 undocumented foreigners held since 2025, says Home Ministry

* JAIS confirms khalwat arrest involving public figure in PJ

* Man remanded seven days in probe of wife's murder

* Coroner sets Jan 15 for verdict in Zara Qairina inquest

* Use MyUBAT app to verify meds sold online, Sabah Health Dept advises consumers

* Sarawak's Unifor distributes RM20mil aid to mission schools

* CCTV footage leads to arrest of 14 over Cyberjaya house break-in

* Activist Arun Dorasamy's representation rejected, trial to start Feb 1

* Road Transport (Amendment) Act 2026 comes into force today, says Transport Ministry

* No new orders received on Najib's house arrest, say cops

* S'wak govt hands over RM100,000 aid each to Long Lellang crash victims' families

* Seven charged with criminal conspiracy involving crypto scam

* Melaka polls: PKR to vie for nine seats

* Missing fisherman found dead at Tasik Bukit Raja

* GRS to map out GE16 strategy at inaugural annual convention

* FashionValet received investment of almost RM40mil from PNB and Khazanah, witness testifies

* Haze: Pasir Gudang, Larkin hit 'very unhealthy' API reading, 27 other areas in 'unhealthy' range as at 4pm

* Couple, three friends gifted cocaine-filled shoes for Japan holiday, says Bukit Aman

* RM18mil seizure sees drug ring busted before starting operations, three held including teen

* Proposed PM term limit, AG-PP split presented to Conference of Rulers, says Fahmi

* PeKa B40 to be rebranded as PekaSihat, says Fahmi

* Zara Qairina inquest: Lawyers urge public to to avoid speculating as proceedings close

* New e-wages system to help implement minimum wage increase from June next year, says Ramanan

* Airworthy helicopter, favourable weather before fatal crash, says preliminary report

* Mechanic jailed five years for ramming policeman, fracturing his arm

* Senior citizen beaten to death in JB suburb, suspect arrested

* Haze: Schools must close, public gatherings cancelled if API exceeds 200, says Health Ministry

A man takes photographs from an observation deck in Singapore on Friday, October 16, 2026, as the country continues to be shrouded in haze caused by fires in Indonesia. Toxic haze has covered parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for weeks as Jakarta struggles to contain fires that have scorched large tracts of Borneo and Sumatra, with the smoke drifting across the region. -- Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Singapore

* Singapore to issue preventive measure notices to seven Indonesian firms linked to haze

* Singapore's PSI could go over 300 before haze improves once inter-monsoon period starts, says environment minister

* Singapore-bound SIA flight diverted back to San Francisco due to ‘unruly’ passenger

* Singapore is experiencing 12th consecutive day of unhealthy air, the longest since 2015 haze crisis

* Singapore's September exports rise 68.4% on year

* Is this the best time for US strategists to push for abandoning ambiguity on Taiwan?

* Singapore looking into which companies responsible for haze-causing fires: PM Wong

* Company director jailed in Singapore for role in corruption case involving DSO National Laboratories

* Singapore postpones Purple Parade to first half of 2027 amid haze concerns

* Could Pakistan’s Chinese-made weapons help protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks?

Indonesia

* Protests spread in Indonesia as anger mounts over forest fires and haze

* Indonesia ready to accept foreign firefighting assistance on haze, says foreign minister

* Four killed in Indonesia battling fires causing toxic haze

* Bocelli concerts under fire

* Protests spread in Indonesia as anger mounts over forest fires and haze

* These women in Indonesia continue to fight fires even as gender bias persists

* Haze: Fires in Indonesia are outside Malaysian firms' areas, says Fahmi

* Indonesia's president ready to accept foreign assistance to combat fires, foreign minister says 

* Peatland damage blamed for fires / * A toxic haze hangs over the region / * Starving orangutan rescued from razed forest

Demonstrators dance in front of a line of police standing guard during a protest against the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok on Friday, October 16, 2026, as the IMF Annual Meetings take place in the Thai capital. -- Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP

Thailand

* Thai farmers and fishermen challenge IMF and World Bank at Bangkok rally

* Thailand showcases Muay Thai at IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok on Oct 15

* Malaysia steps up efforts to achieve US$30bil trade target with Thailand

* Bangkok and three regions face 60% thundershower coverage

* Thailand and China discuss investment and action against online scams

* Oil eases, but set for weekly gain on Mideast supply risks

* G7 to launch exercises to guard against AI cyber attacks

Philippines

* Philippine President Marcos is expected to summon the Chinese envoy for a veiled ‘threat’

* Modi's 25th year in public service: What it means for Philippines-India relations

* Philippine President Marcos to summon Chinese envoy over ‘threatening’ remarks

* Filipino tennis star Alex Eala learns to separate self-worth from results

* China says can 'easily win' confrontation with Philippines but would never use force

* G7 to launch exercises to guard against AI cyber attacks

A woman holds branches of milkwood trees on a street in Hanoi on Friday, October 16, 2026. The star-shaped white blossoms of Hanoi's milkwood trees have inspired songwriters and lovers, but city authorities began cutting them back Friday after an outcry from residents over their overpowering fragrance. -- Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP

Vietnam

* Vietnam Airlines seeks 25 Airbus jets to revive its low-cost carrier

* Concerts boost travel demand among Vietnamese music fans

* European countries, Vietnam to sign free trade deal on Sunday, officials say

* Five Vietnamese fishermen rescued after boat catches fire in Quang Tri

* 'Under attack' from fragrance, Hanoi prunes its famous blossoms

Myanmar

* China sentences three more Myanmar crime bosses to death in scam centre crackdown

* Myanmar marks 11th anniversary of Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement

* Russia detains Japanese journalist suspected of spying

* Huawei, once hobbled by US sanctions, passes 100 million Kirin chip milestone

People take photographs at Merlion Park in Singapore on Friday, October 16, 2026, as the country continues to be shrouded in haze caused by fires in Indonesia. Toxic haze has covered parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore for weeks as Jakarta struggles to contain fires that have scorched large tracts of Borneo and Sumatra, with the smoke drifting across the region. -- Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Cambodia

* US Treasury says it is working with Cambodian government to dismantle criminal networks

* Cambodian leadership: Combatting cross-border crimes requires cross-border teamwork

* Cambodian NGO calls for end to plastic Pchum Ben offerings; warns of lasting damage

* Cambodia fully restores centuries-old West Mebon Temple in famed Angkor park

Laos

* Top Laos officials to address workplace gender discrimination, violence in special meeting

* Lao govt moves to amend Civil Aviation Law to improve safety

* Huanggang Port praised for ‘light speed’ checks, but some find layout huge

Brunei

* Brunei issues over US$14,000 fines for health product offences

* Brunei launches hill padi project for inmate rehabilitation

* IMF chief says AI risks may exceed opportunities without safeguards and ethical framework

Activists shout slogans during a - Tiranga March - organized by the youth - Cockroach - movement, demanding the resignation of India's chief election commissioner, in central New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.(AP Photo/Channi Anand)

Aseanplus

* Malaysia banks on policy certainty, economic resilience to attract investment

* Malaysia should broaden tax base, improve subsidy targeting to withstand future shocks - IMF

* Malaysia's economy grows 5.3% in 3Q26, beats expectations

* M'sia proposes World TVET Council with China as fixed host

* Budget 2027: RM8bil TVET allocation to boost aviation, automotive sectors

* HK actress Eva Lai, 62, reveals fiance proposed to her on a beach in Sabah

* Luban Training Centre invited to set up Malaysia TVET centre, says Ahmad Zahid

* China is working on a submarine tank that can operate underwater for two hours

* Russia detains Japanese journalist suspected of spying

* Bollywood star faces expulsion after joining youth protest

* Two arrested for trafficking locals to fight in Russia’s war

* Apple prepares to debut first AI features in China in December

* Air India cancels flights to, from Saudi Arabia until Oct. 20

* Heavy rain shuts down Istanbul, causing flooding and three deaths

* South Korea’s oldest hippo, Hasun, dies at 46

* Istanbul's worst floods in 80 years leave four people dead

* Malaysia's film industry recorded a 107.7% surge in viewership

* Fiji to deploy solar-powered Australian military drones at sea

* India closes down New Delhi park ahead of 'cockroach' movement rally

* Kashmir's 600-year-old wedding-feast tradition adapts to modern times

* Thirty-four children and a teacher killed in Pakistan school roof collapse

* Central Japan Assembly passes Japan's first ordinance to fine abusive customers

* Japan Court acquits Yakuza member of restaurant chain president's 2013 murder

* Peshawar school tragedy reminds Malaysia that school safety cannot be compromised

* Chinese great-grandfather, 101, defies ageing with daily diet of Coke, Sprite, seafood

* China stocks rebound from 14-month lows as AI firms unveil buybacks, stellar forecasts

* Magnitude 6.9 earthquake off Russia apparently triggers Japan’s earthquake early warning

* Chinese fugitive poses as dead twin brother for two decades, exposed by sibling’s ex-lover

* Vijay’s TVK joins INDIA bloc anti-SIR protest in Chennai: Smart politics or convenient timing?

* South Korean President Lee defends live Cabinet broadcasts, rejects claims of silenced ministers

* Seoul mountain trail behind presidential Blue House reopens after being closed for nearly 60 years

* Japan's new agriculture minister Takebe faces major challenges, including bringing rice prices under control

* 'Abah Saya, Uncle Mike' star Andy Teh reflects on his nomination for Best Supporting Actor in FFM35

* Karyawan says M Nasir and Sheila Majid must explain court action against the government guidelines

* Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin, Pearly-Thinaah keep hopes alive by reaching Denmark Open quarters

* Badminton: Pearly-Thinaah fight back to end Malaysia's 18-year semis wait at Denmark Open

* Badminton: Professionals Pang Ron-Pei Jing ride high into Denmark Open semis

* Squash: Another close call as Sivasangari loses to Hania in Egypt Open semis