AseanPlus News

How joining vaccine initiative Covax could be shot in the arm for China

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (SCMP): Adding its weight to the WHO-led alliance is also a way of safeguarding China’s own access to vaccinesEngaging with global bodies and standards could aid acceptance of vaccines produced in China after past scandals

Thailand

Tens of thousands of Thai democracy protesters take over Bangkok and defy ban for fourth day

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (AFP): Thousands of pro-democracy protestors took over a major Bangkok intersection on Sunday with posters bearing the faces of arrested activists, defying a ban on gatherings and stern warnings from authorities who have escalated a crackdown in recent days.

Myanmar

Myanmar: Govt says most Rakhine voting stations will not operate in Nov election

Oct 17 (Reuters): More than half the polling stations initially planned in conflict-torn Rakhine for Myanmar's Nov. 8 election will no longer operate, as parts of the state are too unstable for voting, the country's election committee said.

India

India's expert panel chief say another wave of Covid-19 can't be ruled out in the winter

NEW DELHI, Oct. 18 (Xinhua): A member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI ) Aayog (commission) on Sunday said the possibility of a second wave of infections during the winter season cannot be ruled out in the country.

AseanPlus News

S'poreans snap up SIA dining offers to support airline, enjoy experience

SINGAPORE, Oct 18 (The Straits Times/ANN): They have been dating for about a year and on Oct 25, Nicholas Lim and his girlfriend, Eleanor Teo, will be boarding an aircraft together for the first time.

Indonesia

An Indonesian tragedy: 5-day-old baby dies of Covid-19 in South Sulawesi

JAKARTA, Oct 18 (The Jakarta PostANN): A five-day-old baby has died of Covid-19 in Jeneponto, South Sulawesi.

Economy

China gives Shenzhen more autonomy for market reform, integration

SHANGHAI: China on Sunday detailed steps to grant more autonomy to Shenzhen, letting the southern financial and technology hub pilot reforms in market development and economic integration.

AseanPlus News

China-Asean education exhibition embraces technological innovation; food fair show off specialties

NANNING, Oct 18 (Xinhua): The China-Asean education exhibition held in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has witnessed a growing demand for smart educational equipment, local authorities said.

Business

Foreign selling on Bursa at RM86m

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign selling of local equities on Bursa Malaysia from Monday to Thursday remained modest at RM86.0 million net compared with RM27.8 million for the whole of the preceding week.

Philippines

Philippines eyes early Sinovac trials as Covid-19 infections total hits 356,618

MANILA, Oct 18 (Xinhua): The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 356,618 after the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,379 new cases on Sunday.

Singapore

Singapore: Seven new Covid-19 cases but only one in community

SINGAPORE, Oct 18 (The Straits Times/ANN): There were seven new coronavirus cases confirmed as at Sunday noon (Oct 18), taking Singapore's total to 57,911.

Nation

Covid-19: Total cases cross 20k with 871 new cases, seven new deaths

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia recorded 871 new Covid-19 infections on Sunday (Oct 18), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 20,498.

Thailand

Thailand battling major flood problem as four Myanmar nationals test Covid-19 positive from seven cases

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): More than 25,000 households in 25 provinces are affected by flash floods, landslides and windstorms, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said.

Indonesia

8 Indonesian special cops test Covid-19 positive after handling jobs law protests as total tops 361,000

JAKARTA, Oct 18 (Jakarta Post/ANN): Eight special unit policemen who were deployed to handle rallies that broke out after the House of Representatives approved the Job Creation Law on Oct 5 have tested positive for Covid-19.

Thailand

Thailand: Cops order closure of train and MRT stations as protesters plan rally to evade authorities

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Police have ordered the closure of some BTS train stations, skywalk as well as boat piers on Sunday.

Thailand

Thailand closes Myanmar border crossings; Covid-19 cases escalating in Yangon

BANGKOK, Oct 18 (AP): Thailand has closed all border crossings between its northern province of Tak and Myanmar after five people in the Thai border town of Mae Sot tested positive for the coronavirus.

Japan

Japan's new PM aim to push 'free and open Indo-Pacific' vision in South-East Asia

TOKYO, Oct 18 (AP): Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, left Sunday on his first overseas foray since taking over from his former boss Shinzo Abe last month, heading to Vietnam and Indonesia.

AseanPlus News

S. Korea govt say Covid-19 cases stabilising as more kids return to school

SEOUL, Oct 10 (The Korea Herald/ANN): South Korea saw double-digit gains in its daily count of new Covid-19 cases for the third consecutive day on Sunday, with more students set to return to schools this week amid a stabilising coronavirus situation.

China

Coronavirus: Chinese embassy issues alert over Italian cluster

HONG KONG, Oct 18 (SCMP): About 100 Chinese citizens in Italy have contracted the virus as country grapples with resurgence in casesTravellers and students warned not to be complacent about hygiene

Brunei

Irresponsible pet owners main reason for increase in Brunei's stray animals

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 18 (Xinhua): Over 80 per cent of the public believe that irresponsible pet owners contribute to the increasing number of stray cats and dogs in Brunei, according to a recent survey.