Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Oct 8, 2022)

* US Treasury Department to extradite Malaysian for wildlife trafficking

* Covid-19 Watch: 1,788 new cases, nationwide ICU bed usage at 63.3pc

* VSN2030 to outline new direction for national sports development, says PM

* Malaysia appointed chairman for Asean Working Group on Climate Change

* 63 Malaysian umrah pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia since June

* Dr Wee: Malaysia officially reinstated to Category 1 of IASA

* Flooded by rumours and speculation – the Malaysian politics scene

* Malaysia one of 19 EAAF destinations for migratory birds, says Takiyuddin

* MySejahtera can now help Malaysians kick the nicotine habit

* Budget 2023: KJ welcomes funding, says Health Ministry will focus on five areas

* Govt ready to proceed with programmes announced in Budget 2023, says PM

* Malaysia will not cut ties with UNHCR despite proposed office closure, says Saifuddin

Office workers walk out for a lunch break at Raffles Place financial business district in Singapore. – Reuters

Singapore:

* Singapore recalls two more Mie Sedaap products from Indonesia due to presence of ethylene oxide

* Victim loses RM645,000 to scammers posing as police officers in Singapore

* UK entry to CPTPP trade pact still under discussion, says Singapore

* SG man who used stolen credit card info to buy air purifier, jigsaw puzzles gets 10 weeks’ jail

* Singapore to ease more Covid-19 curbs as govt steps up vaccination programme

* Johor traffic cop who allegedly extorted Singaporean couple assigned to another unit

* Oil jumps 4% to 5-week high lifted by OPEC+ output cut on week-ending Oct 8

Indonesia:

* Indonesia in talks with African countries to export its homemade Covid-19 shot

* Indonesia’s president Jokowi says FIFA will not impose sanctions over deadly soccer stampede

* Indonesian football faces pivotal moment after stadium disaster

* Floods hit Greater Jakarta, more warnings issued

* Six held liable over stadium crush in Indonesia

Officials arrive with wreaths sent by Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and royal family members during a mass funeral, at Wat Si Uthai temple, following a mass shooting in the town of Uthai Sawan in the province of Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand, on Saturday, October 8, 2022. – Reuters

Thailand:

* Indian workers rescued from job scams in South-East Asia

* Mass shooting in childcare centre throws spotlight on gun ownership in Thailand

* Prayers, sorrow at temples as Thailand mourns children slain in massacre

* Thai king tells massacre victims’ families ‘I share your grief’

* Families mourn Thai nursery dead

Philippines:

* Philippines raises alert level at Mayon volcano

* Philippines’ Marcos gets high approval ratings on 11 major issues except inflation and poverty

* Philippines – Marcos’ first 100 days: ‘Putting out fires’ as more crises loom ahead

* Marcos Jr mends US ties in first 100 days of presidency

A man prays near flowers laid at the Kanjuruhan Stadium where a soccer stampede killed more than 100 people on Oct. 1, in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Indonesia’s president said the country will not face sanctions from soccer’s world governing body and will remain the host of next year’s U-20 World Cup after the firing of tear gas after a match inside the half-locked stadium caused the deadly crush at the exits. – AP

Vietnam:

* Vietnam, Japan boost cooperation in traditional medicine; govt sees big future in sector to raise efficiency of community health

* Vietnam property tycoon arrested for alleged financial fraud; woman part of country’s influential families group

* Vietnam’s tourism sector post impressive growth; Hanoi named as Asia’s leading city break destination

* Two police officers arrested in Vietnam after blaze killed 32

Myanmar:

* More than one million displaced since Myanmar coup, says United Nations

* EU lawmakers condemn crackdown on media freedom

* US announces sanctions on junta-linked arms broker

* Myanmar reports 376 new Covid-19 cases

Filipino activists hold placards during a protest marking Philippine’s President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s first 100 days in office, in Manila, Philippines, on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

Cambodia:

* Cambodian court sets massive fine for top opposition figure

* 253 arrested in Cambodia’s illegal gambling crackdown

* Cambodia launches US$10 million, 5-year plan on early childhood care

Laos:

* Loas currency Kip depreciation continues to harm Lao economy

* Laos sets target to vaccinate over 80 per cent of children aged 6 to 11 in 2022

Brunei:

* Singapore and Brunei conclude six-day bilateral naval exercise

* South-East Asian Red Cross, Red Crescent societies discuss regional issues

Germany’s team members pose for photos after winning the World Team Championships Finals table tennis men’s semifinal match against South Korea in Chengdu in China’s southwestern Sichuan province on Saturday, October 8, 2022. – AFP

AseanPlus:

* First minors sentenced under Hong Kong security law; judge orders them to be in detention at training centre

* Rare and much treasured pink diamond sells for nearly RM269 million in Hong Kong

* China holiday tourist trips fall 18% on year on broad Covid-91 curbs

* Former Hong Kong police officer jailed for four years over sex offences against son

* CPO futures to trade downside bias on weaker demand next week

* Former head of China’s state railway operator arrested for bribery

* Malaysian wildlife traffickers hit with US sanctions

* ‘Know the consequences’ of missed opportunities in Greater Bay Area, former Hong Kong leader warns city

* Cancer scare in food tests: ‘We just present facts’, Hong Kong watchdog Consumer Council says

* Could South Korea’s newest ballistic missile trigger a regional arms race?

* North Korea says missile tests self-defence against US military threats – KCNA

* F1 Title-chasing Max Verstappen on pole for Japanese GP / Verstappen records fastest time in final practice at Japan GP

* Coronavirus in China: More cases to come in Xinjiang amid outbreak uncertainty, says health official

* Coronavirus: HK restaurants welcome groups of 12 under eased social distancing, with operators expecting more evening bookings

* Xinjiang infections ‘highlight difficulty of China maintaining zero-Covid policies’

* Coronavirus: Hotel quarantine during overseas layovers scrapped for Cathay Pacific’s Hong Kong-based aircrew

* China’s youth say no thanks to work as ‘soulless robots’, even amid bleak job prospects

* Japan, US conduct joint drill involving aircraft carrier – Japan govt

* S. Korea, US stage bombing drills after North launches missiles

* Hong Kong online radio host jailed for ‘seditious’ broadcasts