Asean News Headlines at 10 p.m. on Saturday (November 27)

Malaysia:

Covid-19 watch: 5,097 new cases bring the total to 2,619,577

Covid-19: most of 5,097 new cases are asymptomatic, have mild symptoms, according to DG Health

Covid-19: Ministry of Health is closely monitoring WHO and other countries on Omicron variant, according to Khairy

Johor MB hopes the number of people traveling through VTL-Land will bring the crowds back to pre-Covid-19 times

Government still studying Cyberjaya hospital operating model, says Khairy

Senior U.S. diplomat for Asia to visit Malaysia and three other ASEAN countries

ERL launches special rate RM1 for all stops this weekend

Consumers Worried About Rising Prices for Wet Products

JPJ: Road tax for nearly 3.8 million vehicles yet to be renewed, owners encouraged to do so by December 31

Dr Wee: Increase in frequency of flights to Sarawak to reduce ticket prices

AirAsia KL-Kuching tickets fall below RM200 after Sarawak authorities approve more flights

Malaysia’s first online cinema launches, offering hundreds of on-demand content

A pedestrian walks past a banner with the flags of Malaysia and Singapore in Kuala Lumpur before the two governments on Monday (November 29) launch the Land Traffic Lane (VTL), which is part of the two countries’ national stimulus package. – AZMAN GHANI / The Star

Singapore:

Singapore reports 1,761 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday (November 28); 15th consecutive day the growth rate less than one

Captive lion in Singapore recovers from coronavirus infection; Singapore Zoo reopens African lion exhibit

Oil plunges 10% Friday night (November 27) amid new concerns over the Covid-19 variant, the biggest one-day drop since April 2020

Singapore set to return to high growth as GDP grows 7%

Black Friday sales see Singaporean shoppers flock to malls

Why Singapore, Zurich and Oslo are the “smartest” cities in the world

Covid-19 Omicron variant is concerning, but extent of threat unknown: experts

Asia and Europe alarmed by new variant

Government strengthens border measures

Indonesia:

Indonesia reports 404 newly confirmed Covid-19 cases and 11 more deaths on Saturday (November 27)

Bank Indonesia to cut liquidity in 2022 and keep rates low until inflation rises

Indonesia plans to convert coal to gas to replace natural gas

Indonesia hopes to meet 2021 tax revenue target, says finance minister

Millennials are drawn into the grueling world of Indonesian farming

Labor law ruling could cloud investment prospects, experts say

Worries rise as the vax drive stalls

24 detained for extremist funding links

A street vendor sells cotton candy in Jakarta’s Old Town on Saturday, November 27. – Reuters

Thailand:

Thailand records 6,073 Covid-19 cases and 32 deaths on Saturday, November 27

Frenchman known for mocking government denied entry to Thailand

Thai chain cannabis pizza: trendy but won’t get you high

Thailand approves rapid antigen test for arrival screening from December 16

Thailand: Singaporeans in Bangkok encourage VTL with Thailand

Thai government plans to import 400,000 legal migrant workers

Thai bars ready to welcome tourists

Red Bull ‘Boss’ scion could be hiding in Austria

Philippines:

The Philippines registers 899 new cases of Covid-19 and 188 additional deaths on Saturday (November 27); travel restrictions will soon be relaxed

Philippines temporarily limits rice imports from Vietnam

New Covid-19 variant fears increased travel restrictions around the world as Philippines and Singapore take action against variant

Philippines slashes target for ambitious three-day immunization sprint

Filipino “comfort woman” Lola Lita dies without justice

Philippines suspends flights from countries with new variant of Covid-19

Reopening to vaccinated tourists begins next week

Nobel laureate a “risk of flight”

Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation (left) greets Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of Vietnam during an official visit to Switzerland, at the Lohn Residence in Kehrsatz near Bern, Switzerland, on Friday, November 26, 2021. – AP

Vietnam:

Vietnam reports 13,063 new cases of Covid-19 and the total now stands at 1,197,404 ions on Saturday (November 27)

Vietnam to resume international flights from 15 countries in December

A great time indeed; Vietnamese stocks hit another milestone in their record run this week

Vietnam’s commitment to COP26 marks turning point in climate change policy, expert says

Vietnam sees Japan as an important and reliable long-term strategic partner, says Prime Minister

Golf could boost Vietnam’s tourism industry recovery

“Strengthen control of infectious diseases,” says Vietnam

Burma:

Two Myanmar-China border crossings reopen to trade

SAC-M urges international community to provide aid to starving Burmese through NUG

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Myanmar-India border area; Myanmar Covid-19 Cases Decline

US and allies call for Myanmar arms boycott and end to violence

Kirin to challenge Burmese junta’s offer to end brewery deal

Boys carry a cart loaded with bunches of rice stalks during harvest season in Kampong Speu province, southwestern Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Saturday, November 27, 2021. – AP

Cambodia:

Cambodia braces for potential arrival of new variants of Covid-19, top health expert says

ASEM promises unity, cooperation and multilateralism, says Cambodian Prime Minister

New hopes for species survival as 51 king turtles released into the wild in Cambodia

PM pushes multilateralism to Asem13 partners

Laos:

Laos relies on new high-speed line to attract tourists and investment – Special Straits Times article

China-Laos education forum aims for higher education cooperation

New Covid cases hit new high at 1,510 in Laos

Brunei:

Brunei finance minister announces Australia as important trading partner

Brunei keeps tabs on new developments of Covid-19 variants

Myanmar needs space to get back to normal, Sultan of Brunei says

Boosters for 50+ start today

Germany’s Tobias Mueller falls into men’s ski cross at the 2022 FIS Ski Cross World Cup, in a test event of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics at Genting Snow Park in County of Chongli, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province of China, on Saturday, November 27, 2021. – AFP

AseanPlus:

The number of Covid-19 cases decreases in India with 8,318 cases reported on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health

Hong Kong Canto-pop star and music legend Alan Tam, 71, denies man’s social media allegation

The big WTO conference postponed due to a new variant of Covid

CPO Futures Expected to Trade Lower Next Week

German coalition seals deal for new government and tough new Chinese policy

Cathay Pacific cuts passenger flights to Hong Kong over holiday season

China calls for ‘strict accountability’ at local government level when funds are misused

Western scholars and students consider future Chinese studies without access to China

Young consumers drive growth for Chinese national brands

China brings e-cigarettes to tobacco monopoly law

China’s industrial profit growth accelerates in October

China criticizes US for “undemocratic activities”

WhatsApp gets approval to double payment offer to 40 million users in India – source

South Korea launches working group on dog meat ban

Baby snowboarding is the talk of the town