Asean News Headlines at 10 p.m. Sunday (January 2, 2022)

Malaysia

Covid-19: Daily cases fall below 3,000 with 2,882 reported on Sunday January 2

Covid-19 Watch: 97.7% of Malaysia’s adult population fully vaccinated

Covid-19: Strong possibility of Omicron wave hitting Malaysia, according to Khairy

Covid-19: Sinovac Booster Dose May Activate Cellular Immunity Against Omicron Variant, Study Finds

Temporary suspension of umrah travel to slow down Omicron wave, says Khairy

Ministry of Health seeks additional boosters for Sinovac beneficiaries

Sustainability at the forefront to counter climate-related disasters

Bosses stand guard against the Omicron variant

Focus on disaster early warning systems

Ringgit set to undergo a technical correction against the US dollar next week

Bursa Malaysia Expected to Trade Cautiously the Week of Monday January 3 Due to Omicron’s Ongoing Impact Assessment

Johor’s outgoing police chief says mainstream media has played a vital role in tackling fake news

A mother and her son prepare to go to school in Singapore. Island primary schools reopen after holiday season as Primary 1 classes begin Tuesday (January 4, 2022), – The Straits Times / ANN

Singapore:

20,000 children received first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, Singapore Minister of Education says

Singapore: 3 pedestrians taken to hospital on New Years Day after crash involving Maserati in Orchard Road

Back to the office, back to the stage: eight key changes to consider in Singapore in the new year

Singapore’s open border policy tested as imported virus cases soar

Oil posts biggest annual gain since at least 2016

Family members greet the new year outdoors

Cost of living is probably a major concern

Indonesia:

Indonesia loses as citizens spend billions on healthcare abroad

Palm oil prices will remain high as fertilizer costs limit production, says CPOPC

Five Indonesians rescued by MMEA after capsizing boat

Indonesia plans to extend tax incentives until second half of 2022 to support growth

Indonesia upset after four players were kicked out due to Covid-19 in Suzuki Cup loss to Thailand

Failure of the deradicalization of Indonesia: where to put our regrets

Prabowo discusses weapons modernization plan

People gather for breakfast at Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu as the sun rises in Mae Hong Son, Thailand on Sunday, January 2, 2022. – AFP

Thailand:

Thailand records 3,112 cases of Covid-19 and 12 deaths on Sunday, January 2

Thai tourism board secures new partner, invites travelers to #RediscoverThailand in 2022

Thais win historic sixth Southeast Asian football title after Indonesia draw in second leg

Thai government distributes New Year’s gifts, but not everyone considers them – Straits Times special report

Thailand: Bangkok closes pubs, bars, karaoke bars, massage parlors until January 15

RCEP: a ship bound for a shared future sets sail

Philippines:

Philippines registers 4,600 new cases of Covid-19 as infections continue to rise in Metro Manila during holiday season

Philippines: 85% of patients with severe Covid-19 in DOH hospitals in the capital Manila are not vaccinated

Philippines: couple and their baby boy die in New Year’s fire

Philippines signs deal to purchase two South Korean warships for $ 556 million

Son of late dictator Marcos keeps huge lead with 5 months of presidential elections in Philippines

Covid-19: Stricter rules in Manila

Buddhist monks carry a basket of seahorse crabs to release into the sea in Vung Tau, Vietnam on Saturday, January 1, 2022. The Buddhist tradition of releasing captive animals is believed to reduce bad luck and bring good karma. – AP

Vietnam:

Vietnam reports 16,948 new Covid-19 cases as Hanoi cases surpass 2,000 for the first time on Sunday January 2

Vietnam strengthens care measures for children affected by Covid-19

Big loss for Vietnam as it urges China to urgently reopen border gates as trade stalls (update)

Vietnam tightens health regulations as five more Omicron infections are reported in southern city

Vietnam calls on China to reopen border gates to ease supply chain growls over Covid-19 policies

Hue in Vietnam wins Asean tourism awards

Burma:

Prince Charles pays tribute to human rights defenders; special mention to the people of Myanmar too

Myanmar’s top student leader and other politicians sentenced to prison

Myanmar extends entry restrictions on Covid-19 until end of January as pandemic cases remain a concern

Flights suspended until the end of the month

Members of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) who became guerrilla fighters after being protesters are seen on the front line in Kawkareik, Myanmar. – Reuters

Cambodia

Domestic tourism in Cambodia on the rise over holiday weekend despite Covid-19 concerns as government confirms three new Omicron cases

Cambodia arrests 13,765 drug suspects, seizes 4.43 tonnes of illicit drugs in 2021

Cambodia’s rice exports to China exceed 300,000 tonnes for the first time in 2021

Laos:

US donates more doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to Laos

14 other countries, including Brunei and Indonesia, allowed to enter Laos under the Travel Green Zone plan

President presents opportunities and challenges in 2022

Brunei:

Brunei registers 17 new cases of Covid-19 on New Years Day

Expectations are high as Brunei welcomes the New Year

Brunei sees RCEP as strong manifestation of support for multilateral trading system

News Agency, residents line up for COVID-19 tests at a mobile test site in the Xincheng District of Xi’an, northwestern Shaanxi Province. China), Sunday, January 2, 2022. Xi’an, a former capital with 13 million inhabitants, has been under the strictest lockdown of a major Chinese city since Wuhan was closed early last year at the start of the pandemic. – AP” src=”https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2022/01/02/1429161.jpg” onerror=”this.src=” https:=”” style=”width: 800px; height: 480px;”/>In this photo released by the Xinhua News Agency, residents line up for COVID-19 tests at a mobile test site in the Xincheng District of Xi’an, northwestern Shaanxi Province. China), Sunday, January 2, 2022. Xi’an, a former capital with 13 million inhabitants, has been under the strictest lockdown of a major Chinese city since Wuhan was closed early last year at the start of the pandemic. – AP

AseanPlus:

Covid-19 cases continue to rise in Xian, China despite lockdown

Indian blockbuster ‘RRR’ release postponed as Omicron hits India

New cases of Covid-19 in India increase sharply for fifth day in a row

AFP special report: Europe exceeds 100 million cases of Covid-19

The year of the unicorn in India: startups in the spotlight of the 2021 tech boom

Hong Kong CFO expects 2021 GDP growth to reach 6.4%

United States: the right measure

Indian blockbuster ‘RRR’ release postponed as Omicron hits India

China to remove subsidies for electric vehicles

Xian: “Improve the fight against Covid-19”

38 Hong Kong people lose HK $ 12 million to scammers posing as big banks and finance companies offering low-interest loans

Hong Kong equality watchdog wants laws toughened to provide more protection for victims of sexual harassment

Hong Kong justice chief attacks criticism of Stand News arrests, insists press freedom is still “well respected”

South Korea crosses armed border in rare defection to the North

Want to dress like a BTS? K-pop group’s outfits for the Grammys to be auctioned off