Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (April 18)
Malaysia

* June 27 decision on Malaysian Bar's application for leave to challenge Zahid's DNAA

* Mt Ruang eruption: More than 20,000 passengers affected by flight suspensions, says Hajiji

* Mt Ruang eruption: Passengers stranded in Sabah include umrah pilgrims, wedding party

* Mt Ruang eruption: Air travellers in Kuching stranded as flights cancelled

* Ruang eruption: Batik Air now cancels flights from KL to Sabah, Sarawak

* Mt Ruang eruption: AirAsia reinstates several flights today (Updated)

* Mt Ruang eruption: Passengers at Kota Kinabalu airport caught in limbo

* Malaysia Airlines cancels Sabah, Sarawak flights due to Mt Ruang eruption

* Malaysia's video gaming industry projected to hit US$649mil revenue in 2024

* Musa Hitam a stalwart of principle, integrity, says Anwar

* Thailand's temporary exemption on form TM.6 can boost tourism in Perlis, says state exco member

* Fate of Penang Undersea Tunnel project depends on steering committee recommendations

* MACC arrests two bank officers for bribing several law firms

Singapore

* Body of missing S’porean woman in Spain found with 30 stab wounds; S’porean man arrested

* Charismatic, loving, a true friend’: Ex-colleagues remember S’porean woman killed in Spain

* Two men accused of graft involving over S$388k get discharge amounting to acquittal

* Singapore loses 'world’s best airport’ crown

* Man who sexually assaulted step-niece gets 18 years’ jail, 24 strokes of cane

* Pritam Singh appoints ex-prosecutor to defend him in court over his alleged lies to Parliament

* Apple CEO to meet Singapore leader to wrap whirlwind Asia tour

Thailand

* Yingluck to follow in Thaksin’s legal footsteps on return: lawyer

* Cadmium poisoning identified in 17 residents near Samut Sakhon factory

* Bangkok ranks second-best city for expats in Asia, Singapore is top with Penang and KL close behind

* Hero stone for forgotten victims of Kanchanaburi Death Railway to be unveiled on May 1

* Thai Transport Ministry drafting bill to reduce electric train fares to 20 baht

* Thailand approves permanent visa waiver for tourists from Kazakhstan

* Explosion at Thai ice factory leaves 128 injured

Indonesia

* China's Wang Yi meets Indonesia's Jokowi, president-elect Prabowo

* Jokowi seeks ex-British PM Tony Blair's help to speed up Indonesia's digitalisation

* Jokowi-Megawati rift may hinder Prabowo’s efforts to include PDI-P in his govt

* China FM says Beijing and Jakarta want regional peace and stability

* On alert for further Mt Ruang eruptions as evacuations continue, airport closed

* Indonesia airport near volcano closed after Mt Ruang eruptions

* Mt Ruang: Last eruptions before Wednesday occurred in 2002, 1949

* Tsunami alert after a Ruang volcano has several big eruptions and thousands are told to leave

Philippines

* Philippines, N. Zealand eye forces deal, share concern over South China Sea

* Marcos Jr is in Time’s 100 Most Influential People for 2024

* A lot of potential to be tapped in Philippines; Singapore hopes to play key role: Vivian

* Philippine Coast Guard to join military drills with United States

Vietnam

* Global suppliers join Beautycare Expo 2024 in Hanoi

* Hanoi gains, while HCM City loses ground in global smart city ranking

* Vietnam, UK sign new agreement on illegal migration

Cambodia

* Cambodia's trade with fellow Asean members up 18.6% in Q1

* Cambodia sees over 110,000 foreign tourists travelling across country during traditional New Year

Myanmar

* In a rebel-held Myanmar town, fragile unity pushes junta to the brink

* Myanmar instability hampers India's bid to send home refugees

Laos

* Govt, private sectors extend support for school meals programme

Brunei

* Brunei palace flour scandal trial involving Malaysians begins

* Barber shop at Brunei stadium gives youth founder an edge

Aseanplus

* China accuses US of hypocrisy over Biden 'xenophobic' claims

* China foreign ministry welcomes Blinken's visit to China as tensions simmer

* One in three S. Koreans lives alone, more than half are women

* China to keep expanding market access

* Former world No. 1 Momota announces retirement from international badminton

* Upcoming China train station looks like a sanitary pad, ridicule netizens

* Eight reported injured after Japan quake

* Batik Air now flies to Guilin, its seventh destination in China

* China-born Zhou Guanyu will be a star regardless of who wins the Chinese Formula 1 race in Shanghai

* Alamak! Japanese dance team wows Malaysians by dancing to viral hit 'Alamak Raya Lagi'

* K-pop boy band manager dismissed for setting up spycam in theatre dressing room

* Director Jon M. Chu to turn 'Crazy Rich Asians' movie into Broadway musical

* K-pop singer lost consciousness after being hit by foul ball at baseball game

* HK actor Ruco Chan responds to rumours of wife Phoebe Sin expecting 2nd child

* Markets rise as traders consider US rate outlook
Asean,news,headlines,April 18
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Thursday (April 18)