Asean News Headlines as at 8pm on Friday (Dec 24)

Mahouts and their elephants pose for children during Christmas celebrations at the Jirasart Witthaya school in Ayutthaya on Dec 24, 2021. - AFP

Malaysia:

Upcoming 2021-2022 school session postponed by one week

Repatriation of remains of 11 Indonesians killed in boat capsize began on Thursday (Dec 23)

Covid-19 Watch: 3,528 new cases bring total to 2,735,241

Sabah's east coast curfew extended to Jan 10

Singapore:

South Korea's defence minister concludes introductory visit to Singapore

Last two persons involved in S$300,000 Little India heist convicted after trial

Thailand:

Free drive-thru Covid-19 testing at Bangkok Bus Terminal until April 1

Thai tourism sector seeks more sandbox schemes

EMV cards for Thai trains, boats, buses and expressways to be launched in March 2022

Thailand reports first Omicron cluster, cancels some New Year events

No lockdown for Thailand despite 205 Omicron cases confirmed in the country

Thailand records 2,671 Covid-19 cases and 27 deaths

Indonesia:

Indonesian maritime agency hails success over Natuna drilling

Progressive Muslim scholar elected leader of Indonesia's influential Nahdlatul Ulama

Philippines:

UN seeks US$6.5mil in aid after Philippine typhoon

Iconic Philippine brands Ligo, Potato Corner bought by Po family

Vietnam:

Foreign ownership regulation hinders Vietnam banks from finding strategic shareholders

Vietnam targets further digital transformation in 2022

Vietnam and South Korea promote cooperation in trade, industry, energy

Myanmar:

Myanmar plans to hold fresh elections in August 2023: junta chief

Top Myanmar Catholic sparks outrage with junta chief Christmas cake photo

Myanmar airstrikes displace more people along Thai-Myanmar border

Cambodia:

Hun Sen chides critics of his upcoming visit to Myanmar

Cambodia's ruling party endorses PM Hun Sen's son as future leader

Laos:

Laos-China railway vital for economic recovery: PM

Brunei:

Brunei detects first Omicron variant case

Brunei sultan sends condolence messages to flood victims in Malaysia and Philippines

Aseanplus:

South Korea pardons disgraced ex-president Park Geun-hye

Japan, US draw up plan for any Taiwan emergency: Kyodo

Xi'an starts third round of testing for coronavirus

Covid-19: South Korea's new PCR reagent can rapidly detect Omicron variant

Japan will not send govt delegation to Beijing Olympics

Businesses in China to benefit from RCEP under new guideline

K-pop star Suga tests positive for Covid-19 after BTS return from US

Flight bans leave Hong Kong stranded as new rules freeze routes

Japan’s Cabinet approves Kishida’s record initial budget plan

Taiwan, Japan eye 'all round cooperation' on chips

Singer Wang Leehom's wife says she will not accept house from him

China says US bill banning goods from Xinjiang disregards truth

Hong Kong finds suspected local Omicron case in airport cleaner