Visitors watch parasails and the sunset on Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. - Bloomberg
Malaysia:
* Priority is receiving report, not complainant's attire, says Penang police chief
* Zayn Rayyan murder: K-9 units brought in to search for new leads
* Malaysia opposes US action to veto UN resolution demanding ceasefire in Palestine, says Anwar
* Integrity and anti-corruption course compulsory for students in higher learning institutions
* Socso data breach: Govt to tighten country's cyber security, says Anwar
* Covid-19: Exercise self-discipline as protection from infection, says Zahid
* MPs, activists, NGOs hand protest notes to US, UK and EU over Gaza violence
* PM: UiTM to head initiatives fostering new thinking within Malay, bumiputra communities
* Cops detain tanker in Port Klang, seize over 130,000 litres of subsidised diesel
* Umno ignores Malay opinion about the party
* Onion supply sufficient despite India's export ban, says Mat Sabu
* Long-distance air defence radar in Bintulu for border control, says Tok Mat
Espen Barth Eide, minister for climate and environment of Norway (left) COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber (centre) and Grace Fu, minister of environment for Singapore, pose for photos at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. - AP
Singapore:
* Resorts World Sentosa fined RM7.83mil for failing to check on deposits to patrons’ accounts
* Singapore's household electricity bills set to rise as carbon taxes to increase in 2024
* Singapore suspends poultry imports from four Japan prefectures following bird flu outbreaks
* ‘I thought I could make it in time, like the last one’: Singapore woman gives birth in private-hire car
* Singapore’s hospitalisations rise as new Covid-19 infections surge; highest number of infections recorded in December
* Singapore signs deal with Latin American bloc
* Oil gains over 2% but posts seventh weekly decline
Indonesia:
* Indonesia suspects human trafficking is behind the increasing number of Rohingya refugees
* Indonesian dad arrested for allegedly killing his four children, aged one to six
* Indonesia’s govt calls for public vigilance over emerging Covid-19 subvariants
* Indonesia eyes visa waivers for 20 countries
* Keeping the water free of trash in Indonesia
Indonesian Defence Minister and presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (left) meets members of the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) who took part in the search operation for victims of the Mount Marapi eruption which killed 23 people in Batu Palano, West Sumatra on Saturday, December 9, 2023. - AFP
Thailand:
* Thailand’s new government pushes culture as soft power, but not everyone’s buying
* Thailand grapples with low rating as UN anti-corruption pact turns 20
* Thailand leading the way as South-East Asia banks on aviation boom
* Thailand hikes minimum wage to help workers
* Joint task force formed amid border unrest in Thailand
Philippines:
* 'They were just boats': US and Philippines condemn the Chinese coast guard's water cannon blasts on fisheries vessels
* Philippines arrests suspect over Catholic mass bombing
* Philippines accuses and condemns Chinese coast guard of shooting water cannon at Filipino boats
* Asean condemns Sunday’s bomb attack in the Philippines
Protesters take part in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Saturday, December 9, 2023, to demand urgent climate action at COP28 United Nations climate summit in Dubai. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam wins credit-rating upgrade from Fitch on ‘robust’ FDI
* United States' Nvidia set to discuss chip deals in Vietnam next week
* China's investments to Vietnam boom as Xi visits Hanoi, US spending down
* When livestreaming offers a lifeline in Vietnam
Myanmar:
* Trafficking for cyber fraud an increasingly globalised crime, Interpol says
* In war-torn Myanmar, students find new ways to learn
* Myanmar's central bank to no longer set forex rates
* Sun, sea, waves, but it’s no fun at all
South Korea's National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong (centre) shakes hands with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (left) and Japan's National Security Secretariat Secretary-General Takeo Akiba after their joint news conference at the presidential office, Saturday, Dec 9, 2023, in Seoul, South Korea. The meeting comes as the three countries are stepping up cooperation amid North Korea's persistent military threats and Russia's protracted war in Ukraine. - AP
Cambodia:
* Cambodian PM Hun Manet defends relocation of villagers from Angkor Wat
* UN human rights official ‘acknowledges’ excellent reforms in Cambodia
* ‘Nearly 10,000 squatters leaving Angkor park’
Laos:
* Laos joins global call for action on climate and health issues at COP28
* World Bank recommends fiscal reforms to address Laos’ economic challenge
Brunei:
* Religious teacher in Brunei gets jail, whipping for sexual assault on 12-year-old
* Brunei enhances security measures in its fight against rising cybercrime
Christmas decoration at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya in the Yurakucho area of Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Japan, on Dec. 8, 2023. Inflation data are well above the Bank of Japan’s target of 2%, but inflationary trend is yet to be anchored above the level, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said in parliament on Thursday. Photographer: Kosuke Okahara/Bloomberg
AseanPlus:
* Malaysia: Cops identify woman encased in cement as an Indian national
* Japan’s PM Kishida to replace chief Cabinet secretary after funds scandal, say media report
* OPEC members push against including fossil fuels phase-out in COP28 deal
* First it was wheat, then rice, now onions are on India’s restricted list
* United States, South Korea and Japan to step up actions on North Korea cyber threats / Top security advisors in Seoul for trilateral meeting
* HK secondary school pupils’ performance falls in global study on reading and maths competency, with pandemic blamed for general decline
* US congressman Patrick McHenry, opponent of China investment curbs, won’t run for re-election
* China’s education reforms were meant to lower costs. So why is schooling more expensive?
* CPO futures to trade on upside bias next week on expectation of weaker output
* ‘Think clearly before you do anything’: Why jailed Hong Kong protester’s TV interview has divided opinion
* China’s consumer price decline worsens, fueling deflation fears
* China LandSpace's methane-powered rocket sends satellites into orbit
* Survey shows popularity of 'snow holidays' among travellers in Asia Pacific
* US vetoes Security Council ceasefire demand as Gaza war intensifies
* South Korea determined to become tourism powerhouse
* Aussie central bank keeps 2% to 3% inflation target
* No appeal by Japan after ruling for wartime sex slaves, says S. Korea
* In China’s slowing beauty market, big-brand discounts won’t cut it / Desires for foreign cosmetics dip in China
* Sardines and mackerels blanket beach in Hokkaido; local fishermen shocked
* Washington, allies to 'stand up' for stability in Taiwan Strait, says the US
* China sees great potential and room for growth in ties with Mexico, Wang Yi tells visiting foreign minister
* TikTok owner ByteDance offers to buy back US$5 billion worth of investor shares as IPO prospects remain slim
* North Korea boasts of satellite capability, says it will launch more soon
