People watch a Christmas light show ahead of festivities at a park in Makati, Metro Manila. - AFP
Malaysia:
* Anwar confident with Sarawak's support in unity government
* Nation's political stability helps govt to focus on developing economy, says Anwar
* Proposed amendments on citizenship laws will affect ‘stateless’ Sabah natives, says NGO
* Festive season: Sufficient supply of chicken always guaranteed, says Mohamad Sabu
* No need for public transport drivers to check status of foreign passengers, says Immigration DG
* Cartel formation sabotages govt's efforts to reduce people's cost of living, says Armizan
* Sabah eyes 2.8 million tourist arrivals in 2024, hopes for new airport
* Christmas is the time for Sabahans to celebrate diversity, says Hajiji
* Say no to race superiority, Mat Sabu tells Amanah
* Covid-19 cases increase by 29% for Dec 17–22 compared to previous week
* Govt will ensure sufficient sugar supply, says Domestic Trade Ministry
* Zayn Rayyan murder: Selangor cops not giving up on catching the killer
Students wait for gifts from an elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume ahead of Christmas celebrations at a school, in Ayutthaya, Thailand. - Reuters
Singapore:
* Singapore Covid-19 wave probably peaked, but slight surge possible, says health minister
* 28-year-old man nabbed for allegedly driving against traffic on Singapore highway and hit-and-run, drink-driving offences
* ‘Mama has really missed you’: Taiwanese finds Singaporean ex-SIA stewardess mum after nearly 40 years
* Oil eases ahead of Christmas break on possible future Angola output increase
* Bumpy road ahead for S’pore retail, F&B firms
Indonesia:
* Indonesia offers five-year multiple-entry visas to lure more visitors
* Rice imports to bolster Indonesia's food reserves in 2024, says President Jokowi
* Ash from Indonesia's Marapi volcano forces airport to close and stops flights
* Indonesia to fine palm oil companies RM1.45bil for operating in forests
* Rising Indonesia presidential candidate pledges change from Widodo era
People take pictures with Christmas light installations in Tokyo on Saturday, December 23, 2023. = AFP
Thailand:
* Thailand's House committee defies threats, sticks with plan to visit ex-premier Thaksin on Jan 12
* Shocking crimes and shadows flourish among social media in Thailand in 2023
* Thailand steps up security measures in response to year-end tourism boom
* Big move for marriage equality in Thailand
* Thailand: ‘Uncle Pol’ guilty of killing niece
Philippines:
* Covid-19 positivity rate in Philippines hits 18.1% as of Dec 22, says Octa Research
* Filipino man bites python to death after it attacked him
* Philippines at ‘severe’ risk of ecological threats seen to worsen conflicts, poverty: experts
* Marcos says Philippines will assert its rights amid issues in South China Sea
* Philippines poverty rate in H1 2023 at 22.4%
People watch fireworks illuminate the sky at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam weighs action on more erring officials amid widening probes and arrest
* Green production a way for Vietnam to promote agricultural development, say experts
* Fight against graft in Vietnam: Cops arrests deputy trade minister over graft allegations
* Vietnam's trade surplus hits record high in 2023
* Vietnam Airlines warns clients of online fraud
Myanmar:
* Rohingya flee kidnap and hunger in Bangladesh hoping for better life
* Three robbers shot dead in Selayang Jaya - All three were Rohingyan suspects
* ‘Pray for us’: Eyewitnesses reveal first clues about a missing boat with up to 200 Rohingya refugees
* Women soldiers to the fore in Myanmar
People walk on a street during heavy snowfall in Weihai, in Chinas eastern Shandong province. - AFP
Cambodia:
* Cambodia's economic growth in 2024 to above six per cent, says Sinmgapore-based economy think-tank
* Cambodia arrests four foreigners for allegedly trafficking over 58kg of narcotics
* Ancient statues unearthed at Ta Prohm in Angkor park in Cambodia
Laos:
* Lao-American author goes beyond borders with ‘Sticky Rice for Lunch’
* Energy and mining sector in Laos sees strong growth in 2023
Brunei:
* Brunei woman fined RM9,500 for false Covid-19 alarm
* Brunei woman who is known to be a serial thief lands six years in jail
A man walks past a Christmas light installation in central Seoul. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* Tokyo police arrest taxi driver for running over pigeon
* South Korea says warship named for torpedoed vessel begins new mission
* Taiwan reports more Chinese planes, warships near island as election approaches
* UN pushes for more aid into Gaza, Israel widens offensive
* Israel-Hamas war's staggering toll reaches a grim milestone: 20,000 dead
* Wrestling-Safeguarding India women wrestlers may be key to federation's return
* India firm denies tampering with tests in probe of cough syrup deaths
* China says may revise gaming rules after tech stocks tumble
* China shuts down 34,000 online accounts for spreading ‘rumours’
* Can generative AI help bridge learning gaps in Indian schools?
* Jimmy Lai trial: Hong Kong court rejects tycoon’s request to dismiss sedition charge in national security case
* China reportedly suspends US$6.5 billion currency swap agreement with Argentina
* Israel-Gaza war: The two things Israel wants China to do to help restore peace in the Middle East
* Chinese stocks set for record third year of losses as post-Covid recovery sputters, foreign funds flee
* China, Russia vow to press on with plans for widebodied passenger jet, Arctic shipping route
* Women fall prey to host clubs
* How Chinese scientists are extracting uranium from seawater faster than ever
* Japan’s core inflation slows, eases pressure on BoJ
* Five major Chinese banks slash interest rates on some deposits
* Cricket-S Africa hope to unleash full pace attack on India in first Test
* Hong Kong stocks slide as Tencent, NetEase tumble more than 7% on China’s new regulatory strike on online gaming
* Hong Kong wakes to coldest morning this winter, as mercury drops below 10 degrees Celsius and expected to dip further on Friday
* Hiker climbing Hong Kong’s highest peak missing for over 18 hours; mercury falls below freezing as emergency services mount search
