A skull cap fossil and a molar fossil of Java Man (Homo erectus), dated to around one million years ago and repatriated from the Netherlands, are on public display at the National Museum in Jakarta on Friday, December 19, 2025. -- Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP
Malaysia
* Ringgit hits near six-year high at 4.07 vs greenback
* Strict action should be taken against anyone guilty in viral tahfiz centre case, says DPM
* Review ban on Christmas decor at halal-certified food outlets, says Umno Youth chief
* Xmas decor ban only for halal-certified kitchens, restaurants, Melaka exco rep clarifies
* Bukit Aman confirms probe into Fahmi Reza, says 284 reports received so far
* Issues raised by Najib's counsel have been adjudicated, says AGC
* Malaysian Well-being Index rises to 120.6 points in 2024
* Cutting the queue with QR: New KLIA feature speeds up Immigration clearance
* High Court awards RM274,375 in damages to Siti Kasim, client over 2018 raid
* Suspect detained after remains of missing woman found inside bag
* Man, 56, claims trial to sexually assaulting grandchild
* Perak's single-use plastic ban postponed to March 1, 2026
* Ministry to implement solar renewable energy programme effective Jan 1
* Cops probe alleged sexual assault by religious teacher against 11-year-old
* Widower, 63, jailed five years for sexually assaulting nine-year-old
* Syed Saddiq's legal team steadfast, says prosecution's appeal without merit
* Bandar Utama school murder: Court sets Jan 16 for submission of psychiatric report of accused teen
Singapore
* Singapore's AGC issues warning to WP leader Pritam Singh and Mediacorp for contempt of court
* Malaysia-Singapore marks 60 years of bilateral ties with deepening cooperation and friendship
* Singapore-registered car crashes into several houses in JB; driver taken to hospital
* NParks investigating Singapore influencer over dog abuse allegations
* Over 200 under Singapore police probe for involvement in scams
* Curiosity Cove is the latest attraction in Singapore’s Mandai
* Singapore arrests former captain of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi’s yacht
Indonesia
* 'Biodiesel the way to go' - Indonesia's B50 road test started two weeks ago, aiming for mandatory use H2 2026, minister says
* Indonesia sends top minister to US to finalise trade deal
* Medan cancels New Year’s Eve celebrations after public backlash
* Asia stocks join Wall St rally, brace for BOJ hike
* Indonesian President Prabowo introduces 2026 minimum wage rule
* Oil set to close lower for second straight week
Philippines team palayers celebrate after defeating Thailand's team at their final men's basketball match at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. -- AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim
Thailand
* Thailand's 2025: Border crisis and natural disasters test governance ahead of election
* Thailand conference launches international initiative to fight online scams
* Thailand's Democrat Party launches election campaign, prepares to reveal motto on Dec 22
* Weather dept warns of 14°C cold in northern Thailand, heavy rain in south, with flood risks
* Thailand says Cambodia border fight is also a war on scammers
Philippines
* Philippines’ Marcos lauds helper returning home after deadly Hong Kong fire
* Key witness in massive Philippine corruption scandal found dead after falling off cliff
* Giant lanterns light up Christmas in the Philippines
* Seized buildings, other assets linked to Marcos dictatorship corruption fall into neglect
* Philippines: Hotel staff recall quiet stay of Bondi gunmen
Vietnam
* Rising and to rise even further - Vietnam's e-commerce market size estimated at a whopping US$31bil in 2025
* Vietnam's Noi Bai International Airport inaugurates expanded T2 terminal
* Hanoi struggles as severe air pollution persists
* Vietnam aims to build its own railway industry with US$100bil push
* Happy times for Vietnam as Nam Dinh upstage Bangkok United 4-1 to top Group B of Asean club Championships
Myanmar
* Melaka police detain 15 foreigners over human trafficking
* Asean mobilises emergency rice stock to support Myanmar earthquake victims
* Myanmar arrests hundreds under new election law ahead of December vote
* Myanmar joins second Asean-US Maritime Exercise in Indonesia
Cambodia
* China and the US seek Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire ahead of Asean meeting
* Surin soldiers should not be forced to fight Khmer against Khmer: Comment
* China says defence trade with Cambodia, Thailand unrelated to border conflict
* The Thailand-Cambodia border war -- Seeing death in the clouds
Laos
* Laos and Cambodia launch second phase of cross-border QR code payments
* Laos cleared to export fresh durians to China as Malaysia, Thailand face new rival
* EU commits over 1 million euros to help Laos bolster women’s role in agriculture
Brunei
* Brunei maritime, port authority launches "Navigating 2030"
* Fuel stations in Brunei to be inspected twice a year starting 2026
People take pictures with festive light installations ahead of Christmas in Tokyo's Shibuya district on Friday, December 19, 2025. --Photo by Philip FONG / AFP
Aseanplus
* Heavy traffic anticipated on major highways starting today ahead of school holidays, Christmas
* Malaysia defies global trade tensions with solid growth - IMF
* Malaysia's exports rise 7% to RM135bil in Nov
* Sabah welcomes more cooperation with China to drive local industry, says Hajiji
* China's Zhejiang keen to explore friendship programmes with Sabah
* Chinese tourist arrivals to Japan lose momentum amid tensions, according to official data
* Bikini-clad Taiwan ‘bodybuilding grandma’, 72, flaunts toned muscles at competition
* Three injured, over 100 evacuated after fire breaks out in Hong Kong flat
* South Korean rail workers plan to go on strike from Dec 23
* Miss Finland stripped of crown after racist photo mocking Asians surfaces
* Japan reaffirms no-nukes pledge after official floats weapons idea
* Arsonists target Bangladesh newspapers after student leader's death
* Australia's 'Bondi Hero' handed $1.65 million collected from fundraising
* South Korean star Park Na-rae accused of verbal and physical abuse by former managers
* 'Confirmed': Court finds Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai guilty after landmark national security trial
* Top director Kiwi Chow’s new film Deadline banned in Hong Kong over national security concerns
* Taiwanese singer Li Ya-ping, 75, reveals dementia symptoms in rare public appearance
* Bus bound for Hokkaido’s New Chitose Airport catches fire
* Bangladesh rocked by unrest after death of student leader
* China’s latest stealth endurance drone, CH-7, completes maiden flight
* Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 30-year high, signals more hikes
* China’s new drug insurance: lifeline for patients or squeeze on big pharmaceutical firms?
* India's capital, New Delhi, to install air purifiers in schools to combat pollution
* Australia police say detained men likely had ideological links to Bondi gunmen
* Australian PM announces gun buyback, day of 'reflection' after Bondi shooting
* Clean, limitless energy exists. China is going big in the race to harness it
* China’s jobless rate for young people eases to 16.9% as graduates settle for less
* Knife-wielding attacker kills three in Taipei, dies during police chase; another five people injured
* Upstart gangsters shake Japan's yakuza; youngsters are now drawn to newer, tech-savvy 'tokuryu' underworld
* Australian teen wounded while shielding children during Bondi attack says she is not a hero
* Meet the chef who spent 10 years learning about Sri Lanka's lost recipes
* Sports: Sports Minister Taufiq lauds golden surge at SEA Games
* Squash: Noor Ainaa Amani wins gold in women’s singles final at SEA Games
* Cricket - England need to produce something magical to save Ashes, says bowling coach
* Football: South-East Asian teams to learn their fate for the Asean Hyundai Cup during draw in Jakarta on Jan 15
* Top Malaysian rock band Barbarik is on for another concert in January, after its sold-out show in December
* Badminton -- Pearly-Thinaah, Tang Jie-Ee Wei lose last group matches but through to semis
