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
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
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
