World

Brigitte Bardot to be buried by the sea in Saint-Tropez

PARIS, Dec 29 (Reuters) - French ‌film icon Brigitte Bardot, who died on Sunday aged ‌91, will be buried in a cemetery by the sea ‌in the French Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez, a spokesperson for the local authority said on Monday, without giving a date.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Dec 29, 2025)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Dec 29, 2025)

Nation

Malaysia's Asean chairmanship strengthened regional unity amid global uncertainty, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia assumed the Asean chair at a time when the world was gripped by anxiety and uncertainty, yet the region chose to remain anchored in the spirit of togetherness, dialogue and mutual respect, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako, turning 31, waves to crowd gathered along road

TOKYO: Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated her 31st birthday on Monday (Dec 29)

Brunei

Flight to Brunei diverts to Kota Kinabalu

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: An AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on Saturday (Dec 27) was forced to divert to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah over a pressurisation issue. The Flight AK278 landed safely at Kota Kinabalu International Airport without incident

Cambodia

China pushes Cambodia and Thailand to consolidate ceasefire as 18 Cambodian soldiers expected home on Dec 30

China has welcomed the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting signed between Cambodia and Thailand on 27 December 2025, urging both sides to consolidate the ceasefire, return to normal exchanges and rebuild political trust to improve bilateral relations.

World

Trump-Zelenskiy talks yield no progress on Ukraine-Russia territorial issues

KYIV, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine on ‌Monday remained far apart on territorial issues that are blocking a peace deal, despite progress on security guarantees for Kyiv at talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and ‌Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Laos

Laos expects fifth Lao-Thai bridge to bring benefits to residents, boost connectivity

The opening of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge has sparked optimism among people in Laos, who hope it will improve livelihoods and regional connectivity, boost trade, tourism and transportation, and further strengthen the long-standing friendship between Laos and Thailand.

Myanmar

Drone bomb explosions kill 13-year-old girl in south-eastern Myanmar

YANGON: A 13-year-old girl was killed after drone bombs exploded near the USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party) office in Myawady in Kayin State on the night of December 27.

Vietnam

Vietnam's power capacity ranks second in Asean

HANOI: Vietnam's power system has become the second largest in Asean by generation capacity, the government portal reported Monday (Dec 29), citing an announcement by state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Philippines

Pulse Asia: 54% of Filipinos support political dynasty ban

MANILA: Fifty-four per cent of Filipino adults support the immediate passage of a law banning political dynasties in the Philippines, Pulse Asia Research reported Monday (Dec 29)

Nation

Ex-minister spends seven hours giving statement to MACC over alleged RM5mil bribe, supercar

PUTRAJAYA: A former minister suspected of being linked to corruption relating to billboard projects and land transfers spent more than seven hours giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday (Dec 29), Sinar Harian reports.

Indonesia

Bali sees dip in domestic tourists, pins hopes on foreign visitors

Bali has seen a decline in domestic tourist arrivals this year, as local travelers increasingly flock to alternative and closer destinations.

Thailand

Thai Police raid “Black Mirror TKP” drug-laundering network at 22 sites; People’s Party swaps an MP candidate

BANGKOK: Thai police say they have dismantled a major transnational narcotics network known as "Black Mirror TKP", alleging it trafficked drugs and used front companies to move and launder proceeds, with funds circulating in the tens of billions of baht

India

India's navy sails back to the future with historic voyage

NEW DELHI: India's navy boasts aircraft carriers, submarines, warships and frontline vessels of steel as it spreads its maritime power worldwide.

South Korea

South Korea's NewJeans’ full-member comeback derails as Ador cuts ties with Danielle

SEOUL: Danielle (pic) of girl group NewJeans has been removed from both the group and her agency Ador, marking a major turning point in the monthslong contract dispute that has divided the team.

Entertainment

Carina Lau, Tony Leung go on ski holiday with fellow celebs including Faye Wong and Shu Qi

The couple went to Niseko, one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan.

AseanPlus News

Families of Bondi Beach victims demand more federal action on antisemitism and security failures

MELBOURNE: Families of victims of the recent Sydney massacre that targeted a Jewish festival released an open letter on Monday (Dec 29) calling for more federal action to investigate a rise in antisemitism and the security failures behind Australia's worst mass shooting in three decades.

Japan

Babysitting services for foreign tourists taking off in Japan

TOKYO: Foreign-language babysitting services for foreign tourists are beginning to take off in Japan, driven by demand among wealthy families who wish to enjoy aspects of Japanese culture that may be difficult to experience with young children, Kyodo News Agency reported.

Cambodia

China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting reaches three-point consensus

KUNMING: The China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting was successfully held in Yuxi City, south-west China's Yunnan Province on Monday (Dec 29).