Dancers perform in the Titi Situbanda Kecak dance theatre at Melasti Beach near Ungasan in Bali, Indonesia. Kecak is a Balinese dance drama that presents the story of Hindu puppetry, especially the Ramayana story. - AFP
Malaysia:
* MACC: Investigation on Daim Zainuddin based on law, Pandora Papers information
* PM supports Selangor Sultan's decree on Islamic affairs
* McDonalds Malaysia says pursuing legal action against BDS for defamation
* AirAsia CEO Riad Asmat resigns after helming post for six years
* Sabah govt allocates RM56.75mil for non-Muslim religious affairs development
* Hajiji: Let's focus on Sabah and its people, not politics
* Letter to discuss Umno's exit from the unity govt is fake, says party Youth Chief
* DAP’s Ngeh apologises for statement on non-Muslim inclusion in special committee
* One million targeted to join the million people rally for Palestine
* Opposition leaders rubbish talk of ‘Dubai Move’ to topple unity govt
* The dangerous Portuguese Man O' War is back, warns Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
* Mrs World Malaysia 2023 to showcase largest wau costume at Las Vegas
Dancers and actors perform in the Titi Situbanda Kecak dance theatre at Melasti Beach near Ungasan in Bali, Indonesia. Kecak is a Balinese dance drama that presents the story of Hindu puppetry, especially the Ramayana story. - AFP
Singapore:
* Eight crew members of Chinese fishing boat missing after collision with Singapore ship on Boxing Day
* Living healthy in Singapore - Coffee, tea or coconut shake? Easier to choose healthier one from Dec 30
* Animals in Singapore had a bleak 2023 – but acts of kindness show there is hope too
* Singapore passenger filmed forcing open train doors handed another charge
* Spend a night on a bus at Singapore’s weirdest ‘hotel’
* Prices in Singapore likely to remain elevated
* Oil sheds 10% in 2023 as supply, demand concerns weigh
Indonesia:
* Indonesian govt considers humanitarian aspect while handling Rohingya refugees
* Indonesia lowers Jan 1-15 CPO reference price, maintains export tax, levy rate
* 5.9 magnitude earthquake shakes Indonesia's Aceh province; no casualties reported
* Indonesia will levy new tax on e-cigarettes from Jan 1
* A VP debate to re-meme-ber in Indonesia
* Indonesia braces for AI revolution
* Indonesian Navy drives away Rohingya boat
A man rides a chariot along a street near the National Monument (MONAS) in Jakarta on Saturday, December 30, 2023. - AFP
Thailand:
* No Blackpink members renew individual contracts; Thai member Lisa all set to continue solo career with different label
* Top local economists urge Thailand to prioritise growth-oriented spending
* Flooding disaster death toll rises to 12 in southern Thailand
* It's party time in Bangkok as famous festive city get sets to ring in the New Year
* Southern Thailand floods: Signs of recovery emerge amidst rising household toll
* Thailand's export growth slows but central bank sees limited impact from Red Sea attacks
Philippines:
* Philippines approves record budget for 2024; Marcos agrees to a US103bil tab to combat poverty and boost economy
* Philippines plans to build structure at Ayungin Shoal but China reiterates claim over area and opposes the idea
* China says it won't turn a blind eye to Philippines' repeated 'provocations'
* Happy time for Filipinos - No typhoon in sight on New Year’s eve, first few days of 2024, says weatherman
* The Soutch China Sea issue - ‘China won’t turn blind eye towards provocations’
Children hold horns as they look at an iguana to symbolise the 2024 lunar new year of the dragon at Malabon Zoo in Manila.The horns are given to children as an alternative to firecrackers, with the noise from firecrackers believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck in the coming year. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam and Philippines among world’s top 25 economies by 2038, says British think tank
* Vietnam's foreign trade hits US$683bil in 2023, trade surplus is at US$28bil
* Vietnam economy shows strength as exports stage recovery, says report
* Vietnam EV maker VinFast launches first dealership in the US
* Vietnam 2023 economic growth slows
Myanmar:
* China urges nationals to leave north Myanmar region amid unrest
* Myanmar junta says to crack down on scam operations on Thai border
* China, Myanmar revive hopes for Bay of Bengal deep water port in Kyaukphyu under Belt and Road Initiative
People walk through an illuminated tunnel inside the Samyan Mitrtown shopping mall in Bangkok on Saturday, December 30, 2023. - AFP
Cambodia:
* Cambodian PM Hun Manet directs enhancement of public health as his New Year wish
* Cambodia set to continue export duty incentives in rubber sector
* Two Vietnamese nationals arrested in Cambodia for cross-border trafficking of heroin
Laos:
* Laos may export electricity to Vietnam to tackle the country's power shortage
* Inflation in Laos remains high in December despite numerous govt’s attempts to control it
Brunei:
* Brunei man to learn fate for possessing knife and stabbing a person
* Big K-Pop pull as Seoul increasingly popular among Brunei travellers
A man walks past a banner celebrating the upcoming new year in Hanoi. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* India PM Modi tours divisive temple town of Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama
* 'Life in danger': Hong Kong independence advocate decries police pressure
* Bollywood celebrates rocking year, riding high on action flicks, unbridled masculinity and misogyny
* Psy's 2012 mega superhit 'Gangnam Style' tops five billion YouTube views
* China names new defence minister, removing block to US talks
* China abruptly ousts nine military lawmakers as defence purge widens
* Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific cancels flights as seasonal illnesses affect pilots, union says staff shortage impacts operations
* China ups the ante in bid to rival SpaceX’s Starlink as G60 megaconstellation satellite rolls off the production line in Shanghai
* Hong Kong teenager, 17, allegedly attacked by mother who then jumped to her death at public housing estate
* The world needs to be weaned off our fossil fuel addiction
* Developers, data scientists among hot jobs of 2023
* Hong Kong opposition activist Agnes Chow’s parents ‘questioned by police’ after she jumps bail
* Climate change makes forecasting harder, says Australian minister
* South Korea to launch ‘digital nomad’ visa on Jan 1
* Cricket-Nepal's star player Lamichhane found guilty of rape
* Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to its people, presidential frontrunner says
* Thunderstorms batter Australia's east, heatwave grips north
* China to boost activity to assert sovereignty over East China Sea islets, Kyodo reports
* Tennis-Osaka growing in confidence as Brisbane comeback nears
* ‘Can you use the internet in Hong Kong?’ Japanese envoy on ‘negative narratives’ about city but he says his country’s firms are staying put
* Is the Boys’ Love genre paving the way for LGBTQ acceptance in Asia and beyond? Fans welcome recognition, but critics push for creative controls
* Axe Hong Kong’s Japanese seafood ban based on data and to show contrast from China with ‘one country, two systems’, Japan’s envoy in city says
* China social media shocked by young woman suing parents to divvy up grandmother’s home as she wants to accelerate inheritance to study abroad
