Catholic Bishop Honesto Ongtioco presides over the first of the nine-day dawn mass known as Misa de Gallo, ahead of Christmas, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Monday, December 16, 2024. - Reuters
Malaysia:
* Malaysia, Thailand call for peaceful resolution in South China Sea disputes
* RM1.22bil lost to online crime and scams from January to October
* High Court orders Muhyiddin to pay RM400,000 to Guan Eng in defamation suit
* Malaysia’s capital market hits RM4 trillion milestone, driven by strong domestic growth and IPO surge
* JB factory worker claims trial to sexually assaulting 4yo boy
* Peter Cklamovski is new Harimau Malaya coach
* Malaysia’s first disaster simulation centre to be completed by Feb 2025, says Ahmad Maslan
* Animal activists take legal action on Besut District Council over Kopi’s death
* Tabung Haji sets 2025 pilgrim fees for B40 at RM15,000 and M40 at RM23,500 per person
* 242 drinks reformulated to reduce sugar under Healthier Choice Logo initiative
* Zambry urges collective effort by varsities to develop AI-focused disciplines
* Bukit Aman to prioritise border security, says IGP / * Police investigating crude gesture at rally, says IGP
I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram (centre), a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry for Law and Human Rights, speaks to reporters regarding the repatriation of death row inmate Mary Jane Veloso in Jakarta on December 16, 2024. Indonesia and the Philippines on December 6 signed an agreement to repatriate Mary Jane Veloso on December 18, a Filipina on death row for drug-related crimes in Indonesia since 2015, to her home country. - AFP
Singapore:
* Singaporean actress Gina Lim recovering well after surgery for colorectal cancer
* Singapore Ministers to send letters of demand to Bloomberg, other media outlets over ‘libellous’ statements
* Singaporean man in crypto scam gang arrested in Thailand
* Surge in people arrested for harbouring, hiring immigration offenders in Singapore: ICA
* 10 years’ jail for Singapore man who posed as forex trader, cheated 13 people of over US$3.4mil
* No shortage of chai for Singapore diplomat in India after ‘tasteless’ brew post goes viral
* What does a bank’s ‘kill switch’ kill? It became a point of contention after a victim lost money
* Former Hong Kong actress Amy Yip in Singapore for Jack Neo’s mass walk event
* Oil eases from highest in weeks, investors eye Fed rate cuts
* Allianz withdraws $1.63 bln offer for Singapore's Income Insurance
Indonesia:
* Manhunt for Indonesian man over murder of compatriot in Mukah
* Mild earthquake hits Ranau, no tsunami threat
* Indonesia goes ahead with VAT hike, offers perks to soften blow
* As the world ages, Indonesia sees business opportunities
* Revamped National Service set to begin in January, says Defence Minister
* Indonesian rupiah, Malaysian ringgit lead losses; markets eye rate calls
* Indonesia's November exports up 9.1% y/y, more than expected
* 'Thank God I'm home' - Bali Nine' drug ring prisoners relieved to be alive and return home
* Prabowo’s suggestion to abolish polls slammed as authoritarian
A drone view shows wind turbines operate at a wind farm in Khao Kho district, Phetchabun province, Thailand, on Monday, December 16, 2024. - Reuters
Thailand:
* Malaysia, Thailand agree to timely completion of border projects, says Anwar
* Malaysia-Thailand set target of US$30bil bilateral trade by 2027
* Anwar hosts luncheon in honour of visiting Thai PM / Thai PM given official welcome to Malaysia
* Thailand's south braces for more flooding, north remains cool and windy
* Beverage-makers forced to change as Gen Z lukewarm to alcohol
* Thai finance minister seeks further rate cut
* Will Thailand dethrone Singapore as global investment hub in 2025?
* Good food, more tourists: Thailand bets on gastronomy tourism
Philippines:
* Philippines orders full evacuation amid possible volcanic re-eruption of Mount Kanloan; thousands affected
* China warns citizens in Philippines of safety risks amid surge in robberies and scams
* Philippine Senate ratifies military access agreement with Japan
* Philippine police tighten security for Christmas season
* Malacanang opens grounds for Christmas festivities from Dec 16-24
* Filipina on Indonesia death row moved to Jakarta before transfer home
This undated handout photo taken on Phou Samsoum Mountain in northeast Laos and released by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on December 16, 2024 shows a newly discovered species of tree frog. Nearly 400 new species were discovered in Southeast Asia's Greater Mekong region in just two years, according to a WWF report published December 16, 2024. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam's 2024 GDP is expected to exceed seven per cent, says senior minister
* Vietnam’s GDP growth poised for robust growth in 2024: Officials
* A dozen Vietnamese women arrested for alleged prostitution in Jakarta
* 'Eyelash viper', leaf-nosed bat among new species found in Mekong
* Singapore, Vietnam firms in talks for new undersea cables
Myanmar:
* Efforts underway to reduce human-elephant conflicts in Myanmar's Yangon
* Thailand to host informal talks on strife-torn Myanmar this week
* Myanmar energy investments exceed US$26.5bil by November 2024
* KNU denies festival attack in Thailand
Gukesh Dommaraju, center, his father Rajinikanth, left, and his mother Padmavathi, right, pose for the photographers in Chennai, India, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, during a ceremony on his return from Singapore defeating world champion Ding Liren to become the world champion of chess. (AP Photo)
Cambodia:
* Bycatch and human consumption hurting Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake water snakes
* Cambodia launches digital platform for informal economy
* US warship docks in Cambodia amid China naval base concerns
* Cambodia's economy enjoys healthier growth in 2024 despite downturn in real estate
Laos:
* Report details hundreds of new species found along Mekong River as scientists working here celebrate
* Luang Prabang uses pedal power to promote tourism
* Lao govt and ADB sign agreements for key development projects worth US$150mil
Brunei:
* Volunteers from Brunei bring joy to Sabah’s Bajau community
* Four Bruneians complete Ironman race in Australia
* Bruneian killed in Sandakan drag race
People attend a rally demanding the arrest of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. - AP
AseanPlus:
* Anwar appoints Thaksin as informal advisor to Asean chair next year
* Proton's e.MAS7 EV to be official car for Asean chairmanship
* Malaysia records one million Indian tourists as of Nov, achieves 2024 target, says Tiong
* Malaysia’s top creators to compete at TikTok’s Global LIVE Fest Tournament
* Legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain dies at the age of 73
* Australia takes HSBC to court over neglecting scam victims
* Blackpink: Lisa, Rose, Jennie shine as solo acts
* China approves mpox vaccine for clinical trial
* Safe, orderly protests highlight South Korea’s mature democracy
* Xi says 'inevitable' for ruling party to have internal conflicts
* China November industrial output rises 5.4%, above expectations
* North Korea state media slams South's Yoon as 'ringleader of rebellion'
* Leader of South Korea's ruling party leader says he is stepping down
* Australia warns travellers to Fiji of methanol poisoning risk
* China steps up efforts to open up its capital market
* China’s Instagram-like Xiaohongshu making inroads with ecommerce sales
* Indian chess king Gukesh returns to hero's welcome in Chennai
* South Korea's Yoon resists questioning over failed martial law bid
* South Korean milk recalled after cleaning solution contamination
* US case against India's Gautam Adani appears strong but extradition unlikely, experts say
* Hong Kong woman rejected for height at mainland ‘matchmaking corner’ sparks humorous debate
* Select Asian students to study medicine in Japan for free, new programme to start as soon as 2026
* China's factory output up, but consumption still a drag / * Asian markets struggle after more weak China data
* Cricket-India's one-man army Bumrah says fine with bowling workload
* China badminton ace Shi wins second World Tour Finals title as China scoops up three titles
