Chatolics attend a mass during Christmas celebrations at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, ahead of the 20th anniversary of Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia, on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. - Reuters
Malaysia:
* Malaysia's top officials call for love, togetherness this Christmas
* Crime prevention operations in S'gor intensified during the holiday season
* Death certificates issued for Singaporean couple still missing after Taiwan quake in April
* Public universities committee denies claims of students being admitted via 'backdoor'
* GOF foils human trafficking operation in Pasir Mas
* Openness can reduce racial discord, says Zaid Ibrahim
* Government starts anti-dumping duties review
* Malaysia renewing search for MH370, says Anwar
* KM204 fatal crash: Lorry driver's statement recorded, says cops
* KM204 fatal crash: Surgery successful for young crash survivor
* RM10mil fine for environmental offenders among ministry’s successes in 2024, says Nik Nazmi
* RM35mil payment for Pulau Burong landfill is buyout price, not compensation, says Penang exco man
This aerial photograph shows the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Museum in the southern Thai province of Phang Nga on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami disaster. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western tip generated a series of massive waves that pummelled the coastline of 14 countries from Indonesia to Somalia. - AFP
Singapore:
* 50 people evacuated after fire linked to power-assisted bike battery breaks out in Singapore's Tampines HDB flat
* Third executive fired by SingPost to contest decision, says move ‘unfair and without merit’
* Singapore ministry looking into job listings supposedly by Ngee Ann Poly branch of Communist Youth League of China
* Death certificates issued for Singaporean couple still missing after Taiwan quake in April
* 50 evacuated after fire linked to power-assisted bike battery breaks out in Singapore flat
* Bangladesh probes Singaporean tycoon for financial crimes; his lawyers call it a smear campaign
* Miniature horses bring joy to nursing home resident in Singapore
Indonesia:
* Christmas clemency: 15,807 inmates granted remissions across Indonesia
* Indonesia to boost rice purchases from their farmers to ensure food security, support growers
* Indonesia's anti-corruption panel names PDI-P’s Hasto graft suspect
* After 20 years, the post-tsunami generation stays vigilant for future disasters
* Catholics hold muted Christmas mass in Aceh
* 45 M’sians allegedly extorted at Jakarta concert, say Indonesian cops
Visitors walk along the beach in the southern Thai province of Phang Nga on December 25, 2024, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami disaster. On December 26, 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off Indonesia's western tip generated a series of massive waves that pummelled the coastline of 14 countries from Indonesia to Somalia. - AFP
Thailand:
* Thai November exports rise 8.2% on year, roughly in line with forecast
* Blackpink’s Lisa's first solo LP will have seven versions
* Wanted Vietnamese activist jailed for illegally entering Thailand
* Two Indian nationals arrested during Sg Golok crossing attempt to Thailand
* Three rangers injured in shooting and bomb blast incident in Thailand's Narathiwat
* Tsunami detection buoys safeguarding lives in Thailand
Philippines:
* Economists in the Philippines sees country's inflation settling at 2.6% in December
* Philippine cenbank governor says open to rate cut in early 2025; closely monitoring global policy issues
* Cities worldwide hold subdued Christmas Eve celebrations amid conflicts
* China condemns Philippine defence chief's remarks on China, US missiles
* 31 people, including women and children, in bus-car crash on Christmas eve in the Philippines
* Oil prices rise 1% in thin pre-holiday trade and ahead of festive season
A man uses a smartphone to take a picture of a Christmas tree in Seoul, South Korea. - AP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam's electricity production, imports in 2025 to reach 347.5bil kWh
* 'Finally, we made it!': Ho Chi Minh City celebrates first metro
* Sweeping Vietnam internet law comes into force
* 330,000 new jobs expected next year in Ho Chi Minh City
* Bangkok photo exhibition showcases vibrant colours of Vietnam
* Pabuk storm heads to Vietnam, bringing isolated rains to most of Thailand
Myanmar:
* Myanmar receives 3,500 tons of rice for disaster-hit communities from Asean and its partners
* Myanmar craftsman turns plant waste into valuable product
* Over two million doses of oral cholera vaccines administered in Myanmar
* Fire at Rohingya camp kills two, displaces thousands in Bangladesh
A man works on an ice sculpture during the 37th Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo in Harbin, in China's northeastern Heilongjiang province on Wednesday, December 25, 2024. - AFP
Cambodia:
* Pope urges "all people of all nations" to silence arms and overcome divisions in Christmas address
* Cambodia strengthens efforts to attract FDI amid Least Developed Country status-graduation plans
* Cambodia's car tyre exports up 135 per cent in first 11 months of 2024
* Sharing small details online could empower scammers, warns Cambodian ministry
Laos:
* Laos enhances tourism sector to attract visitors, boost local businesses
* Lao Telecom launches 5G Service in Champassak
* Laos: Savannakhet police arrest man for smuggling kratom and cough syrup
Brunei:
* Chinese sci-fi movies debut at Brunei Film Blitz; event highlights cultural and strategic ties
* Crocodile struck on Brunei highway goes viral
* Brunei and China forge stronger ties through agricultural MoU
Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, hold a talk at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. - Kyodo News via AP
AseanPlus:
* Asean Summit 2025: Malaysia to promote national unity model, says Saraswathy
* Malaysian musicians shine at inclusive arts event in New Delhi
* Shuttler Sze Fei gets engaged / * Ex-international Kay Bin confirmed as Zii Jia's new coach
* A Christmas tale - Londoner has received festive card from German pen pal for 76 years
* China wife sets sex worker trap for sham husband in bid to divorce him, pocket bride price
* Japan's top diplomat in China to address 'challenges'
* Chinese workers saved from 'slave-like conditions' in Brazil
* China to remain top car exporter in 2025 despite slower growth on EU’s EV tariffs
* India - Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at 90
* As India's Bollywood shifts, stars and paparazzi click
* Five Indian soldiers killed after vehicle falls into gorge in Kashmir
* Shrinking, ageing population makes South Korea 'super-aged society'
* Taiwanese lawmakers brawl in parliament over controversial bills
* Japanese premier says stronger alliance with US is key to regional stability, seeks to meet Trump
* Chinese tricksters take cue from Squid Game to prey on the indebted
* South Korea's Yoon defies second agency summons over martial law
* An Apple AI blunder messed up headline summaries so badly some want the feature pulled
* Honda, Nissan aim to join forces by 2026
* China’s massive solar rooftop roll-out gains traction, but grid struggles to keep pace
* Chinese EV industry’s lithium demand fuels research into ‘low-quality’ sources
* Japan aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2035 vs 2013 levels
* Syria’s Aleppo eyes revival amid the enduring scars of war on its heritage
* A year when base metals bulls got a Chinese reality check
* Passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashes in Kazakhstan with many feared dead
* Cricket-Australia get Head boost, India ponder Rohit switch
