Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday (Jan 3, 2025) has declared more than US$400 million in assets, including more than 200 designer handbags worth over US$2 million and at least 75 luxury watches, valued at almost US$5 million. - AFP
Malaysia:
* Understand and accept King's decree on pardons, says Anwar
* Pakatan not involved in rally for Najib, says PM
* Pardons are the King's prerogative, says Istana Negara
* Don't get complacent as there's a lot to be done, PM tells civil servants
* Wisma Putra confirms detention of Malaysian in Saudi Arabia
* Malaysian Bar appeals against dismissal of its bid to challenge Najib’s pardon
* MMEA recovered assets worth over RM1.5bil in 2024, says Saifuddin
* Father of Banting murder case victim claims body for final rites
* Carry out projects to tackle floods and poverty without delay, says Anwar
* Young civil servants should be given training, exposure to technical fields, says Anwar
* Altantuya's family calls for government inquiry into Azilah's affidavit
* Senior cop behind wheel of SUV in Jeram accident that killed biker
Fireworks explode over the Marina Bay during the New Year celebrations in Singapore on Jan 1, 2025. - Reuters
Singapore:
* Singapore’s top women’s football prospect Nur Ain Salleh secures scholarship to Spain
* Malaysian actor Tony Eusoff reflects on eight-month jail time in Singapore
* Fired SingPost CEO and CFO say they welcome any independent inquiry
* Investors association calls for independent professional inquiry into SingPost’s firing of execs
* Singapore OCBC assistant V-P illegally accessed bank balances of politicians, influencers
* Singaporean households can now claim S$300 CDC vouchers, half for use at supermarkets
* Sustainability reporting will pay off for S’pore firms
* Singaporean actress Rui En to sell bak kwa with proceeds benefiting children with special needs
* Oil steady near two-month highs as market eyes policy support for growth
Indonesia:
* Indonesia signs 15.6 million kilolitres biodiesel allocation for 2025; govt to increase mandatory biodiesel mix to 50% next year
* Eight people killed in speedboat accident in Indonesia's Maluku province
* Eight-year jail sentence for four Indonesians in human trafficking case upheld
* String of acid attacks highlights lack of monitoring of dangerous chemicals
* PDI-P piles pressure on Jokowi after nomination for 'the most corrupt figure'
* Indonesia's Dec inflation at 1.57% y/y, as expected
* Asian currencies head for weekly falls with Trump policies in focus
Fireworks light up above Prambanan Temple, a 9th-century Hindu temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Yogyakarta on January 1, 2025. - AFP
Thailand:
* 'Indeed, I'm rich' - Thai PM declares millions in watches and bags among RM1.8bil in assets
* Defending champs Thailand shocked as striker Xuan Son's double gives Vietnam upper hand in Asean Championship final
* Top Muay Thai fighters to converge on Sandakan for Elopura Fights
* Thailand’s economy lagging behind that of other Asean nations
* Upper Thailand gets colder by 1-2 °C, isolated rains in the South
* Over 30 injured as bus carrying Russian tourists crashes into toll booth
Philippines:
* Philippines' Marcos drops estranged VP Duterte from security council
* Still shortage of nurses in the Philippines as govt expects many of new recruits to work overseas
* Submersible drone recovered off Masbate now in the custody of Philippine Navy
* Shear line to bring heavy rains over Northern Luzon
* Lone bettor in Philippines bags US$300,000 Super Lotto 6/49 jackpot
* Asian stocks gain, dollar at two-year high as US rates, Trump in focus
A view shows the city amid air pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Friday, January 3, 2025. Hanoi has been named the most polluted city in the world this week. - Reuters
Vietnam:
* Hanoi declared world's most polluted city, authorities seek action
* Vietnam bans vapes, will fine tourists up to RM350 and jail e-cigarette traders, producers
* Vietnam's ICT industry targets a massive US$169bil revenue in 2025
* Maximum domestic economy-class airfare capped at US$157 per ticket
* New terminal at HCM City’s Tan Son Nhat international airport takes shape
* Vietnam firms suspend stock offer plans / Vietnam’s nuclear ambitions depend on human resource capacity
Myanmar:
* Initial results of imprecise census in Myanmar show a slight population drop
* Some 200 illegal Rohingya refugees land in Langkawi
* Myanmar enforces cybersecurity law effective Jan 1
* China pressure point in Myanmar; rebels getting stronger
Ferries transport passengers and vehicles across the Mekong River as the sun sets in Phnom Penh on Friday, January 3, 2025. - AFP
Cambodia:
* 87 per cent of Cambodia's population have access to basic drinking water, declares ministry
* Cambodia's Special Economic Zones investment tipped to explode, as exports hit US$5.4bil
* Cambodia's central bank urges extra vigilance over fake US dollar banknotes
* Jan-Nov Cambodia-Malaysia trade jumps 30%
Laos:
* Data shows says lower inflation in Laos in 2024, but cost of living remains high
* Lao Health Ministry raises concerns over rabies
* China-Laos Railway marks new milestone, transporting 50 million tonnes of goods since 2021 launch
Brunei:
* Sultan of Brunei's New Year wish: Focus on economic growth, peace, and unity
* Beyblade X champions crowned
Thai rapper and singer Lisa, from South Korean group Blackpink, performs during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Bangkok on Jan 1, 2025. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* Malaysia upholds foreign policy principles of peace, neutrality, justice, says Tok Mat
* Herbal balms: A special souvenir for Asean meeting delegates
* Asean chairmanship will positively impact Malaysia's economy, says Fahmi
* Cops seeking four men for allegedly robbing Chinese tourists in Genting
* South Korean investigators abandon arrest of President Yoon
* Supporters of South Korea's Yoon adopt 'Stop the Steal', hope Trump will help
* China urges safety assessments after deadly year in commercial aviation
* South Korea's impeached president defies warrant after hours-long standoff
* China volunteer directs traffic for decades after wife, kids, sister killed in car accidents
* US weighs ban on Chinese drones, citing national security concerns
* Embattled S.Korea president claims attempts to detain him illegal, amid standoff
* S. Korea investigators seeking to arrest President Yoon 'confront security service': Yonhap
* South Korea authorities arrive to arrest impeached President Yoon over martial law
* China's central bank might cut interest rates from current level of 1.5% in 2025, FT reports
* Embattled Jeju Air to cut 1,900 flights by March following fatal crash
* South Korea to lift Jeju Air plane tail after fatal crash
* Asian shares rise defying slow Wall Street start to 2025
* South Korea sharply trims GDP forecast after martial law fiasco
* Putin orders govt, top bank to develop AI with China
* Extradited S. Korean crypto 'genius' in court to face US charges
* J-Hope of BTS donates 100 million won for plane crash victims
* Indian village that changed its name to honour Jimmy Carter pays tribute
* Tesla's China sales rise to record high in 2024, bucking global decline
* ‘Squid Game’ creator Hwang Dong-hyuk happy to see his characters killed off
* China knife attack heroine shuns live-stream offers, fears tarnishing her brave actions
* Virgin Australia staff not detained in Fiji after theft, sexual assault complaint, says government
* South Korea extends Boeing 737-800 inspections following fatal crash / South Korea to lift Jeju Air plane tail after fatal crash
