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Vietnam

Noi Bai Airport to operate expanded international terminal with full automation

HANOI: The expanded Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport will officially open on Dec 19, marking a major step in the airport's digital transformation and its effort to raise capacity as passenger demand continues to surge.

World

Thailand to hold elections on Feb 8, local media reports

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Thailand will hold elections on February 8, according to multiple local media reports on Monday, including from public broadcaster Thai PBS, broadcaster PPTV and digital outlet Prachathai. 

Cricket

Cricket-Lyon ready to roar again for Australia in third Ashes test

SYDNEY, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Nathan Lyon made clear his disappointment at being dropped for a home test for the first time in 14 years in Brisbane two weeks ago, but the Australian spinner is only looking forward before the third test at a ground he knows very well.

Brunei

Warm welcome home for Brunei's SEA Games bronze medal winners

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Eleven members of the Brunei contingent, comprising the National Karate Team, returned home on Saturday (Dec 13) to a welcoming ceremony after winning two bronze medals at the 33rd South-East Asian Games 2025 in Bangkok.

World

Exclusive-'For all I know, she could be dead' says son of Myanmar's Suu Kyi

TOKYO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - With her health failing and an information vacuum around Myanmar's detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her son worries that he may not even know if she passed away.

Nation

MCMC's platform licensing move a good step forward for digital governance, says IGP

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Deeming Provision to consider major digital providers as automatically licensed – and therefore subject to Malaysian laws – from Jan 1 is a step towards strengthening governance of such platforms, says Bukit Aman.

Entertainment

Miss Universe drama: CEO Mario Bucaro steps down after just one month in service

The reasons behind his departure have not been disclosed.

Nation

Lawyers dispute police timeline in Melaka shooting with new evidence

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers representing the families of three men shot dead in Durian Tunggal, Melaka, are disputing police claims about the location and timing of the incident, citing new evidence.

Thailand

Thailand cuts Laos fuel route as Cambodia border conflict deepens

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH: Thailand's military said on Monday (Dec 15) that it has stopped fuel shipments passing through a border checkpoint with Laos because of fears they were being diverted to Cambodia, with which it is fighting a fierce border conflict.

Philippines

Philippines expects 4.6 million port passengers for holiday season

MANILA: In the upcoming holiday season, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) forecast 4.6 million passengers travelling through ports nationwide from Dec 15, 2025 to Jan 5, 2026, the agency said.

China

China's Xi warns officials against chasing 'reckless' GDP

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping lashed out at inflated growth numbers and vowed to crack down on the pursuit of "reckless" projects that have no purpose except showing superficial results.

Nation

Nineteen Border Control officers from KLIA face disciplinary action for integrity breaches

SEPANG: Nineteen officers from the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) have faced disciplinary action after being found guilty of various offences involving breaches of integrity and work procedures.

Nation

Authorities adding 40 NIISe eGates, 145 MyNIISe QR scanners at Johor checkpoints

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry will install 40 additional National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) eGate units and 145 MyNIISe QR Code scanners at Johor motorcycle, car and pedestrian crossings by December 31.

Cambodia

Tourism in Cambodia’s Siem Reap takes a hit from latest clashes with Thailand

SIEM REAP: The tills at Siem Reap's Old Market, which is popular with tourists, are usually busy ringing in December, the high tourism season in Cambodia.

Nation

Durian Tunggal shooting: Cops awaiting MCMC report on threats against lawyer

SHAH ALAM: Police are still waiting for a report from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on the social media profile of an individual who allegedly posted a threat against a lawyer representing the families of three men involved in a shooting incident in Melaka.

Asia & Oceania

Exploring China’s fascinating museums

Folks who love going to museums are often rewarded with a lifetime of knowledge and an understanding of many cultures.

Laos

Laos calls for restraint, peaceful solution in Cambodian-Thai border tensions

VIENTIANE: The spokesperson for the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Dec 11, calling on Cambodia and Thailand to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to their ongoing border tensions.

Other Sports

Cheong Min wins second gold as she leads trio for wushu weapons title

BANGKOK: Wushu exponent Tan Cheong Min pranced her way to a second gold medal for Malaysia in the women's duilian weapons event with Loh Ying Ting and Pang Pui Yee at the Cheng Wattana Government Complex here on Monday (Dec 15).

Nation

Cops probing allegation of MACC officer threatening husband with pistol

SHAH ALAM: Police are investigating a wife's report alleging that her husband was threatened with a pistol by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer during an arrest in Sepang, Selangor.

Japan

Traffic disrupted, warning issued after blizzard batters Japan's Hokkaido

TOKYO: A rapidly developing low-pressure system brought a blizzard to Hokkaido on Monday (Dec 15), with violent winds and heavy snowfall also affecting parts of northeastern Japan, causing disruptions to transportation and prompting warnings of storm surges and flood risks from high tides, reported Xinhua.