KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's manufacturers association said on Monday that floods which cut off roads and led to mass evacuations over the weekend have likely resulted in heavy losses for firms in the affected areas.

The death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year surpassed 200 on Monday, as desperate survivors pleaded for urgent supplies of drinking water and food.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: A 35.75-kilometre section of the new Bang Pa-in - Nakhon Ratchasima elevated motorway will be open free of charge to motorists during the New Year, from Dec 29-Jan 4, to relieve traffic congestion on Highway 2.

Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Monday it has approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children between the age of five and 11.

A 49-year-old-Thai woman is the first case of local infection with the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, caught from her infected husband, a pilot who arrived from Nigeria, a senior health official said on Monday.

TOKYO: Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged Japan on Monday to halt a military study-abroad programme in which cadets from Myanmar receive combat training.

Exports rose a more-than-expected 24.7% in November from a year earlier, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit told a news conference on Monday.

There were 31 more coronavirus-related fatalities and 2,525 new cases registered during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry said on Monday morning.

HONG KONG: Hong Kong's leader on Monday hailed the outcome of a "patriots only" legislature election that saw a record low voter turnout and government loyalists sweep every seat.

Two earthquakes were reported centred in Xayaboury province of Laos on Monday morning. There were no reports of serious damage but the tremors were felt in Thailand's neighbouring Nan province.