BANGKOK -- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed Friday that the National Security Council has authorized Defense Minister Natthapon Nakpanich to attend the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Saturday.
Speaking after chairing the council meeting, Anutin expressed hope that a joint statement could be signed to reaffirm the mutual commitment to non-aggression and stability. (Thailand-Border committee meeting)
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KUALA LUMPUR -- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years in jail over four counts of abuse of power in a case related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) on Friday.
The country's High Court also imposed a fine of 11.4 billion ringgit (2.82 billion U.S. dollars), which is five times the amount of gratification involved in the charges. (Malaysia-Former Prime Minister)
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ULAN BATOR -- The exchange rate of Mongolia's national currency, the Tugrik, against the U.S. dollar weakened by 3.8 percent since the beginning of 2025, data released by the National Statistics Office of Mongolia showed Friday.
The depreciation was primarily driven by declining coal revenues, according to experts from the statistical agency. (Mongolian-Exchange rate)
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NEW DELHI -- India's foreign exchange (forex) reserves increased by 4.368 billion U.S. dollars to 693.318 billion dollars during the week ended Dec. 19, showed the weekly bulletin released by the country's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.
This was the second consecutive week when India's forex reserves had risen. (India-Forex Reserves) ■
