Hong Kong warns international media against ‘smear campaign’
Authorities in Hong Kong summoned international news organisations to a rare meeting on Saturday to warn them against “false information and smear campaigns” surrounding the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades and upcoming legislative elections.

Queen leads Vayu to top score in Phuket King’s Cup Regatta final round
PHUKET - Her Majesty the Queen competed in the final round of the 37th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta on Saturday, serving as navigator for the Vayu sailing team in the IRC Zero class aboard the yacht THA72.

Indonesians climb over logs to get to flood aid centre
ACEH TAMIANG, Indonesia - Residents in the Indonesian region of Aceh Tamiang climbed over slippery logs and walked for about an hour on Saturday to get aid, as the death toll from floods and landslides that hit Sumatra island this month rose to more than 900 people.

Family’s long wait for last Thai hostage near an end
NONG KHAI - Two years after Sudthisak Rinthalak was killed by Hamas militants, his family in northeastern Thailand is preparing to welcome his remains home and hold a Buddhist ceremony they believe will bring his spirit peace.

India air travel chaos eases but IndiGo still struggling
MUMBAI - Crowds at Indian airports eased on Saturday but hundreds of passengers were still gathering outside Bengaluru and Mumbai airports as 385 IndiGo flights were cancelled, in the fifth day of a crisis that has hit the country’s biggest airline.

Thailand presses for UN probe of border landmines
Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has asked the United Nations to establish a special investigation into the spread of landmines along the border, allegedly planted by Cambodia and causing a series of injuries to Thai soldiers, stressing there must be no more victims.

Ayutthaya man arrested with 8m speed pills in Chiang Rai
A 35-year-old Ayutthaya man has been arrested after 39 sacks containing 8 million speed pills were found hidden in his van parked at a shopping mall in Muang district of Chiang Rai province.

Australia hits Afghan Taliban officials with sanctions, travel bans
SYDNEY — Australia on Saturday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four officials in Afghanistan's Taliban government over what it said was a deteriorating human rights situation in the country, especially for women and girls.

Voters spoiled for lack of choice
The steady rise in undecided voters, judging by recent opinion polls, looks to be the most significant political development shaping the run-up to the next general election.

Sentiment improving, but watch for political risk
Global stock markets have rebounded as the market predicts an 80% likelihood the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its Dec 9-10 meeting, up from less than 40% earlier.