International relations

Laos and South Korea agree to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-laos-upgrade-relations-comprehensive-partnership-seoul-says-2025-12-15/

Law and crime

A court in Moscow, Russia, designates protest music group Pussy Riot as an extremist group, banning its activities within Russia. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/russian-anti-kremlin-punk-band-pussy-riot-designated-an-extremist-organisation-2025-12-15/

Law and crime

Danske Bank completes its three-year corporate probation with the United States Department of Justice, concluding all regulatory proceedings related to suspicious transactions at its former Estonian branch, after pleading guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and forfeiting US$2 billion as part of a 2022 settlement. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/danske-bank-completes-us-probation-over-estonia-case-2025-12-15/

International relations

Thailand's military stops fuel shipments through its border crossing with Laos in Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani province, after intelligence indicates that supplies are being diverted to Cambodian forces amid an ongoing conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-cuts-laos-fuel-route-cambodia-border-conflict-deepens-2025-12-15/