These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Ursula may turn into typhoon as it inches closer to Eastern Visayas
Severe Tropical Storm Ursula may further intensify into a typhoon while moving closer to Eastern Visayas, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.
In its 8 a.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Ursula was last spotted at 250 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Ursula packed maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gusts of up to 125 kph. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Cambodia and Vietnam sign five-year defence pact
Cambodia and Vietnam have signed a pact to continue defence cooperation over the next five years, including in ensuring security and safety in border areas.
A Defence Ministry statement yesterday said Defence Minister General Tea Banh signed the pact with his Vietnamese counterpart General Ngo Xuan Lich on Friday, during a visit to Vietnam from Thursday to Sunday. – Khmer Times
Judgement day 'next month' for FFP
The Constitutional Court is expected to rule next month on whether to dissolve the Future Forward Party (FFP) over allegations it attempted to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.
Natthaporn Toprayoon, who petitioned the court early this year seeking disbandment of the FFP for violating Section 49 of the charter, said he expects a ruling by the middle of January. – Bangkok Post
Vietnam's agriculture sector sets goals for 2020
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has urged Vietnam's agricultural sector to improve its production quality and expand markets to other countries, especially the EU, next year.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development held an online conference in Hà Nội on Monday with localities to discuss 2020 plans for the sector. – Viet Nam News
Thailand Upholds Life Term for Lao Drug Kingpin Xaysana
Thailand has decided to uphold a sentence of life imprisonment for Lao drug kingpin Xaysana Keopimpha, charged with smuggling 1.2 million methamphetamine pills, locally known as ya ba, into the country in 2016.
The Thai Court of Appeal found that Mr. Xaysana had arranged for the drugs to be smuggled from Laos and for a vehicle with a false compartment in the roof to conceal them. – The Laotian Times