'Free our president', Maduro supporters demand at rallyListen to this articleA supporter of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro demonstrates with a national flag in Caracas a day after he was captured in a US strikeCARACAS - Around 2,000 supporters of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro demonstrated Sunday in Caracas to demand that he and his wife, who were nabbed by US forces and taken to a New York jail, be released. "Free our president," read a placard held by a man with a red flannel shirt which bore the image of Maduro's predecessor and mentor, late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez. On Monday, Maduro is due in court in New York to face charges of "narcoterrorism" tied to alleged cocaine trafficking into the United States. "Nicolas Maduro was removed by traitors, because with the amount of security he had this should never have happened," he said. Maduro's son Nicolas Maduro Guerra also voiced suspicion about the presence of spies in his father's entourage in an audio message shared on social media on Sunday.

Angry son denied money, burns down the neighbourhoodListen to this articleA high-angle view shows the burnt-out block of houses in Khao Sai market in Thap Khlo district in Pichit. The fire was first reported about 9.50am in Khao Sai market in Thap Khlo district, the provincial Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office said. Investigators believed her grown son, Yutthana, had deliberately started the fire, Pol Col Pheemphon Muangsi, chief of Thap Khlo station, said on Monday. He was left angry afterwards and retreated to his room, where he started the fire. The suspect was also found in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm, and was charged with illegal possession on both counts.

Djokovic quits players' union he co-foundedListen to this articleThe Professional Tennis Players Association was founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek PospisilPARIS (FRANCE) - Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday he was leaving the professional players' union he co-founded in 2020, citing "concerns regarding transparency and governance" within the body. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the current world No. The action also highlighted the "unsustainable schedule" for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men's ATP¨and women's WTA. "After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association", Djokovic posted on social media. "This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.

Washington's military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly made clear he wants to become an annexed part of the United States. "I have to say this very clearly to the United States: it is absolutely absurd to say that the United States should take control of Greenland," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement late Sunday. Trump has said the United States will now "run" Venezuela indefinitely and tap its huge oil reserves. In Greenland's case, Trump has claimed that making the Danish territory part of the United States would serve US national security interests, given its strategic location on the Arctic. Moves edging towards that goal by his government -- including his appointment of an envoy to the Danish territory -- have drawn the ire of both Copenhagen and the European Union.

"Well-designed, targeted stimulus can help stabilise sentiment and support small and medium-sized enterprises that are still recovering." In the long term, the government's priority should be increasing Thailand's foreign direct investment (FDI) competitiveness, said Mr Nirun. Investment incentives should be improved, with special support packages provided for strategic investors, said Mr Nirun. Mr Nirun said the country must also develop new growth engines. Structural reforms are needed to raise productivity, said Mr Nirun, adding an ageing and declining population means Thailand must accelerate technologies that improve productivity.

Most executives in key economic sectors remain vigilant, hopeful that conditions could improve if a new government accelerates policies that effectively stabilise the economy. Online shopping to keep growing at breakneck paceThailand's e-commerce sector is expected to continue to grow by 15% annually, despite high household debt. Competitiveness hinges on embracing sustainabilityWhile the global economy is set to stabilise this year, uncertainty lingers given shifting trade policies, tariff structures and the urgent need for climate action. Climate change reshaping economic outlookClimate change is no longer limited to shifting weather patterns, but is a growing force reshaping Thailand's economic outlook in 2026, according to Treethep Palakavong Na Ayudhya, chief executive of Global Carbon Corporation, a local greenhouse gas management consultancy. Digital growth to support static prospects in 2026Thailand's challenging economic outlook in 2026 is partly offset by continued growth in the digital economy and a much-needed digital transformation of large and mid-sized companies, according to Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True Corporation.

Digital growth to support static prospects in 2026Listen to this articleMr Brekke says more Thais are adopting technology. Thailand's challenging economic outlook in 2026 is partly offset by continued growth in the digital economy and a much-needed digital transformation of large and mid-sized companies, according to Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True Corporation. In fact, Mr Brekke said 2026 is the perfect year for businesses to leverage this technological transition. Businesses should understand the threats and opportunities that this perfect storm will cause for them, said Mr Brekke. Yet these difficulties coincide with an era of emerging technologies that present new opportunities for growth and efficiency, said Mr Brekke.

Climate change reshaping economic outlookListen to this articleMr Treethep says all Thai firms must consider carbon output. Climate change is no longer limited to shifting weather patterns, but is a growing force reshaping Thailand's economic outlook in 2026, according to Treethep Palakavong Na Ayudhya, chief executive of Global Carbon Corporation, a local greenhouse gas management consultancy. Mr Treethep said the issue extends beyond exporters: all firms, from large corporations to small businesses, will face similar pressures starting this year. He said even companies that do not export to Europe, North America, Japan or Australia must change their mindset. Greater attention to climate responsibility is now essential, not only for protecting the planet but also for safeguarding revenues and profits, said Mr Treethep.

Ministry launches new push to tap into 'medical economy'Listen to this articleThe so-called "medical economy" championed by the government is being positioned as a new growth engine for Thailand. Under Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, the Ministry of Public Health is steering the sector toward a more diversified revenue model, reducing its heavy reliance on government budgets and funding from the National Health Security Office. The move comes as many public hospitals face growing debt, largely attributed to rising costs under the 30-baht universal healthcare scheme. While public hospitals remain committed to providing universal healthcare, he said they must also generate their own income to ensure financial resilience and strengthen the sector as a whole. Krithpaka Boonfueng, executive director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), said medical technology and innovation remain among the agency's flagship priorities.

32.9m foreigners visited in 2025Listen to this articleThailand welcomed 32.9 million foreign visitors in 2025, a 7.23% fall from 2024, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported. International tourism revenue dropped 4.71% to 1.53 trillion baht. The top five markets were Malaysia (4.5 million), China (4.4 million), India (2.4 million), Russia (1.8 million) and South Korea (1.5 million). Total tourism earnings reached 2.7 trillion baht. The agency aims to lift travel frequency and expand spending, pushing overall tourism revenue to 2.78 trillion baht, or 7% growth.

Malaysian held after fatal crashListen to this articlePHATTHALUNG: A Malaysian man has been arrested after a 75-year-old local resident was killed in a roadside collision in a local district. Pol Lt Col Nitikom Khunrong of Si Nakharin police said yesterday the incident occurred on Saturday at 5.40pm. When arrived at the scene, police found the victim, Praphol Dam-am, dead in a drainage ditch near his home. Preliminary reports indicate he was struck while standing outside his property. The driver, Ahmad Najmi Bin Sazali, 36, was taken into custody after his Malaysia-registered Honda was found with damage to the left front windscreen.

What if you take away the slingshot? Thailand came away from those same Asean meetings as a party to a strategic minerals agreement with the United States that was apparently sprung at the last minute. Stakeholders throughout Thailand complained vigorously that there had been no consultation on the sudden agreement and warned of potential ramifications. The Trump Administration appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on the case in November. The Supreme Court generally holds its most significant decisions to just before summer recess, synchronising explosive judicial opinions with July 4th fireworks.

How world order looks after 2025Listen to this articleA photo shows Palestinians walking past a sand sculpture reading '2026' on the beach in Gaza City on Dec 31, 2025. But its significance goes far beyond numerical elegance -- it marks the year the postwar global order expired and a new one began. But, with hindsight, the postwar order carried the seeds of its demise. Some contours of the new world order -- three in particular -- are already visible. We have a chance to do better: to build a more plural, more equal and more ecologically grounded world order.

What would happen if Khamenei falls? The last round of demonstrations, arrests and a few executions really engaged only the more secular and better educated part of the population -- half, at most. Non-violent protesters came out in ever greater numbers, offering themselves up to be slain by the "security" forces. Could the protesters who are now chanting "Death to the Dictator" bring down the regime by force? Almost half the entire population was displaced internally or abroad, and most of the country is still in ruins.

Poll is a test of courageListen to this articleThailand has now entered election campaign mode, with barely a month before the next general election takes place on Feb 8. If all these promises were deliverable, Thailand would resemble a welfare state more generous than many advanced economies. This election should serve as a platform for politicians to show their political courage to break away from populism as usual. Energy costs have a direct impact on household expenses and national competitiveness. Whether any party is prepared to pursue meaningful reform remains doubtful, given the undeniable influence of energy sector funding in politics.