Not even the penguins were sparedListen to this articleWell, we've just about slithered our way through the Year of the Snake. Hardly a day went by without being treated to words of wisdom from the gentleman in the White House. The wide-sweeping tariffs even affected a couple of uninhabited Australian territories populated only by penguins and seals. It prompted "even the penguins weren't spared" headlines that went around the world. Anyway here is a review of the more obscure happenings that you may have missed during the past year.

Listen to this articleThe Criminal Court has handed down a historic sentence against businessman Prasit Jeawkok, ordering 1,210 years in prison for defrauding the public through illegal loan schemes. The court found Prasit and the two companies guilty of multiple counts of fraud and illegal borrowing. Prasit was convicted on 242 counts, each carrying a five‑year sentence, totalling 1,210 years. The court also ordered the two companies and Prasit to jointly repay damages to 267 victims. In a previous ruling on July 3, 2023, Prasit was sentenced to 1,155 years in another fraud case, though the maximum sentence was capped at 20 years.

JKN Global chief handed 2 years in absentiaListen to this articleThe Bangkok South Kwaeng Court has sentenced Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, founder of JKN Global Group, to two years' imprisonment without suspension after finding her guilty of fraud involving a 30‑million‑baht corporate bond investment. The verdict was handed down on Friday in a criminal case filed by Raveewat Maschamadol against JKN Global Group Plc and Jakkaphong for jointly committing fraud. They persuaded the plaintiff to invest in corporate bonds issued by JKN Global Group despite knowing the company was facing severe financial difficulties and would be unable to repay the investment on the agreed date. On the day of the verdict, a representative of JKN Global Group appeared in court. JKN Global Group was fined 40,000 baht, while Jakkaphong was sentenced to two years in jail.

Listen to this articleAnutin Charnvirakul, left, and Varawut Silpa-archa in Suphan Buri on Saturday. Bhumjaithai PartyPrime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party, announced Varawut Silpa-archa has been nominated as the party's third-ranked candidate on the party-list ballot. Mr Anutin then confirmed that, in addition to the five constituency candidates, Mr Varawut would stand as the party's third-ranked party-list candidate, following the party leader and secretary-general. Mr Varawut responded with a respectful wai before embracing Mr Anutin. Mr Anutin added that Banharn had once summoned him and told him that, wherever he might go in the future, he should take Mr Varawut, Banharn's son, with him.

"These examples prove that the belief Bangkok voters choose based on policies and ideology simply isn't true," Mr Olarn said. Mr Olarn interprets this not as apathy, but as strategic waiting. "Bangkok voters are waiting to see which issue will become decisive," he said, identifying two potential triggers. Mr Olarn attributed this to the party's lacklustre performance in government and lingering scepticism toward the Shinawatra family. With over 40% of Bangkok voters undecided, he said the capital remains a volatile environment.

FreakOut Thailand: Redefining Digital Marketing with an AI Technology-Driven ApproachIn the fast-paced digital landscape of Southeast Asia, AI has become the defining factor for success. For FreakOut Thailand, a Bangkok-based subsidiary of the Japanese ad-tech pioneer FreakOut Holdings, Inc., winning consumer attention lies not just in creating ads, but in the proprietary technology that delivers them. By combining Japanese engineering precision with local market expertise, FreakOut Thailand is setting a new standard for how brands leverage technology to build awareness and drive performance. The company’s strategy in Thailand is clear: to leverage its advanced ad technology products to elevate performance media and creative solutions. In an environment where standard targeting often feels like "shouting into the void," alpaka provides the intelligence needed to make performance media truly effective.

Listen to this articleThe star denotes the epicentre of the earthquake that was felt in parts of northeastern Taiwan on Saturday night. (Map: US Geological Survey)TAIPEI - A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck about 32 ‌kilometres ​off the northeastern coastal city of Yilan on Saturday, the Taiwanese weather administration said, with no ‌immediate report of major damage. The quake with a depth of ‌73km, took place at 11pm local time and was felt across northern Taiwan and shook buildings in ⁠the capital Taipei, the agency added. More than 3,000 homes in Yilan briefly lost ‌power, ​Taiwan Power Company said. More than 100 people were ⁠killed in a quake ​in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more ​than 2,000 people in 1999.

US strikes targeted IS militants, Nigeria saysListen to this articleDestroyed structures are seen in Offa, in Kwara state, where Nigeria said buildings were hit by debris from expended munitions that fell from US strikes on unspecified militants linked to the Islamic State group. (Photo: AFP)ABUJA - US strikes in Nigeria this week targeted Islamic State militants from the Sahel who were in the country to work with the Lakurawa jihadist group and “bandit” gangs, a spokesman for the Nigerian president told AFP on Saturday. Washington and Abuja previously said they targeted IS-linked militants, without providing details on which of Nigeria’s myriad armed groups were attacked. “ISIS, Lakurawa and bandits were targeted,” Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, told AFP on Saturday. On Friday, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the strikes hit “two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves” in Sokoto state’s Tangaza district.

Rayan Cherki the hero with a goal and an assistListen to this articleTijjani Reijnders celebrates scoring Manchester City’s first goal with Erling Haaland and Nico O'Reilly in their Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at The City Ground in Nottingham on Dec 27, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)NOTTINGHAM, England - Manchester ‍City beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to move provisionally ‌to the ​top of the Premier League table after Rayan Cherki grabbed a goal and assist away at The City Ground ‌on Saturday. However, Cherki made it 2-1 with a half-volley from a City set-piece in the 83rd minute to give ⁠the visitors all three points. Erling Haaland’s 19 goals by Christmas have him tied for the most at this stage of the competition in the Premier League era, but the City striker was a non-factor for long periods of Saturday’s match. City have now won eight successive games in all competitions, including six in a row in the league.

Listen to this articleSmoke rises above residential buildings following strikes by Russian drones and missiles in Kyiv on Dec 27, 2025. (Photo: AFP)KYIV - Russia pummelled Ukraine’s capital with drones and missiles on Saturday, killing a woman and cutting power to hundreds of thousands, ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest talks with US leader Donald Trump. Zelensky said the attack showed Russia did not want to end its invasion launched in February 2022 that has left tens of thousands dead. Ahead of the Ukrainian president’s talks in Florida with Trump on Sunday, Russia said Kyiv and its EU backers were trying to “torpedo” a US-brokered plan to stop the fighting. (Story continues below)An Iranian-designed Shahed 136 (Geranium-2) drone used by the Russian army flies over Kyiv on Dec 27, 2025.

(Photo: Transport Co)The state-owned Transport Co reports that more than 134,000 passengers travelled to and from Bangkok on Friday, with no reports of stranded commuters at bus terminals. An estimated 100,000 to 120,000 passengers are expected to travel both outbound and inbound on Saturday, using around 6,000 bus services, including Bor Kor Sor buses and and joint-service operators. According to operational data on Dec 26, a total of 134,280 passengers travelled by bus, with 79,608 outbound journeys from Bangkok and 54,672 inbound trips. A total of 6,888 bus services were operated — 3,632 outbound and 3,256 inbound. Transport Co buses will depart from Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), also known as Mo Chit 2, while additional buses will leave from Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Gate 2.

A sporting year of cheers, jeers and tears that will be rememberedListen to this articleIt's that time of the year to acknowledge the men and women who have graced the sports pages over the past 12 months. She also won the LPGA player of the year award and Vare Trophy for season low-scoring average, an astonishing 68.681. Salah's lament: Liverpool star Mohammed Salah, having fallen out of favour with manager Arne Slot, claiming "It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus." Misplaced jeers: Trent Alexander-Arnold being booed by some Liverpool fans on his return to Anfield while playing for Real Madrid. Crazy dreams: Scotland qualify for their first World Cup in 28 years by defeating Denmark in a dramatic game which included some extraordinary goals.

Incident reported just before ceasefire with Cambodia took effectListen to this articleA Thai soldier conducts a search operation for landmines planted along the Thai-Cambodian border. (Photo: Royal Thai Army)SI SA KET - A Thai soldier was seriously injured after stepping on an anti-personnel landmine during an operation in Khao Sattasom of this northeastern province on Saturday. The 2nd Army Area reported the incident at 11.30am, just a half-hour before a 72-hour ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia took effect. PVt Narin was the 10th Thai soldier to lose a limb from the PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, allegedly planted by Cambodian troops along the border since July 2025. The defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement on Saturday in Chanthaburi after Phnom Penh accepted previously agreed terms.

Listen to this articlePeople’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut waves to supporters at the Keelawes 2 sports building of the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng district of Bangkok on Saturday, the first day of MP candidate registration for the Feb 8 election. Candidates and their supporters began gathering at the registration venue well before 5am, waiting for officials to open the stadium gates. Democrat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Abhisit Vejjajiva, alongside fellow PM candidate Karndee Leopairote, also attended the registration event on Saturday. The registration of constituency MP candidates in other provinces were also marked by a vibrant atmosphere, with parties carrying out symbolic activities ahead of the opening of applications. The Election Commission said registration for constituency MPs would continue from 8.30am to 4.30pm daily until Dec 31.

Latest attacks take place a day before Zelensky-Trump meeting on new peace planListen to this articleAn Iranian-designed Shahed 136 (Geranium-2) drone used by the Russian army flies over Kyiv on Dec 27, 2025. An air alert lasted several hours after loud overnight explosions, some accompanied by bright flashes that turned the sky orange, according to AFP reporters in Kyiv. The attack killed a 47-year-old woman, Kyiv regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said. Ukraine’s air force announced a countrywide air alert early Saturday and said that drones and missiles were moving over several Ukrainian regions. Russia accused Zelensky and his EU backers on Friday of seeking to “torpedo” the US-brokered plan.