Listen to this articleThree of the world’s largest dairy companies are recalling and blocking batches of infant milk formula after a contamination scare that began with Nestle widened on Wednesday to the French groups Danone and Lactalis. Nestle recalled batches of infant nutrition products in dozens of countries earlier this month, due to possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea and vomiting. A judicial inquiry in ‌France is under way into whether there is a link between the death of a baby and the Nestle milk. Danone shares sinkDanone shares were down around 8.3% on Wednesday, touching their lowest level since February 2025. dsm-firmenich has said none of its products was affected by the Nestle recall.

Passenger numbers for Hong Kong's Cathay go sky high with 27% increaseListen to this articleA Cathay Pacific aircraft takes off at Hong Kong International Airport. The company said the growth in passenger numbers was related to a "significant expansion in passenger capacity", with the group seeing a more than 25% increase in terms of available seat kilometres from 2024. In December alone, passenger numbers for Cathay Pacific and HK Express increased by 21.8% and 24.1% year on year, respectively. "The Chinese mainland also emerged as a key destination, with travellers from Hong Kong exploring a wide variety of cities across our network." "Tonnage remained strong in December, despite a 3% decrease from the previous month as the festive season approached," Lau said.

Thailand seize early initiativeListen to this articleThailand's Saysunee Jana smiles after her victory. By press time, Thailand's gold medal tally had already climbed impressively to 18. Nithikorn Jeampiriyakul set the tone, storming to victory in the men's 100m breaststroke SB14 with a new Games record of 1:08.09min. Further victories came courtesy of Monrudee Kangpila (women's 100m breaststroke SB9); Prakaithip Chaiwong (women's 100m breaststroke SB7-SB8); Eakapan Songwichean (men's 50m backstroke SB5); Natirat Meeprom (men's 200m breaststroke SB14); Sampachan Samathi (men's 100m freestyle SB10); and Wilasini Wongnonthapoom (women's 50m backstroke S4-S5), each adding to the Kingdom's burgeoning haul. For the men, it marked a sixth consecutive Games victory, cementing their status as regional powerhouses.

Real Madrid top football rich list as Liverpool surgeListen to this articleReal Madrid generated nearly 1.2 billion euros in 2024-25. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Real Madrid stayed top of football’s rich list as Liverpool outstripped their English rivals for the first time, according to Deloitte’s Money League study on Thursday. Spanish giants Madrid generated nearly 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in revenue in the 2024-25 season despite failing to win a major trophy. The rest of the top 10 is dominated by Premier League clubs, with Liverpool leading the English contingent for the first time. United dropped behind Arsenal to eighth after missing out on the Champions League and finishing 15th in the Premier League.

(Photo: AFP)GENEVA - Nuclear weapons testing has affected every single human on the planet, causing at least four million premature deaths from cancer and other diseases over time, according to a new report delving into the deadly legacy. Of the nine countries known to possess nuclear weapons — Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea — only Pyongyang has conducted nuclear tests since the 1990s. “Past nuclear testing continues to kill today,” said NPA chief Raymond Johansen, voicing hope the report would “strengthen the resolve to prevent nuclear weapons from ever being tested or used again”. ‘Very dangerous’The issue has gained fresh relevance after US President Donald Trump’s suggestion last November that Washington could resume nuclear testing, accusing Russia and China of already doing so — charges they rejected. “The nuclear testing period shows us that the consequences are extremely long-lasting and very serious,” she told AFP.

Listen to this articleJade Donavanik, the prime ministerial candidate of the Rak Chart Party, is a former constitution drafter. (Photo courtesy of Rak Chart Party)The Rak Chart Party has issued a firm warning ahead of Thailand's Feb 8 general election: it will not join any government tainted by corruption, grey-zone dealings or improper political bargaining. The party’s name, Rak Chart, which translates as “Love the Nation”, is often misunderstood, Mr Jade said. Asked how Rak Chart differs from traditionally conservative parties, Mr Jade pointed first to its demographics. If a prospective coalition partner is found to engage in corruption, grey-zone business dealings, or improper exchange of personal benefits, Rak Chart will not join.

Unsafe sites, soft probesListen to this articleBack-to-back fatal accidents in the past week have turned public construction sites -- especially along Rama II Road -- into danger zones. The repeated tragedies on Rama II and other public construction sites have reminded us that public safety standards, and the law enforcement meant to uphold them, are failing. So-called "fact-finding missions" have become performative and ceremonial exercises meant to cool public anger rather than uncover the truth. Most fact-finding missions are led and conducted by the same ministries and state agencies that awarded the contracts in the first place. This neutral body, chaired by independent experts appointed by lawmakers, should have the authority to conduct fact-finding missions into public accidents.

How to feed the world's ten billion peopleListen to this articleWith the world struggling to feed eight billion people today, how will we feed ten billion by 2050? At the same time, 1.66 billion hectares -- 60% of which is agricultural land -- have been degraded by the very practices we rely on to feed the world. Fortunately, research shows that optimising nitrogen use can boost yields by up to 19% and slash fertiliser use by 15-19%. That requires replacing one-size-fits-all industrial packages with resilient, context-specific systems finely tuned to local soils, water regimes, crops, and climates. Future generations will not ask whether the solutions existed; they will ask what took us so long to implement them.

Rice exports beat 2025 goal on strong year-end demandListen to this articleRice exports tallied 7.9 million tonnes in 2025, surpassing the initial goal of 7.5 million tonnes, says the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT). Arada Fuangtong, director-general of the DFT, said rice exports were valued at 148 billion baht, or US$4.52 billion. White rice exports, accounting for 45.8% of total exports, fell by 39.9% to 3.62 million tonnes, while fragrant rice declined by 6.35% to 590,000 tonnes. Other varieties recorded growth, with Thai hom mali reaching 1.76 million tonnes, a 0.57% year-on-year increase, while parboiled rice rose by 18% to 1.51 million tonnes, glutinous rice increased by 10% to 330,000 tonnes and unpolished rice saw a 200% surge to 90,000 tonnes. The DFT set a rice export target of 7 million tonnes this year.

Oil pipeline rules reformed in bid to increase transportListen to this articleA section of an oil pipeline operated by Electricity Generating's subsidiary, TPN. The Department of Energy Business (DOEB) is preparing measures to promote oil transport via pipelines by removing legal barriers to the development of oil separation facilities. Current regulations require oil separation plants to be located strictly within industrial zones and away from residential areas. Oil separation plants are essential to pipeline operations, as different types of oil transported through the same pipes often mix, creating "interfaced fuel". While small amounts of interfaced fuel are manageable, it now accounts for 10-15% of total oil transported via pipelines, according to Mr Sarawut.

Industrial confidence falls in DecemberListen to this articleSix civilians were injured and two houses damaged in December 2025 after BM-21 rockets launched by the Cambodian military struck residential areas in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district. Border trade in Si Sa Ket was disrupted by the conflict. Border trade was also not good, he added. The prolonged Thai-Cambodian territorial conflict has completely stopped border trade in Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. In contrast, issues such as government policy (40.3%), access to credit (25.3%) and loan interest rates (17.1%) drew less alarm.

Office mulls higher small project cap of B10bnListen to this articleThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) is considering amendments to the public-private partnership (PPP) law to redefine small-scale projects, potentially raising the investment threshold from 5 billion baht to up to 10 billion in a move aimed at accelerating public investment. The PPP Act was first enacted in 1992, when PPP projects valued at a maximum of 1 billion baht were considered small. In addition to revising a definition, Sepo plans to amend procedures to speed up PPP project approvals. Each year, the PPP Committee approves projects worth around 60 billion baht. Sepo also monitors and oversees PPP projects approved by the committee to ensure investments proceed according to the planned timeline.

Land & Houses projects housing slump amid economic stagnationListen to this articleSET-listed developer Land & Houses (LH) plans to launch only two residential projects worth a combined 3.66 billion baht in 2026, the lowest level in more than two decades, due to a sluggish economy and unpredictable housing market conditions. Notably, one of the two planned projects, Nantawan Prestige Ratchapruek-Prannok, valued at 2.22 billion baht, was a carryover postponed from 2025. Mr Achawin said LH has 69 projects in its portfolio with a combined value of about 80 billion baht, comprising low-rise projects worth around 70 billion baht and condo projects worth 11 billion baht. No new hotel projects are planned for 2027, while a 3.6-billion-baht hotel development in Bangkok's Chinatown area is scheduled for launch in 2028. LH aims to have 9.9 billion baht from recurring income properties, 15 billion baht in presales of residential units, and 17 billion baht in residential transfers by the end of 2026.

BUILD INFRASTRUCTUREYod Chinsupakul, chief executive of Line Man Wongnai, said several political parties believe Thailand should emphasise digital sovereignty. — Yod Chinsupakul, Chief executive, Line Man WongnaiHowever, the government should not build or operate its own digital platforms, said Mr Yod. "The government should focus on building the infrastructure, setting clear rules, and unlocking legal obstacles that hinder Thai companies from competing with foreign tech giants," he said. INCENTIVE FOR E-COMMERCEKulthirath Pakawachkrilers, president of the Thai E-Commerce Association, said the Pheu Thai Party's ambition to build a national e-commerce platform raises serious concerns based on past experience. The People's Party proposal to promote an open digital commerce network is more pragmatic and market-oriented, Ms Kulthirath said.

Shaping Thailand's tourism futureListen to this articleTourists arrive for an hour-long visit to Maya Bay beach at the Phi Phi Island National Park on Feb 26, 2023. Thailand's tourism industry has long thrived on its core strengths: genuine hospitality, generosity, and cultural attractions. Tourism Value MatrixA simple framework -- a tourism value matrix -- helps us segment travellers and understand the value they generate. It is about sharpening investment decisions, prioritising targeted segments, and improving policies and action plans to create an enduring value chain for Thailand's tourism industry. Which high-value segments align with Thailand's tourism resources and strengths?