Over 145 nations set to exempt US firms from global minimum tax dealListen to this articleA tax sign is on pictured on the window of an office in Los Angeles, California, the United States. (File photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON — US multinational companies will be excluded from a global minimum corporate tax rate set in 2021 under a deal agreed by more than 145 countries and regions, the US Treasury Department reported on Monday. "This side-by-side agreement recognises the tax sovereignty of the United States over the worldwide operations" of US companies, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. In 2021, the Group of 20 (G20) major economies endorsed a global minimum corporate rate of 15 percent after criticism that large US tech firms, such as Google LLC and Apple Inc, had booked profits in low- or no-levy jurisdictions. In June, Bessent said Washington agreed with other Group of Seven (G7) countries to exempt US companies from the minimum rate, vowing to work with other G20 members and the OECD.

French tourist falls to his death at Koh Samui waterfallListen to this articleRescuers recover the body of the French tourist who slipped and fell to his death at Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui on Monday afternoon. (Photos: Koh Samui police)SURAT THANI - A French tourist slipped and fell to his death while taking "selfie" photographs at a waterfall on Koh Samui. Police said he fell while visiting the Na Muang 2 waterfall around 1pm. Local officials, rescue volunteers and police recovered his body, an operation that took about three hours due to the difficult terrain. His girlfriend told police they had just finished taking photos together when Alexis slipped and fell.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on January 4, 2026, rejected threats and accusations made against him by his US counterpart, Donald Trump, who claims, without evidence, that Petro is a drug lord. (Photo: AFP)An academic is saying the crisis in Venezuela reflects a shift towards "selective authoritarianism", noting Washington's arrest of President Nicolas Maduro is a sign of an emerging new world order that is increasingly shaped by raw power, rather than shared principles. Suriyasai Katasila, vice-president for administration at Rangsit University, said yesterday that the United States is facing unprecedented global scrutiny for what is seen by many observers as a direct intervention in Venezuela's political landscape. He said recent conflicts, from Ukraine to the Thai-Cambodian border, have exposed the limitations of international peacekeeping, revealing arrangements defined by coercion rather than consensus. He said yesterday that the long-standing antagonism between the US and Venezuela had set the stage for this latest confrontation.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on Saturday (January 3) and Sunday (January 4) regarding the operation in Venezuela after U.S. special forces captured its president Nicolas Maduro in a raid.

The alert came as new figures revealed a substantial rise in cyber-linked trafficking cases throughout 2025, prompting the Royal Thai Police to intensify enforcement and prevention measures nationwide. Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, also head of the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre, said on Sunday that the Royal Thai Police is prioritising efforts to combat human trafficking in response to evolving criminal tactics. Most trafficking cases, or 246 of them, involved sexual exploitation, which is 90 cases lower than the year before, at 336 cases. The 2025 statistics also underline the growing threat of cyber-enabled crime, with 170 human trafficking cases conducted through online channels, accounting for more than half of all cases, he said. In particular, this concerns groups who may be deceived into working in call centre scam networks in neighbouring countries.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday (January 5) doubled down on Mexico's opposition to Washington's attack on Venezuela and extradition of the country's president.

Greenland's leader declared "enough is enough," and Denmark's allies in Europe affirmed that the Arctic island's future must be determined by its people, rebuffing renewed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about acquiring the vast territory.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday (January 5) U.S. President Donald Trump must be taken seriously when he says he wants to acquire Greenland, and she reiterated that the arctic island did not want to be part of the United States.

The latest tech innovations are on display at CES 2026, from Tuesday (January 6) until Friday. With artificial intelligence being used in many ways to revolutionize humanoids, toys, health and even autonomous driving.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, rejected accusations of aggression against Venezuela at an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday (January 5), saying the operation was a law enforcement action tied to longstanding criminal charges. Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's ambassador to the U.N., said his country was "the subject of an armed and illegitimate attack lacking all legal justification."

Thai Airways receives first A321neoListen to this articleAirbus A320neo. (Photo courtesy of Airbus)Thai Airways (THAI) received its first Airbus A320neo on Sunday, which the flag carrier plans to deploy on short-haul, regional routes starting on Jan 22, 2026. The narrow-body aircraft, named "Bowonrangsi", is the first of 32 A321neo aircraft that will be delivered to the airline, and is among the first out of 10 to be operated under a lease agreement with AerCap. According to THAI CEO, Chai Eamsiri, the decision to acquire the A321neo reflects the airline's commitment to modernising its fleet, strengthening its network and improving its share in the Asia-Pacific. "The aircraft incorporates advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies, reinforcing Thai Airways' sustainable and responsible business approach," he said, noting the A321neo can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per seat by up to 20%, and is certified to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Funny Little Mess began when Elfmon stole Redmon’s stocking which he had prepared as a gift for Santa Claus. In order to tell a variety of stories, we had to create many monsters,” explained Fla. The directors of SML explained that they created monsters with inner quirks to present that people have many sides. They hope that viewers will enjoy “Funny Little Mess: Season Of Giving”. For more information about locations and activities related to “Funny Little Mess: Season Of Giving”, visit facebook.com/centralembassy.

Cambodia breaks ceasefire, Thai soldier woundedListen to this articleLt Gen Weerayuth Raksilp, commander of he 2nd Army, visits soldiers stationed at a strategic point near Hill 350 in Surin. (Photo: supplied)Cambodia broke the ceasefire on Tuesday morning, firing mortar rounds at the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani and wounding a Thai soldier, the 2nd Army said. One Thai soldier was injured by shrapnel and was being evacuated for medical treatment. The injured soldier is Sgt Maj 1st Class Prachya Pilachai, leader of the 1st Rifle Platoon of Infantry Company 6021. Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire agreement in Chanthaburi on Dec 27 and the truce took effect at noon on that day.

Trash tells Phuket's storyListen to this articleOn Friday, images of Patong Beach in Phuket, strewn with garbage, went viral. Patong Beach has been part of the "Phuket Sandbox" scheme since 2022. Unlike previous years, Patong Municipality decided to install a concert stage on Patong Beach for the New Year celebrations, drawing large crowds. The trash left on Patong Beach is only the tip of the iceberg of a much larger problem facing this tourism-dependent town. Without genuine political will and sincerity from those in power, Thailand's garbage problem will not disappear.

Iran says no leniency for 'rioters' as protests persistListen to this articleProtests have also taken place among the Iranian diaspora following more than a week of sometimes-deadly protests. (Photo: AFP)PARIS - Iran will offer no leniency to "rioters", though the public has a right to demonstrate, the head of the country's judiciary said on Monday, following more than a week of sometimes-deadly protests. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned Iran would "get hit very hard by the United States" if the authorities killed more demonstrators. He went on to add that Iran "listens to the protesters and their criticism, and distinguishes between them and rioters". The reformist newspaper Arman Melli said Monday that the authorities had "heard the voices of the protesters", while the conservative papers Javan and Kayhan accused the United States and Israel of financially supporting rioters.