Improvised explosives found in border areaListen to this articleThe 2nd Army Area on Sunday announced the seizure of an improvised explosive device (IED) found in a military area along the Thai-Cambodian border. The device was discovered in a zone that had been used as an operational base and weapons storage area by Cambodian troops, the army said. Lt Gen Boonsin recently visited the Ta Kwai temple area and Hill 350 in Surin province's Phanom Dong Rak district after Cambodian troops were pushed from both areas. In other news, the 2nd Army on Sunday noted "varying levels" of activity along key Cambodian border areas. The 2nd Army emphasised that operations remain ongoing.

The meeting is seen as a critical platform for Thailand and Cambodia to engage in open discussions, clarify their positions and explore ways to de-escalate. "Thailand did not initiate the clashes and has consistently maintained clear conditions for ending the conflict," the centre said. Thailand's priority, the centre added, is lasting peace that guarantees national security and the safety of civilians. "If we are to end the clashes, there must be a ceasefire, an end to intimidation and aggression, including the use of drones along the border." Despite Thailand being in the pre-election period, he said the government retains full authority to protect national security and care for its people.

Infiltration by a bad lotListen to this articleImages of armed clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border have drawn global attention, especially after the Thai military expanded its operations to casinos. To the outside world, Cambodia is seen not only as a destination for gambling and entertainment, but also as a hub of scam operations, human trafficking and transnational criminal networks. In this war, Thailand may hold clear advantages over any conventional conflict given its defence and arms capacity. Taken together, these developments have fuelled concern that transnational criminal networks may have gained access to individuals at the highest levels of Thailand's political and economic establishment. The depth of such infiltration, and its implications for the integrity of state institutions, remain unclear.

Re-energising higher education in AseanListen to this articleStudents at a school in Nakhon Ratchasima sit an examination for entrance to universities. A longstanding debate in higher education concerns the extent to which it should be academic rather than vocational. A possible contrast exists between education for life, on the one hand, and education for living, on the other. This historical linkage would humanise the curriculum and anchor technological progress in human development, with an ethical dimension embodying values such as inclusivity and empathy. In terms of methodology, higher education is well placed to foster critical analysis and action-based activities, often referred to as a "practicum".

The holidays are a moment not just for personal resolutions but for asking a bigger question: how can we help the world's poor as effectively as possible? The UN's attempt to answer that question effectively died this year. We didn't hear much about these development challenges because 2025 was already crowded with urgent geopolitical and economic news. Research shows that every dollar delivers about $40 in lifetime economic benefits -- better than most policies being pursued today. Putting children in front of cheap tablets with educational software one hour a day can help each pupil learn at their own level and speed.

Russia-US talks on Ukraine peace deal end without breakthrough Source: CNNCrude oil prices in the global market declined amid expectations of a supply surplus, with ICE Brent crude between October 1 - December 16, 2025 falling by $4.7 per barrel from the previous quarter to average $63.4 per barrel. Additional supply growth from non-OPEC+ producers such as the United States, Brazil, Canada and Guyana further contributed to the imbalance. As a result, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global oil supply will exceed demand by 2.3 million barrels per day in 2025 and by 3.8 million barrels per day in 2026. The OECD also revised up its global economic outlook for 2025–2026, citing robust investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI), despite ongoing trade tensions. However, the market continues to closely monitor rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

Tawanchai remained calm and expressionless as his leg was stabilised, while the crowd fell silent. ONE Championship has not officially confirmed the extent of the injury, but Thai media reported a suspected leg fracture. The Bangkok Post requested comment from ONE Championship officials but did not receive an update. Online, the injury has sparked concern among fans about whether Tawanchai will return at the same level, even if he makes a full recovery. Tawanchai, however, struck an optimistic tone in his update, making clear that retirement is not on his mind.

The 28-year-old has laid low since his dramatic withdrawal from ONE 173 in Tokyo last month, where a planned fight for the vacant flyweight Muay Thai title against Nong-O Hama was cancelled just one day before the event. Chatri and Takeru openly discussed the matchup at the post-event press conference, with April’s ONE 175 return to Ariake Arena slated as the destination. Japanese kickboxing superstar Takeru confirmed he would also retire after the fight, win or lose, and only wanted to face Rodtang, who knocked him out in 80 seconds at ONE 172 in March. “And I also haven’t got any feedback from the decision makers.”When asked directly whether he would prefer a title fight against Nong-O or a rematch with Takeru, Rodtang remained coy, smiling before deflecting the question. For now, the promotion’s biggest box-office star appears content to wait – offering no guarantees, no demands, and no timelines.

Sa Kaeo town orders evacuation as heavy-weapon fire reportedListen to this articleA temporary shelter in Muang Sa Kaeo district of Sa Kaeo province where residents have been relocated amid border tensions. (Photo: National Broadcasting Services of Thailand)SA KAEO: The Aranyaprathet Town Municipality of this eastern border province ordered residents to evacuate to designated safe zones and shelters on Sunday afternoon following reports of explosions and suspected heavy-weapon fire near Aranyaprathet district bordering Cambodia. The evacuation order was issued at 2.10pm, with local authorities urging people in the Aranyaprathet municipality and nearby areas to move immediately to safe locations. Local residents reported hearing a series of loud blasts shortly before 2pm, with more than ten explosions occurring within minutes. The sounds prompted villagers, shopkeepers and market vendors to flee, while village chiefs began broadcasting evacuation instructions.

Kremlin denies 3-way US-Ukraine-Russia talks in preparationListen to this articleUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was sceptical that three-way talks would result in progress. MIAMI - The Kremlin on Sunday denied that three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States were on the cards, as diplomats gathered in Miami for talks on ending the conflict. "At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation," Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov told reporters, according to Russian news agencies. The top Kremlin aide also told Russian journalists Sunday that he had "not seen" the revised US proposal to end the conflict following negotiations between American, Ukrainian and European teams. Moscow, which sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, also argues that European involvement in the talks only hinders the process.

Cambodian attacks continue but decline significantly: Thai defence ministryListen to this articleCol Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesman for the Thai army, shows battlefields marked with different colour codes indicating various degrees of fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border during a press conference in Bangkok on Sunday. (Screenshot)Cambodian attacks on Thai border areas continued on Sunday, the 14th day of this round of clashes, but their degree dropped significantly, according to the Thai Ministry of Defence. At 9.14am, a marine stepped on a newly planted PMN-2 landmine while on duty in the Ban Nong Ree area of Trat province. Col Richa Suksuwanon, deputy army spokesman, said Thai forces now controlled more battlefields and that areas of heavy fighting had shrunk. Ban Klong Pang, Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan, which are Thai territory, are only partially controlled due to flat terrain,” he said.

Pheu Thai plays down poll standingsListen to this articleYodchanan WongsawatPheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidates on Sunday downplayed mixed polling results, saying surveys offer “lessons, not verdicts”, and insisting the party’s policies will resonate with Bangkok voters ahead of the Feb 8 general election. Yodchanan Wongsawat, the party’s prime ministerial frontrunner, and Julapun Amornvivat, party leader and another candidate, spoke to reporters after Suan Dusit Poll placed Pheu Thai second in its recent nationwide opinion survey for their favourite political party, despite Mr Yodchanan ranking only 10th in the latest Nida Poll for Bangkok voters. Mr Yodchanan, 46, is Thaksin Shinawatra's nephew. Pheu Thai, he said, would continue working to regain public trust and prove that its policies can deliver solutions and opportunities. Meanwhile, Mr Yodchanan said he welcomed the polling results as sincere feedback.

Australia falls silent, lights candles for Bondi Beach shooting victimsListen to this articleA father and son are accused of targeting the beachside Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people. SYDNEY - Australians fell silent in flickering candlelight Sunday to honour the Bondi Beach shooting victims, marking one week since gunmen fired into crowds at a Jewish festival. The deadliest mass shooting in almost 30 years, the attack was so unthinkable that many shrugged off the first cracks of gunfire as harmless festive fireworks. It is the largest gun buyback since 1996, when Australia cracked down on firearms in the wake of a mass shooting that killed 35 people at Port Arthur. Sajid Akram, an Indian national who entered Australia on a visa in 1998, was shot and killed by police.

9 killed, 10 injured in South Africa shooting, police hunt for suspectsListen to this articleNine ‌people were killed ​and 10 wounded in an early morning shooting in a township south-west of Johannesburg and authorities have launched a manhunt for the suspects, ‌the South African Police Service said on Sunday. The incident occurred just before 1am local time (2300 GMT) at a licensed tavern in Johannesburg's Bekkersdal township, the police said in a ⁠statement. About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at the tavern patrons and continued shooting randomly as they fled the scene, the police said, adding the motive for the shooting would ‌be ‍determined by investigation. The injured have been taken to medical facilities for treatment, ‌police ​added. South ​Africa, Africa's biggest economy, has one of the world's highest murder rates, averaging about 60 a day.

Listen to this articlePeople's Party leader Natthaphong RuengpanyawutThe People's Party (PP) says it is ready to serve as the opposition after the election if the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) wins the poll. Asked whether the BJT could join a PP-led coalition if the PP wins, Mr Natthaphong said it would depend on how many seats each party secures. "The more seats we win, the more influence we have to assert control over other parties," he said. If the blue party [BJT] forms the government, we are ready to be the opposition to pull back those who have dragged the country into this ruin." Meanwhile, PP members told voters on Saturday the party hopes to win at least 250 seats.