Thousands protested in several French cities on Saturday (November 23) to denounce violence against women, with the trial over the mass rape of Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot orchestrated by her husband as a backdrop. Avignon demonstrator Marine Thebaud thanked Pelicot for publicizing her trial which she says shows that "aggressors are not monsters in the street, they're Mr. Everybody."

People mourn over the graves of relatives who were killed after gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in Shalozan, Pakistan on Nov 22. (Photo: Reuters)PESHAWAR, Pakistan - At least 18 people were killed and 30 injured in further sectarian violence in northwestern Pakistan, officials said on Saturday, as tensions remained high following attacks on transport convoys that killed dozens of civilians this week. The latest killings in a tribal district began on Friday night, when armed men attacked a village in the district, said the chief secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry. AFP reported on Saturday that 32 people were killed in the latest violence, citing an unnamed official. Most of the dead were Shia, officials said, sparking retaliatory attacks by armed groups, with markets and schools remaining shut in a curfew-like situation.

Thai economic and investment landscape under Trump 2.0The global economy in the first quarter of 2025 will be shaped by three themes: US economic resilience, China's strategic pivot, and escalating economic tensions following Donald Trump's return to the White House. While employment growth has slowed significantly, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book signals a broader economic deceleration. The International Monetary Fund projects increased trade barriers under the Trump administration could slow global economic growth by 0.1 to 0.8 percentage points in 2025, intensifying to 0.2 to 1.2 points in 2026. We like companies that have earnings growth, with domestic consumption increasing, that are backed by economic stimulus and are defensive by nature. On this basis, our top picks for the first quarter of 2025 are ADVANC, AOT, BCH, CPALL and HMPRO.

In fact, he is a seasoned politician and was elected Udon Thani municipal councillor in 2004, a Udon Thani PAO member in 2008 and a PAO vice chairman in 2005. The party grabbed one of 10 House seats in the province from Pheu Thai, which also lost in two other constituencies to Thai Sang Thai, originally labelled as a Pheu Thai offshoot. Analysts have predicted a favourable outcome for Pheu Thai in the Udon Thani PAO poll. Also, the recent 10,000-baht handout to the marginalised and underprivileged is likely to help the Pheu Thai candidate. She is said to have pulled quite a few strings locally to increase the Pheu Thai candidate's chance of winning.

Listen to this articleThe Nana Backpacker Hostel is popular with young travellers in Vang Vieng, Laos. (Photo: Nana Backpacker Hostel Facebook)A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning, bringing to six the number of foreign tourists who have died after apparently drinking tainted alcohol in Laos. The owner of the backpacker hostel where the two young Australians were staying before they fell violently ill has been detained by police for questioning in Laos, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported. An unnamed American man and two Danish women, aged 19 and 20, are also among the victims of the suspected poisoning. He believed those who became ill could have consumed the tainted drinks at another bar in the town.

Court rejects petition over Thaksin's political influenceFormer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to members of the media as he attends THACCA SPLASH - Soft Power Forum 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on June 28, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)The Constitutional Court on Friday rejected a petition seeking to bar billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the ruling Pheu Thai Party and colluding with it to overthrow the constitutional monarchy. All nine judges agreed that the petition, filed by lawyer Teerayut Suwankesorn, did not meet the court's conditions and criteria. The petition alleged Thaksin was attempting to undermine the monarchy and influence Pheu Thai. Thaksin, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has consistently denied exerting influence over Pheu Thai since his return from 15 years of self-imposed exile in 2023.

Listen to this articleThe Thai Digital Asset Association recently said Thailand has the potential to become a digital asset hub. The government has pledged to create opportunities and make investments in digital assets more accessible, seeking to position Thailand as a regional leader. During a keynote speech on digital assets in Thailand at a Binance TH event, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the government would like a partnership with the private sector to support the robust growth of the digital asset market. He said the government prioritises digital literacy, recognising the rapid pace of technological change and its integral role in people's daily lives. He said he was participating in the event to symbolise the government's commitment to creating opportunities and simplifying digital asset investment, aiming to position Thailand as a regional leader in the digital asset space.

Listen to this articleIndian billionaire Gautam Adani addresses delegates during the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata, India, on April 20, 2022. (Photo: Reuters)Gautam Adani, the billionaire chairman of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world’s richest people, has been indicted in New York over his role in a $265-million bribery scheme, according to US prosecutors. A judge has issued arrest warrants for Gautam Adani and Sagar Adani and prosecutors plan to hand those warrants to foreign law enforcement, court records show. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani and Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, and the Adanis were also charged in a US Securities and Exchange Commission civil case.

(Photo: Pheu Thai Party)Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on Wednesday downplayed reports that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s role as a “campaign assistant” for the Pheu Thai Party may be illegal as he holds dual citizenship. Political activist Sonthiya Sawasdee has petitioned the Election Commission (EC), seeking an investigation into Thaksin’s involvement, following the ex-premier’s high-profile visit to Udon Thani recently. Montenegro prohibits dual citizenship but from 2019-22 it offered “citizenship by investment” to those who invested at least 250,000 euros in the country. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the transport minister and a key Pheu Thai figure, said the party’s legal team had discussed the reports. Thaksin and Pheu Thai have been the targets of multiple legal complaints that centre on his barely concealed influence over the government.

Washington's shift on missile strikes came about after North Korean troops arrived to support Russian forces on the battlefield. Ukraine took advantage of the ATACMS approval to strike a military base on Russian territory. The Biden administration has vowed to expedite weapons deliveries and other support for Ukraine ahead of Trump's inauguration on Jan 20. Russia had been warning the West for months that if Washington allowed Ukraine to fire US, British and French missiles deep into Russia, Moscow would consider North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) members to be directly involved in the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in October that Moscow will respond to Ukraine's strikes with US-made weapons deep into Russia.

Hostels demand new regulations for sector amid slumpListen to this articleMs Naree, centre, said many hostels have been shuttered since the pandemic due to a lack of funds. There are only 800 hostels offering 40,000 beds in Thailand, down significantly from 2019, when there were 1,200 hostels offering 60,000 beds, generating over 400 million baht revenue. She added that the hotel regulations are also too stringent in terms of the safety certification, and this usually requires a huge budget to develop the safety mechanism required. She said the government should draft the new regulation before the latest ministerial regulations allowing hostels to enter the system expire in August 2025. The Hostel Thailand Association was established last year.

Suriya insists SRT owns landListen to this articleTransport Minister Suriya JungrungreangkitTransport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said a disputed 5,083-rai plot of land in Buri Ram's Khao Kradong belongs to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), adding the ministry will resolve issues related to the 900 people currently living on the land within 30 days. Mr Suriya, also a deputy prime minister, said on Tuesday the SRT is complying with the Supreme Court's ruling in its favour. As such, when the Department of Lands' director-general gave a different opinion from the DoL's land committee, the SRT sent a letter of objection, he said, adding the body has yet to receive any response. He said the SRT has called for a meeting of legal experts to thoroughly examine the matter regarding the 900 people now living on the land. Possible solutions for these residents, as suggested by the Council of State, include renting land from the SRT.

Wat Arun, or the Temple of Dawn, is a landmark in Bangkok, renowned for its architectural beauty and cultural significance in Thai history. This Buddhist temple is located on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River.

The Thai government is working on a raft of fresh fiscal measures to sustain an economic recovery, foster new foreign investment and lower the near-record household debt, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's top aide has said. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's top aide Prommin Lertsuridej. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government is working on a raft of fresh fiscal measures to sustain an economic recovery, foster new foreign investment and lower the near-record household debt, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's top aide has said. Easier rules for long-term land leasing and credit restructuring led by government banks are also on the anvil, he said. The new wave of investment is not only from the US firms, but Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies Company are also investing, Prommin said.

Thaksin expects fugitive sister Yingluck to return by AprilListen to this articleFormer prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra receives roses from supporters after her closing statement on her rice-pledging case at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for People in Political Positions in Bangkok on Aug 1, 2017. (Photo: Bangkok Post)Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra expects his younger sister, fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, to return to Thailand around April next year. Thaksin is quoted as saying that Yingluck should be able to return for the Songkran festival in April next year. In April Thaksin had said while in his native province of Chiang Mai that Yingluck might return before the end of this year. In December last year the Supreme Court acquitted Yingluck of malfeasance in her 2011 transfer of a National Security Council secretary-general.