(Photo: Bloomberg)SINGAPORE — Singapore’s income inequality fell to a record low last year amid lingering cost-of-living concerns, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledging to reduce the gap further. The city-state, one of the world’s richest nations, also published for the first time a measure of wealth inequality, which is higher than the income gap. Singapore recently updated its methodology on the income inequality metric to factor in other sources like rental income and investments. The narrower income gap comes as residents saw real income growth over the last decade, with those in the lower-income bracket experiencing higher real income growth. The study noted that wealth inequality is “broadly comparable to that of other advanced economies.”Singapore has been trying to navigate a tricky balance.

Lies, horror, trauma: Kenyans recount forced Russian recruitmentRelatives of Kenyans sent to fight in Ukraine have demanded urgent government action to repatriate their kin. "They told us: 'If you don't sign, you're dead'," Victor told AFP, showing his Russian military service record and combat medallion. AFP was able to identify two other recruitment agencies sending Kenyans to Russia but was unable to contact them. In the early days of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was accused of using its own ethnic minorities as expendable forces: Chechens, Dagestanis and others. Moscow has "destroyed my life", she told AFP through tears.

Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant, againKashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station had been offline since Japan pulled the plug on atomic power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. afpTOKYO - Japan switched on the world's biggest nuclear power plant again on Monday, its operator said, after an earlier attempt was quickly suspended due to a minor glitch. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in the Niigata region restarted at 2pm (1pm Thai time), the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said in a statement. Conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who pulled off a thumping election victory on Sunday, has promoted nuclear power to energise the Asian economic giant. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven was restarted.

KYODO — Sony Corporation stated on Monday that it has decided to exit the Blu-ray disc recorder market as the widespread availability of streaming services has snuffed out demand, with final shipments of recorders to begin in February this year. Sony, a wholly owned subsidiary and the electronics unit of Sony Group Corp, has already ended production of Blu-ray recorders and ceased manufacturing recordable discs in February last year. But demand for the storage media has steadily declined with the rise of video streaming services such as Netflix and TVer, a catch-up streaming service jointly run by Japanese television networks. According to the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, domestic shipments of Blu-ray recorders peaked at 6.39 million units in 2011 but stood at less than 10% of that figure in 2025 at 620,000 units. The Japanese company is pivoting to entertainment businesses, such as anime and films, as part of its strategy to accelerate expansion.

Dems to review strategy as poll results 'below target'Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (in white shirt) and key party figures including party secretary-general Chaiwut Bannawat, centre, hold a press conference after the general election Sunday evening. Pornprom SatrabhayaThe Democrat Party is preparing to overhaul its strategy and internal operations, said party secretary-general Chaiwut Bannawat, after unofficial results showed the party is poised to win just 22 seats in the House of Representatives — slightly below its target. Mr Chaiwut noted in several constituencies in the South, Democrat candidates came close to winning the race. He admitted the Democrat Party began preparations relatively late and had limited time to campaign, making it difficult to catch up in the province. Mr Chaiwut said the party’s executive committee will meet on Feb 11 to review the party's performance in the election, analyse strengths and weaknesses, and consider structural adjustments.

Bad Bunny wore an all-white ensemble, with a football jersey featuring the number "64" and "Ocasio," before donning a classy suit jacket. At the end of the set, after listing Latin American countries, Puerto Rico and the United States, Bad Bunny spiked a football that said "Together, we are America." But the decision to showcase his work at the Super Bowl in California met with conservative outrage - specifically about the idea that he would not sing in English. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the choice, calling Bad Bunny "one of the great artists of the world." But JLo and Shakira did not perform exclusively in Spanish, leaving Bad Bunny to set that benchmark.

Family matters: Thaksin's party down, maybe not outThe party built by Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - who is currently in prison - had its worst ever election result, raising questions about the party's future. Bangkok retiree Pipat Saeteaw, 72, used to be a staunch supporter of Pheu Thai and the Shinawatras, but no longer. "I don't vote for the Pheu Thai Party anymore." The party was devastated in Thaksin's home province of Chiang Mai, one of its traditional strongholds, where for the first time ever it lost every constituency, party officials acknowledged. He has various options to form a coalition, including with Pheu Thai, but analysts at BMI, of Fitch Solutions, said that combination was now less likely.

Finance chief vows to keep policy stableThe new government has pledged to expedite the implementation of the second phase of the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus' co-payment stimulus programme once it has been formed over the coming months, alongside greater economic investment. He said the current government, which has been in office for only four months, adopted the “Quick Big Win” policy as its core approach. The policy will build on the existing framework in order to stimulate an economic recovery and achieve a broader distribution of income, he said. According to Mr Ekniti, the government will also focus on making 2026 it the year of investment in order to enhance the country’s economic potential. Regarding the second phase of the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment programme, Mr Ekniti confirmed that once the new government is formed, it would expedite the implementation of this phase.

Anutin readies for coalition talks after election winThe party of Thailand's PM Anutin Charnvirakul finished first in Sunday's election but short of an outright majorityCaretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday after a stunning election victory for his Bhumjaithai Party. The progressive People's Party trailed at a little above 100 seats, while jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party came in third. Pheu Thai is seen as a likely coalition partner for Anutin. Anutin, who took office in September, would not discuss coalition talks on Sunday, noting the election results remained unofficial. One political analyst expected Bhumjaithai to "move quickly" to form a government in which its interests would prevail.

Enter Kai Hakone, located on the old Tokaido road in Hakone Yumoto onsen area. Kai Hakone is a charming hot spring ryokan where the healing waters of Mount Yusaka. Part of the check-in process at Kai Hakone is a short presentation from the “yumori” or hot spring concierge on the history of the hot spring, its qualities and effective ways to bathe. Teahouses known as “chaya” were the source of refreshment for people who travelled between the two cities and at Kai Hakone, the tradition of refreshment is continued. There are few places like Kai Hakone with spacious rooms and lots of free amenities.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut is among those accused of seriously violating ethical standards for trying to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as lèse-majesté law. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) on Monday found 44 former Move Forward Party MPs—now mostly with the People’s Party—guilty over their 2023 pledge to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse‑majesté law. Ten of the 44 accused, including People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, were newly elected as MPs in Sunday’s general election. The People’s Party finished second in the election, behind the Bhumjaithai Party. Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, is surrounded by supporters in Chiang Mai province on Jan 12, 2025.

Fifty-three people were dead or missing after a boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast. (Image: Google Maps)ROME — Fifty-three ‍migrants, ‌including ​two babies, were dead or ‌missing after a ‌rubber boat carrying ⁠55 people capsized off the coast of Libya, ‌the ‍International Organisation for Migration ‌(IOM) reported ​on Monday. The Geneva-based agency said two survivors were rescued after the boat overturned north of Zuwara on Friday. "According to survivor accounts, the boat -- carrying migrants and refugees of African nationalities departed from Al-Zawiya, Libya, at around 11pm on Feb 5. It called for stronger international cooperation to tackle the networks, alongside safe and regular migration pathways to reduce risks and save lives.

She told reporters that the assault occurred about 7pm on Feb 7 outside an apartment building in Soi Mitmaitri 5, tambon Bang Muang, Muang district. CCTV footage shows the attacker parking his motorcycle, removing his helmet and confronting 37-year-old Ms Potjanee as she rode past. Both parties subsequently filed assault complaints at Muang Samut Prakan police station. Pol Col Chakkrit Srirotjanakul, superintendent of Muang Samut Prakan police, confirmed both parties had filed complaints and been sent for medical examinations. About 10 delivery riders gathered outside the police station to monitor the case progress and protest against the assailant's violent behaviour.

(Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasil)The Klatham Party, which finished fourth in Sunday's general election, expects to be part of a coalition government led by poll winner Bhumjaithai, along with some smaller parties. An informed source within Klatham said on Monday that such a coalition would control about 290 votes in the 500 member House of Representatives. People with a conservative mindset emphasised national security, the Klatham source said. If the new government coalition were to include Pheu Thai, voters would feel betrayed. If excluded from the government coalition, Pheu Thai would be blocked from recovering and growing.

AssetWise to maintain focus on PhuketAn artist's rendition of Biancana Surin Beach condo, one of six new residential projects AssetWise plans to launch in Phuket this year. The focus was Phuket, where AssetWise launched eight projects worth a combined 19.3 billion baht, up from an initial plan of five projects valued at 12.2 billion baht. Phuket's presales contribution rose from 3.4 billion baht, or 21%, in 2023 to 7.7 billion baht, or 40%, in 2024. This year AssetWise plans to launch 11 projects worth a combined 17.6 billion baht, comprising six projects valued at 10.1 billion in Phuket and five projects worth 7.45 billion in Greater Bangkok. The company aims to achieve 18.5 billion baht in presales and 12.5 billion baht in revenue in 2026.