An American man was sentenced to life in prison by a German court on Monday (March 11) for the rape and murder of a tourist and the attempted murder of her friend, both from the U.S., in a brutal attack near the country's most famous tourist destination.

Flooding and landslides in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra have killed at least 26 people with at least six missing, authorities said on Monday (March 11).

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Election Commission on Tuesday resolved to ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the election-winning Move Forward Party, citing the court's recent finding against the party's policy on the lese majeste law. Based on the recent finding of the Constitutional Court, the EC argues that the MFP is in violation of Section 92 of the organic law on political parties. The section gives the Constitutional Court the power to dissolve any political party that is seen to threaten the constitutional monarchy. The court also said that Mr Pita and the party continued to call for the amendment of Section 112 during election campaigning last year. MFP won the May 14, 2023, general election, getting 14.4 million votes, but was unable to form a coalition government.

Oscar winners including best actress Emma Stone and best supporting actor Robert Downey Jr had their name plates placed on their Oscars immediately following the star-studded ceremony on Sunday (March 10).

Move Forward Party leader downplays dissolution effortMove Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon speaks to party members and supporters in Mukdahan province on Sunday. (Photo: Move Forward Party)Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon on Sunday downplayed speculation regarding the prospects of the MFP being dissolved over its stance against the lese-majeste law, saying the party is ready to deal with it. Responding to a party member who asked about the prospects of the party's disbandment, Mr Chaithawat tried to allay that concern. The [now-dissolved] Future Forward Party and the MFP have pushed for changes this far." It is also examining the Political Party Act, and the full court ruling to prepare a report for the EC.

Alarm sounded for tainted fruit, vegetable importsA vendor sells vegetables at a fresh market in Bangkok. "Thailand continues to import fruit and vegetables contaminated by chemicals banned in many countries," said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI. One option is to increase the number of inspection officials examining imports of fruit and vegetables, said Mr Kriengkrai, which would build greater confidence among consumers. In January of 2024, the value of imported fruit and vegetables increased by 8.4% year-on-year to 13.2 billion baht, according to the FTI. Some of these products require inspection as they may not meet the required safety and environmental standards, the FTI noted.

Preparations have ramped up on the Oscars red carpet in preparation for Hollywood’s biggest night on Sunday (March 10).

He said there is strong demand from Russians, Chinese, Eastern Europeans and North Americans seeking long stays in Phuket. WEAK STRUCTUREDespite booming private development, Phuket still lacks sufficient public infrastructure, as existing services have not caught up with the island's fast growth. "Phuket is no longer dependent on tourism, and that's probably a good thing, but we need infrastructure," Ms Prakaipeth said. Locals are awaiting airport development, as demand at Phuket airport outstrips capacity. "The government should support medical and wellness tourism in other provinces to boost the local economy," said Mr Kriengkrai.

Suvarnabhumi can shine againWhen it was opened to the public in 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport reflected the mood and aspirations of the entire nation. Just four years after it was inaugurated, Suvarnabhumi was named one of the world's best airports, competing with the likes of Singapore's Changi, Doha's Hamad and Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports. In fact, the combination of all these gripes has led to Suvarnabhumi Airport being awarded the distinction of being one of the region's worst airports by Business Financing -- a UK-based financial consultancy website. As recently as last week, the premier pledged to help Suvarnabhumi reclaim its status as one of the world's top airports within five years. Gates will need to be expanded, too, now that Suvarnabhumi has been adapted to accommodate Airbus A380s.

Teruko Yahata was eight when the first atomic bomb was dropped on her home city of Hiroshima, knocking her unconscious and levelling swathes of the Japanese city. Now 86, she is eager to be among the first to see the film "Oppenheimer" at its delayed opening in Japan on March 29, hoping the biopic of the scientist who led the development of the bomb will reinvigorate debate over nuclear weapons.

The UAE experienced severe weather on Friday (March 8) night and Saturday (March 9), with heavy rain and thunderstorms hitting parts of the country.

The Fine Arts Department organised a masked dance of the Ramakien epic at Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya province on Saturday and Sunday. The ancient Buddhist temple stands in the Historic City of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage site listed by Unesco. (Video: Jetjaras Na Ranong)

Some 56 million years ago the earth underwent an extreme climate change event. A surge of carbon dioxide levels sent already warm global temperatures soaring. With sea levels 220 feet higher than now and temperatures 5-9 degrees warmer than during the peak greenhouse (Paleocene) period, a freshwater sea formed around the north pole. The nitrogen-fixing capability of Azolla and its symbiont Anabaena has led to its widespread use as a fertiliser, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. The plant has bolstered agricultural productivity in China for over 1,000 years and helps Thai farmers improve their rice production today.

Woman arrested for alleged '3XL' sex serviceA police officer reads a charge during the arrest of Sopang Thongdonmuean at a hotel in Bang Khen district on Saturday night. (Photo supplied)Bangkok police arrested an overweight woman for alleged prostitution in a sting operation after seeing an online advertisement for sex services by overweight women. According to the commander, arrested in the sting operation was Sopang Thongdonmuean, 49. It offered unlimited sex services in a party with overweight women with a 1,800-baht fee for each woman. She brought seven overweight women with her on Saturday.

Monkeys enjoy the annual buffet festival staged for them at Phra Prang Sam Yot in Lop Buri. A macaque attacked and injured local woman Arikanta Kanchanasinmetha, in Lop Buri, on March 6, as it attempted to take her food. Atthapol Charoenchansa, the DNP director-general, told officials to visit the injured woman in Lop Buri to assess her injuries. The macaque population in Lop Buri was 5,709 at the end of last year, Mr Atthapol said recently, including 2,206 in the municipality. She was sent to Lop Buri Hospital by rescue volunteers and discharged.