The recent New Year holiday and bookings for the coming Chinese New Year have not helped the dormant, damaged tourism sector. The Chinese New Year holiday in Malaysia falls on Feb 17 and 18, according to the official calendar. The hotel association president said only a handful of shops and restaurants had fully reopened as Hat Yai had yet to fully recover from the flood. He said November-December was normally a happy time for hoteliers, a time when tourists from Malaysia spend their holiday in Hat Yai. "What worries us is that they will not come here this coming November and December, to avoid possible flooding," Mr Sitthipong said.

Gauff through, Auger-Aliassime retires as Djokovic begins record questListen to this articleCoco Gauff celebrates after defeating Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova at the Australian Open. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE — Erratic title contender Coco Gauff battled into the Australian Open second round Monday ahead of a defiant Novak Djokovic launching his latest bid to win a record 25th Grand Slam crown at Melbourne Park. A former world number one, now ranked four, Djokovic is the undisputed king of Melbourne's hard courts, having won a record 10 Australian Open crowns. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner now dominant, Djokovic's last Grand Slam victory came at the US Open in 2023. Other notables in action include the 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, who was handed a wildcard aged 40 in his last Australian Open before retirement.

A former real estate salesman has become a dedicated deity artist, focusing on beautifying spiritual statues while enriching cultural and religious practices with his creativity.

Demonstrations in US in support of Iranian anti-government protestersListen to this articleDemonstrators in Los Angeles hold flags and placards during a rally in solidarity with protesters in Iran in Los Angeles. afpLOS ANGELES - Thousands of people staged large demonstrations in the United States Sunday denouncing the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in the Islamic Republic. US protesters could be seen carrying signs condemning a "New Holocaust", a "genocide in the making", and the "terror" of the Iranian government. The Republican first threatened to intervene if Iranian protesters were killed, but then said he was satisfied by Iranian assurances that demonstrators would not be executed. "I really hope that Trump will go one step beyond just voicing support," Parvaneh said.

Denmark will continue to engage diplomatically with the United States to solve the crisis over Greenland, despite the threats made by Washington, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Sunday (January 18). "Norway’s position remains...that kind of threat is unacceptable among close allies,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said.

The famous "Made by Legacy" flea market will return with its signature mix of the finest vintage and lifestyle offerings in a refreshing new setting, at Cloud 11, Sukhumvit Road, from this Friday to Sunday daily from 1pm to 11pm. The event is a joyful gathering for families, friends and pet lovers to shop, snack, groove or simply soak in the creative energy. Pets are allowed. Entry fee is 160 baht (free children under three years old). Cloud 11 is accessible via skywalk from BTS Punnawithi.

The Observatory & DuckUnit's Membrane explores the connection between ancient cave art and cinema in an installation that brings together virtual reality, field recordings, film foley methods, and synthesis effects. This exhibition delves into forgotten film cultures and histories through contemporary art at the Oldham Theatre Atrium, the National Archives of Singapore, as part of Singapore Biennale 2025. Life spoke to DuckUnit about inspiration and challenges, since the group took part in the collaborative project. Why did you draw a connection between cave painting and cinema? This ongoing dialogue with the past invites us to continuously seek deeper understanding and connection.

Gang members in Guatemala kill seven police after prison crackdown: ministerListen to this articleSoldiers take position outside the maximum-security prison in Escuintla, Guatemala. (Photo: AFP)ESCUINTLA (GUATEMALA) - Guatemala's interior minister accused gangs of killing seven police on Sunday in retaliation for the government's refusal to transfer gang leaders to a lower-security prison. Since Saturday morning, the inmates had been holding 45 guards and a psychiatrist hostage to protest the transfer of gang leaders to a maximum-security prison. Since mid-2025, gang members have staged uprisings at prisons to demand their leaders be held in less-restricted conditions. In October, Guatemalan authorities reported that 20 leaders of the Barrio 18 gang had escaped from a prison.

Train collision in Spain kills 21, injures dozensListen to this articleA high-speed train of Spain's national railway company Renfe (right) is seen next to a service of private operator Iryo at Atocha station in Madrid on Feb 26, 2023. Rail operator Iryo said around 300 people were on board its Malaga-Madrid service. Adif said spaces had been set up at stations in Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga and Huelva to assist the relatives of victims. Spain boasts Europe's largest high-speed rail network, with more than 3,000 kilometres of dedicated tracks connecting major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and Malaga. In 2013, a high-speed train derailment outside the northwestern city of Santiago de Compostela killed 80 people and injured more than 140 -- Spain's deadliest such tragedy since 1944.

Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win Afcon title after final walk-off protestListen to this articleSenegal players celebrate with the trophy after beating hosts Morocco in the final to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in their history. "It was a really difficult match but we were determined to win here. They could still have forced a penalty shoot-out, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time. Morocco coach Walid Regragui said: "Congratulations to Senegal, but the image we gave of African football is disappointing, with everything that happened when the penalty was given." Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organisers.

Surging billionaire wealth a political threat, Oxfam warns as Davos opensListen to this articleProtesters gather in Davos on Sunday ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forum. "Actions of the Trump presidency including the championing of deregulation and undermining agreements to increase corporate taxation have benefited the richest around the world," Oxfam said. Increasingly this money is buying political power, Oxfam said, pointing in particular to tycoons' buying newspapers and other media, such as Musk's takeover of X or the purchase of The Washington Post by Amazon's Jeff Bezos. "In country after country, the super-rich have not only accumulated more wealth than could ever be spent, but have also used this wealth to secure the political power to shape the rules that define our economies and govern nations," it said. "Such power gives billionaires a grasp over all our futures, undermining political freedom and eroding the rights of the many."

Trump admin orders 1,500 troops to prepare for possible Minnesota deploymentListen to this articleThe Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minnesota, a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - The Pentagon has ordered 1,500 US soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to a state roiled by unrest over an immigration crackdown, US media reported Sunday. The Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to AFP requests for comment on Sunday. He told CBS's "Face the Nation" that the federal agents outnumbered the 600-strong city police force by five to one. He also voiced concern about reports of 1,500 federal troops readying to join them.

Kanchanaburi crush Kirins to boost T1 survival hopesListen to this articleChonburi's Yotsakorn Burapha, in blue, scores a goal against Lamphun Warriors. The victory lifts Kanchanaburi clear of immediate danger, though Watsapol stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. Elsewhere, Chonburi secured a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Lamphun Warriors at Chonburi Stadium. At Ayutthaya Stadium, the hosts' poor run continued as Ayutthaya United slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Uthai Thani. Brazilian forward Bruno Cunha scored the only goal in the 14th minute, condemning Ayutthaya to another frustrating evening.

PT's Yodchanan defends choice to ditch academia for politicsListen to this articleYodchanan Wongsawat, one of the Pheu Thai Party's prime ministerial candidates, has defended his decision to quit academia for politics. He was visiting Mahidol University's Salaya campus on Sunday, where he reaffirmed the party's stance against grey businesses and online scam operations. Mr Yodchanan, former vice president for research at Mahidol University, also presented his vision on "Education policy, advancing research, and Thai innovation" at the event. During a question-and-answer session, he addressed concerns about a casino-entertainment complex policy supported by Pheu Thai, saying the industry is fundamentally different from online gambling. "Pheu Thai is firmly against corruption, grey businesses and illegal gambling,'' he said, saying it is unfair to him that people often associate him with casinos.

Listen to this articleAcademics and activists said over 40 million workers in Thailand remain stuck in low-paid, unsafe jobs with inadequate healthcare and social protection, urging parties to draft policies that ensure labour protection and fair employment. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) teamed up with Thammasat University, the Friends of Women Foundation and a broad network of civil society organisations to press parties to place labour and health rights high on their agenda ahead of the general election, during an academic forum held yesterday at Thammasat University. Poranee Pupprasert, assistant manager of ThaiHealth, cited National Statistical Office highlighted Thailand's rapidly ageing workforce. Its 13 million elderly people is a figure projected to rise by 32% over the next 20 years, and more than 20% of informal workers are already aged 60 or older, she said. Asst Prof Krissada Teerakosolpong, of Thammasat University, said this policy proposal ensures income stability for workers of all ages as economic, technological and demographic shifts have outpaced labour laws, leaving many workers exposed to insecurity and weak bargaining power.