What is Trump's 'Board of Peace'? Listen to this articleUS President Donald Trump so-called 'Board of Peace' would have him in charge of it, able to adopt decisions on its behalf. (Photo: AFP)BRUSSELS — United States President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay up to US$1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to its charter seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump, according to its founding charter. The charter says the board enters into force "upon expression of consent to be bound by three States".

IHG to add nearly 40 hotels to Thai portfolio in 3-5 yearsListen to this articleThailand still has an undersupply of hotel rooms, according to international chain IHG Hotels & Resorts, which aims to add nearly 40 hotels here in 3-5 years, adding the next government should address the strong currency. IHG operates 40 hotels in Thailand and has 39 hotels in the pipeline, aiming to almost double its portfolio within 3-5 years. Globally IHG operates 6,800 hotels, with 55% located in the Americas, 15% in China and the remaining 30% in other regions. Among the global chain, roughly 70% are under mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. IHG also operates 550 hotels in the luxury and lifestyle segment, with more than 400 in the pipeline.

Japan to restart world's biggest nuclear plant WednesdayListen to this articleThe world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. (Photo: AFP)KARIWA — The world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents. The governor of Niigata province, where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, approved its resumption last month, although public opinion remains sharply divided. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven is restarting Wednesday. Meanwhile Japan still faces the daunting task of decommissioning the Fukushima plant, a project expected to take decades.

(Photo: Reuters)DAVOS, Switzerland - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not mention the United States or Donald Trump by name in a speech at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, but it was clear where he placed the blame for what he called a “rupture” in the world order. It is also not clear that all NATO members would respond militarily to an attack on another member. Canada and the United States have a joint command for North American air defence. In his speech Carney called on medium-size countries like Canada to band together to offset the power of the United States, China and Russia. “The middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” he said.

- Iran isolated -Iran has faced increased international isolation over the crackdown. And on Tuesday, the UN's Human Rights Council said it would hold an urgent meeting on Friday on "the deteriorating human rights situation" in Iran. It cited "credible reports of alarming violence, crackdowns on protesters and violations of international human rights law". The Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported 4,029 confirmed deaths. Mehran, a 50-year-old Mashhad native, told IHR there was a bloody crackdown on protests in the city.

Limit of B50-100 million for online trades to be imposed to reduce upward pressure on bahtListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand will ‌introduce ​a cap on online gold trading by ‌Jan 29 in order to ease upward pressure on the baht, governor Vitai Ratanakorn ⁠said on Wednesday. Daily gold trading through online platforms will likely be capped at 50 million or 100 million baht per account, Mr Vitai told reporters. The central bank will assess the impact of the gold measures before considering whether a specific business tax on gold trading is necessary, he said. The sharp appreciation of the baht over the past three to four days has been driven by gold trading and foreign fund inflows, he said. The measure will allow exporters to retain more of their US dollar earnings without needing to convert them into local currency, the central bank said.

Returnees said they were attracted by offer of jobs on online gambling websiteListen to this articleNine men and five women, all Thai nationals, are seen after illegally entering Thailand on Tuesday night. The group was caught at 7.30pm on Tuesday by the Aranyaprathet Special Task Force patrolling in tambon Khlong Namsai in Aranyaprathet district of the eastern border province, opposite Poipet in Cambodia. The nine men and five women admitted to illegally crossing the border to return to their hometowns after fleeing the online gambling site in the neighbouring country. They told investigators they were invited by an administrator of a Facebook page in November last year to work for an online gambling website in Cambodia, with a salary of 25,000 baht a month. They were being held at the Khlong Namsai police station for further legal procedures, authorities said.

The statute of limitations in such cases is 10 years, said Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). He was speaking on Wednesday after the two former aides — Pol Lt Col Krit Priyakate and Pol Col Aris Kooprasitrat — filed complaints against Pol Gen Surachate with the Crime Suppression Division. Asked whether a medical certificate issued in 2017 could still be used in a case brought years later, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said it could form part of the evidence. Investigators would now seek testimony from other former aides, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat said, adding that police had information suggesting there were additional victims. Pol Gen Surachate said he was aware of the complaints and was consulting his legal team in preparation to fight the case.

Prada showcased their Autumn/Winter 2026 Menswear Collection earlier this Sunday during the on-going Milan Fashion Week. Known for precise silhouettes, Prada’s newest collection has not strayed away from the expected — that is until we look closer into the mould. Taking a look at the wrists from pieces of this collection: mould, mildew and staining came to be the signature of this collection. Prada’s delicate artistry in creating such details reminds us of how the garments, which exist in the present, used to live a life in the past. In attendance are notable Prada ambassadors including Win Metawin, Louis Partridge, Troye Sivan, Maya Hawke and more.

Satellite data helps cut PM2.5Listen to this articleSatellite-driven pollution models are delivering tangible gains in the fight against PM2.5, reducing fire hotspots and burned areas in pilot provinces and underscoring the role of data and technology in improving air quality, according to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). Presenting the findings at the Thailand National PM2.5 Forum #2 yesterday, ThaiHealth deputy chief executive Dr Pairoj Saonoum said the project combined satellite data with rapid local response to suppress forest fires and prevent agricultural burning. When burning is detected, Dr Pairoj said that local teams are immediately deployed to contain fires and halt further ignition. Burned areas fell by 20–30%, while downstream PM2.5 levels dropped by about 10%. He said the success highlights the importance of turning existing data into action, noting that this year, the satellite-based model will be expanded to six upper northern provinces.

Endangered 'Ronin fish' spotted in Trang canalListen to this articleLocal fishermen reported seeing the bowmouth guitarfish in Khlong Lak Khan, tambon Tha Kham, Palian district on Jan 18. Local fishermen reported seeing the bowmouth guitarfish in Khlong Lak Khan, tambon Tha Kham, Palian district on Jan 18. Trang Marine Coastal Conservation Centre did an aerial survey to find the shark ray. The bowmouth guitarfish inhabits sandy-muddy seafloors and is classified as critically endangered. Under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announcement No 4, dated June 12, 2018, the bowmouth guitarfish is designated as a protected species.

South Korea court sentences ex-PM to 23-year jail termListen to this articlePeople watching a news report on South Korea's Seoul Central District Court ruling on charges against former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for engaging in a key action of insurrection concerning ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024, are reflected on a television in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters)SEOUL — A South Korean ‌court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in jail for charges ‌including engaging in a key action of insurrection concerning ex-President ‌Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024. The Seoul ⁠Central District Court found Han guilty on the charge because he was considered instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting ‌that ‍worked to faciliate the martial law declaration, a ‌judge said. Han, 76, is the first former cabinet minister to be handed a ruling by a lower court on ⁠criminal charges directly related to martial law. Han was detained by the court immediately after the ruling.

Ruling Bhumjaithai Party receives most donationsListen to this articleBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul campaigns for votes in the northeastern province of Nakhon Phanom on Wednesday. (Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)The Bhumjaithai Party of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul received the most donations in November, 58 million baht while the opposition People's Party received 1.5 million baht, according to the Election Commission (EC). Meanwhile, the People’s Party, which is the reincarnation of the dissolved Move Forward Party, received 1.48 million baht and assets worth 22,800 baht from 56 donors. Two others gave 1 million baht in cash and 125,000 baht worth of assets to the New Opportunity Party. One person granted 4.64 million baht to the Palang Pracharath Party while another gave 1.15 million baht to the Klatham Party.

From left: Dr Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University; Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a member of the Mahidol University Council and philanthropist; Prof Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, Chairman of the Chulalongkorn University Council and the Chiang Mai University Council; Prof Emeritus Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, Chairman of the Mahidol University Council; and Prof Dr Piyamitr Sritara, President of Mahidol University. Senior executives of Mahidol University attend a historic signing ceremony for Thailand's higher education sector. Seen in the photo are Prof Emeritus Dr Udom Kachintorn (front left), Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul (front right), Prof Emeritus Dr Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn (seated centre right) and Prof Dr Piyamitr Sritara (seated centre left). This collaboration is driven by the MC² concept, which integrates the strengths of Mahidol (M), Chula (C), and Chiang Mai University (CMU). Mahidol University and Chiang Mai University have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, while Chulalongkorn University has set a 2040 target.

(Photo: Kitja Apichonrojarek)KYODO — Sony Corporation said Tuesday it will spin off its home entertainment business into a joint venture with major Chinese television maker TCL Electronics Holdings Limited as it seeks to boost its global competitiveness. TCL will hold a 51% stake in the venture, with Sony, a wholly owned subsidiary and the electronics unit of Sony Group Corp, holding the remaining 49%. The new company will continue to use the Sony name and the Bravia TV brand for its products. Sony entered the television business in 1960 with the release of the world's first direct-view portable transistor TV. TCL, which ranks second worldwide in TV shipments, has been expanding its global presence with aggressive low-price strategies.