Sugary drinks, alcohol getting cheaper, should be 'taxed more'Listen to this articleThe World Health Organisation (WHO) wants taxes raised on sugar-sweetened drinks. (Photo: AFP)GENEVA — Sugary drinks and alcohol are getting relatively cheaper, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Tuesday, urging countries to hike taxes to reduce consumption levels and boost health funding. "By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services." The WHO is urging states to raise and redesign their taxes as part of its "three by 35" initiative, aimed at increasing the prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks by 2035. They said at least 116 countries tax sugary drinks like sodas.

LA28 organisers promise 'affordable' Olympics ticketsListen to this articleThe LA28 Olympic cauldron is lit after a ceremonial lighting at the Memorial Coliseum ahead of the opening of registration for tickets to the Games. (Photo: AFP)LOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Los Angeles 2028 Olympics chiefs promised an "affordable and inclusive" Games on Tuesday as they prepared to open registration for a lottery to buy tickets. Wasserman was speaking in the shadow of the historic Los Angeles Coliseum on the eve of the first step towards tickets going on sale. "Our tickets are going to be affordable, our games will be accessible, and they're right here in our backyard," LA28 chief executive Reynold Hoover said at the event. I think that making tickets accessible and affordable for everyone here in the city of Los Angeles is going to inspire young people...because that's what the Olympics do -- they inspire people."

JKN18 channel by Anne Jakkaphong ceases broadcasting on Jan 26Listen to this articleJKN18, the digital television channel owned by Anne Jakkaphong, will cease broadcasting on Jan 26 after the SEC delisted JKN Global Group’s securities. Following last month’s arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip over an alleged US$930,362 corporate bond investment fraud, the channel has announced the end of their broadcasting period. On Jan 13, JKN18 posted a message stating, "Dear viewers, Digital TV channel 18 will broadcast for the last time on January 25, 2026 at 24:00 and will cease broadcasting on January 26, 2026 at 00:00. On Dec 26, 2025, the Bangkok South Kwaeng Court had sentenced Anne to two years in prison without suspension after finding her guilty of the corporate bond investment fraud. Though the channel’s operating license from NBTC is valid until 2029, the premature closure of JKN18 underscores the failure of all related parties to manage liquidity as planned.

Moving train collides with collapsed crane in Korat, 12 killedListen to this articleRescuers extricate trapped passengers after a construction crane fell across a rail track, which collided with an approaching train in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday morning. (Photo supplied)NAKHON RATCHASIMA - A Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train collided with a collapsed construction crane in Sikhio district, killing 12 passengers and injuring about 30 others. Initial reports said that a crane, being used in the construction of a high-speed rail bridge, fell across the train tracks, blocking the track. An approaching passenger train collided with the collapsed crane and derailed, which also caused additional construction materials to fall onto the train. The rail bridge construction is for Section 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima) of the US$5.4-billion Thai-Chinese High-Speed Railway (HSR) project, which began in 2017.

Moving train collides with collapsed crane in Korat, 22 killedListen to this articleRescuers extricate trapped passengers after a construction crane fell across a rail track, which collided with an approaching train in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Wednesday morning. (Photo supplied)NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train collided with a collapsed construction crane in Sikhiu district on Wednesday, killing 22 passengers and injuring 55 others. According to initial reports, a crane, being used in the construction of a high-speed rail bridge, fell across the train tracks, blocking the path. An approaching passenger train collided with the collapsed crane and derailed, leading to additional construction materials falling onto the train. The section of the rail bridge construction of Thai-Chinese High-Speed Railway (HSR) project in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a crane fell across the train track on Wednesday morning.

Plans 'in place' to help Thais in IranListen to this articleContingency plans have been put in place to evacuate Thais from Iran if the current political unrest there escalates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Monday. There are about 190 Thai nationals residing in Iran. The Department of Consular Affairs has also advised Thai nationals who lack an urgent reason to travel to Iran to postpone their trips. Contingency assistance plans, including evacuations, are in place should the situation deteriorate. Regarding overseas voting, Mr Mungkorn said the embassy has arranged several options for Thai nationals in Iran, including in-person voting at the embassy, postal ballots and mobile voting units.

Developers are responding by shifting capital towards Phuket, targeting long-stay demand and growth supported by a more diversified local economy. DEVELOPMENT MOMENTUMColliers Thailand reported more than 85 new residential projects were launched in Phuket during the first nine months of 2025. Colliers expects annual villa launches to moderate to 1,000-1,500 units, down from a peak of 1,922 units in 2024. He estimated incoming residential investment value at US$14 billion (455 billion baht), derived from 43,481 residential units. The remaining units are spread across the west coast, Phuket Town and Mai Khao, including Kata and Karon with 3,885 units, Phuket Town with 3,405 units, Mai Khao with 2,717 units, Patong-Kathu with 2,631 units and Kamala with 2,132 units.

Man Utd appoint Carrick as manager to end of the seasonListen to this articleMichael Carrick has been appointed Manchester United manager for the remainder of the seasonMANCHESTER (UNITED KINGDOM) - Manchester United confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season on Tuesday, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the Champions League. "Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honour," said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The Red Devils are three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool and only one point behind Brentford, in fifth spot. The Red Devils dismissed Ruben Amorim last week after a dismal 14-month stint at Old Trafford for the Portuguese. "Michael is an excellent coach and knows exactly what it takes to win at Manchester United," said the club's director of football Jason Wilcox.

Berli Jucker Logistics, a subsidiary of Berli Jucker Plc (BJC), and DHL Supply Chain (Thailand) have announced the formation of a joint venture aiming to raise BJC Big C Group's logistics operations to global standards and accelerate growth in healthcare markets. The joint venture is expected to focus on delivering specialised, compliant logistics solutions for Thailand's fast-growing healthcare sector, according to the company. The joint venture is to provide healthcare logistics services through temperature-controlled warehouse and cold-chain facilities, a trained workforce with healthcare logistics expertise, and systems that comply with the regulations of Thailand's Food and Drug Administration, international distribution and manufacturing standards. The partnership enhances the possibility for pharmaceutical suppliers to expand their businesses into Thailand, as it provides a standardised logistics system, he said. Mrs Thapanee said the partnership strengthen BJC's position in Thailand's high-growth healthcare logistics sector, as the country transitions to an ageing society and is well-known for its medical tourism.

Listen to this articleUS Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell has said a criminal investigation into Fed building renovation cost overruns is a “pretext” to intimidate him. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - The heads of major central banks have thrown their support behind the US Federal Reserve and its chairman Jerome Powell, saying in a joint statement on Tuesday that it was “critical to preserve” their independence. “We stand in full solidarity with the Federal Reserve System and its Chair Jerome H Powell,” said the statement signed by chiefs of the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and others. The US inquiry concerns a $2.5-billion renovation of the Fed headquarters in Washington, which Trump has repeatedly attacked Powell of mismanaging. In his video statement Sunday, Powell dismissed the renovation and testimony as “pretexts”.

Views on referendum soughtListen to this articleA leading academic has urged political parties to clearly state whether they support a referendum on drafting a new constitution, saying clarity could boost public engagement and voter turnout. She said that if parties clearly state their positions and campaign on the issue alongside constituency outreach, it could generate a strong wave of public support. Ms Siripan noted that if the referendum passes, drafting a new constitution would take about one year, though amendments on a section-by-section basis could be made in the interim. She said campaigning for the referendum was even more important than campaigning for MPs, as the outcome would determine whether the country proceeds to move towards a new constitution. Ms Siripan also expressed concern over the Election Commission's (EC) performance, urging a review to restore public trust.

It's the economic history, stupidListen to this articleTraders work on Wall Street in New York on Jan 1, 1930. The title of the course I'm teaching -- "Economic History" -- draws a similarly dejected reaction from my students: "Meh." Her boss didn't call it "economic history", she told me, but the company's strategy meetings turned on insights from the past. In Spain as elsewhere, standalone economic history departments have vanished or merged with more general programmes. At EHU, "Public Policy and Economic History" is still part of our department's name, and we maintain a real presence -- courses, faculty, and research.

Turning ageing into opportunitiesListen to this articleThe Labour Ministry runs an event to provide job opportunities for senior citizens and retirees to boost their financial security, in this March 13, 2019, file photo. The Silver SurgeBy 2033, Thailand's ageing economy could expand to 3.5 trillion baht, growing nearly 5% each year. Europe promotes healthy ageing through the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA), which supports innovation, strengthens industry, and opens new business opportunities for older consumers. A Path Forward for ThailandTo turn ageing into opportunity, Thailand must support older people both as consumers and producers. Policymakers and businesses must recognise the needs of women and LGBTQIAN+ seniors so everyone benefits equally from the ageing economy.

Moderate global growth masks regional strainsListen to this articleGlobal economic growth still continues, but at a moderate pace. The United States remains the engine of global growth, projected at 2% in 2026, up from 1.9% in 2025, supported by monetary and fiscal easing. Economic growth in India is projected to moderate from an impressive 7.4% in 2025 to 6.6% in 2026. The significant decline in inflation, especially energy prices in key economies such as the United States, is a prime reason for economic growth. The UN Report adds, "Global growth remains subdued amid high uncertainty and persistent structural headwinds.

Thai bond market follows global trendListen to this articleThailand's bond market overtook the equities market in 2025, with outstanding value climbing to 17.9 trillion baht, cementing its role as a pillar of financial stability, according to the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA). Thailand's total financial market tallied 51.8 trillion baht last year, equivalent to 279% of GDP. Thailand's bond market expansion mirrors a broader global trend, said Mr Somjin. Similar structures are seen across Europe and Japan, where bond markets serve as key shock absorbers during periods of economic stress. ThaiBMA sees a continued deepening of the bond market as crucial for Thailand to enhance financial stability, absorb global volatility and support sustainable economic growth.