Black box recovered from Libyan general’s crashed planeListen to this articleThe last photo of Libya’s army chief, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad, taken hours before his death in a plane crash in Turkey. (Photo: AFP)HAYMANA, Turkey - Turkish authorities found the cockpit voice recorder and black box from a private jet that crashed Wednesday killing the head of Libya’s armed forces and his four aides. The Falcon 50 aircraft requested an emergency landing because of electrical failure minutes after it took off from the Turkish capital Ankara, but contact was lost, Turkish officials said. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told reporters at the crash site that the plane’s voice recorder and the flight data recorder (black box) had been recovered. He said data from the black box would reveal what happened, adding the analysis process may take several months.

Building on the explorations of perception and subconscious imagery in Asoke's first solo show "Suggestions", the new exhibition deepens his inquiry into the fluid boundaries between reality and illusion. In this new series, the artist constructs layered worlds where suggestive forms, bursts of colour and faint architectural outlines intermingle, creating scenes that feel at once spatially grounded and dreamlike. These compositions evoke the sensation of glimpsing familiar structures through shifting light or memory -- never fixed, always on the verge of transforming. He expands this approach by shifting from smaller-scale collages to a larger canvas, allowing his layered marks and diffused forms to unfold with greater spatial resonance. These tactile surfaces mimic the experience of navigating memory or architecture in a dream, where space feels both intimate and ungraspable.

Against a basket of currencies, the dollar fell to a 10-week low of 97.767, and is on track to lose 9.9% for the year, which would be ‌its steepest annual drop since 2003. “The US dollar risk premium widened in December which suggests USD weakness may reflect growing concerns around Fed ⁠independence, not just the monetary policy outlook,” HSBC analysts said in a currency outlook report. That has ‌in ‍turn lifted the two Antipodean currencies, with the Australian dollar, up 8.4% to date, scaling a three-month peak of $0.6710 on Wednesday. The New Zealand dollar similarly touched a 10-week high of $0.58475, having risen 4.5% for the year thus far. Among developing economy currencies in Asia, the Thai baht has surged 10% this year because of dollar weakness, causing major headaches for exporters and policy makers.

The Ariana Cinema in Kabul, the capital, had remained closed, save for occasional propaganda movies, since 2021, when the Taliban swept back to power. A group of women wearing burqas crosses the street as members of the Taliban drive past in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Oct 9, 2021. The Ariana Cinema opened in the early 1960s and became a favoured place among Afghans who wanted to watch Indian Bollywood movies or Iranian cinema. “The destruction of Ariana Cinema is not just a construction operation, but rather the end of an era in the cultural life of the Afghan capital,” he added. “Even when it was operating as a cinema, it was a commercial place because ticket sales were conducted there,” he said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will launch a promotional campaign featuring its newly appointed ambassador Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, including an advertorial film, expected to boost tourism by the "Lisa Effect". A teaser will be released by January 2026, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said on Wednesday. “Every step Lisa takes not only inspires her fans but also elevates Thai tourism,” she said, adding that the Buri Ram-born member of supergroup Blackpink would enhance the image and appeal of Thai tourism. The campaign is expected to create the “Lisa Effect”, a creative force to draw global attention and drive sustainable growth. Fans can expect to see the first piece from the Amazing Thailand Ambassador campaign early next year.

An industrial growth pioneerSarath Ratanavadi did not set out to become a cryptocurrency strategist or a telecom mogul. In recent years, the company has expanded into transport infrastructure, digital services, and even cryptocurrency — fields far removed from its energy origins. For Mr. Sarath, the lack of prior expertise is no barrier. Mr. Sarath now oversees a portfolio that spans energy, transport and digital infrastructure, positioning Gulf at the intersection of Thailand’s industrial transformation. While renewables are essential to combat global warming, Mr. Sarath argues that natural gas remains vital during Thailand’s energy transition.

The talks began as scheduled at the Ban Laem border checkpoint in Chanthaburi province, the two countries confirmed. Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said the talks began at 4.30pm, led by generals from both sides. A letter to the Thai defence ministry, dated Monday from Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha, appears to take a conciliatory tone, though it does not expressly request a ceasefire negotiation. The two sides normally take turns hosting the bilateral border meetings, and the last GBC meeting was held in September, in Koh Kong province of Cambodia. The GBC (General Border Committee) is a forum for border security issues chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries.

The United States told the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday (December 23) it will impose and enforce sanctions "to the maximum extent" to deprive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of resources. Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, requested Tuesday's meeting, the second held on the escalating tensions.

Arrest warrant for expressway murdererListen to this articleBangkok police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sayam Boonsom looks at the car of the victim on Tuesday. (Photo supplied)Police have sought a warrant for the arrest of a luxury van driver who shot dead another motorist on a Bangkok expressway early Tuesday morning. He is expected to be charged with murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession and use of a firearm. The shooting occurred on Bangkok’s expressway near the Pracha Chuen toll plaza in Bang Sue district at about 4.50am on Tuesday. Police believe it followed a brief road rage incident just before the toll plaza.

Thai soldiers in full control of 2 villages bordering CambodiaListen to this articleExplosive devices are found by Thai soldiers in a battlefield in Ban Khlong Pagne in Ta Phraya district in Sa Kaeo province. (Photo: First Army Region)The Thai army is in firm control of two villages along the border with Cambodia in Sa Kaeo province and continued to exchange gunfire and heavy artillery with Cambodian forces at another location. Thai and Cambodian soldiers were still fighting in Ban Nong Chan, as Cambodia continued to reinforce its troops and deploy heavy weapons in an attempt to seize the village, it added. The Burapha Task Force, the main fighting unit in Sa Kaeo, seized four sets of explosive devices and two landmines left behind by Cambodian soldiers in Ban Khlong Phaeng. Clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers have continued for 17 days.

K-Asset touts disciplined portfoliosListen to this articleMr Win advises investors to build a diversified portfolio that can withstand the next phase of the global investment cycle. "The 2026 global economy is expected to slow, but it is unlikely to slip into negative growth," said Mr Win. He acknowledged the global investment environment in 2026 will be shaped by monetary policy transitions, a new global trade order, geopolitical realignment and rapid innovation driven by AI. Global growth withstood US reciprocal tariffs and export controls on semiconductors and rare earths, with no major economy slipping into recession. "Investors who focus on diversification, disciplined risk management and long-term strategy will be better positioned to navigate the next phase of the global investment cycle."

Iron, steel sectors brace for impact of CBAMListen to this articleThe steel manufacturing process at Millcon Steel factory in Rayong. Thailand's iron and steel industry is expected to be the hardest hit when the European Union (EU) begins enforcing its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Jan 1, 2026, according to analysts. The initial list covers iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser, electricity and hydrogen. Iron and steel, along with aluminium, are expected to face the earliest and most direct impact. Thailand exported US$95.1 million worth of iron and steel to the EU last year, while aluminium shipments totalled $56.7 million.

Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa application fee upheld by judgeListen to this articleA national flag of the United States, a passport, mock US dollars and US H-1B Visa application forms are seen in this illustration taken on Sept 22, 2025. Daryl Joseffer, the Chamber’s executive vice president, said in a statement the $100,000 fee makes H-1B visas cost prohibitive. The H-1B visa programme is a cornerstone of employment-based immigration, allowing companies in the United States to hire college-educated foreign workers for specialised occupations. H-1B visas are awarded based on a lottery system but are used primarily in the tech industry. Their lawsuit focuses on the projected impact to the public sector, particularly in the fields of health care and education, that also rely on the H-1B visa programme.

Italian-Thai Business Forum celebrates 10th anniversaryListen to this articleBusaba Chirathivat, second from left, hosted the 10th ITBF and congratulated Mr Cavagna, third from left, and Mr Jiraphant, fourth from left, on their appointments as the new co-chairs. The Italian-Thai Business Forum (ITBF) is marking its 10th anniversary as economic cooperation between the two nations continues to advance steadily, supported by resilient trade growth and expanding business collaboration. To mark its 10th anniversary, an event was jointly organised in Bangkok by the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Italian-Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the embassies of both nations. The forum aims to enhance trade and investment potential between Thailand and Italy, while strengthening cooperation networks across targeted industries. The Thai and Italian ambassadors attended, as well as business leaders from Central Group, Mitr Phol, Cavagna Group, and Thaivivat Insurance.

Gold climbs above $4,500 for first time on geopolitics, ratesListen to this articlePedestrians look at gold jewelry for sale in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. (Photo: Bloomberg)Gold rose to a record above $4,500 an ounce on escalating tensions in Venezuela and expectations for more US rate cuts. The rally in precious metals has been underpinned by elevated central-bank purchases and inflows into exchange-traded funds. Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,513.87 an ounce as of 8.54am in Singapore (7.54am Thai time). Silver advanced 0.6% to $71.89.