Philippines raises alert level at restive Mayon volcanoListen to this articleVisitors take pictures of volcanic ash spewing out of a crater of Mount Mayon volcano during an eruption in Camalig, Albay province, south of Manila, the Philippines, on Jan 29, 2018. (File photo: Reuters)MANILA — ‍The ‍Philippines on Tuesday raised its alert level for the Mayon volcano in ‌the central province of ​Albay, warning of "potential explosive activity" in the coming days or weeks and advising people to stay outside of a 6-kilometre (3.7 miles) danger zone. Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the Philippines, having erupted more than 50 times in the last four centuries. The most destructive eruption came in February ‌1841 ​when lava flows buried an entire town and killed 1,200 people. The Philippines lies on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.

Listen to this articleThe Election Commission (EC) on Monday explained it cannot extend the registration period for out‑of‑constituency and overseas voting in the constitutional referendum. The clarification followed calls to extend the Jan 3–5 registration window. The EC said the referendum registration period must match the advance registration deadline for the general election, which also closed on Jan 5. That left just 37 days for preparation when a referendum normally requires at least 60 days. Observers agreed that with less than six weeks to prepare, agencies may struggle to inform voters about referendum protocol, adding to concerns over confusion on polling day.

(Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard)The seven-day road safety campaign over the New Year holiday in Thailand ended with 272 fatalities, an increase of 8.3% from 251 in the same period a year ago. The Road Safety Centre said the number of accidents from Dec 30 to Jan 5 totalled 1,511, a decline from 1,572 a year ago, while injuries totalled 1,464, down from 1,546. Cumulative figures for the busy seven-day travel period showed Bangkok recording the highest death toll with 22 fatalities. Phatthalung and Yala recorded the most accidents on the Jan 5 with seven each, while Nakhon Sawan had the most fatalities at four. On Monday, a pickup truck driving against traffic collided with several other vehicles on inbound Vibhavadi Rangit Road in Bangkok.

BoT panel forecasts cautious growth outlookListen to this articleThe Bank of Thailand expects Thai GDP growth for this year and next year to remain below its potential, pressured by both cyclical and structural factors. For 2026 and 2027, the Thai economy is projected to grow by 1.5% and 2.3% respectively compared with an estimated 2.2% in 2025. A slowdown in merchandise exports is also expected to weigh on economic growth, primarily due to the impact of US tariff measures. In addition, slower growth in government spending is likely to further dampen GDP, following the 2027 fiscal budget framework, which outlines a narrowing fiscal deficit in line with the latest medium-term fiscal framework. However, the MPC expressed concerns about uneven growth, noting economic expansion remains concentrated among large firms and specific sectors, such as major tourism businesses and electronics exporters.

Unheralded Rosenior tipped to be new Chelsea managerListen to this articleLiam Rosenior had been widely touted as the frontrunner to succeed Enzo Maresca since the Italian was sacked by Chelsea. (Photo: AFP)STRASBOURG, France - Little-known Liam Rosenior is set for the toughest challenge of his short managerial career after revealing on Tuesday that he has “verbally agreed” to become the next manager of Premier League giants Chelsea. Despite having only three years of experience as a manager, and having never coached in the Premier League, Rosenior is on the cusp of taking on one of football’s hardest jobs. “It looks like I am going to be the next manager of that football club (Chelsea),” the Englishman said at a press conference at his present club, Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane took charge of Chelsea for Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City and oversaw training on Monday.

Thailand demands Cambodia explain breach of ceasefireListen to this articleThai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul briefs reporters at Government House on the Cambodian violation of the ceasefire on Tuesday morning in Ubon Ratchathani, when a mortar shell wounded a Thai soldier. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)Cambodia must immediately explain the breach of the ceasefire on the border in Ubon Ratchathani on Tuesday morning, when a Thai soldier was wounded by a Cambodian mortar shell, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. The Thai military and security agencies had lodged a protest with Cambodia seeking an explanation of the incident, which would determine how Thailand responds, Mr Anutin said. “The government of Cambodia reiterates their firm, sincere commitment to respect and implement the terms of the peace accords between Cambodia and Thailand, signed last year in July and October and the last one on Dec 27,” the Cambodian statement said. Prime Minister Anutin was accompanied at his media briefing by Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Defence Minister Gen Natthaphon Narkpanit and National Security Council secretary-general Chatchai Bangchuad.

Maduro heckled and cut off in defiant US court appearanceListen to this articleNicolas Maduro was transported to and from the New York court in an armored vehicle. I am still president of my country," Maduro said in the 30-minute hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges. On one occasion, the judge cut him off as Maduro went well beyond a request that he simply confirm his identity for the court. "I am a prisoner of war," Maduro responded before being led out of the court. One group held Venezuelan flags and signs saying "USA hands off Venezuela" and chanted "Viva viva Maduro."

Strong earthquake rattles western Japan, no tsunami warning issuedListen to this articleA building with a damaged wall is seen in Matsue, Shimane prefecture, after strong quakes hit western Japan on Tuesday. (Photo: Kyodo)A series of strong earthquakes, including the initial one with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4, rattled the western Japan prefectures of Shimane and Tottori on Tuesday, though no tsunami warning was issued, according to the country's weather agency. The Japan Meteorological Agency called for caution, warning that seismic activity remains brisk and that earthquakes of a similar scale could occur for a week. Bullet train services in western Japan were temporarily halted due to a power outage after the initial earthquake, railway operator JR West said. Sanyo Shinkansen Line services were suspended between Okayama and Hiroshima stations but resumed at around 1pm, according to JR West.

(Photo: Korn Chatikavanij Facebook account)The Democrat Party has indicated that it would not join any parties, in addition to Klatham, if they are supported financially by dirty businesses. Deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij said on Tuesday the party would use “grey money” connections as a basis for deciding on forming an alliance to govern Thailand after the Feb 8 election. Mr Korn said some parties were being financed by “grey money” as the financiers want to see the parties they support become a government to protect their underground businesses. The Democrats earlier named Klatham as the party they would not work with, given its alleged connection with transnational crime syndicates. It changed its name to Klatham in April 2023 and has since attracted a number of MPs from other parties.

Eyeing its own security, Europe muted as Trump ousts MaduroListen to this articleEuropean leaders have given a muted response to US President Donald Trump's military intervention in Venezuela. But that was as far as anyone was willing to go as Europe frets about keeping Trump onside in fraught negotiations over Ukraine. The intervention in Venezuela comes as Europe has desperately been trying to mould Trump's efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Kyiv's backers are hoping Trump will give solid security guarantees to Ukraine as he pressures the country to give up territory for a deal. Meanwhile experts from the European Council on Foreign Relations insisted that Europe would eventually face a decision on standing up to Trump.

Flash floods in Indonesia kill 14, four still missingListen to this articleAt least 14 people have died after flash floods swept through North Sulawesi, Indonesia. (Image: Google Maps)JAKARTA — At ‍least ‍14 people were killed after being swept away by flash floods in Indonesia's North Sulawesi, an ‌official said on Tuesday, ​as the search for the missing continued. At least 444 people have been evacuated to local schools and churches after the flash floods, the country disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement. The floods also destroyed hundreds of houses and government buildings, North Sulawesi governor Yulius Selvanus said. The flash ‌floods ​took place in the peak of the wet season in Sulawesi island, as forecast by Indonesia's weather agency.

Speeding declared main New Year accident culpritListen to this articleSpeeding has been the leading cause of road accidents during the New Year holiday, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Speeding accounted for causing the highest share of crashes at 32.57%, followed by sudden lane-changing at 30.86%, he said. Narathiwat recorded the highest number of accidents and injuries at 12 on Sunday, while Phetchabun saw the most fatalities at three. Cumulative figures showed Phuket topping both accidents and injuries at 50 and 53, respectively, while Bangkok recorded the most deaths at 20. Seven provinces registered zero fatalities, he said.

Over 145 nations set to exempt US firms from global minimum tax dealListen to this articleA tax sign is on pictured on the window of an office in Los Angeles, California, the United States. (File photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON — US multinational companies will be excluded from a global minimum corporate tax rate set in 2021 under a deal agreed by more than 145 countries and regions, the US Treasury Department reported on Monday. "This side-by-side agreement recognises the tax sovereignty of the United States over the worldwide operations" of US companies, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. In 2021, the Group of 20 (G20) major economies endorsed a global minimum corporate rate of 15 percent after criticism that large US tech firms, such as Google LLC and Apple Inc, had booked profits in low- or no-levy jurisdictions. In June, Bessent said Washington agreed with other Group of Seven (G7) countries to exempt US companies from the minimum rate, vowing to work with other G20 members and the OECD.

French tourist falls to his death at Koh Samui waterfallListen to this articleRescuers recover the body of the French tourist who slipped and fell to his death at Na Muang 2 waterfall on Koh Samui on Monday afternoon. (Photos: Koh Samui police)SURAT THANI - A French tourist slipped and fell to his death while taking "selfie" photographs at a waterfall on Koh Samui. Police said he fell while visiting the Na Muang 2 waterfall around 1pm. Local officials, rescue volunteers and police recovered his body, an operation that took about three hours due to the difficult terrain. His girlfriend told police they had just finished taking photos together when Alexis slipped and fell.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on January 4, 2026, rejected threats and accusations made against him by his US counterpart, Donald Trump, who claims, without evidence, that Petro is a drug lord. (Photo: AFP)An academic is saying the crisis in Venezuela reflects a shift towards "selective authoritarianism", noting Washington's arrest of President Nicolas Maduro is a sign of an emerging new world order that is increasingly shaped by raw power, rather than shared principles. Suriyasai Katasila, vice-president for administration at Rangsit University, said yesterday that the United States is facing unprecedented global scrutiny for what is seen by many observers as a direct intervention in Venezuela's political landscape. He said recent conflicts, from Ukraine to the Thai-Cambodian border, have exposed the limitations of international peacekeeping, revealing arrangements defined by coercion rather than consensus. He said yesterday that the long-standing antagonism between the US and Venezuela had set the stage for this latest confrontation.