Gold surges as US capture of Venezuelan president spurs safe-haven demandListen to this articlePhoto: ReutersDELHI - Gold prices ​climbed on Monday and other precious metals surged, after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, escalating geopolitical tensions and lifting safe-haven demand. By midday Thai time spot gold had risen 1.8% to US$4,406.77 per ounce, a one-week high. Vice ⁠President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader of Venesuela and said that Maduro remains president. Geopolitical tensions, combined with interest rate cuts, robust central bank purchases and inflows into exchange-traded funds contributed to bullion's 64% gains last year, its biggest annual gain since 1979. Meanwhile, investors are focused ‌on ​non-farm payroll data, which is due Friday, for more cues into potential Fed rate cuts, Waterer added.

Trump is unlikely fazed, as his plan to dominate Venezuela and its vast oil reserves unfolds. "We're in charge," Trump announced late Sunday. This was hours after Trump threatened that she'd pay a "very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," if she didn't bend to US wishes. The Trump administration says it retains powerful economic leverage by blockading oil tankers from Venezuela. The US position leaves the Venezuelan opposition -- which the Trump administration says was robbed of victory by Maduro in recent elections -- out in the cold.

Border schools reopen after truce with CambodiaListen to this articleStudents tak part in a safety drill at Ban Kok Fuang School in Lahan Sai district, Buri Ram, on Monday after returning to classes. (Photo: Surachai Piragsa)Thai schools in northeastern provinces bordering Cambodia reopened on Monday after being closed for about a month by the recent border clashes. Among them were schools in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram. Local schools and government offices, their major customers, had been closed since Dec 7 due to the border conflict. School director Dechopol Chonlathee said all teachers and about 80% of his students had returned after taking shelter elsewhere during the border battles with Cambodia.

Photographers under fire for 'rude decluttering' at Wat ArunListen to this articleTourists pose in rented Thai costumes at Wat Arun in Bangkok. Krisda “Pond” Witthayakhajorndet, CEO of Be On Cloud entertainment, gave details on the X platform of his encounters with local photographers at the famed temple. Steps being taken by tourist police and the Wat Arun committee are aimed at addressing the matter long-term to prevent a recurrence. Wat Arun and the tourist police had acknowledged the issue and were in the process of gathering information to systematically reorganize and address the problem, he said. On Monday, tourist police and the Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan committee scheduled a meeting to set down concrete guidelines of cooperation.

UK begins ban on junk food ads on daytime TV and onlineListen to this articleNo more daytime TV or online ads for "junk food" in the UK. afpLONDON - New regulations come into force Monday in Britain banning daytime TV and online adverts for so-called junk foods, in what the government calls a "world-leading action" to tackle childhood obesity. Tooth decay is the leading cause of UK hospital admissions for young children, typically aged five to nine, according to officials. "By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods," health minister Ashley Dalton said in a statement. The charity Diabetes UK also welcomed the ads ban, with its chief executive, Colette Marshall, noting that type 2 diabetes is on the rise in young people.

A photo contest is accepting submissions to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Thailand and Iceland. The competition is organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand and the Embassy of Iceland in Tokyo to celebrate the longstanding friendship between Thailand and Iceland. The contest provides an opportunity for the general public of all ages and nationalities to reflect the relationship between the two countries through the medium of photography. The contest offers total cash prizes worth over 160,000 baht. Winners will receive Grand Prize, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up and Honourable Mention awards, as well as complimentary gifts.

As the year comes to a close and awards season begins to take shape, the conversation around cinema inevitably narrows. With so many films and series released, even regular viewers may have missed something truly worthwhile. From its opening seconds to its final, pulverising image, this is a film of absolute control -- bracing, vicious and darkly exhilarating. Season 2 expands its exploration of work, identity and grief while maintaining the show's immaculate aesthetic and unnerving tone. Season 4 harnesses the show's signature chaos with renewed precision, delivering moments of genuine warmth amid the shouting and stress.

'Not about condoms': Chinese shrug off contraceptive taxListen to this articleChina has introduced a 13 percent tax on condoms as it tries to boost the flagging birth rate. afpBEIJING - China has made condoms and other contraceptives more expensive as it tries to boost birth rates, but residents in Beijing and analysts say the measure will have little impact. Consumers must now pay a 13 percent value-added tax for contraception including condoms, after Beijing removed exemptions on the products from Jan 1. But young people in Beijing told AFP that taxing contraceptives will not address the root issues they say are stopping people from having children. They face concrete obstacles in China, Wu added, such as a weak job market, "prohibitive" housing costs, a stressful work culture and workplace discrimination against women.

Enter Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore, an integrated nature and wildlife destination. The Mandai Rainforest Resort is nestled within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Singapore’s nature and wildlife destination, home to the Bird Paradise, Night Safari, River Wonders, Singapore Zoo and Rainforest Wild Asia. Pass the entrance to the Singapore zoo and you’re at the large open air lobby of Mandai Rainforest Resort. Being a stone’s throw away from Singapore’s green immersive experiences, there is never a dull moment at Mandai Rainforest Resort. Mandai Rainforest Resort is rooted in biophilia, which is all about strengthening the human connection with nature through plants, natural light, wood, stone, organic shapes and views of greenery.

Frost sparkles on Doi Inthanon at -2°CListen to this articleFrost coats the ground as the temperature around kilometre marker 43-44 on Doi Inthanon reaches -2°C on Monday morning. (Photo: Doi Inthanon National Park)CHIANG MAI - Frost coated the ground on Doi Inthanon on Monday morning as temperatures on Thailand's highest mountain plunged below freezing. The ground temperature at the Doi Inthanon National Park ranger office fell to -0.5°C and instruments around kilometre marker 43-44 recorded -2°C. (Photo: Doi Inthanon National Park)The sub-zero temperatures resulted in widespread frost, locally known as moei khab. (Photo: Doi Inthanon National Park)Air temperatures at the summit of Doi Inthanon dropped to 3°C and Kew Mae Pan recorded 4°C.

'Bandits' kill, abduct, loot village in NigeriaListen to this articleNigeria's security forces are stretched thin by the number of conflicts. "Over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, some people were also kidnapped," Wasiu Abiodun, Niger state police spokesman said. Images viewed by AFP showed some of those killed in the raid had their hands tied behind their backs. Gangs -- known in Nigeria as "bandits" -- frequently carry out mass kidnappings for ransom and loot villages in parts of Nigeria. "Reports indicate the bandits operated for hours with no security presence," the Catholic Church in Kontagora said on its Facebook page.

Why being a “jack of all trades” is not failureListen to this articleAI-generated pictureThe phrase “jack of all trades” initially sounds flattering, even admirable. At first glance, being a jack of all trades implies versatility, adaptability and curiosity - qualities often praised in an era defined by rapid change. Yet, the idiom carries a stinging second half, “jack of all trades, master of none.”Once that second half is acknowledged, the meaning shifts. Over time, this perspective has shaped modern perceptions, casting the jack of all trades in a negative light. For those who move fluidly between interests, enjoying the freedom to explore rather than committing to a single pursuit, the phrase “jack of all trades” often feels like shade.

'Free our president', Maduro supporters demand at rallyListen to this articleA supporter of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro demonstrates with a national flag in Caracas a day after he was captured in a US strikeCARACAS - Around 2,000 supporters of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro demonstrated Sunday in Caracas to demand that he and his wife, who were nabbed by US forces and taken to a New York jail, be released. "Free our president," read a placard held by a man with a red flannel shirt which bore the image of Maduro's predecessor and mentor, late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez. On Monday, Maduro is due in court in New York to face charges of "narcoterrorism" tied to alleged cocaine trafficking into the United States. "Nicolas Maduro was removed by traitors, because with the amount of security he had this should never have happened," he said. Maduro's son Nicolas Maduro Guerra also voiced suspicion about the presence of spies in his father's entourage in an audio message shared on social media on Sunday.

Angry son denied money, burns down the neighbourhoodListen to this articleA high-angle view shows the burnt-out block of houses in Khao Sai market in Thap Khlo district in Pichit. The fire was first reported about 9.50am in Khao Sai market in Thap Khlo district, the provincial Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation office said. Investigators believed her grown son, Yutthana, had deliberately started the fire, Pol Col Pheemphon Muangsi, chief of Thap Khlo station, said on Monday. He was left angry afterwards and retreated to his room, where he started the fire. The suspect was also found in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm, and was charged with illegal possession on both counts.

Djokovic quits players' union he co-foundedListen to this articleThe Professional Tennis Players Association was founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek PospisilPARIS (FRANCE) - Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday he was leaving the professional players' union he co-founded in 2020, citing "concerns regarding transparency and governance" within the body. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the current world No. The action also highlighted the "unsustainable schedule" for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men's ATP¨and women's WTA. "After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association", Djokovic posted on social media. "This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.