Sabalenka wants 'Battle of the Sexes' rematch and revengeListen to this articleAryna Sabalenka, left, wants a re-match of her 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown with Nick Kyrgios. (Photo: AFP)BRISBANE — World number one Aryna Sabalenka Thursday said she wants a rematch of her "Battle of the Sexes" showdown with Nick Kyrgios so she can get revenge. Australia's Kyrgios beat the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3 in a highly-publicised showdown in Dubai last Sunday, with modified rules that divided fans. While keen to face-off with Kyrgios again, Sabalenka said she would want a full court and two serves. The contest bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Several dead as fire ravages bar in Swiss ski resort town Crans MontanaListen to this articleLocal media said the toll could be heavy. (Photo: AFP)CRANS-MONTANA — A fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans Montana on New Year's Eve, killing and injuring several people, police said early Thursday. (Photo: AFP)Images published by Swiss media showed a building in flames, and people screaming and running in the dark. Swiss media suggested that the fire may have started when pyrotechnics were used during a concert, but police siad the cause was unkown. Several hours after the blast, an AFP photographer saw a number of ambulances on the road from Crans Montana.

Drink driving tops list of New Year road violationsListen to this articleTraffic is heavily congested on Mittraphap Road as travellers return to Bangkok after New Year celebrations on Thursday. (Photo: FM91 Trafficpro)Over 90% of road traffic violations between Dec 30 and Dec 31, 2025, were linked to alcohol consumption, according to recent data. In total, 1,473 cases were logged during the two-day enforcement period, with 1,366, or 92.74%, related to drink driving. The top three provinces for drink driving incidents were Nonthaburi with 174 cases, Bangkok with 131 and Samut Prakan with 127. His Vespa motorcycle was also retrieved in poor condition.

Co-payment scheme ends, injecting B84bn into Thai economyListen to this articleA woman uses a mobile application to pay a food vendor under the Khon La Khrueng Plus co-payment scheme at Pak Nam Market in the Muang district of Samut Prakan province on Oct 29, 2025. Spending under the scheme reached 84.18 billion baht, contributing to an estimated 0.2% boost in economic growth, according to the Ministry of Finance. The total spending comprised two parts:Public spending: 42.81 billion baht, including 41.25 billion baht at general stores and 1.56 billion baht via food delivery platforms. Government co-payment: 41.38 billion baht, with 39.90 billion baht spent at general stores and 1.48 billion baht through food delivery platforms. The injection of about 84.19 billion baht into the economy helped lift economic growth by an estimated 0.2% in 2025 compared to a scenario without the programme.

Listen to this articleFile photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 29, 2025, shows skyscrapers in Tokyo. Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, saw its population grow by nearly 2% per year during 2015–2025, compared to the much slower growth of the total population of the country of 0.2% annually. Two-thirds of the world's population growth from 2025 to 2050 is projected to occur in cities, with most of the remainder in towns. While Japan's total population shrank by around 4 million between 2015 and 2025, Tokyo still added over 300,000 people during that period. Tokyo and Seoul are the only cities among the 10 largest in 2025 that are expected to experience a population decline by mid-century, the report said.

Eight dead in US strikes on alleged drug boats: US militaryListen to this articleThis screen grab from a video posted on the X account of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) shows a strike on one of three boats alleged to be trafficking drugs on Tuesday. (Image via AFP)WASHINGTON — The US military said Wednesday that eight people were killed in multiple new strikes on alleged drug boats, bringing the death toll in Washington's campaign against what it says are narcotics traffickers to at least 115. On Tuesday, "three narco-trafficking vessels traveling as a convoy" were targeted in "international waters," it said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Hours later, it issued a second statement about strikes on two more vessels conducted on Wednesday, killing five people. Since September, the US military has carried out more than 30 such strikes on what it says are boats used to smuggle drugs to the United States, without providing any concrete evidence that the targeted boats are involved in trafficking.

Here are five trends likely to shape the energy landscape in 2026 and beyond. The boom generated enormous profits for LNG producers and traders, but that may not be the case moving forward as global export capacity ramps up. DIESEL OUTPERFORMANCE PERSISTSDiesel profit margins have risen this year, gaining steam in the last six months as the refined-product market faced supply constraints even as the world is increasingly awash with crude oil. Benchmark European diesel refining margins rose 30% ‌in ‍2025, compared with a 20% drop in Brent crude prices in 2025, according to LSEG data. Major Middle East oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are also gearing up for a new era of upstream investments.

Listen to this articleCampaign posters of MP candidates have been put up along Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that over 5,000 candidates and 94 prime ministerial nominees are contesting in the Feb 8 general election. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The Election Commission (EC) has concluded the registration for constituency and party-list candidates in the Feb 8 general election, with more than 5,000 candidates and 94 prime ministerial nominees from political parties. Acting Sub Lt Phasakorn said the commission will forward candidate details to 26 relevant agencies for qualification verification before returning results to district election directors and the EC board. Of these, 4,325 registered for advance voting within their constituencies, 758,306 for outside voting and 68,155 for overseas voting.

From June 2 to Oct 31, income remains solid, but expenses may rise due to lifestyle upgrades or new responsibilities. From June 2 until Oct 31, you can expect increased wealth which comes from more incomes and savings. From June 2 until Oct 31, the love lives of those planning a marriage based on love should be sweet. From the start of the year until June 2, you are likely to get good results from your efforts. (♥) Love and Relationships: Love life is generally smooth, but doubt or indecision should be avoided.

After an unforgettable debut early last year, the world-renowned Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is set to return to Thailand with even greater energy for three days. The "EDC Thailand 2026" will take over a brand-new location, Rhythm Park, in Phuket, transforming the island into a dazzling universe of lights, music and creativity from Jan 16-18. It's a space for pure self-expression -- where music, art and individuality come together to create unforgettable memories and meaningful connections. For the first time, Hotel EDC expands beyond Las Vegas to Thailand at Angsana Laguna Phuket. Also, special accommodation and ticket bundles are available for those looking to enjoy the full EDC journey, from eventpop.me.

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump joked about quitting as United States president if his hosting of the annual Kennedy Centre awards went well. But viewership ratings for this year's annual ceremony plummeted to a record low amid controversy over his takeover of the premier Washington arts complex, to which Trump's name was added this month. The centre was renamed the Trump-Kennedy Centre earlier this month in a vote by the board that sparked outrage from family members of the late John F Kennedy. Richard Grenell, the Trump-appointed president of the arts centre, denounced the performers canceling shows and said they "were booked by the previous far left leadership." "Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, late Monday.

For those currently weighing the choice between Australia and the United Kingdom, "IDP Study World – Australia & United Kingdom University Fair 2026", taking place on January 10, 2026 at Samyan Mitrtown, offers a comprehensive platform to support informed and confident decision-making. Held under the theme "Pick Your Side, Fight For Your Future," this education fair is designed to help prospective students clearly compare two of the world's most popular study destinations. A key feature of the fair is its debate-style seminar session, which presents a direct comparison between Australia and the United Kingdom. Another major highlight is the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from leading universities in Australia and the United Kingdom. IDP Study World – Australia & United Kingdom University Fair 2026 is ideal for students who have yet to decide on a study destination, those torn between Australia and the UK, applicants seeking guidance through the admissions process, and individuals focused on long-term career planning and return on educational investment.

China says to impose extra 55% tariffs on some beef importsListen to this articleChina says it will impose an extra 55 percent tariff on beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the United States that exceed their annual quota. (Photo: AFP)BEIJING — China said on Wednesday it will impose additional 55% tariffs on some beef imports from countries including Brazil, Australia and the United States that exceed a certain quantity from Jan 1. Investigators found that beef imports had damaged China's domestic industry, Beijing's commerce ministry said in a statement. The extra tariffs apply for three years -- until Dec 31, 2028. Countries have been assigned annual quotas and beef sent to China will be subject to the extra 55 percent levy if imports go beyond that amount.

WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Paris was welcome to Hollywood star George Clooney after the actor got French citizenship -- and took the opportunity to bash France, too. Trump, whose administration has backed anti-immigration parties in Europe, said key ally France had a "horrendous" problem with crime and immigration. An official decree seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday showed that 64-year-old Oscar winner Clooney, his wife Amal Alamuddin Clooney and their two children had become French citizens. "Oceans Eleven" star Clooney is a long-term Democratic supporter and fundraiser, and a vocal critic of Trump. He wasn’t a movie star at all, he was just an average guy who complained, constantly, about common sense in politics," Trump said.

Ex-boxing champ Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal car crashListen to this articleAnthony Joshua's family hails from the southwest Nigeria and he is known to visit there when he is in the country. (Photo: AFP)LAGOS — Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, state officials said Wednesday, after surviving a fatal car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends. "Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late this afternoon" Lagos and Ogun state governments spokesmen said in a joint statement late Wednesday night. Joshua, 36, was admitted at Lagos's Lagoon Hospital, the statement said, contradicting earlier information by a TRACE official who gave the name of a different hospital. The former Olympic champion Joshua has since been linked with a fight against compatriot and fellow former world champion Tyson Fury.