Gold crosses $4,800 for the first time as US, EU spar over GreenlandListen to this articleA goldsmith weighs gold jewellery inside a showroom in Ahmedabad, India, July 31, 2025. Spot gold rose 1.2% to $4,821.26 per ounce by ‌0226 GMT, after scaling a record $4,843.67 earlier in the session. (The move in gold) reflects fears about global geopolitical (tensions)," said Kyle Rodda, a senior market ⁠analyst at Capital.com. He later said, "We will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy." Spot silver fell 1% to $93.59 an ounce, after hitting a record high of $95.87 on Tuesday.

(Photo: AFP)AL-HOL CAMP, Syria - The Syrian army on Wednesday entered the vast Al-Hol camp that houses relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists after Kurdish forces withdrew from the site, said an AFP journalist at the scene. The camp in a desert region of Hasakeh province holds around 24,000 people, including some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities. Al-Hol is the largest camp for suspected jihadists established by Kurdish forces after they took control of swathes of Syria with coalition backing. Al-Roj is still under Kurdish control in eastern Hasakeh province. A security official on the ground told AFP that Kurdish forces were still inside the facility on Wednesday.

Pond part of initiative to prevent animals from straying outside forestListen to this articleA herd of wild elephants bathe in a water source built as part of a project to prevent them from leaving protected forest areas in Khao Yai National Park in Prachin Buri. (Photo: Manit Sanubbo)PRACHIN BURI – A herd of wild elephants has been spotted enjoying a newly dug pond in Khao Yai National Park, signalling that the initiative to prevent the animals from straying and damaging local residents’ properties is yielding tangible results. The project was funded by the eastern provinces’ budget in 2025 and launched in the Unesco World Heritage-listed national park, which straddles Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces. It was aimed at solving the problem of wild elephants leaving protected areas to find food and water sources, which often led to damage in local communities’ agricultural areas and posed a risk to people’s safety. The conservation office would continue monitoring the project’s progress to ensure wild elephants have a safe, suitable and sustainable habitat, he added.

Listen to this articleThe Ministry of Digital Economy and Society on Wednesday reported its success in combating cybercrime, saying 220,000 illegal web addresses and 180,000 gambling websites had been shut down. (Screenshot from Department of Public Relations website)The Thai government has shut down 220,000 illegal web addresses, including 180,000 gambling websites, since Oct 1 last year as part of an ongoing crackdown on cybercrime, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) announced on Wednesday. Between Oct 1, 2025 and Jan 11, 2026, she said the ministry blocked 220,486 illegal social media pages and website URLs. December alone accounted for 116,397 blocked links,Online gambling made up the largest share of the blocked content, with 183,977 URLs taken down, followed by links related to e-cigarettes (14,618) and alcohol advertising (10,139). Also targeted were web addresses linked to the sale and purchase of cannabis (2,943), prostitution (2,040) and firearms (1,990).

State enterprise disbursement target at 95%Listen to this articleThe State Enterprise Policy Office (Sepo) has set a target for state enterprise investment budget disbursement of no less than 95% this year to support the economy. According to Tibordee Wattanakul, director-general of Sepo, state enterprises have a combined investment plan totalling 2.4 trillion baht in 2026, and Sepo will seek to ensure that investment budget disbursement reaches at least 95%. As a result, state enterprises related to these two public utilities are able to maintain revenue regardless of economic conditions. In recent years, state enterprises have collectively remitted revenue exceeding targets by about 40 billion baht. The shortfall was attributed to underperformance by the country's three key revenue departments: the Revenue Department, which collected 1.6% below target; the Excise Department, which collected 11.8% below target; and the Customs Department, which collected 2.5% below target.

UN report declares global state of 'water bankruptcy'Listen to this articleThe UN says new language is needed to describe the crisis state of the world's water basins and aquifers. "Water stress and water crisis are no longer sufficient descriptions of the world's new water realities," read a new report by the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). The report proposes the alternative term "water bankruptcy" -- a state in which long-term water use exceeds resupply and damages nature so severely that previous levels cannot realistically be restored. It is based on a peer-reviewed report, soon to be published in the journal Water Resources Management, that will formally propose a definition of "water bankruptcy". The report "captures a hard truth: the world's water crisis has crossed a point of no return", Tim Wainwright, chief executive of the WaterAid charity, wrote in a statement.

Semi-trailer truck bombed and torched in deep SouthListen to this articleA semi-trailer truck is completely damaged by a bomb explosion and fire at a warehouse in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat, early on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Abdullah Benjakat)NARATHIWAT — A semi-trailer truck was bombed and torched at a warehouse in tambon Pasemat of Sungai Kolok district of this southern border province early on Wednesday morning. Initially there was no casualties reported, even though the truck was completely destroyed. Sungai Kolok police cordoned off the scene and bomb experts have yet to clear the area for investigations. On Jan 11, assailants planted bombs and set fires at petrol stations in the far South, with five of the 11 stations located in Narathiwat.

Listen to this articleThe Pollution Control Department has ordered stepped-up surveillance of open burning as the seasonal risk of haze and dust pollution rises, according to director-general Surin Worakitthamrong. More hotspots are being reported in agricultural and forest areas, he said. Local authorities in many provinces have issued formal notices and been instructed to strictly enforce laws against open burning, alongside designating controlled burning zones. Burning in forest, agricultural and open spaces in Thailand is punishable by both fines and imprisonment — in some cases both. Mr Surin has called for public cooperation, urging people to refrain from all forms of burning in prohibited areas.

(Photo: AFP)PARIS - The widow of Iran’s last shah says there is “no turning back” after a wave of protests against the country’s clerical authorities, saying she is convinced the Iranian people will emerge victorious. Triggered on Dec 28 by smaller protests over economic hardship, nationwide rallies surged in Iran on January 8, challenging the Islamic republic in power for over four decades. Answer: I want to say to young Iranians: today you are writing, with immense courage, a new chapter of history… for Iran and for the world. He himself sees his role solely as the mouthpiece of young Iranians until the day of freedom. My desire and my need today are to return to Iran and to hold these exceptional children in my arms.

Open House, the co-living space on level 6 of Central Embassy, has been transformed into a universe of friendship during the "MRKREME: The Fluffy Galaxy" exhibition, which runs until March 1. Behind the playful and vibrant aesthetic inspired by Pop Surrealism and Lowbrow Art, MRKREME draws on his passion for pop culture, street art and nostalgic childhood toys from the 1980s. The journey begins at The Fluffy Wormhole, an interdimensional tunnel located along the linkage walkway from Central Chidlom (Level 2) to Central Embassy. The journey then culminates at Open House, of course, where a creative playground inspired by Retrofuturism, where sleek sci-fi aesthetics merge seamlessly with the nostalgic spirit of the 1980s. Art also extends into the digital realm through MRKREME Interactive AR, where visitors can scan a QR code to summon fluffy monster companions into their photos across various spots throughout Central Embassy.

(File photo: Government House)The Constitutional Court has cleared former cabinet ministers Phumtham Wechayachai and Tawee Sodsong of ethical breaches in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2024 Senate election. The senators also asked the court to decide whether the two ministers’ actions met the criteria for termination of their ministerial status. Mr Phumtham was deputy prime minister and defence minister, and Pol Col Tawee was justice minister when the complaint was filed last year. It later became a special case after the Election Commission indicated that a criminal investigation into certain aspects of the case — including alleged money laundering — would be outside its authority. The final vote in the three-stage Senate election on June 26, 2024 produced highly unusual results, notably a disproportionate number of winners from provinces where Bhumjaithai is strong electorally.

What is Trump's 'Board of Peace'? Listen to this articleUS President Donald Trump so-called 'Board of Peace' would have him in charge of it, able to adopt decisions on its behalf. (Photo: AFP)BRUSSELS — United States President Donald Trump's government has asked countries to pay up to US$1 billion for a permanent spot on his "Board of Peace" aimed at resolving conflicts, according to its charter seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The Board of Peace will be chaired by Trump, according to its founding charter. The charter says the board enters into force "upon expression of consent to be bound by three States".

IHG to add nearly 40 hotels to Thai portfolio in 3-5 yearsListen to this articleThailand still has an undersupply of hotel rooms, according to international chain IHG Hotels & Resorts, which aims to add nearly 40 hotels here in 3-5 years, adding the next government should address the strong currency. IHG operates 40 hotels in Thailand and has 39 hotels in the pipeline, aiming to almost double its portfolio within 3-5 years. Globally IHG operates 6,800 hotels, with 55% located in the Americas, 15% in China and the remaining 30% in other regions. Among the global chain, roughly 70% are under mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. IHG also operates 550 hotels in the luxury and lifestyle segment, with more than 400 in the pipeline.

Japan to restart world's biggest nuclear plant WednesdayListen to this articleThe world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. (Photo: AFP)KARIWA — The world's biggest nuclear power plant is set to restart on Wednesday for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, its Japanese operator said, despite persistent safety concerns among residents. The governor of Niigata province, where the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant is located, approved its resumption last month, although public opinion remains sharply divided. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven is restarting Wednesday. Meanwhile Japan still faces the daunting task of decommissioning the Fukushima plant, a project expected to take decades.

(Photo: Reuters)DAVOS, Switzerland - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not mention the United States or Donald Trump by name in a speech at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, but it was clear where he placed the blame for what he called a “rupture” in the world order. It is also not clear that all NATO members would respond militarily to an attack on another member. Canada and the United States have a joint command for North American air defence. In his speech Carney called on medium-size countries like Canada to band together to offset the power of the United States, China and Russia. “The middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu,” he said.