Zuckerberg to testify in landmark social media addiction trialMark Zuckerberg, the 41-year-old head of Meta, is the most anticipated witness in the trialLOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is set to testify Wednesday at a groundbreaking social media addiction trial, summoned by lawyers representing a plaintiff who alleges Instagram and other platforms were deliberately designed to make young users addicted. The trial will mark the first time the multibillionaire will address the safety of his world-dominating platforms directly before a jury. - 'Problematic use' -Instagram chief Adam Mosseri was the first Silicon Valley executive to testify on February 11, in which he told jurors he rejected the concept of social media addiction in favor of "problematic use" -- Meta's preferred terminology. The day before, the plaintiff's lawyers called psychiatrist Anna Lembke to explain how social media can act as a "gateway drug" for young people, rewiring their still-developing brains toward addictive behaviors. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan was also scheduled to testify, but lawyers for the plaintiff on Tuesday said they would call another YouTube executive instead.

Overseas student cap raised at Japan universities to attract talentTokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Reuters)KYODO — Japan's education ministry will allow three universities to accept international students above their enrolment caps under its new exemption system to attract global talent amid intensifying global competition. The faculties are the Faculty of Science at Tohoku University, seven schools including humanities and culture at the University of Tsukuba and three science-related faculties at Hiroshima University. The measure is aimed at nurturing global talent to enhance Japan's competitiveness, as the race to attract outstanding overseas students intensifies. Three out of eight universities that applied last fall were granted the special exemption following screening by experts.

Budget hotels at PTT petrol stationsA PTT petrol station (photo: OR)Two listed firms, PTT Oil and Retail Plc (OR) and Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel), announced a joint venture that will run budget hotels at PTT petrol stations. OR, oil trade flagship of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, reported on Tuesday night that its board of directors approved the establishment of the joint venture between its wholly-owned Modulus Venture Co and Centel. Modulus will hold 49% of the registered capital and Centel will hills 51%. The new firm and brand of its hotel chain have not yet been named. Earlier OR said hotel construction would begin early this year and the first hotel would open within this year.

A logo of Radio Free Asia is displayed in its office in Washington, DC, the United States, on March 15, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)WASHINGTON — Radio Free Asia (RFA) has resumed ‌broadcasts to people in China, its CEO said on Tuesday, after Trump administration cuts last year largely forced the US-funded outlet to cease operations. "Radio Free Asia has long spread falsehoods and smeared China, and they have a poor record when ⁠it comes to reporting on China-related issues," Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. "We hope more media outlets in the US can make objective and fair-minded reports on China and China-US relations." On Friday, RFA spokesperson Rohit Mahajan said the outlet had contracted with private companies to broadcast to audiences in Tibet, North Korea and Myanmar.

Construction of Queen Sirikit’s crematorium to begin Feb 23A mounted parade training is underway in preparation for the procession in the royal cremation ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother. The training was held at the 2nd Cavalry Division grounds (Sanam Pao) in Bangkok. (Photo courtesy of Royal Thai Army)Feb 23 has been set as the official start date for construction of the royal crematorium for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, the government said. The meeting of the committee overseeing the construction of the royal crematorium, its accompanying structures, and the restoration of royal chariots and palanquins was held for the second time this year. The traditional ceremony to mark the placement of the foundation marker is scheduled for Feb 23.

Thais track Hun Manet's moves abroadForeign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. (Photo courtesy of Government House)Thailand is closely monitoring Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet's overseas engagements, including meetings on international platforms and his visit to the United States, where he reportedly met US President Donald Trump, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said reports indicated Hun Manet attended a Peace Board meeting. Regarding reports that Hun Manet sought historical and technical border documents from France, including colonial-era maps, Mr Sihasak confirmed Thailand has also contacted France to inquire about the documents in question. Hun Manet has reportedly written to French President Emmanuel Macron seeking access to historical boundary records and technical data to support Cambodia's position in the ongoing border dispute with Thailand.

Thai IOC member reinforces Kingdom’s Olympic roleMilano – Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, Thailand’s member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and president of the Badminton World Federation, played an active role at the 145th IOC Session in Milan, underlining Thailand’s continued engagement within the Olympic Movement. During the session, held alongside the Winter Olympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026, she observed competitions and presented medals, reaffirming Thailand’s visible presence on the global sporting stage. On the sidelines, Khunying Patama met with IOC president Kirsty Coventry and held discussions with Prince Albert II of Monaco, an IOC member, as well as Thomas Bach, honorary president for life of the IOC. Her participation reflects Thailand’s commitment to contributing to policy dialogue and governance within the Olympic Movement, while continuing to promote the values of sport, youth development and international cooperation at national, regional and international levels.

Google has unveiled a new feature allowing users to request the removal of non-consensual explicit images and sensitive personal information from search results more easily, as part of its latest privacy and safety push. The new tool enables individuals to file requests to remove inappropriate images that were published without their consent directly from Google Search. Users can also seek to delete sensitive personal data — including national identification numbers — that may have appeared in search listings. Once users save their personal information within the system, Google will automatically scan search results. If matching personal data is detected in Search, the user will receive a notification prompting them to submit a removal request.

Schools and employers say they want to promote "thinkers" by pushing AI, yet it seems we are promoting AI to replace thinking. Students using AI are often unaware that what is generated is simply a 'most likely' outcome; thus, they are all unthinkingly generating the same content. These challenges are what is needed to develop the child and their thinking skills, rather than the staged perfection often seen in photos and video records. Conversely, those born after 2010 have not developed true thinking skills and may not be able to maximise AI's potential. In 2020, we did not have easily accessible AI; think about the tools we may have in 2030 or 2035.

Could a Brics currency rival the dollar? Could the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) ever launch a shared currency to challenge the US dollar's dominant position in the world economy? Can you imagine India ceding central-bank independence to promote a new currency bloc that also includes its longtime rival, China? First, Chinese President Xi Jinping himself has expressed an interest in the renminbi playing a bigger role as a global reserve currency. Is a Brics currency feasible, or still a fantasy?

Danthai bags third Esan Open crown after playoffDanthai Boonma with the trophy. Danthai Boonma captured his third Singha Esan Open title on Sunday, edging Pawit Tangkamolprasert and Poomi Saksangsilp in a tense playoff at Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club. The victory marked his third triumph in the event, following wins in 2017 and 2019, and his fifth success on the All Thailand Golf Tour. The Esan Open, played on the par-72 layout in Khon Kaen, is one of the flagship events on the domestic circuit. Attention now turns to the next stop on the All Thailand Golf Tour, the Singha Chiang Mai Open, scheduled for April 2–5 at Mae Jo Golf Resort & Spa.

Call for new stimulus for EV salesVisitors pack the Impact Challenger Hall to examine new car models during the 12-day Thailand International Motor Expo last year, which played a key role in driving BEV sales. EVAT believes such steps will encourage more consumers to purchase BEVs and PHEVs, driving up car sales, he said. Hyundai expects Thailand's domestic car sales to reach 620,000 units in 2026, covering both ICE-powered vehicles and BEVs. Globally, BEV sales tallied 20 million units in 2025, driven largely by Chinese brands. Regionally, Thailand has emerged as a leader in EV adoption, with BEVs accounting for 21% of new passenger car sales in 2025.

Bird flu ravaging Antarctic wildlife, scientist warnsIn a recent expedition to Antarctica, new cases of avian flu were discovered in Antarctic cormorants, kelp gulls, Adelie and gentoo penguins, and Antarctic fur seals, according to researcher Victor NeiraSANTIAGO (CHILE) - Scientists are sounding the alarm over the spread of bird flu across Antarctica, with a leading Chilean researcher telling AFP Tuesday of an observed strain "capable of killing 100 percent" of infected fauna. In a recent expedition to Antarctica, new cases were discovered in Antarctic cormorants, kelp gulls, Adelie and gentoo penguins, and Antarctic fur seals, Neira told AFP. "The virus has completely spread throughout the Antarctic region where we have the capacity to go and study," said Neira, a scientist at the University of Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH). Animals such as Antarctic cormorants and skuas number around 20,000 in total. A global wave of bird flu has affected birds and mammals around the world since 2021, spread via bird migration.

Excise Department set to hit B578bn goalA petrol station attendant fills a motorcyclist's tank. Taxes on petroleum and petroleum products are a major source of excise revenue. According to Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the department, it collected 191 billion baht from October to January, exceeding the target by 8.32 billion baht or 4.55%. Regarding the planned restructuring of the cigarette excise tax to a single rate, the proposal is scheduled for submission to the cabinet for consideration. If the tax is changed to a single rate, it is expected to increase cigarette tax revenue, said Mr Pornchai.

The partnership generated annual revenue of around 40 billion baht and profit of 10 billion baht for NT. NT holds its own telecom assets and the rights to the 700-megahertz spectrum band it won from a licence auction in February 2020. Earlier, NT president Col Sanpachai Huvanandana told the Bangkok Post that NT's fixed broadband service is a major revenue source, accounting for 40-50% of total revenue. Last year, NT had around 1.94 million retail broadband internet customers, generating revenue of 9.96 billion baht in 2025. Last year it had 2.4 million customers of "my by NT" service, using the 700MHz band.