What next for Vonn after painful end to Olympic dream?
What next for Vonn after painful end to Olympic dream? She, and her coach Aksel Lund Svindal, had insisted she could compete for medals after completing two training runs in Italy. But competition is another matter entirely and with eventual gold winner Breezy Johnson's leading time to aim for, Vonn had to push harder. Vonn went under the knife twice at the Ca' Foncello hospital in Treviso to stabilise a fractured femur bone, according to Italian news agency ANSA. So far the fracture is the only injury to be confirmed by the USA Olympic team but that will likely be enough on its own to bring an end to what had been a phenomenal season in which she still tops the World Cup downhill standings.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 21:50 UTC
Starmer vows to remain as UK PM amid Epstein fallout
Starmer vows to remain as UK PM amid Epstein falloutKeir Starmer has accused Mandelson of lying about his ties to financier Epstein. McSweeney's departure deprives the beleaguered UK leader of his closest adviser and the man who helped Starmer drag Labour back to the centre after succeeding leftist leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2020. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said he believed Starmer would still be leader this time next year, saying he had a five-year mandate. 'Purpose'Labour has trailed Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party by double-digit margins in the polls for the past year. Starmer also faces a crucial by-election on February 28, defeat in which would add to his woes.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 20:21 UTC
PP concedes defeat in Songkhla Constituency 2
PP concedes defeat in Songkhla Constituency 2Dr Supat Hasuwannakit (photo: People's Party)People's Party candidate Supat Hasuwannakit thanked voters in Songkhla for their support before conceding defeat to Democrat's Juri Namkeaw, who as of Monday looked set to win the seat for Constituency 2. According to unofficial results released on Monday, Mr Juri received 30,686 votes, while Dr Supat received 21,162 votes. Speaking to the media on Monday, Dr Supat congratulated Mr Juri for earning the trust of voters in Constituency 2. Instead, he plans to continue his political journey by working with the People’s Party and people from all sectors to push for national reform. Mr Juri also addressed the media, thanking voters for their trust and pledging to work to the fullest if officially certified, with a focus on local development and flood recovery efforts.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 19:04 UTC
TAT Celebrates 51 Years of Thai-China Relations with CNY 2026 in BKK and Hat Yai.
Bangkok, February 5 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced Amazing Thailand Chinese New Year 2026, marking the Golden Horse year and the 51st anniversary of Thailand–China diplomatic relations. Maj. Gen. Kris Warit, Deputy Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, reflected strong institutional and regional cooperation in delivering the festival. Ms Thapanee said “Through our flagship events in Bangkok and Hat Yai, the TAT is projecting confidence and vitality at a national scale. In Hat Yai, Songkhla, the TAT is presenting Amazing Thailand Chinese New Year 2026 @Hat Yai, taking place from February 17-20 along Saneha Nusorn Road. Beyond the two flagship destinations, the TAT is supporting Chinese New Year celebrations in regions with distinctive Thai–Chinese heritage to extend tourism benefits nationwide.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 18:53 UTC
Singapore’s income inequality at record low but concerns linger
(Photo: Bloomberg)SINGAPORE — Singapore’s income inequality fell to a record low last year amid lingering cost-of-living concerns, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledging to reduce the gap further. The city-state, one of the world’s richest nations, also published for the first time a measure of wealth inequality, which is higher than the income gap. Singapore recently updated its methodology on the income inequality metric to factor in other sources like rental income and investments. The narrower income gap comes as residents saw real income growth over the last decade, with those in the lower-income bracket experiencing higher real income growth. The study noted that wealth inequality is “broadly comparable to that of other advanced economies.”Singapore has been trying to navigate a tricky balance.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 18:16 UTC
Lies, horror, trauma: Kenyans recount forced Russian recruitment
Lies, horror, trauma: Kenyans recount forced Russian recruitmentRelatives of Kenyans sent to fight in Ukraine have demanded urgent government action to repatriate their kin. "They told us: 'If you don't sign, you're dead'," Victor told AFP, showing his Russian military service record and combat medallion. AFP was able to identify two other recruitment agencies sending Kenyans to Russia but was unable to contact them. In the early days of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia was accused of using its own ethnic minorities as expendable forces: Chechens, Dagestanis and others. Moscow has "destroyed my life", she told AFP through tears.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 18:11 UTC
Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant, again
Japan restarts world's biggest nuclear plant, againKashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power station had been offline since Japan pulled the plug on atomic power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster. afpTOKYO - Japan switched on the world's biggest nuclear power plant again on Monday, its operator said, after an earlier attempt was quickly suspended due to a minor glitch. The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in the Niigata region restarted at 2pm (1pm Thai time), the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said in a statement. Conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who pulled off a thumping election victory on Sunday, has promoted nuclear power to energise the Asian economic giant. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the world's biggest nuclear power plant by potential capacity, although just one reactor of seven was restarted.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 18:11 UTC
Sony to exit Blu-ray disc recorder market amid rise of streaming services
KYODO — Sony Corporation stated on Monday that it has decided to exit the Blu-ray disc recorder market as the widespread availability of streaming services has snuffed out demand, with final shipments of recorders to begin in February this year. Sony, a wholly owned subsidiary and the electronics unit of Sony Group Corp, has already ended production of Blu-ray recorders and ceased manufacturing recordable discs in February last year. But demand for the storage media has steadily declined with the rise of video streaming services such as Netflix and TVer, a catch-up streaming service jointly run by Japanese television networks. According to the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, domestic shipments of Blu-ray recorders peaked at 6.39 million units in 2011 but stood at less than 10% of that figure in 2025 at 620,000 units. The Japanese company is pivoting to entertainment businesses, such as anime and films, as part of its strategy to accelerate expansion.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 16:02 UTC
Dems to review strategy as poll results 'below target'
Dems to review strategy as poll results 'below target'Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (in white shirt) and key party figures including party secretary-general Chaiwut Bannawat, centre, hold a press conference after the general election Sunday evening. Pornprom SatrabhayaThe Democrat Party is preparing to overhaul its strategy and internal operations, said party secretary-general Chaiwut Bannawat, after unofficial results showed the party is poised to win just 22 seats in the House of Representatives — slightly below its target. Mr Chaiwut noted in several constituencies in the South, Democrat candidates came close to winning the race. He admitted the Democrat Party began preparations relatively late and had limited time to campaign, making it difficult to catch up in the province. Mr Chaiwut said the party’s executive committee will meet on Feb 11 to review the party's performance in the election, analyse strengths and weaknesses, and consider structural adjustments.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 15:13 UTC
Bad Bunny celebrates Puerto Rico in joyous Super Bowl halftime show
Bad Bunny wore an all-white ensemble, with a football jersey featuring the number "64" and "Ocasio," before donning a classy suit jacket. At the end of the set, after listing Latin American countries, Puerto Rico and the United States, Bad Bunny spiked a football that said "Together, we are America." But the decision to showcase his work at the Super Bowl in California met with conservative outrage - specifically about the idea that he would not sing in English. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the choice, calling Bad Bunny "one of the great artists of the world." But JLo and Shakira did not perform exclusively in Spanish, leaving Bad Bunny to set that benchmark.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 15:05 UTC
Family matters: Thaksin's party down, maybe not out
Family matters: Thaksin's party down, maybe not outThe party built by Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - who is currently in prison - had its worst ever election result, raising questions about the party's future. Bangkok retiree Pipat Saeteaw, 72, used to be a staunch supporter of Pheu Thai and the Shinawatras, but no longer. "I don't vote for the Pheu Thai Party anymore." The party was devastated in Thaksin's home province of Chiang Mai, one of its traditional strongholds, where for the first time ever it lost every constituency, party officials acknowledged. He has various options to form a coalition, including with Pheu Thai, but analysts at BMI, of Fitch Solutions, said that combination was now less likely.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 14:31 UTC
Finance chief vows to keep policy stable
Finance chief vows to keep policy stableThe new government has pledged to expedite the implementation of the second phase of the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus' co-payment stimulus programme once it has been formed over the coming months, alongside greater economic investment. He said the current government, which has been in office for only four months, adopted the “Quick Big Win” policy as its core approach. The policy will build on the existing framework in order to stimulate an economic recovery and achieve a broader distribution of income, he said. According to Mr Ekniti, the government will also focus on making 2026 it the year of investment in order to enhance the country’s economic potential. Regarding the second phase of the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment programme, Mr Ekniti confirmed that once the new government is formed, it would expedite the implementation of this phase.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 14:29 UTC
Anutin readies for coalition talks after election win
Anutin readies for coalition talks after election winThe party of Thailand's PM Anutin Charnvirakul finished first in Sunday's election but short of an outright majorityCaretaker premier Anutin Charnvirakul was preparing for coalition talks Monday after a stunning election victory for his Bhumjaithai Party. The progressive People's Party trailed at a little above 100 seats, while jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Pheu Thai party came in third. Pheu Thai is seen as a likely coalition partner for Anutin. Anutin, who took office in September, would not discuss coalition talks on Sunday, noting the election results remained unofficial. One political analyst expected Bhumjaithai to "move quickly" to form a government in which its interests would prevail.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 13:57 UTC
A state of repose
Enter Kai Hakone, located on the old Tokaido road in Hakone Yumoto onsen area. Kai Hakone is a charming hot spring ryokan where the healing waters of Mount Yusaka. Part of the check-in process at Kai Hakone is a short presentation from the “yumori” or hot spring concierge on the history of the hot spring, its qualities and effective ways to bathe. Teahouses known as “chaya” were the source of refreshment for people who travelled between the two cities and at Kai Hakone, the tradition of refreshment is continued. There are few places like Kai Hakone with spacious rooms and lots of free amenities.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 13:54 UTC
NACC finds 44 ex‑Move Forward MPs guilty over bid to amend lèse‑majesté law
People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut is among those accused of seriously violating ethical standards for trying to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as lèse-majesté law. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The National Anti‑Corruption Commission (NACC) on Monday found 44 former Move Forward Party MPs—now mostly with the People’s Party—guilty over their 2023 pledge to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse‑majesté law. Ten of the 44 accused, including People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, were newly elected as MPs in Sunday’s general election. The People’s Party finished second in the election, behind the Bhumjaithai Party. Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, is surrounded by supporters in Chiang Mai province on Jan 12, 2025.
Source:Bangkok Post
February 09, 2026 13:40 UTC