Workers race to keep oil from Rayong shores
RAYONG: Hundreds of workers set up oil barriers along beachfronts in this eastern province on Friday as authorities raced to limit the environmental damage from oil that leaked from an underwater pipeline earlier this week.
Taxman to go easy on crypto traders
The Finance Ministry plans to ease tax rules for investments in digital assets, a senior official said on Friday, following a surge in crytocurrency trading.
Hong Kong's best-known travel agency folds after 50 years
HONG KONG: One of Hong Kong's best-known tour operators has decided to wind up after 50 years of business and amid the worsening Omicron outbreak, with an industry leader expecting the travel sector's woes to continue for the rest of 2022 at least.
Officer who killed doctor faces another charge
Police will press a fresh charge of driving over the speed limit against a junior crowd control officer who killed a doctor on a zebra crossing.
More illegal job seekers caught in Kanchanaburi
KANCHANABURI: Another 73 job seekers from Myanmar and a guide were caught for illegal entry in three different districts of Kanchanaburi on Friday.
Pope: Covid fake news is human rights violation
VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis said on Friday that spreading fake news and disinformation on Covid-19 and vaccines, including by Catholic media, is a violation of human rights.
NACC accuses Yingluck in court of wasting B240m
Anti-graft body files suit against former PM Yingluck Shinawatra and others for alleged corrupt use of B240m budget to publicise infrastructure projects in 2013.
Philippines inks $369m missile deal with India
The Philippines has signed a contract with India's BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd for an 18.9 billion-peso (US$369 million) shore-based anti-ship missile system, boosting defence ties between the two nations locked in separate territorial disputes with China.
AirAsia changes name to Capital A as it grows beyond an airline
Malaysia's AirAsia Group Bhd said on Friday it had changed its name to Capital A Bhd to reflect its growing portfolio of businesses beyond the core budget airline.
China's zero-Covid border rules going nowhere this year
HONG KONG: China is unlikely to ease pandemic-related border controls any time soon, despite mounting calls from an international community shut out by strict zero-Covid rules for nearly two years.
Two Indonesian boats, crews held for illegal fishing
PHUKET: Two Indonesian fishing boats were caught fishing illegally in Thai territorial waters off Phuket on Thursday, and the 19 crew members arrested, the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre said.
The BBC is dead, long live the BBC
LONDON: For years the BBC and its financing model have belonged to that small category of things that make no sense in theory but work well in practice. Now that model is imperiled, and the BBC will be forced to abandon its traditional role and find its place in the modern media landscape.
Philippines to re-open to vaccinated foreign tourists
The Philippines will re-open to fully vaccinated tourists from most countries on Feb 10 and lift quarantine requirements, officials said Friday, nearly two years after closing its borders to contain the coronavirus.
Finance Ministry keeps 2022 GDP outlook despite Omicron
The Finance Ministry on Friday maintained its 2022 economic growth forecast at 4.0%, driven by a recovery in domestic spending and tourism, with Covid-19 outbreaks driven by the Omicron variant yet to have a significant impact.
Inquiry into 'coyote' dancing, music show in Khao Yai park
The Khao Yai National Park chief will be moved to allow for a fact-finding inquiry after video showing scantily dressed "coyote" girls dancing to music inside the park went viral online.
Hong Kong outbreak exposes flaws in 21-day quarantine policy
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's U-turn on its mandatory three-week quarantine for arrivals follows growing scrutiny of the strict policy after a coronavirus outbreak was traced to a woman infected during her hotel stay.
8,450 new Covid cases, 28 more deaths
The daily coronavirus-related death toll is slowly rising again as is the number of new cases, with new clusters at schools in 11 provinces.
China, Russia to team up to explore moon
China and Russia will sign an agreement to build a research station on the moon, officials at the Chinese space agency said.
Studio Ghibli sets Nov opening date
TOKYO: A theme park based on the films of top anime studio Studio Ghibli, renowned for titles including the Oscar-winning Spirited Away, will open in central Japan on Nov 1.
Malaysia floods caused nearly $1.5 bln in losses
KUALA LUMPUR: Floods that had devastated much of Malaysia in recent weeks have caused an estimated 6.1 billion ringgit (US$1.46 billion) in overall losses, a government report said on Friday.
