Surge in US hiring surprises markets
WASHINGTON: US job gains surged unexpectedly last month as unemployment slipped to its lowest rate in more than five decades, government data showed on Friday, despite efforts to cool economic activity.
Health workers call for political detainees' release
Network of health workers calls for unconditional release of all detained political prisoners as they express worry over condition of three hunger-striking activists.
Digital ID now accepted to board domestic flights
Passengers are now allowed to use digital IDs to verify their identity when boarding domestic flights, a government spokesperson said on Friday.
Asean ministers hold ‘frank’ talks on Myanmar
JAKARTA: The conflict in Myanmar dominated the year’s first meeting of Asean foreign ministers on Friday, with Indonesia’s top diplomat saying that member states had “frank” discussions on the issue.
Child abuser Gary Glitter freed from UK jail
LONDON: Convicted paedophile and former rock star Gary Glitter was released from a jail in Britain on Friday after serving half of a 16-year sentence.
Thai AirAsia dusts off idled jets to serve China
The budget carrier Thai AirAsia plans to resume operating eight aircraft that were idled during the pandemic and is considering shifting planes from other areas to cater to the growing number of visitors from China.
Police on trail of 'macau888' gambling ring
Police arrest a man linked to the macau888 online gambling site but the “four brothers” accused by a TV actress of operating the illegal business have reportedly fled.
China warns Philippines over US bases deal
China has asked the Philippines to avoid being "taken advantage of" by the United States after the Southeast Asian nation agreed to give US military forces access to four new bases.
Sushi conveyor belt pranks spark outrage in Japan
A handful of unhygienic pranks at sushi conveyor belt restaurants in Japan have sparked stock slumps, venue overhauls and legal action, along with furious social media commentary.
Two arrested, 5.7m speed pills seized in Chiang Mai
CHIANG MAI: Two members of a drug caravan were arrested, with 5.7 million methamphetamine pills and 6.6 kilogrammes of raw opium seized, following a clash with soldiers along the Thai-Myanmar border in Chiang Dao district.
Malaysia faces 'inconvenient truth' on clean energy goals
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Chuan Zhen Ko's passion for clean energy and climate change was first ignited by his university lecturers and watching the 2006 Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth", starring former US Vice-President Al Gore.
Unsafe dust levels in 43 provinces, including Bangkok
Forty-three provinces, including Bangkok and its suburbs, remain blanketed in smog, with PM2.5 dust levels over the safe limit of 50 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3) on Friday morning, the Pollution Control Department reported.
Officials optimistic over Laos borders
The Commerce Ministry is bullish about bilateral trade with Laos after officials recently met their counterparts to accelerate the reopening of four border checkpoints opposite Thailand's Nong Khai province.
Myanmar labourers repatriated
RANONG: Myanmar authorities visited Ranong to repatriate 670 illegal workers after they held a protest on Jan 28 about being detained and demanded they be returned to their homeland, marking the biggest such transfer of immigrant workers to date in the province.
Pheu Thai unveils prospective picks
The Pheu Thai Party on Thursday announced the names of 61 people who intend to run as party candidates in the next general election.
Pentagon tracking Chinese spy balloon over US
WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said Thursday that it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the United States that appeared to be surveilling highly sensitive nuclear weapons sites.
France arrests suspected Italian mafia killer after 16 years on run: Interpol
SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France: A convicted Italian killer, believed to belong to one of the country's most powerful mafia organisations, was arrested on Thursday in France after 16 years on the run, Interpol said.
Poland expects 40 nations to oppose Russian athletes at Olympics
WARSAW: Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk on Thursday said he expected several dozen nations to come out against the inclusion of athletes from Russia and Belarus in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
EV battery excise tax to be reduced to 1%
A national committee on electronic vehicle policy, also known as the EV board, on Thursday agreed in principle on a proposal to lower the excise tax on EV batteries from the current 8% to just 1% while offering a 24-billion-baht subsidy to the EV battery-producing industry.
Asian equities jump on Fed hints
Asian stock markets broadly advanced on Thursday as currencies rose following Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell mention that the US central bank might soon shift its focus from taming inflation to curbing the economic slowdown.
