World News
World news, global politics, business, technology, and culture—stay updated with breaking stories, international trends, and major events. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for global news.
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Ukraine won’t surrender Mariupol; Zelensky calls Israeli MPs; 25% of Ukrainians flee home; Pope visits children
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth weeks, here are the latest headlines… • Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister rejected Russia’s demand to give up the strategic port city of Mariupol by 5am Monday morning Moscow time (4 am Monday in Mariupol). The Russian Ministry of Defence had offered to open humanitarian corridors in exchange for a surrender of the…
-
Thailand is the 61st happiest country in the world
On a list of 146 countries on the World Happiness Index, Thailand ranks at 61. Finland was ranked the happiest country, while Afghanistan was ranked least happy. Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for five years in a row. An editor of the World Happiness Report said after the Covid-19 pandemic, all three acts labeled “acts…
-
Blood and organ harvesting claims by Thai woman in Cambodia were fake
“A Thai woman alleges organ harvesters in Cambodia drew her blood and were about to cut her open when she was rescued.” Except it didn’t happen. The woman fabricated the entire story. Thairath.co.th yesterday reported that the Thai woman, who had claimed to have been the victim of ‘organ harvesting’ in Sihanoukville, Cambodia had confessed to inventing the whole incident. She…
-
AirAsia to resume Malaysia-Thailand flights, open 3 routes in April and May
AirAsia plans to resume international flights from Malaysia to Thailand, with 3 new routes opening in April and May. The three new routes include Penang-Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur-Hat Yai on April 13, and Johor Bahru-Bangkok on May 3, according to an announcement on the airline’s website on Tuesday. In an effort to provide passengers with more options to travel to…
-
Satun border between Thailand and Malaysia to reopen in April
The Satun border between Thailand and Malaysia will reopen on April 1 to all cross-border traffic. Thailand’s CCSA announced yesterday that more entry points will also be opened under the Test & Go and Sandbox schemes. These entry points include the sea port in Surat Thani for registered Thai vessels and Thai crews, as well as the airports in Hat…
-
Over 100 Thais apply to give stranded Ukrainians shelter, donate 5 million baht
Ukraine’s charge d’affaires to Thailand announced at a press conference yesterday that over 100 Thais have applied to give free accommodation to Ukrainians stranded in Thailand. The charge d’affaires added that there are over 3,000 Ukrainians stranded in Thailand. He said the Ukraine launched a website to provide free accommodation to Ukrainians stranded abroad. Thais submitted over 100 proposals on the…
-
Myanmar to reopen April 17 to travellers from abroad
After two years, Myanmar will finally allow international tourists to enter the country starting April 17. Visitors must be fully vaccinated, and will be required to quarantine for a week, according to the country’s health ministry. They will also have to take two RT-PCR tests. Apart from the ongoing violence against its own citizens and the current military government unrecognised…
-
Shenzhen now has more billionaires than New York, China has most in world
Shenzhen in China now has more billionaires than New York City. Meanwhile, China has 1,133 listed “billionaires”, more billionaires (measured in USD) than any other country in the world. These 1,133 Shenzhen billionaires make up 34% of the world’s 3,381 billionaires. This is despite the fact China lost 160 of its billionaires in a government crackdown last year. The crackdown…
-
Australia plans to sue Facebook owner over scam ads for cryptocurrency
Australian officials are suing Facebook’s owner, Meta Platforms, over scam ads for cryptocurrency schemes. The ads feature well-known Australians, including a politician and a businessman, who they claim endorse the schemes. In reality, the figures never endorsed the schemes, or approved the ads. Australia’s consumer protection commission said the ads also contained links to fake articles with quotes claiming to…
-
Swedish woman who hid child in Thailand sentenced to prison
A Swedish woman who was arrested by Thai police in January has been sentenced to one year and three months in prison in Sweden for hiding her child in Thailand for over a year. The woman lost her custody battle with the child’s father but disappeared with the child in December 2019 before the court’s decision was enforced. The woman…
-
Bleaching damages Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, corals drained of colour
Bleaching has damaged Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, including in its marine park. Bleaching occurs when rising ocean temperatures drain corals of their colours. Marine park authorities say the bleaching is “widespread” across multiple regions, ranging from minor to severe. High sea temperatures have caused bleaching in the reef since 1997, and many corals struggle to survive. Meanwhile, starfish also eat…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Russian offensive stalled, attacks civilians; Putin warns ‘traitors’; Turkey plays mediator
As Russia’s faltering military campaign enters its fourth week, here’s the latest headlines from the war in Ukraine… • More than a thousand people were sheltering in the bombed Mariupol theater. Civilians are said to be emerging alive from the ruins of the theatre, according to Ukrainian authorities. Between 1,000 and 1,200 people may have been inside, the city’s deputy…
-
Asia News Today | Record Covid cases in South Korea, Japan and Australia add extra Russia sanctions
The Asia-Pacific region has been lagging behind other parts of the world, in regards to Covid recover, but now appears primed for a tourist and business travel comeback. Unlike most of North America and Europe, the omicron variant surge in most locations in the Asia-Pacific region still hasn’t peaked. Countries including South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam…
-
As residents run out of patience, Hong Kong considers easing Covid restrictions
The Hong Kong government is considering rolling back some Covid restrictions, aware that public tolerance is fading. Chief Executive Carrie Lam says that even though the infection rate is not yet declining, some restrictions could be eased, recognising that the public has had enough. “Not because the number of cases has come down, but I have a very strong feeling…
-
Kanye West blocked from Instagram for a day
Instagram has blocked Kanye West from posting, commenting, and sending messages for 24 hours, the social media company announced yesterday. Instagram also deleted some of West’s content. A spokesperson for Instagram said the content violated rules on hate speech, bullying, and harassment. American media said the post deleted targeted talk show host Trevor Noah, after Noah called West “belligerent” over…
-
Japan earthquake kills 4, injures almost 100
A 7.4 earthquake hit the northeast coast of Japan late last night, killing at least four and injuring almost 100. About 36,400 houses had no electricity this morning, although an electricity firm said most houses are expected to have electricity again later today. Japan issued a tsunami warning, but canceled it early this morning. Parts of Tokyo also lost power…
-
Cambodia stops requiring Covid-19 tests for international visitors
Today, Cambodia stopped requiring international travellers to test for Covid-19 upon entering the country. Visitors still must be fully vaccinated, with proof of vaccination, to avoid two weeks of quarantine. Cambodian authorities also plan to issue visas on arrival again, which were suspended before due to Covid-19. The country’s Ministry of Health didn’t confirm when this would start, though. Cambodia…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Biden approves military aid after Zenelsky speech; Russia strikes Mariupol theatre with children
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a speech to the US Congress on Wednesday. In a virtual address, Zelenksy repeated his plea for a no-fly zone and called for more sanctions on Russia, as Russian forces inch toward Kyiv, with intensified fighting around the capital. After Zelensky challenged him to be “the leader of peace“, US President Joe Biden pledged an additional $800…
-
Iran frees captives held for 5, 6 years
Today, Iranian authorities freed two British-Iranian nationals imprisoned in the country for five and six years. One captive, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, was arrested in 2016. The other captive, Anoosheh Ashoori, was arrested in 2017. Nazanin was a project manager for Thompson Reuters Foundation when she was arrested, and Anoosheh was a businessman. Iranian authorities accused Nazanin of trying to “overthrow” the…
-
Official assigned to “investigate” anyone who shares Lisa Blackpink’s whisky ads
The director of Thailand’s Office of the Alcohol Control Committee has been assigned to investigate anyone who shares photos of a famous Thai celebrity promoting a whisky brand. He was assigned by the Department of Disease Control, according to reporters. The celebrity, Lisa from Blackpink, is a brand ambassador for the Scotch whisky company Chivas. In Thailand, it’s illegal to…
-
1,000 Thais register to apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia
Thai and Saudi officials say labour relations between their countries are strengthening following renewed relations. Thailand’s labour minister said over 1,000 people have registered online with the Department of Employment to apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia. He claimed the final remaining step is signing a bilateral labour agreement, which is expected to occur soon. The agreement will allow Thailand…
-
Russian Embassy in Bangkok works with Thai tourism to help those stranded
The Russian embassy in Bangkok is working with Thai tourism authorities to help Russians stuck in Thailand following flight cancelations and payment problems. At a press conference yesterday, Russia’s ambassador to Thailand said 1,500 letters have been issued to extend visas for the roughly 6,500 Russians stranded across the country. This news comes after the Russian Consulate in Phuket announced…
-
Vietnam reopens borders to international tourism TODAY (a day late)
The Ides of March came and went without so much as a word on Vietnam’s much anticipated border reopening on March 15. But the news comes today, with the Ministry of Health officially announcing that foreign nationals entering Vietnam now only need to provide a negative Covid-19 test certificate to enter the country and will no longer be required to…
-
North Korea fails to launch suspected ballistic missile
North Korea fired an “unknown projectile” yesterday, which reportedly appeared to fail immediately after it was launched. The United States’ military’s Indo-Pacific Command claimed it was part of a ballistic missile launch. The command did not mention the reported failure, but condemned the launch. It urged North Korea to refrain from further “destabilising” actions. South Korean media reported that disbris…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: 3 EU PMs visit Kyiv; Peace talks ‘realistic’; 400 trapped in Mariupol hospital; US labels Putin ‘war criminal’; TV editor released
As Russia’s invasion marks three weeks, here’s the latest headlines from the war in Ukraine… • Three EU Prime Ministers visited the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Tuesday in a display of European support. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Slovenia’s Prime Minister Janez Jansa traveling by train to…
-
Malaysia launches “test and release” for vaccinated travellers from Thailand, Cambodia
Travellers from Thailand and Cambodia, who are vaccinated against Covid-19, can now enter Malaysia by air without undergoing a lengthy quarantine through the country’s Vaccinated Travel Lane, or VTL, scheme, which was first launched with Singapore. Malaysian PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently announced that the country will fully reopen borders to vaccinated travellers on April 1. Similar to Thailand’s Test…
-
United States trade dispute on solar products from Thailand, Southeast Asia
Projects in the United States might freeze over a recent dispute on solar panels imported from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Even though these countries supply the United States with about 80% of its solar imports, the United States’ Commerce Department is scheduled to probe whether the solar products are circumventing tariffs. The probe is over whether Chinese manufacturers are…
-
UN High Commissioner accuses Myanmar’s army of war crimes, including burning alive
In a new report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accused Myanmar’s army of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including burning women and children alive in Kayah State. Kayah State is home to mainly people of the Kareni, or ‘Red Karen’ ethnic group, one of the many ethnic groups fighting for autonomy in Myanmar. The report claimed the…
-
Asia News Today | Taiwanese army reserves on high alert
Hundreds of Taiwanese army reserves have carried out training exercises after a call from the Taiwanese president calling for “unity” as the island keeps an eye on China’s reaction to the invasion of Ukraine. Taiwan has kept its military reservists on high alert over the past year.About 400 personnel took part in target training and combat simulations yesterday in efforts…
-
NFL great Tom Brady ends 40 day retirement, inspired by Ronaldo hat trick
He’s back! (But he never really left.) The legendary American football player Tom Brady has announced his return to the NFL after a brief 40-day retirement. Brady, 44, is considered the greatest quarterback of all time with a record seven Super Bowl titles. He announced his (un) surprising U-turn on Twitter, saying… “These past two months I’ve realized my place…
Broke? Find employment in Southeast Asia with JobCute Thailand and SmartJob Indonesia. Rich? Invest in real estate across Asia with FazWaz Property Group or get out on a yacht anywhere with Boatcrowd. Even book medical procedures worldwide with MyMediTravel, all powered by DB Ventures.