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.
-
Deaths due to Covid-19 pandemic much higher than reported figures, study shows
The Covid-19 death toll is much higher than what has been officially reported, according to a recent analysis published in The Lancet, a medical journal. The analysis estimates that the global number of fatalities related to the Covid-19 pandemic reached 18.2 million by December 31, 2021, which triples the number of deaths reported at 5.94 million. The findings were based…
-
Thai Armed Forces warn that Russia will sanction APEC trade bloc if war continues
With Thailand chairing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade bloc this year, the Thai Armed Forces have warned Russia is likely to impose sanctions if the war on Ukraine continues. “If the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, economic sanctions on APEC will emerge.” The trade block is made up of the US, Russia, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand,…
-
Powerful earthquake hits Indonesian island of Sumatra, no tsunami threat
The island of Sumatra, off Indonesia’s west coast, has been hit by a strong earthquake, which struck at 04.09am this morning. However, Indonesian geophysics agency says the 6.7 quake was not powerful enough to trigger a tsunami. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre had reported the quake as being of magnitude 6.8 and at a depth of 40 kilometres. According to…
-
Thousands of Russians stranded in Thailand due to flight cancellations, sanctions
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says thousands of Russian holidaymakers are stranded in the kingdom as flight cancellations and sanctions over the war on Ukraine hit hard. According to Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya from the TAT, there are currently 3,100 Russian tourists stranded on Phuket, over 2,000 on Koh Samui, as well as Russian holidaymakers in Krabi, Phang Nga, and…
-
Kanchanaburi fishery official allegedly smuggled migrants from Myanmar
Police caught a fishery official at a checkpoint in Kanchanaburi province allegedly smuggling three migrant women from Myanmar into Thailand. Police say the official confessed to illegal transporting the women across the border. All were taken to Muang district police for legal proceedings. The Burmese women were charged with illegal entry and the official with helping foreigners enter the country…
-
Ukraine president vows to defend Kyiv “relentlessly”
Even though Russian forces have killed at least 579 Ukrainian civilians in its now 18-day long invasion, Ukraine isn’t going down without a fight. The country’s president vowed “relentless defense” in the capital city of Kyiv last night, despite Russian troops advancing so far that there are fears of Kyiv becoming encircled “imminently”. AFP journalists say Russians are meeting resistance…
-
YouTube blocks Russian state media across the globe
Youtube is now blocking Russian state media channels all around the world. At first, Youtube only banned Russian media in Europe. Youtube’s guidelines prohibit content that minimalises, trivialises, or denies well-documented violent events. As a part of this guideline, the channel said it will now block content that denies the invasion, or claims it is a ‘peacekeeping operation’. “In line…
-
Four Afghan women win scholarships to Bangkok university
Despite living under the Taliban’s grip, four Afghan women have won scholarships to study at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok. The women were chosen based on their academic records, and determination to promote women’s participation in Afghan society. The executive director of the Thai Pipe Industry told the Bangkok Post the women will be role models and mentors to…
-
After missile accidentally fired, Pakistan warns India “Be mindful of consequences”
After accidentally firing a missile into Pakistan on Wednesday, India’s military blames a “technical malfunction”. The military called the misfire “deeply regrettable”. Pakistan’s foreign ministry condemned the missile as an unprovoked violation by a ‘super-sonic flying object’. India’s charge d’affaires in Islamabad has now been summoned to the foreign office to counter Pakistan’s claim. The Indian military did not say…
-
Russian soldiers kidnap Ukrainian mayor, president compares to Islamic State
10 Russian soldiers kidnapped mayor Ivan Fedorov of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol yesterday. Ukrainian parliament members allege the soldiers kidnapped him when he was at the city’s crisis centre dealing with supply issues. In a video message last night, Ukraine’s president confirmed the kidnapping, and described the mayor as a brave man who defends his community. “This is obviously…
-
Phuket call centre for Russians and Ukrainians gets positive reviews
Russians and Ukrainians stranded in Phuket are reportedly grateful for a new call centre that Phuket authorities set up to help them. One Thai guide who speaks Russian said he took calls from both Russians and Ukrainians to help them coordinate with Phuket immigration on visa issues. “The felt that they were not abandoned”. The director of the Tourism Authority…
-
Asian News Today | Concerns over North Korean missile tests
In a follow up to yesterday’s news on the erupting Mount Merapi near Yogjakarta in Indonesia, at least 193 residents living near or on the lower slopes of Mount Merapi have returned to their homes in the past 24 hours. Nearly 250 had been evacuated in recent days as the active volcano continued rumbling and erupting ash and rock, kilometres…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Meta permits hate speech; Turkey talks end without ceasefire; Russian forces advance on Kyiv; US warns of chemical attack; EU meets in Versailles
• Russian forces have begun attacking the Ukrainian cities of Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Dnipro for the first time since the invasion began. • In a late night address, President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Moscow’s claims that Ukraine is developing chemical weapons. The US has also denied the claim as a false pretext for Russia to use chemical weapons in Ukraine.…
-
Body of Australian cricket star Shane Warne flown home to Melbourne
The body of cricket legend Shane Warne has been flown out of Bangkok, landing in his native Melbourne yesterday. According to an AFP report, a private jet transported the body of the 52-year-old, who died of a heart attack last week while on holiday on Koh Samui. After an 8-hour flight, the chartered jet touched at Melbourne’s Essendon North airport…
-
Facebook relaxes rules on violent speech during Russia’s war in Ukraine
Facebook’s parent company, Meta, says the social media giant is temporarily easing rules on violent speech as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to an AFP report, the invasion, which has been condemned around the world, has created a wave of anger on social media. However, while Facebook is making some allowances for that rage, it will not…
-
Thailand confirms neutral stance, encourages ‘dialogue’ on Russia-Ukraine
A government spokesman confirmed yesterday that Thailand will remain neutral on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The spokesman said due to the threat by Covid-19, Thailand doesn’t want any international conflict to worsen the public health crisis. He also restated what foreign ministers have said, that all parties should excersise “maximum restraint”. He stressed that PM Prayut has supported a policy of…
-
Ministry of Foreign Affairs donates 2 million baht for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved a budget of 2 million baht to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in light of the ongoing conflict which continues to cause death, injuries and damage to infrastructure. So far, 230 out of 256 Thai people who wish to leave Ukraine have already been evacuated. MFA spokesperson Thani Saengrat told the press today that…
-
Asia News Today | HK has worst Covid death rate in the world, new South Korean President
South Korea has a new President today after a nail-biting and often nasty campaign. Conservative Yoon Suk Yeol will be South Korea’s new president after Lee Jae-myung, from the ruling Democratic Party, conceded defeat last night. The opposition leader won 48.56% of the ballot, ahead of Lee’s 47.83%.Incumbent President Moon Jae-in was not permitted to run for a second term…
-
Thai woman says she narrowly escaped organ harvesting in Cambodia
A Thai woman alleges organ harvesters in Cambodia drew her blood and were about to cut her open when she was rescued. Police are now warning Thais about accepting jobs overseas as not only can they get wrapped but in an illegal scam operation, but police say organ traffickers have been known to remove kidneys, the liver, and eyes after…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Russia bombs children’s hospital, despite ceasefire; Moscow admits using conscripts, enlists TikTok influencers
As the conflict enters its third week, here’s the latest headlines from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine… • Russian forces have bombed a maternity ward and children’s hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol in southern Ukraine. The attack came despite Russia agreeing to a 12-hour ceasefire to allow civilians to flee from towns and cities. Pregnant women and children are…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Zelensky invokes Churchill; Biden bans Russian oil; civilians flee cities; McDonald’s, Starbucks close stores in Russia
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hits the two-week mark, here’s the latest headlines… • A new ceasefire in the northeastern city of Sumy is expected to allow more civilians to flee to safety. • On Tuesday, about 7,000 people were evacuated from the city, which Russian has bombarded for days. Already 22 people were killed in air strikes on the…
-
South Koreans vote for new president in scandal-filled election
In the midst of a number of scandals, South Koreans voted for a new president today. The scandals with both candidates have caused so much commotion that they have even agreed to not investigate each other if they win the election. Both candidates’ wives have publicly apologised for separate scandals. The conservative candidate, Yoon Suk Yeol, used to be a…
-
Asia News Today | Malaysia refuses to add sanctions on Russia & Stranded Russians in Thailand
South Korea, heading to the polls tomorrow for the election of the next president, has reported a new record daily high of 342,446 COVID-19 infections… no that’s not a typo. The country also reported an additional 158 Covid-related deaths. As the country goes through the final day of electioneering for, what’s been a toxic and nasty campaign, more than a…
-
China’s military budget increases 7.1% in 2022, Taiwan not afraid
China has allotted 1.45 trillion yuan for military spending in 2022. That’s the equivalent of US$229.5 billion and a whooping 17 times Taiwan’s defense spending for the year, according to a report by the Taipei Times. On Saturday, the Chinese Ministry of Finance issued a statement saying the nation’s defense budget would increase 7.1 percent from last year, signaling a…
-
Ambassador says Thailand must adapt tourism for Russians in current crisis
Even though 6,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists are stuck in Thailand due to the current crisis, Thailand’s ambassador to Russia said Thailand needs to form new tourism tactics for them. The ambassador told the Bangkok Post Thailand should adapt tourism to help with Russians’ needs in the current crisis. One idea he suggested was an app to let Russians use…
-
Body of cricket star Warne in Bangkok, awaiting repatriation to Australia
Thai police say the body of cricketer Shane Warne is in Bangkok, awaiting repatriation to his native Australia. Warne died of a suspected heart attack last Friday, while on holiday on Koh Samui. He was 52 years old and had a history of congenital disease, according to a Reuters report. Deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen says Australian consular officials are…
-
Thailand finalising ‘Vaccinated Travel Lane’ details with Malaysia, to open mid-March
Thailand and Malaysia tourism officials are finalising the details of a “vaccinated travel lane” entry scheme, which would eliminate quarantine for vaccinated travellers arriving by plane between the two Southeast Asian nations. The new travel scheme is projected to open from mid-March, with at least 10 daily return flights. Good progress is reportedly being made in finalising the details at…
-
UKRAINE UPDATES: Civilians unable to evacuate; UN calls for safe passages; new ceasefire proposed; Moscow threatens to cut off natural gas to Europe
Here’s the latest from Ukraine, as the Russian invasion enters its 13th day… • Russian shelling continues to prevent the evacuation of civilians from besieged cities including Kyiv, Mariupol, Volnovakha, Sumy and Kharkiv. Fears are mounting for civilians trapped in Ukrainian cities as the Russian onslaught continues. • Meanwhile, the UN humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, has called on Russia and…
-
Bali re-opens to vaccinated foreign arrivals following lifting of quarantine
The Indonesian island of Bali has welcomed its first international tourists after dropping a mandatory quarantine requirement. As Covid-19 cases in the country continue to drop, officials are easing entry restrictions, hoping to welcome back the tourists who visited in their millions, pre-pandemic. According to a Reuters report, the island welcomed 6.2 million overseas visitors in 2019. Bali first re-opened…
-
Booking.com predicts bumpy recovery for travel in Asia-Pacific region
Online travel agency Booking.com says travel in the Asia-Pacific region will be slow to recover as a number of countries adopt a more cautious approach to re-opening. Laura Houldsworth, MD for Asia-Pacific, says while some countries in Southeast Asia are starting to re-open, with various levels of paperwork and restrictions, most North Asian destinations still have significant entry restrictions in…
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.