United States
- Thailand News
US pledges boost in semiconductor investment for Thailand
To ramp up global semiconductor production, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo promised investment in Thailand’s manufacturing sector. Raimondo, speaking at an event in Bangkok hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, asserted that Thailand stood to benefit significantly from increased US investment in semiconductor production, stating that American firms were poised to supercharge their investments in the nation. Highlighting the…
- World News
The man in the iron lung passes away at 78
In a tale of resilience and triumph over adversity, Paul Alexander, widely known as the man in the iron lung breathed his last at the age of 78. His life, encapsulated within the confines of a metal cylinder since his battle with polio in 1952, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of perseverance and achievement. Contracting polio at the tender age of…
- Business News
US plans to reinstate GSP scheme for Thailand, to help trade relations
The United States signalled its intent to reinstate the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) scheme for Thailand, as disclosed by Thailand’s Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. This development comes after the scheme expired in 2020. Phumtham’s statement emerged following a strategic dialogue with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and a representative from the President’s Export Council. The dialogue served as…
- Thailand News
Mid-air tyre fiasco: United Airlines jet loses wheel (video)
In a heart-stopping incident, a tyre from a United Airlines plane departing from San Francisco International Airport went rogue mid-air, hurtling down onto a parking lot nearby. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel confirmed the tyre, dislodged from Japan-bound United Flight 35, crash-landed in an airport employee parking zone, wreaking havoc on multiple vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the alarming…
- Thailand News
US woman detained for Thai restaurant fatal shooting and robbery
A woman was apprehended and slapped with a staggering US$100,000 (approximately 3.6 million baht) cash bail by the Department of Corrections in the US for her involvement in a fatal shooting and robbery outside a local Thai restaurant. Jenna Manibusan’s alleged shooting and robbery of Sumittra Lairopi triggered a cascade of legal proceedings, escalating into a gripping courtroom drama. A…
- Thailand News
A romantic marriage proposal meets a raccoon (video)
A romantic marriage proposal unexpectedly turned into a social media sensation, amassing over 25 million views, after an inquisitive raccoon photobombed the crucial moment. While a woman was capturing her friend’s proposal in a beautifully lit garden, the camera inadvertently panned to a raccoon lurking behind the fence, stealing the spotlight and causing a stir online. As the unsuspecting couple…
- Thailand News
TAT urges government to extend tourist visas
Thailand is seeking to revolutionise its tourism sector, urging the government to extend visa-free stays for long-haul tourists, including those from the United States and Europe. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to elevate long-haul revenue to a whopping 40% of the country’s total in 2024. Thailand’s Deputy Governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, Siripakorn…
- Aviation News
Alaska Airlines grounds fleet of Boeing 737-9 after in-flight incident (video)
Alaska Airlines grounded its entire fleet of Boeing 737-9 aircraft following a mid-air incident where part of one plane fell off in-flight, causing an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. The incident, which occurred shortly after take-off, resulted in severe cabin pressure changes due to a hole but did not result in any serious injuries. The plane was at an altitude…
- Thailand News
LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand
When a Los Angeles-based orthodontist‘s dream Thai vacation took a horrifying turn, it shocked social media with her Instagram and TikTok followers expressing their concern and support. Dr Cara Hodgson, boasting a considerable online following of 25,500 on Instagram and 97,000 on TikTok, usually shares glimpses of her jet-setting lifestyle and dental tips. However, her recent revelation about a life-threatening…
- World News
Twins born in different years mark unique start to 2024 at New Jersey hospital
The birth of twin boys in the United States at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in New Jersey marked an extraordinary start to 2024. Despite being born only 40 minutes apart, their birth years differ by one. The first sibling, Ezra, arrived on December 31 last year at 11.48pm, weighing 2.72 kilogrammes, while the second, Ezekiel, was born in the early moments of…
- Thailand News
From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey
Suwanee Lennon‘s incredible life story takes us from the shadows of a leprosy colony in Thailand to the vibrant kitchens of her American home. Suwanee Lennon’s life began in the heart of Bangkok, within a leprosy colony that stood as a symbol of fear and isolation. Now, she’s a wife, mother, food blogger, and photographer who uses the power of…
- World News
Teacher turned temptress: Former English teacher claims husband encouraged racy photos online
A former English teacher has been ousted from St Clair High School in Missouri, US, for selling explicit content. Brianna Coppage, now thriving in the adult content arena, recently bared all on the Fresh and Fit, After Hours podcast, where she delved into her transformation from the classroom to the boudoir. The bombshell dropped as a response to a discussion…
- World News
Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast mourns the loss of beloved co-star Andre Braugher at 61 (video)
The vibrant world of Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been dimmed as the beloved Andre Braugher, aka Captain Raymond Holt, has passed away at the age of 61. The cast paid homage to their co-star’s legacy, sharing cherished memories and celebrating the man behind the iconic character. The news of Andre Braugher’s passing shocked the entertainment world, leaving the cast of Brooklyn…
- Thailand News
US Google Maps nightmare: Desert detours lead drivers to nowhere, stranding them for hours
Google Maps has left motorists stranded on treacherous desert roads, turning what should have been a smooth drive between Los Angeles and Las Vegas into a nightmare. Apologies have been issued, but for some, the damage is already done. Shelby Easler and her family set out on the well-trodden path from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to catch the thrilling…
- Crime News
Ex-cop charged with George Floyd’s murder stabbed in federal prison
Derek Chauvin, the disgraced former Minneapolis police officer convicted in the George Floyd murder case, has found himself on the wrong end of violence behind bars. The ex-cop was stabbed at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona yesterday (November 24). The Federal Bureau of Prisons has officially confirmed the stabbing incident at the Tucson prison, though keeping mum on Chauvin’s identity.…
- Thailand News
Unveiling the true story of the first Thanksgiving
The annual American holiday of Thanksgiving falls on November 23 (tomorrow) this year, marking the day when early settlers in America celebrated their survival almost 400 years ago with the assistance of divine intervention. Historians continue to investigate the events of the first Thanksgiving, which took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The location is now home to a thriving historical museum,…
- World News
Maine shooting sparks hunt for 40 year old gunman
A man armed with a rifle stormed a bar and restaurant, resulting in at least 16 deaths and at least 50 injuries in Lewiston, Maine, US. The shooting incident occurred yesterday at 6.56pm local time (5.56am Thailand time) at a restaurant and a bowling alley, according to local police. The suspect has been named as 40 year old Robert Card…
- World News
US Federal Reserve poised to raise interest rates for inflation control
The chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, announced last Friday that they are prepared to increase interest rates further if needed. The central bank aims to maintain high rates until inflation approaches its 2% target. Powell highlighted that despite the recent decline of inflation from its peak, it remains excessively high. In his address to the annual symposium of…
- World News
Texas tot triggers turmoil with unloaded handgun in kindergarten
A kindergarten in San Antonio, Texas, was thrown into disarray as an unloaded handgun was discovered in the backpack of a three year old pupil. The child’s father, identified later as Pete Robles, was subsequently arrested today, sparking widespread controversy. The alarming incident was reported on Tuesday at the San Antonio Pre-K Center, with no injuries or security risks highlighted.…
- World News
Foot-shooting frenzy: US keeps stoking the flames of war with China (video)
Call it what you will: Shooting yourself in the foot, scoring an own goal, or simply provoking a bear in a cage with a big stick, the United States continues to stoke the flames of war with China. A day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a bid to ease tensions between the…
- Business News
Binance.US drops dollar trading amid banking partners’ withdrawal
Binance.US, the American subsidiary of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced that it will cease offering trading services in United States dollars. This decision comes after the company’s banking partners withdrew support due to pressure from federal regulators. The inability to trade in US dollars is a significant setback for Binance.US, as one of the primary functions of a cryptocurrency…
- Thailand News
US SEC sues Binance for deception, crypto market takes a hit
Cryptocurrencies and shares in blockchain-related firms experienced a sharp decline following the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. The SEC accused Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao of secretly controlling Binance.US, inflating trading volumes, diverting customer funds, and failing to restrict US customers from its platform. This has led to a drop…
- World News
Supreme Court grants Slack reprieve in shareholder lawsuit over 2019 direct listing
The US Supreme Court has granted Slack Technologies, a subsidiary of Salesforce, an opportunity to evade a shareholder lawsuit regarding the company’s 2019 direct listing. In a unanimous ruling, the court overturned a previous decision that allowed Fiyyaz Pirani’s proposed class action lawsuit to proceed, citing an incorrect interpretation of federal investor protection law. The San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit…
- World News
US House passes bill to suspend US$31.4tn debt ceiling, averts default
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to suspend the US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting the measure to avoid a catastrophic default. The legislation now moves to the Senate, which must enact it and get it to President Joe Biden‘s desk before the government runs out of funds to pay its bills. The…
- Politics News
US-Taiwan trade deal signing set to escalate Beijing-Washington tensions
Taipei has announced that the United States and Taiwan are set to sign a trade agreement, a move that is expected to increase tensions between Beijing and Washington over the island. The Office of Trade Negotiations in Taipei stated that the first set of agreements under “The US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade” would be signed in Washington, without providing…
- Business News
Biden and McCarthy hold productive talks on US debt ceiling deal
Negotiations between Democratic President Joe Biden and top congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy have progressed as both parties aim to reach a deal to raise the United States’ US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling and prevent a catastrophic default. Following a four-hour meeting at the White House, McCarthy stated that negotiations had improved and would continue. Although several issues remain unresolved, he predicted…
- World News
Biden, McCarthy in debt ceiling talks as US default risk looms
US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met at the White House yesterday to discuss raising the US government’s US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with the US economy at risk if no agreement is reached within 10 days. The Democratic president and the top congressional Republican have struggled to make progress on a deal, as McCarthy pressures the White…
- Business News
Micron to invest £3.7bn in Japan’s EUV tech for advanced chip production
Micron Technology revealed planned yesterday to invest up to 500 billion yen (US$3.7 billion) in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology in the coming years, supported by the Japanese government. The advanced EUV lithography chip-making machines will be utilised to manufacture 1-gamma chips, which are essential for the mass production of materials used in complex applications such as image processing networks. The…
- Business News
FTX founder eyes Supreme Court ruling in bid to dismiss fraud charges
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is seeking to use a recent Supreme Court ruling to strengthen his defence against fraud charges related to the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange. However, legal experts have suggested that the chances of having the charges dismissed remain low. Bankman-Fried requested on May 8 that most of the charges against him be dropped, arguing that some…
- World News
Montana becomes first US state to ban TikTok over Chinese surveillance fears
Montana becomes the first US state to ban the Chinese-owned TikTok app, with Governor Greg Gianforte signing legislation that prohibits Google and Apple’s app stores from offering it within the state’s borders. The ban is set to take effect on January 1, 2024. TikTok, which has over 150 million American users, has faced increasing calls for a nationwide ban due…
- Business News
Biden and McCarthy near deal to avoid US debt default
United States President Joe Biden and leading congressional Republican Kevin McCarthy moved closer to striking a deal to avert the impending US debt default yesterday. Despite the two sides remaining far apart on an agreement to increase the debt ceiling, McCarthy expressed optimism that a deal could be reached by the end of the week. While Democrats were less positive…
- World News
CIA seeks Russian whistleblowers with emotional Telegram video
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ramped up its efforts to encourage Russians to disclose their country’s secrets, releasing a poignant video on Telegram targeting individuals dissatisfied with President Vladimir Putin‘s regime. The brief video portrays a Russian bureaucrat and a woman at home with a child, both seemingly discontent with their lives, and asks if this is what they had…
- World News
G7 finance leaders gather amid US debt ceiling standoff and recession fears
A standoff over raising the US debt ceiling overshadowed a meeting of Group of Seven (G7) finance leaders, heightening US recession fears as central banks seek a soft landing for the global economy. President Joe Biden recently urged Republican lawmakers to move quickly to raise the limit on the government’s permitted borrowing from the current US$31.4 trillion or risk throwing…
- Business News
Former Coinbase product manager sentenced in first cryptocurrency insider trading case
In a landmark legal decision, a former Coinbase Global Inc. product manager has been sentenced to two years in prison in what is being deemed the United State’s first case of insider trading involving cryptocurrency. Ishan Wahi, 32 years old, received his sentence from US District Judge Loretta Preska in a Manhattan federal court yesterday after pleading guilty to two…
- Business News
Biden meets Republican leaders in bid to resolve US debt limit impasse
A significant meeting took place between President Joe Biden and Republican leaders yesterday, with the hope of breaking the deadlock over the US debt limit, which could have repercussions in the upcoming presidential election. The key gathering had President Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell discussing the national debt ceiling, which currently stands at US$31.4…