Showing 1 - 10 of 10,000
China has slashed air pollution, but the 'war' isn't over
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» BEIJING — Fifteen years ago, Beijing's Liangma riverbanks would have been smog-choked and deserted in winter, but these days they are dotted with families and exercising pensioners most mornings.
UN experts link Guatemala's attorney general to illegal adoptions
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» GUATEMALA CITY — United Nations (UN) experts on Monday called for an investigation into Guatemala's Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras for possible involvement in illegal adoptions of Indigenous children in the 1980s, during the country's civil war.
Iran, United States set for new talks in Geneva
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» GENEVA — President Donald Trump warned Iran of potential consequences should it fail to strike a deal with the United States, as negotiators prepare for the latest round of talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
France loosens rules on allowing farmers to shoot wolves
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» VAL-DE-MEUSE — The French government said Monday it would authorise the shooting of wolves that attack livestock even outside protected enclosures, a policy shift welcomed by farmers, a powerful and increasingly disgruntled constituency.
France grants safe haven to anti-Kremlin couple detained by ICE
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» PARIS — France has granted safe haven to an anti-Kremlin Russian activist couple detained by ICE in the United States, but his wife was nowhere to be found after he landed in Paris on Monday. After France issued the couple humanitarian visas to avoid them being deported to Russia, Alexei Ishimov, 31, arrived in Paris from Seattle on Monday morning, Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondents saw.
Hotel operators call for restructure of land tax
Business, Narumon Kasemsuk, Published on 17/02/2026
» Hotel operators believe requesting land and building tax discounts on a yearly basis will not help the business sector reduce its fixed‑cost burden in the long run, and urged the government to revise this tax structure to be based on revenue, similar to the previous property tax.
Council sees tourism as key driver of GDP
Business, Molpasorn Shoowong, Published on 17/02/2026
» The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) expects the tourism industry to be a major driver of GDP growth this year as flights and arrivals continue to rebound, though rising untaxed online travel agents and illegal foreign operators continue to limit the full benefits of the rebound.
Gulf Development increases Kasikornbank stake to 10%
Business, Nuntawun Polkuamdee, Published on 17/02/2026
» A move by Gulf Development Plc (GULF) to raise its shareholding in Kasikornbank (KBank) to 10% is seen as a calculated effort to balance financial optimisation with long-term strategic positioning, while carefully navigating regulatory constraints, analysts say.
NCB frets over potential uptick in informal debt
Business, Somruedi Banchongduang, Published on 17/02/2026
» The National Credit Bureau (NCB) has expressed concern about a potential rise in informal debt amid subdued loan growth in the banking sector and an easing household debt-to-GDP ratio.
Economy has 'left ICU', says finance chief
Business, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Nareerat Wiriyapong and Somhatai Mosika, Published on 17/02/2026
» Thailand's economy has now "left the intensive care unit [ICU]", reflected in fourth-quarter growth of 2.5%, which surpassed the earlier projection of 1.8% and lifted full-year 2025 growth to 2.4%, above the 2% forecast, said caretaker finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.