Panama ex-dictator Noriega suffers possible stroke
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was taken from his prison cell to a public hospital for treatment following a possible stroke, officials said. The 77-year-old Noriega was taken to the Hospital Santo Tomas after suffering “hypertension with a possibility of a stroke,” national police said in a statement that did not elaborate on his condition. “He had [...]

US seeks ‘clarification’ on Egypt activist trials
The United States demanded “clarification” over Cairo’s apparent plans to put dozens of pro-democracy activists, including 19 Americans, on trial over charges of illegal funding of aid groups. US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Washington was “deeply concerned” over the developments, which threatened to further strain ties with Egypt’s post-Arab Spring military rulers. A top official [...]

Landslide win for new Finnish president Niinistoe
Finland’s conservative pro-European Sauli Niinistoe won Finland’s presidential election on Sunday, easily defeating Green liberal challenger Pekka Haavisto as had been widely expected. ‘It looks like Niinistoe has won,’ Mr Haavisto conceded to Finnish public television YLE. ‘More than one million people have supported me and I’m quite satisfied with that,’ he added. Mr Niinistoe was credited with [...]

PM to review work on flood ‘trail’
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit provinces on the flood “trail” next week to inspect the progress of flood-prevention measures, PM’s Office Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal said yesterday. Nivatthamrong said Yingluck and members of her Cabinet would visit Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Lop Buri, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani from February 13 to 17. The tour aims [...]

Thammasat University to review Nitirat ban
Board is not looking to shorten educational freedom, rector insists After reception clever criticism, Thammasat University’s senior manager house will subsequent week examination a fortitude to anathema campaigning to rectify a law upon lese majeste upon a campuses. Thammasat rector Somkid Lertpaitoon pronounced a university’s fortitude final Monday had supporters as well as opponents, so a house [...]

Teachers ’should be assessed by pupils’
Children should rate performances of masters in classes, newminister says New Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvech sees teachers as service providers in the education industry who should be subjected to performance appraisals by their students. “As ’customers’, children should be allowed to assess teachers’ performances. The performance scores will count for pay raises and academic promotions,” Suchart recently told [...]

Govt cannot afford to falter
As feared, last year’s flood crisis has led to the hasty passing of laws to help support post-flood reconstruction. Though this speediness might satisfy some people, it could derail necessary preparation for the upcoming rainy season and also ruin Thailand’s long-term attraction for foreign investors, many of whom have been hit by more than US$100 [...]

BOT likely to cut policy rate in March
Another policy rate cut is expected at the next meeting of the Bank of Thailand’s Monetary Policy Committee in March, given the external risks in Europe and the United States. There are some concerns over monetary effectiveness due to the likely rise in costs for commercial banks if their contribution to the financial authorities goes up [...]

Tanker crash ties up traffic in north Bangkok
A tanker trailer-truck containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crashed and tilted early yesterday morning at a major elevated junction in Pathum Thani, causing heavy traffic congestion across northern Bangkok before being finally sorted out without damage. During the eight-hour period beginning at 5 am, residents in a 200-metre radius of the scene had been instructed not [...]

Hilton Launches Chinese Guest Service Program
Hilton Pattaya kicked off its celebration of the Chinese New Year at Edge, the hotel’s popular all-day dining restaurant. In addition to core Hilton Huanying services and amenities, introduced by Hilton last summer, Hilton Huanying extends an authentic welcome through amenities, service standards and dedicated Hilton team-member training. Chinese travelers find familiar comforts in the [...]