The cabinet on Tuesday scrapped a plan to create additional holidays next year to promote tourism in Thailand, as ministers fretted about disruption of economic activity.

BEIRUT (LEBANON) - Thousands of Lebanese faithful were making their way to Beirut's waterfront ahead of Pope Leo XIV's mass on Tuesday morning, the highlight of the Catholic leader's visit to the capital expected to draw huge crowds.

HONG KONG — When Jacky Lee first heard about a raging fire at the Hong Kong housing estate where she lived, she rushed back to save Jason, her 15-year-old grey poodle still at home, fearing she would never see him again.

NEW DELHI - India has ordered smartphone makers to pre-install a government-run cyber security application that cannot be removed, a move that has raised concerns about users' privacy.

Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum has reassured Thai business operators that the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm will be lifted in time for the New Year holiday.

The cabinet on Tuesday scrapped a plan to create additional holidays next year to promote tourism in Thailand, as ministers fretted about disruption of economic activity.

Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum has reassured Thai business operators that the ban on alcohol sales between 2pm and 5pm will be lifted in time for the New Year holiday.

Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn stands by his claim that police make up the largest criminal organisation and rejects the national police office’s defamation complaint against him.

Thick smog reached seriously harmful (red) levels in Bangkok and 12 provinces in the Central Plains and the East on Tuesday morning when most parts of Thailand were shrouded with unsafe levels of air pollution.

The government planning unit is crafting a comprehensive strategy for the "silver economy", a market valued at 2.45 trillion baht and projected to grow significantly as the nation transitions to an aged society.