German leader urges US to repair ties with Europe
MUNICH - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged on Friday that a rift had opened up between Europe and the United States but issued an appeal to Washington: “Let’s repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”

Thailand pushes to arrest plunging birth rate
Authorities are launching a new push to address Thailand’s collapsing birth rate, now the lowest in 75 years, with a focus on ensuring that every pregnancy is safe, voluntary and fully supported.

Chiang Mai airport traffic reaches post-Covid peak
CHIANG MAI - The number of daily passengers using Chiang Mai Airport as reached a new post-pandemic high, underlining the city’s status as a tourist hub in northern Thailand.

Malaysia fencing Thai border ‘rat routes’ with barbed wire
Malaysia has started installing security wire at illegal passes along the river border opposite Narathiwat province in Thailand to tackle cross-border crimes.

Russia-Ukraine talks set for Geneva on Feb 17-18
KYIV - Russia and Ukraine will hold US-brokered talks on February 17-18 in Geneva, both countries said Friday, announcing the next leg in fraught negotiations seeking to end the four-year war.

Ballot barcodes don’t breach secrecy, says poll body
The Election Commission (EC) has defended the use of barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers, saying the features are lawful security measures used to combat forgery, manage ballot stocks and prevent mismatches between voter numbers and ballots used.

Ukraine racer appeals Olympic helmet ban
MILAN - Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych said he hoped “truth would prevail” as he appealed to sport’s highest court on Friday following his Olympic ban, as US figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin eyed a second gold of the Milan-Cortina Games.

PM Anutin weds long-time partner
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul married his long-time partner Thananon Niramit in an intimate ceremony at his private residence in Bangkok on Friday morning, with family members and a senior government official serving as witnesses. It is Mr Anutin’s third marriage.

Palestine activists win legal challenge against UK ban
LONDON - London’s high court on Friday upheld a challenge to a government ban on activist group Palestine Action, saying the proscription had interfered with the right to freedom of speech.

Pheu Thai backs Bhumjaithai to lead coalition government
The Pheu Thai Party has formally pledged support for the Bhumjaithai Party to take the lead in forming a new government, with Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul saying both sides are ready to put past differences behind them and move forward together.