HAVANA - Cubans expressed their shock and indignation after the United States indicted former president Raul Castro on murder charges, a stunning new escalation by President Donald Trump of pressure on the communist state.

The State Railway of Thailand says it has suspended two more employees from safety-related duties after they tested positive for drugs, as part of a stepped-up screening programme following the fatal train-bus collision in Bangkok on Saturday.

JERUSALEM - Hundreds of activists seized by Israel from a Gaza-bound flotilla were awaiting deportation on Thursday, as global outrage grows over their treatment in custody.

BRUSSELS - The euro zone economy will expand less than expected this year, the European Commission said on Thursday, as the Middle East war and subsequent energy shock take their toll.

SHENZHEN — Cambodian authorities have raided two buildings in Phnom Penh's Prince Plaza Centre, which is linked to extradited Chinese billionaire Chen Zhi, and detained 104 individuals, including 82 Chinese nationals, local media reported.

Thailand’s ⁠consumer ⁠watchdog will file a civil ​suit against the local unit of Volvo Cars over battery-related fires ​in its EX30 model, ‌an official said after a meeting between customers and the carmaker failed to reach an agreement.

KATHMANDU - A record number of 274 climbers scaled Mount Everest on Wednesday, a hiking official said, the highest number ever to reach the world’s tallest peak on the same day from the ​Nepali side.

The Thai government is pushing to integrate esports into schools nationwide, changing the perception from mere entertainment into a tool for preparing “digital human capital” for the global creative industry.

The backpackers on Khao San Road, the Bangkok thoroughfare beloved by budget travellers, are waking up this week with an extra headache: the government is preparing to shorten the length of visa-free stays.

People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has suggested that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul consider inviting French President Emmanuel Macron to visit Thailand, saying such a visit could help facilitate dialogue on Thai-Cambodian issues.