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The Beloved Dog Always Sings Along With the National Anthem

A famous dog in a market in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi, stands up immediately when he hears the national anthem. It then loudly sings along with the anthem until it is finished. This behaviour has made the dog so popular with the locals.

 

Samnao Bealeum, 63, a lottery vendor who is the owner of the dog, Nomsod (meaning fresh milk), said an acquaintance of his left the dog at the beginning of 2022 to help take care of it. However, when he returned to collect the dog, it refused to go back with him.

The man then gave Nomsod to the lottery seller. Samnao said that he takes care of the dog like his child and takes it with him wherever he goes. That is why the dog is always with him when he sells the lottery at the market.

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Every time Nomsod hears the national anthem, it will stand up and make a few sounds without whining like other dogs. However, when other songs are played, Nomsod does not react as it does to the national anthem.

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US Releases Video of Russian Jet Dumping Fuel on Its Drone

This photo taken from video released on Thursday, March 16, 2023, shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, over the Black Sea, the Pentagon said. (US Department of Defense via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Pentagon on Thursday released footage of what it said was a Russian aircraft pouring fuel on a U.S. Air Force surveillance drone and clipping the drone’s propeller in international airspace over the Black Sea.

The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said. Dumping the fuel appeared to be aimed at blinding its optical instruments and driving it out of the area’

On a second approach, either the same jet or another Russian fighter that had been shadowing the MQ-9 struck the drone’s propeller, damaging one blade, according to the U.S. military.

The U.S. military said it ditched the MQ-9 Reaper in the sea after what it described as the Russian fighter making an unsafe intercept of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The video excerpt released by the Pentagon does not show events before or after the apparent fuel-dumping confrontation.

 

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley have spoken to their Russian counterparts about the destruction of the U.S. drone following the encounter with Russian fighter jets.

The calls with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov on Wednesday were the first since October.

While intercept attempts are not uncommon, the incident amid the war in Ukraine has raised concerns it could bring the United States and Russia closer to direct conflict.

That the two countries’ top defense and military leaders were talking so soon after the encounter over the Black Sea underscored its seriousness.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its report of the call with Austin that Shoigu accused the U.S. of provoking the incident by ignoring flight restrictions the Kremlin had imposed because of its military operations in Ukraine.

Russia also blamed “the intensification of intelligence activities against the interests of the Russian Federation.”

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The Pentagon has released footage of what it says is a Russian aircraft conducting an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force surveillance drone in international airspace over the Black Sea. (US Department of Defense via AP)

Such U.S. actions “are fraught with escalation of the situation in the Black Sea area,” the Russian Defense Ministry said, warning that Moscow “will respond in kind to all provocations.”

The MQ-9, which has a 66-foot (20-meter) wingspan, includes a ground control station and satellite equipment. It is capable of carrying munitions, but Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, would not say whether the ditched drone had been armed.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, said the incident occurred at 7:03 a.m. Central European time (0603 GMT; 2:03 a.m. EST) over international waters, and well clear of Ukraine, after the Russian jets had flown in the vicinity of the drone for 30 to 40 minutes.

There did not appear to be any communications between the aircraft before the collision, Ryder added.

The U.S. has not recovered the crashed drone, U.S. Air Forces-Europe said in a statement, and neither has Russia, Ryder said. Russian officials said Wednesday that they would try to salvage fragments of the MQ-9 from the Black Sea.

U.S. officials have left open the possibility of trying to recover portions of the downed $32 million drone, which they said crashed into waters that were 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 meters) deep.

Other U.S. officials said the U.S. does not have military ships in the region, and won’t likely seek to recover wreckage.

However, they expressed confidence that there would be nothing left of military value on the drone if Russia manages to retrieve the wreckage.

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Hazell contributed from Washington.

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Two Foreigners Randomly Join Cooking “Lab-moo” at Press Con

During the press conference “The 46th Lab Mueng Festival in 2023” at the Central Festival Chaing Mai Department Shop in Mueng District, Chiang Mai, two foreigners, one from the Netherlands and another from Guatemala, joined to taste the famous menu.

The Dutch tourist then surprised the crowd by preparing lab-moo, or spicy minced pork salad, before the two joined other members of the press to enjoy the meal of sticky rice in the form of “Gui Lab.” They told the reporters that they like Thai food because it is spicy and delicious.

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‘Gui lab’ is a special technique of eating lab with sticky rice of the local people in the northern part of Thailand. The technique is to make the rice as roomy as possible so that one person can put as much lab as possible in the mouth.

Jaran Chaiwong, the festival’s president, said the festival will be held on April 6 to showcase local dishes and promote tourism before the Songkran festival begins. In Chiang Mai, it is traditional to eat lab as it is considered lucky and ‘lab’ has the same sound as ‘lucky’ in the Thai language.

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There are 4 types of competitions at the festival: cooking lab [focus on taste], cooking lab [focus on entertainment], vegetable decoration and eating lab. The winner will receive THB 1,000 along with a golden chopping board, while the 3 honorary prizes will each receive THB 500.

If the festival is successful, it should be held annually on April 6.

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GULF was named ‘Issuer of the Year’ at the ThaiBMA Best Bond Awards 2022

Gulf Energy Development Plc (GULF) was awarded ‘Issuer of the Year’ at the ThaiBMA Best Bond Awards 2022, hosted by the Thai Bond Market Association. The award recognizes a bond issuer who has made outstanding contributions to the development of the corporate bond market by consistently issuing debentures that have been widely accepted among investors for an extended period of time, and in accordance with good governance principles.

Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Chief Financial Officer, GULF, stated, “I would like to thank the Thai Bond Market Association for awarding Issuer of the Year to the company. GULF has issued debentures many times, totaling over THB 100 billion, with the first public offering of debentures to retail investors occurring in 2022. Some of the debentures were also offered as digital bonds through the application ‘Pao Tang’ of Krungthai Bank. Thanks to the banks and financial institutions acting as joint lead arrangers who contributed to the success of the company’s debentures issuance, and most importantly, thanks to the investors who have had strong confidence in GULF over the past 4 years since the company started issuing debentures, and we hope to continue to receive their support for future debenture issuances.”

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The ThaiBMA Best Bond Awards 2022 was organized by the Thai Bond Market Association with the purpose of recognizing organizations and individuals with exceptional performance in bond transactions and encouraging organizations to develop the bond market together for sustainable growth. The awards are determined by a panel of judges, statistics, the company’s operational results, and the votes of bond market participants.

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One Bangkok Appoints JLL as the District-wide Property Manager

Bangkok,14 March 2023 – One Bangkok Co.,Ltd. announced the appointment of JLL as the district-wide property manager for One Bangkok, the largest holistically integrated district in the heart of Bangkok. JLL will provide a complete package of property management for office, retail, residential, and overall district common area. 

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Jointly developed by TCC Assets (Thailand) Co., Ltd.and Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd. One Bangkok comprises 5 premium grade A office towers, 4 distinct yet connected retail precincts, 5 luxury and lifestyle hotels, 3 luxury residential towers, 50 rai of green and open space with common facilities, and a multi-sensory Art Loop, all on the total land area of 108 rai. One Bangkok is being built with smart and sustainable centralized infrastructure to maximize performance, efficiency, safety, and user experience. The project aims to become the first LEED Platinum Neighborhood Development in Thailand and WELL Platinum standards.

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Lim Hua Tiong, Chief Executive Officer, One Bangkok said, “The scale in operating a large mixed-use lifestyle district like One Bangkok requires industry-leading expertise, best-in-class comprehensive planning and management, and quality control standards.  JLL stands out when it comes to property and asset management. Their undisputable reputation as Thailand’s leading property manager for prime-grade assets has given us the confidence that, with this partnership, One Bangkok will be operated and maintained with best-in-class integrated technology, modern solutions, and services.”

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“Real estate has played a key role in shaping the future of urban ecosystems. The development of One Bangkok exemplifies the case well,” said Michael Glancy, Country Head of JLL. “Through a futureproof place-making concept supported by innovative technologies, One Bangkok has been designed to create a more sustainable and human-centric built environment where people, businesses, and communities will thrive.  JLL is proud to be selected to be the property manager for this exciting project,” he continued.

The five-year contract commits JLL to providing integrated full project transition and handover then rolling into property management. JLL is initially bringing in an on-site property management workforce of 200 employees this year, ahead of One Bangkok’s first phase opening in the first quarter of 2024. This workforce will gradually grow to more than 300 when the district reaches full completion” 

“The property management appointment for One Bangkok has also reinforced our position as the country’s leader in prime-grade property management. Today, we manage a property portfolio of over 7.5 million square metres. We also manage more commercial properties with LEED credentials than other property management service providers in Thailand,” said Mr. Glancy.

JLL has played an increasing role in One Bangkok. Prior to the property management appointment, the firm acted as a property management consultant for this high-profile real estate development project at the design stage to ensure it would be operated and maintained according to the original intent and guaranteed international standards. JLL has also recently been appointed as one of the strategic office leasing partners for the first phase of the project.

Mr. Glancy said, “The new appointment is very important to us not only because it is the largest property management contract ever awarded to JLL in Southeast Asia, but it also represents a great opportunity for JLL to showcase our full property management capabilities.”

JLL has been collaborating with One Bangkok’s Smart City team to help run the ‘Command Centre’, which will have the latest intelligent building management platforms available to real estate owners and occupiers with advanced data collection, analytics, and operational knowledge for real-time, remote monitoring of buildings and facilities. The technology layer at One Bangkok will capture operational data of equipment and facilities through a plethora of sensors and systems, such as building automation system and security systems in critical locations, covering temperature, humidity, illumination, vibration, flood detection, etc. With centralized data storage, the property management team will be able to identify trends and anomalies, allowing continuous monitoring and fine-tuning of building services to increase efficiency, security, and transparency in operation and maintenance, as well as reduce costs and save energy.

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“Blue Tree Phuket” offers a variety of spectacular and thrilling “Aquatic shows” at its Blue Tree Lagoon

The 140-rai “Blue Tree Phuket” is a world-class entertainment hub that offers non-stop fun and excitement throughout the day and night. As the ultimate destination for tourists in Phuket, it boasts a tagline and slogan of “Entertainment Hub, Thrill & Chill, Day & Night,” and is a popular spot for adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts alike. Once you’ve experienced the Blue Tree Phuket, you’ll definitely want to come back for more!

With a variety of entertainment activities that change every month, from adrenaline-pumping adventures like the Fly Board and Cliff Jumping to more relaxed options like enjoying the atmosphere and watching various performances against the stunning backdrop of the 17,000 sqm Crystal Lagoon, visitors will never run out of things to do. The latest addition is the full-scale Aquatic Shows featuring Synchronized Swimming, Super Fly, and more, all to be enjoyed up close and personal at the Blue Tree Phuket Lagoon. 

Some of the highlight shows include:

  1. FLY BOARD

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Once in their lifetime, adrenaline junkies must try the “FLY BOARD”  – one of the most popular extreme sports among teenagers. The rider attaches himself/herself to a form of water ski and controls the direction to float above the water and fly in the air propelled by pressure from the water. The show is performed by  a Thai athlete who is a three-time “FLY BOARD” world champion.  For those who want to give it a try, a special rate is being offered at only 600 baht for 2 minutes. A professional trainer will be there to guide a novice rider and control the water pressure to ensure one’s safety (details as specified).

Showtimes:

  • 1 round on Tuesday-Thursday at 1:00 pm
  • 2 rounds on Friday-Sunday at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

2. CLIFF JUMPING or CLIFF DIVING

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Cliff Jumping or Cliff Diving is a sport that requires various skills and techniques, in which the individual jumps off a cliff and dives into the water below from a height of 10 meters.

In this “Cliff Jumping” performance, the performer is highly skilled and well-trained, with the highlight being the beauty and difficulty of the maneuvers before hitting the water surface.

Showtimes: 2 rounds on Tuesdays-Sundays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

3. SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING

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SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING is an underwater dance sport that is full of beauty and charm. The sport combines ballet, swimming, gymnastics, and water polo with beautifully designed choreography that is accompanied by music. It is another performance that creates smiles and enjoyment and impresses the audience.

Showtimes: 2 rounds on Tuesdays-Sundays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

4. SUPER FLY

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Last but not least: another show highlight – the “SUPER FLY” – is yet another signature activity of Blue Tree that is popular among tourists. You can slide down from the longest Xtreme slide in Thailand, soar through the air at a height of 6-10 meters before landing in the crystal clear lagoon, in a graceful pose. It’s an exciting and thrilling experience for both athletes and spectators.

Showtime: 2 rounds on Tuesdays-Sundays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

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After seeing it, you’ll certainly want to test your courage and try out this thrilling experience. Those who love adventure and excitement should give it a go. And those who prefer to chill can just watch and capture beautiful photos or video to share on social media.

 

For more information, please call 076-602435 or visit https://bluetree.fun/ 

#BlueTree #BlueTreePhuket #FreeEntry

#Entertainmenthub #ThrillandChill #DayandNight

#AquaticShows #FlyBoard #CliffJumping #SynchronizeSwimming #SuperFly

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Pattaya Police Arrest a Romance Scammer From Nigeria

Thai Tourist Police arrested Ndubuisi, 34, a Nigerian suspect who was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court for 4 counts of violating the law: 1. defrauding the public by impersonating another person, 2. entering false information into the computer system, 3. criminal enrichment and 4. money laundering. Police arrested him at a housing property in Pattaya, Chon Buri.

Pol. Lt. Col. Prin Sripattarakulchai, the head of the arrest team, said the suspect was one of the romance scammers whose behaviour consisted of creating a Facebook account under another person’s identity to try to get close to a female victim.

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These scammers tried to lure the victim by saying that they would get married and live together in Thailand. The scammers pretend to send some high-value items as an engagement gift. They work with Thai scammers to pose as customs officials and ask the victim to pay a fee before they receive the gift. The Thai female victim was scammed out of up to THB 300,000.

The investigation team applied for an arrest warrant at the Samut Prakan Provincial Court before discovering that the suspect was hiding in a Pattaya housing estate. The team ambushed the suspect near the house and arrested him before handing him over to the interrogator at Bang Sao Thong Police Station for further prosecution and to extend the arrest to other fraudsters.

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Freedom House: Thailand Continues To Be Listed as “Not Free”

Thailand continues to be listed as “not free” by US-based NGO Freedom House in its latest annual report released on March 9. It received one point increase due to Bangkok gubernatorial election last year, however.

It’s political rights score was rated at 6 out of 40, citizens’ freedom at 24 out of the score of 40 – or 30 out of 100 in total.

“Following five years of military dictatorship, Thailand transitioned to a military-dominated, semi-elected government in 2019. The combination of democratic deterioration and frustrations over the role of the monarchy in Thailand’s governance triggered massive demonstrations in 2020 and 2021.

In response, the regime has employed authoritarian tactics, including arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, and harassment of activists,” Freedom House stated.

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FILE – Inflatable yellow ducks, which have become good-humored symbols of resistance during anti-government rallies, are lifted over a crowd of protesters in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit, File)

The 2023 edition of Freedom in the World is the 50th in this series of annual comparative reports. It is noted the Key Findings:

Global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year. Moscow’s war of aggression led to devastating human rights atrocities in Ukraine. New coups and other attempts to undermine representative government destabilized Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Peru, and Brazil.

Previous years’ coups and ongoing repression continued to diminish basic liberties in Guinea and constrain those in Turkey, Myanmar, and Thailand, among others. Two countries suffered downgrades in their overall freedom status: Peru moved from Free to Partly Free, and Burkina Faso moved from Partly Free to Not Free.

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The struggle for democracy may be approaching a turning point. The gap between the number of countries that registered overall improvements in political rights and civil liberties and those that registered overall declines for 2022 was the narrowest it has ever been through 17 years of global deterioration.

Thirty-four countries made improvements, and the tally of countries with declines, at 35, was the smallest recorded since the negative pattern began. The gains were driven by more competitive elections as well as a rollback of pandemic-related restrictions that had disproportionately affected freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. Two countries, Colombia and Lesotho, earned upgrades in their overall freedom status, moving from Partly Free to Free.

While authoritarians remain extremely dangerous, they are not unbeatable. The year’s events showed that autocrats are far from infallible, and their errors provide openings for democratic forces. The effects of corruption and a focus on political control at the expense of competence exposed the limits of the authoritarian models offered by Beijing, Moscow, Caracas, or Tehran. Meanwhile, democratic alliances demonstrated solidarity and vigor.

Infringement on freedom of expression has long been a key driver of global democratic decline. Over the last 17 years, the number of countries and territories that receive a score of 0 out of 4 on the report’s media freedom indicator has ballooned from 14 to 33, as journalists face persistent attacks from autocrats and their supporters while receiving inadequate protection from intimidation and violence even in some democracies.

The fight for freedom persists across decades. When Freedom House issued the first edition of its global survey in 1973, 44 of 148 countries were rated Free. Today, 84 of 195 countries are Free.

Over the past 50 years, consolidated democracies have not only emerged from deeply repressive environments but also proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of new challenges. Although democratization has slowed and encountered setbacks, ordinary people around the world, including in Iran, China, and Cuba, continue to defend their rights against authoritarian encroachment.

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Credit Suisse To Borrow $54 Billion From Swiss Central Bank

FILE - Grey clouds cover the sky over a building of the Credit Suisse bank in Zurich, Switzerland, on Feb. 21, 2022. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP, File)

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss bank Credit Suisse said Thursday it will move to shore up its finances, borrowing up to $54 billion from the central bank after its shares plunged, dragging down other major European lenders in the wake of bank failures in the United States.

Credit Suisse said would exercise an option to borrow up to 50 billion francs ($53.7 billion) from the central bank.

“This additional liquidity would support Credit Suisse’s core businesses and clients as Credit Suisse takes the necessary steps to create a simpler and more focused bank built around client needs,” the bank said.

Fanning new fears about the health of financial institutions following the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the U.S., at one point, Credit Suisse shares lost more than a quarter of their value on Wednesday.

The share price hit a record low after the bank’s biggest shareholder — the Saudi National Bank — told news outlets that it would not put more money into the Swiss lender, which was beset by problems long before the U.S. banks collapsed. The Saudi bank is seeking to avoid regulations that kick in with a stake above 10%, having invested some 1.5 billion Swiss francs to acquire a holding just under that threshold.

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A sign displays the name of Credit Suisse on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The turmoil prompted an automatic pause in trading of Credit Suisse shares on the Swiss market and sent shares of other European banks tumbling, some by double digits.

Speaking Wednesday at a financial conference in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann defended the bank, saying, “We already took the medicine” to reduce risks.

When asked if he would rule out government assistance in the future, he said: “That’s not a topic. … We are regulated. We have strong capital ratios, very strong balance sheet. We are all hands on deck, so that’s not a topic whatsoever.”

Switzerland’s central bank announced late Wednesday that it was prepared to act, saying it would support Credit Suisse if needed. A statement from the bank did not specify whether the support would come in the form of cash or loans or other assistance. The regulators said they believed the bank had enough money to meet its obligations.

Possibility of more hidden troubles

A day earlier, Credit Suisse reported that managers had identified “material weaknesses” in the bank’s internal controls on financial reporting as of the end of last year. That fanned new doubts about the bank’s ability to weather the storm.

Credit Suisse stock dropped about 30%, to about 1.6 Swiss francs ($1.73), before clawing back to a 24% loss at 1.70 francs ($1.83) at the close of trading on the SIX stock exchange. At its lowest, the price was down more than 85% from February 2021.

After the joint announcement from the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss financial markets regulator, the shares also made up some ground on Wall Street.

The stock has suffered a long, sustained decline: In 2007, the bank’s shares traded at more than 80 francs ($86.71) each.

With concerns about the possibility of more hidden trouble in the banking system, investors were quick to sell bank stocks.

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FILE – The logo at a building of the Credit Suisse bank in Zurich, Switzerland, on Nov. 23, 2022.  (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)

A day earlier, Credit Suisse reported that managers had identified “material weaknesses” in the bank’s internal controls on financial reporting as of the end of last year. That fanned new doubts about the bank’s ability to weather the storm.

Credit Suisse stock dropped about 30%, to about 1.6 Swiss francs ($1.73), before clawing back to a 24% loss at 1.70 francs ($1.83) at the close of trading on the SIX stock exchange. At its lowest, the price was down more than 85% from February 2021.

After the joint announcement from the Swiss National Bank and the Swiss financial markets regulator, the shares also made up some ground on Wall Street.

The stock has suffered a long, sustained decline: In 2007, the bank’s shares traded at more than 80 francs ($86.71) each.

With concerns about the possibility of more hidden trouble in the banking system, investors were quick to sell bank stocks.

France’s Societe Generale SA dropped 12% at one point. France’s BNP Paribas fell more than 10%. Germany’s Deutsche Bank tumbled 8%, and Britain’s Barclays Bank was down nearly 8%. Trading in the two French banks was briefly suspended.

The STOXX Banks index of 21 leading European lenders sagged 8.4% following relative calm in the markets Tuesday.

Asian stocks fall after Wall St sinks

Asian stock markets tumbled Thursday after Wall Street sank as a plunge in Credit Suisse shares reignited worries about a possible bank crisis following the failure of two U.S. lenders.

Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney all dropped, reversing Wednesday’s gains. Oil prices edged higher.

Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 lost 0.7% on Wednesday after being down as much as 2.1% at one point following a 30% plunge in Credit Suisse’s share price. That fueled jitters about the strength of global banks that are under strain from interest rate hikes to cool inflation.

The Credit Suisse fall “shakes already fragile investor sentiment,” said Venkateswaran Lavanya of Mizuho Bank in a report.

Major banks in Asia were hit by heavy selling. Shares in Japan’s Mizuho Bank were down 3.9& while Resona Holdings, Japan’s No. 5 bank, fell 4.8%. In Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Plc lost 2.5% and HSBC was 2.5% lower.

The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.4% to 3,250.63 after government data Wednesday showed the Chinese economy is recovering more slowly than expected following the lifting of anti-virus controls.

The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo retreated 0.9% to 26,974.39 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong shed 1.3% to 19,297.81.

The Kospi in Seoul was 0.2% lower at 2,375.12 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 sank 1.5% to 6,964.80.

Not just a Swiss problem

The turbulence came a day ahead of a meeting by the European Central Bank. President Christine Lagarde said last week, before the U.S. failures, that the bank would “very likely” increase interest rates by a half percentage point to fight against inflation. Markets were watching closely to see if the bank carries through despite the latest turmoil.

Credit Suisse is “a much bigger concern for the global economy” than the midsize U.S. banks that collapsed, said Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist for Capital Economics.

It has multiple subsidiaries outside Switzerland and handles trading for hedge funds.

“Credit Suisse is not just a Swiss problem but a global one,” he said.

He noted, however, that the bank’s “problems were well known so do not come as a complete shock to either investors or policymakers.”

The troubles “once more raise the question about whether this is the beginning of a global crisis or just another ‘idiosyncratic’ case,” Kenningham said in a note. ”Credit Suisse was widely seen as the weakest link among Europe’s large banks, but it is not the only bank which has struggled with weak profitability in recent years.”

International rules

The Credit Suisse parent bank is not part of EU supervision, but it has entities in several European countries that are. Credit Suisse is subject to international rules requiring it to maintain financial buffers against losses as one of 30 so-called globally systemically important banks, or G-SIBs.

Share prices plunged after Saudi National Bank Chairman Ammar Al Khudairy told Bloomberg and Reuters that the bank has ruled out further investments in Credit Suisse to avoid regulations that kick in with a stake above 10%.

The Saudi National Bank has invested some 1.5 billion Swiss francs to acquire a holding just under that threshold.

The Swiss bank has been pushing to raise money from investors and roll out a new strategy to overcome an array of troubles, including bad bets on hedge funds, repeated shake-ups of its top management and a spying scandal involving Zurich rival UBS.

In an annual report released Tuesday, Credit Suisse said customer deposits fell 41%, or by 159.6 billion francs ($172.1 billion), at the end of last year compared with a year earlier.

___

McHugh reported from Frankfurt, Germany. Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario, and Angela Charlton in Paris also contributed.

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Lindsay Lohan Announces Pregnancy in Instagram Post

FILE - Lindsay Lohan appears the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2023 fashion show in New York on Feb. 9, 2023. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lindsay Lohan is expecting her first child.

The “Mean Girls” star announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post on Tuesday, sharing an image of a baby onesie with “Coming soon…” written on it. The post was captioned “We are blessed and excited!”

Lohan married financier Bader Shammas in 2022, People magazine reported.

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A message sent to Lohan’s representative was not immediately returned.

The 36-year-old actor, who was once a tabloid mainstay, has lived overseas for several years and kept a lower public profile.

She recently returned to acting, starring in Netflix’s “Falling for Christmas” last year, and stars in the streaming service’s upcoming romantic comedy “Irish Wish.”

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