Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw 5,000 American troops from Germany was "foreseeable," while NATO seeks clarification from Washington. Pistorius told DPA that "the presence of American troops in Europe, particularly in Germany, is in our interest and in America's interest."

The U.S. military deployment in Germany—currently numbering over 36,000 troops—represents the largest American military presence in Europe, compared to 12,000 troops in Italy and 10,000 in the United Kingdom.

When asked about the troop reduction on Saturday, May 2, Trump said "we will reduce significantly, and we will reduce more than 5,000" without providing additional details. He also indicated the U.S. will withdraw troops from Italy and Spain.

Pistorius stated that Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security and that Germany will work more closely with European allies. "Germany is already on the right path," he noted, pointing to Germany's substantial increase in defense spending in recent years.

Trump had previously accused Germany of "shirking its duties" due to defense spending below NATO's 2% GDP target, but the situation has changed under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Germany is expected to spend 105.8 billion euros (over 4 trillion baht) on defense in 2025.

Meanwhile, NATO spokesperson Alison Hart said the alliance is "working with the United States to understand the details of their decision." The move follows Trump's criticism of Merz for stating the U.S. had been "humiliated" by Iranian negotiators in the ongoing war.

Last year, the U.S. reduced troop numbers in Romania as part of Trump's plan to shift American military focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region, amid growing concern among NATO's 32 member states that the latest decision could weaken the alliance. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that "the greatest threat to the transatlantic community is not an external enemy, but internal fragmentation."

Manchester United and Liverpool have revealed their starting lineups for the season's final big derby clash at Old Trafford on May 3rd at 9:30 PM. Third-placed Manchester United will host fourth-placed Liverpool in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the campaign.

Manchester United's XI: Senne Lammens – Diogo Dalot, Eden Hazard, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw – Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo – Mateus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo – Benjamin Chesco

Liverpool's XI: Freddie Woodman – Curtis Jones, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson – Rayan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister – Jeremy Frimpong, Dominic Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz – Cody Gakpo

The cremation ceremony for Alongkorn, 27, a motorcycle taxi rider, took place on May 3, 2025, at Wan Suan Kluay Temple in Saraburi province. He was struck and killed when a famous university student, driving while intoxicated in a luxury BMW, collided with his motorcycle at high speed.

The funeral atmosphere was somber, with many of the victim's fellow riders and friends in attendance. His widow, Ms. Supaweee, wept continuously throughout the ceremony while relatives provided support. When the coffin was brought to the cremation site, she viewed her husband's body one final time and broke down in tears. Notably, the university student driver and their family did not attend the funeral at all.

Ms. Supaweee revealed that she had informed the driver's family about the cremation date and asked them to take responsibility by attending the final funeral rites, but no one read or responded to her messages. Her calls went unanswered. What troubled her most was the driver's group showed no conscience, made no attempt to speak with the family, and displayed no human decency or accountability.

She expressed concern about whether justice will be served, noting suspicions about how quickly bail was granted. She questioned why a luxury vehicle wouldn't have a dashcam, as the driver claimed, stating that surveillance footage would be the only way to ensure her family receives justice. She rejected the driver's father's excuse that his son struggles with Thai language, pointing out that he studies in Thailand, attends Thai schools, and communicates in Thai. She vowed to fight the case fully and demanded that her husband receive justice.

BANGKOK — On May 3, 2026, Thailand announced it will waive toll fees on three major expressways on May 4th to mark Coronation Day, covering 63 toll plazas nationwide, according to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).

The toll exemption will be in effect from 00:01 to 24:00 on Monday and applies to the following routes:

Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway (Din Daeng–Bang Na–Dao Khanong), 21 toll plazas Si Rat Expressway (Chaeng Watthana–Bang Khlo–Srinakarin), 32 toll plazas Udon Ratthaya Expressway (Bang Pa-in–Pak Kret), 10 toll plazas

EXAT said the measure follows government and Transport Ministry policy under revised concession agreements with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) and the Northern Bangkok Expressway Co (NECL). The move is intended to ease travel during the public holiday, reduce costs for motorists and help alleviate congestion at toll booths, officials said.

On May 3, 2025, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, discussed the Thai Helping Thai Plus program scheduled for cabinet consideration this week. She explained that once welfare measures including the Thai Helping Thai Plus program (the 50-50 cost-sharing scheme), state welfare cards, and other initiatives are approved, the cabinet will then address the loan framework.

"This cabinet meeting will first consider the borrowing framework this week, with individual projects requesting funds to be considered sequentially," she stated. "We're committed to moving quickly to get money into people's hands by June. While there's been discussion of a 500 billion baht loan, a 400 billion baht budget is actually sufficient."

Ratchada outlined two main uses for the borrowed funds: the 50-50 cost-sharing program where the government pays 60% and citizens pay 40%, along with state welfare cards. The remaining portion will promote Thailand's transition from fossil fuels to clean energy and solar power.

The energy transition will require incentive measures including support for electric vehicles and motorcycles, solar roof installations, and infrastructure development. The government has identified the need for borrowing to cover these substantial costs, though she emphasized all spending will be transparent and auditable.

Read related news: PM rushes to bring loan authorization to cabinet on May 5, stating there's no need to go through the economic committee first.

Eva breaks down as she reveals her father Danny is sitting right there with her. Kwang Photchanee, appearing with her daughter Eva on the talk show 'Khuey Saep Show' on Channel One31, opens her heart about life after losing her famous comedian husband Danny Sripinya, while revealing the first warning signs before his unexpected death. Eva shows remarkable strength, saying her father is right here with her, and shares her dream of becoming a designer—but wants to bring someone special into the industry as well.

What were the initial warning signs about Danny's health condition?

Kwang: He had stomach bloating after eating, and it kept getting worse. We thought it was acid reflux. When he went to the doctor, they gave him acid reflux medication, but it didn't help. The doctor didn't do thorough testing, just gave him an injection and medicine. When he came home, the bloating stopped, but he started feeling weak and tired. We thought that was strange. His urine output decreased—I check his urine every day anyway. So I asked him to get checked. He agreed to go. When the blood test came back, it showed acute kidney failure in the early stages. We had to get thorough testing done immediately. The doctor said he had acute kidney failure and heart disease, which we never knew about before. Danny didn't tell anyone and didn't like getting checked—out of sight, out of mind. He was patient and didn't want to worry others.

Did Eva know her father was sick?

Kwang: Before he left, he told her that he would come, that he was going for treatment first. He wanted to be near the best doctor at that time. Eva said okay and told him to get better quickly.

How long did everything happen in?

Kwang: Just one day. The next day we went to the doctor, got admitted, and went straight to the ICU because he was having severe breathing difficulties.

When he entered the ICU, was he conscious? How many days before things got worse?

Kwang: While in the ICU, he got progressively more tired. Even with high-pressure oxygen, he was still struggling. The doctor explained what was happening. His urine output stopped. On the 16th, the heart doctor came and said he needed to be moved to the cardiac ICU.

During this time, he was conscious throughout. Even when they put in the breathing tube in the cardiac ICU, he could still communicate okay. But his kidneys stopped responding. They gave him diuretics but nothing came out. His heart was beating so irregularly they couldn't give him certain medications.

While he was in the ICU and then moved to the cardiac ICU, Kwang stayed with Danny the whole time. Who was with Eva?

Kwang: She was with her grandparents. She knew a little bit. We didn't hide it from her completely, but we didn't tell her that her father was in critical condition. We told her gradually, bit by bit.

What did the hospital tell you at the critical moment?

Kwang: I could only visit once during that time, around midday. The nurse called and said Danny wasn't responding anymore. He had started dialysis the day before, but it still wasn't working. His blood pressure was dropping and his heart rhythm was abnormal. The nurse said he was no longer responding and everything was getting worse.

If something happened, would you do CPR? I told them to do CPR just once. Should we continue dialysis? Should we give medication? But ultimately, it would end up in the same place. So I decided not to continue dialysis because dialysis can cause the heart to stop. Medication would have the same outcome. So I let him rest. I didn't want him to suffer.

How did your daughter give you strength?

Eva: I gave mom courage. Before dad left, I gave him his favorite stuffed toy to take with him (laughs)—it was a Labou Bou doll.

When your father was very sick, did he know? Did you get to visit him?

Kwang: No, we didn't take her. Because I didn't want her to see her father in pain. If Danny knew that his daughter...