'Madness': Ukrainians furious over Olympian ban for memorial helmetVladyslav Heraskevych sliding in the helmet that honoured slain Ukrainian athletes. The IOC had said Heraskevych could instead wear a black armband, but the 27-year-old insisted on competing in his helmet adorned with portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia. "There's nothing apart from pictures of the dead on this helmet," 41-year-old Dmytro Yasenovskyi told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in central Kyiv. Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago has left hundreds of Ukrainian athletes dead, officials say, and stirred tensions at a string of international sporting events. "When people sit in such cold, without water, without heating, without electricity, then a helmet is something meaningful," Yasenovskyi said.

Asked whether the outcome marked Pheu Thai’s lowest point since the Thai Rak Thai Party era, Mr Yodchanan acknowledged that some might see it that way, but said the party was satisfied with its efforts throughout the campaign. Over the past three days, Mr Yodchanan said, Pheu Thai has studied various figures that differed from expectations, adding that all constituency data would be gathered and submitted to the Election Commission. He reaffirmed his commitment to stand with the people to ensure the election outcome was clear and legally accepted. He remained committed to delivering on promises made to voters, regardless of his future political role, and urged Pheu Thai candidates to stay resilient and ready to continue the fight together. If it is proven so, Pheu Thai is to accept the results, whatever role it may play,” said Mr Yodchanan.

Poisonous shellfish contains toxins similar to those found in pufferfish(Photos: Emma Amit Facebook, iNaturalist)A Filipino woman who gained online fame for videos of her unusual eating habits has died after consuming a highly poisonous “devil crab” for a social media video. After boiling and seasoning the seafood, Amit picked up a poisonous “devil” crab and ate it for her viewers to see. She died on Feb 6, just two days after consuming the “devil crab”. Luddy Jemang, the Luzviminda village head, said police officers dispatched to the home of the deceased found brightly coloured devil crab shells discarded there. Philippine authorities have since issued a warning for the public to exercise increased caution when consuming wild seafood.

Suspect says he learned penis enlargement and other skills in prisonThe suspect points to some of the materials used in his home-based clinic, where penis enlargement was among the services offered, in Si Racha district of Chon Buri on Thursday. (Photos: Department of Health Service Support)CHON BURI - A man has been arrested for running an illegal body‑modification business from his home and promoting his services — including penile enlargement — using techniques he had learned in prison. He was charged with practising medicine without a licence, as well as operating a medical facility without authorisation. The services on offer in the man’s home included genital beading, penile enlargement injections and circumcision. He also sold “genital beading kits” complete with tools online for 1,500 baht per set, according to Pol Col Weerapong.

Now with the help of artificial intelligence, scientists believe they have cracked the mystery: the stone is an ancient board game and they have even guessed the rules. They trained this AI, baptised Ludii, with the rules of about 100 ancient games from the same area as the Roman stone. They then cross-checked the possible rules with the wear on the stone to uncover the most likely set of movements in the game. “If you present Ludii with a line pattern like the one on the stone, it will always find game rules. The research and the possible rules were published in the journal Antiquity.

SONGKHLA - The director of a Hat Yai school who was shot by an armed teenage attacker while protecting her students succumbed to severe injuries early Thursday morning. Sasipat Sinsamosorn, 54, died at 2am Thursday of excessive bleeding and severe injuries to her internal organs, said Dr Wirote Yommuang, director of Hatyai Hospital. Sasipat was shot while trying to protect her students from a disturbed 17-year-old with a stolen gun at Patongprathankiriwat School on Wednesday afternoon. The late director had a master’s degree in educational administration and had been a deputy director and director of three other schools in Songkhla. He shot Sasipat and held some teachers and and students hostage.

Thomas Tuchel extends contract as England football coach until Euro 2028England head coach Thomas Tuchel had been previously touted as a possible permanent successor to sacked former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. (Photo: AFP)LONDON — Thomas Tuchel has signed a new contract that will see him remain head coach of the England national football team through to the end of Euro 2028 in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, the Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday. "It is an incredible opportunity and we are going to do our very best to make the country proud." The FA said the new agreement with Tuchel would provide "clarity and full focus" on the World Cup. But in signing a new England contract, Tuchel appears to have ruled himself out of a post-World Cup move to Old Trafford.

Nine mild earthquakes recorded in Surat Thani over two days(Photo: Earthquake Observation Division)SURAT THANI - A cluster of nine earthquakes measuring between 1.9 and 3.2 on the Richter scale struck tambon Khao Phang in Ban Ta Khun district of this southern province between Wednesday and Thursday morning, the Department of Mineral Resources reported. The largest tremor, measuring 3.2 at a depth of 2 kilometres, occurred at 2.07am on Thursday, but is still classified as minor event. As of 8.30am Thursday, nine seismic events had been recorded in the area, said the department, part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Officials said the earthquakes were caused by movement along the Khlong Marui Fault Zone, one of Thailand’s major active strike-slip fault systems, which runs through Surat Thani, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket. The Geohazard Operations Centre said it would announce any additional important information immediately and urged residents who feel shaking or experience damage to contact it at 0-2621-9701-4.

Fitch says durable coalition crucial to fiscal outlookA durable coalition will be critical to Thailand's post-election fiscal outlook and would help reduce the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade, says Fitch Ratings. Fitch said the durability of the coalition will determine whether Thailand can structurally reduce political uncertainty and deliver more predictable medium-term economic and fiscal policies. A new government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is expected to retain a strong focus on support measures. Extending such initiatives could support near-term demand, but spending commitments agreed by a new coalition could delay fiscal consolidation if they are not matched by offsetting measures, Fitch said. Fitch said in September 2025 Thailand's rating hinges on whether the authorities can credibly stabilise the government debt-to-GDP ratio over the medium term.

DBS calls for discipline in volatile worldIn an era of extremes where volatility persists, wealth and longevity take centre stage, says Mr Tan. Looking ahead, DBS expects inflation to moderate and the trajectory of interest rates to remain uneven, while geopolitical developments continue to shape market sentiment. As longer, healthier lives are reshaping financial planning across work, family and legacy considerations, DBS's private banking strategy is increasingly focused on helping clients plan for longer time horizons. In Thailand, DBS Private Bank has strengthened its wealth management platform through deeper client engagement, talent development, and closer collaboration across private banking, investment banking, institutional banking, and wealth planning under its one bank model. As markets enter an "era of extremes", DBS said investors must resist short-term reactions and remain anchored to long-term objectives.

(Photo: Bhumjaithai Party)The election-winning Bhumjaithai Party on Thursday announced three small parties as its initial coalition partners. The New Democracy Party, Economic Party and New Party have five potential list MPs altogether, Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boonthida Somchai said at a press conference at party headquarters in Bangkok. Representatives of the three small parties said they would support Bhumjaithai leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister when the new House convenes. The presence of Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob at the press conference confirmed that the agreement had the blessing of senior party figures, said Ms Boonthida. Representatives of some other small parties were also present at Bhumjaithai headquarters on Thursday when party executives and MPs-elect had a meeting.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino says exorbitant prices for 2026 World Cup tickets reflect surging demand. One category three seat for the World Cup final on July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, meanwhile, was being advertised for an eye-watering $143,750 — more than 41 times its original face value of $3,450. In a few rare cases, though, some ticket prices have actually decreased. “Generally speaking, the pricing model adopted for Fifa World Cup 26 reflects the existing market practice for major entertainment and sporting events within our hosts on a daily basis, soccer included,” Fifa said in a statement. Ticketing has become one of the most controversial issues surrounding the World Cup, with fan groups around the world such as Football Supporters Europe accusing Fifa of a “monumental betrayal” over pricing.

Bloc seeks a new approach to fend off US and Chinese competitionThe leaders of the 27 countries making up the EU are seeking ways to transform the European economy and protect key sectors like steel. We are fighting for a place in the new global economy,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told industry chiefs Wednesday. Draghi’s report will not be the only report leaders will be leaning on. Directing EU money to EuropeansBilled as a “strategic brainstorming,” Thursday’s talks were not expected to produce immediate action. “Let us direct more European money to our European industries.”EPC’s Folkman warned the EU against “unmitigated protectionism”.

(Photo: Reuters)HONG KONG - More Chinese tourists are expected ​to travel overseas during next week’s extra-long Lunar New Year break, ‌with top destinations ranging from Russia and Australia to Thailand and South Korea, travel agencies say, but Japan has lost some of its appeal. Bookings to Russia on its platform have more than doubled from last year, as have trips to northern Europe. “For the rest of the year, we’ll probably see increased Chinese ​travel ‌to Russia,” said Sienna Parulis-Cook, marketing and communications director of Dragon Trail Research. Simmering ⁠political tension with Japan has eroded its appeal for Chinese visitors, who normally made it a top choice. And all flights ‌have been cancelled on 58 routes ⁠that operated during last year’s Spring Festival, when Trip.com ranked Japan among ​the most popular overseas destinations, alongside Thailand and other regional markets.

Campaign marked by ‘tsunami of disinformation’ aimed mainly at young votersThe elections in Bangladesh are the first since the August 2024 student-led uprising that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (Photo: AFP)DHAKA - Bangladesh voted on Thursday in its first election since a deadly 2024 uprising, as parties crushed under Sheikh Hasina’s rule return to the fray with a powerful political heir facing an Islamist-led coalition. “I firmly believe that if people in Bangladesh come out to cast their votes, conspiracies will not succeed,” the BNP’s Rahman said after voting. Jamaat, who have campaigned on a platform of justice and ending corruption, sense their biggest opportunity in decades — and Rahman warned his party “will do whatever is required” to ensure a fair result. In his final address to the nation before voting, Yunus urged citizens to honour the “sacrifice” of the 2024 uprising.