Trump says Iran shouldn't come to World Cup for 'own life and safety'Fifa chief Gianni Infantino said he and US President Donald Trump had discussed the Iranian team's participation at the upcoming World Cup. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump warned Iran's football team on Thursday their "life and safety" would be at risk if they took part in the upcoming World Cup in North America. Trump's comments came just two days after he told Fifa chief Gianni Infantino the Iranian players would be welcome despite the Middle East war. "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don't believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety," Trump said on his Truth Social platform. "The United States of America looks very much forward to hosting the FIFA World Cup," Trump wrote.

Thousands of Chinese boats mass at sea, raising questionsThis photo taken on July 24, 2024, shows fishing boats berthing at a port to avoid Typhoon Gaemi in Xiamen, in eastern China's Fujian province. (Photo: AFP)TAIPEI — Thousands of Chinese fishing boats have been massing in geometric formations in the East China Sea, in coordinated actions that experts believe are part of Beijing's preparations for a potential regional crisis or conflict. "We've seen like two, 300, up to a thousand (Chinese fishing boats congregate), but anything exceeding a thousand I thought was unusual." China's massive fishing fleet operates in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and the South China Sea, competing with fishers from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. "They're actually part of the (Chinese) government, a flotilla, advancing their illegal interests in the South China Sea."

Thailand prepares to defend USTR on trade probesCommerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun forms a special panel to handle new USTR probes into unfair trade practices between Thailand and the United States. (File photo: Commerce Ministry)The Commerce Ministry has set up a task force to compile evidence to argue against the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which included Thailand in its new investigations into unfair practices. The US trade office announced on Wednesday it would look into a number of countries accused of unfairly trading with the United States, with Thailand among its targets. Thailand was targeted after the US found a Thai-US trade imbalance of US$51 billion in Thailand’s favour last year, up from $46 billion in 2024. The USTR investigation is under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

TCG provides B14.5bn in credit guarantees for SME loansTCG staff provide financing services to clients. Banks that extend loans to SMEs with credit guarantees from the TCG file guarantee claims of around 10 billion baht annually, from a cumulative guaranteed portfolio of about 400 billion baht, said Mr Sittikorn. As of the end of 2025, the accumulated NPG ratio was 13% of total outstanding guarantees, unchanged from 2024 but 2-3 percentage points higher than in 2023. For 2026, the TCG targets new credit guarantees of more than 73.5 billion baht. In 2025, the TCG approved credit guarantees worth 40.6 billion baht, lower than the 53.7 billion baht approved in 2024.

Fantastic Mr Stowaway: fox sails from Britain to New York portThere are tens of thousands of urban foxes in Britain, according to academic research. (Photo: AFP)NEW YORK — A red fox that managed to slip onto a US-bound ship in Britain was discovered by customs officers in the Port of New York, a zoo in the city has said. "The Bronx Zoo regularly works with officials to help rescue wildlife that is illegally trafficked through nearby ports and airports," the zoo said. There are tens of thousands of urban foxes in Britain, according to academic research, and Britain has some of the highest-density fox populations in the world. They have been a part of the city landscape since the 1930s, when urban sprawl began to encroach on their rural territory.

French fugitive wanted for attempted murder arrested in PhuketImmigration officers have arrested a 46-year-old French national hiding in the Rawai area of Phuket province on Friday. (Photo: Phuket Immigration)PHUKET — Immigration officers have arrested a 46-year-old French national hiding in Phuket's Muang district after he was flagged on an Interpol red notice for attempted murder. Officers from Phuket Immigration carried out surveillance until they confirmed the man, identified only as Faisal, was inside a residence in tambon Rawai. A team led by Pol Lt Col Adisorn Boonchum, an inspector with Phuket Immigration, then moved in and detained him without incident. During questioning, Faisal admitted he was the person named in the arrest warrant.

Spurs search for salvation, Arsenal ready for title chargeTottenham and Brazil forward Richarlison. Arsenal can move closer to their first Premier League title for 22 years with a win over Everton, while Manchester United meet Aston Villa in a crucial clash in the race for Champions League qualification. If third-bottom West Ham beat Manchester City on Saturday, Igor Tudor's 16th-placed side will have slipped even closer to oblivion by the time they face Liverpool at Anfield. The Gunners are seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City and can extend that lead to 10 points if they beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Fixtures:Saturday (1500 GMT unless stated)Burnley v BournemouthSunderland v BrightonChelsea v Newcastle (1730)Arsenal v Everton (1730)West Ham v Manchester City (2000)Sunday (1400 GMT unless stated)Crystal Palace v LeedsManchester United v Aston VillaNottingham Forest v FulhamLiverpool v Tottenham (1630)Monday

'Say a prayer and send it': Paralympic alpine skiers tackle fearIn the standing and sitting categories, many para alpine skiers are missing one or more limbs. Meg Gustafson, an American visually impaired skier, said that before a downhill: "I say a little prayer and then I send it." "Being scared and doing things scared, that's what it is to me," said the 31-year-old. American Anna Soens crashed early in her Paralympic debut in Cortina -- the first-ever downhill race of her career. Asked what the experience had taught her, the sitting skier grinned and said: "Land straighter!"

French soldier killed in attack in Iraqi KurdistanA plume of smoke rises following an interception of a drone in Erbil, Iraq on March 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, confirming the first French military death in the Middle East war. The French military said earlier that drones had hit a base where troops were taking part in counter-terrorism training with Iraqi counterparts. The French military said on Thursday that six people had been wounded in the attack. No injuries were reported in that attack, but Italy said it was temporarily withdrawing its military personnel from the base.

Mayuree Naree operator assures security protocols followedThree crew members of Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree remain missing after the vessel was struck by Iranian missiles while travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. (Photo: Royal Thai Navy spokesperson)M.V. Mayuree Naree owner, Precious Shipping Plc (PSL), has confirmed that the vessel followed all maritime security protocols before being attacked. The vessel maintained regular communication with UKMTO, the Royal Thai Navy, and other relevant maritime security coordination centres throughout its journey. Based on the information and maritime security advisories available at that time, the transit was deemed suitable with appropriate precautionary measures in place.

Experts question EC complaintA former member of the Election Commission (EC) and several technology experts yesterday sought clarification from police over the criminal investigation connected to the ballot paper barcode saga related to the Feb 8 general election. Mr Somchai said the group submitted a formal letter asking the CSD to clarify three key issues. Mr Somchai said that until now, the names had appeared only in media reports and had never been officially confirmed by the EC. Mr Somchai said only two parties should have had access to the information at that stage: the complainant and the authorities receiving the complaint. Mr Somchai said if the disclosure of names is found to have harmed the reputation or professional work of those implicated, they may consider pursuing legal action.

CRC plans up to B18bn investment for store expansionMr Suthisarn says the Middle East conflict may affect foreign arrivals, but the impact on CRC's stores should be minimal. As of 2025, the company operated 76 department stores, 172 Tops stores, 14 GO Wholesale stores, 88 Thaiwatsadu stores and 28 Robinson Lifestyle stores in Thailand. This year the company plans to open 8-10 new Tops stores, two new GO Wholesale stores and 3-5 new Thaiwatsadu stores, said Suthisarn Chirathivat, chief executive of CRC. CRC also wants to renovate two department stores, two Tops stores, two Thaiwatsadu stores and one Robinson Lifestyle store. In a worst-case scenario, if the government reduces its energy subsidy, the company's margins could be affected by around 1%, said Mr Suthisarn.

LOS ANGELES - Jury deliberations are set to begin Friday in a landmark social media addiction trial accusing Meta and YouTube of intentionally trying to hook young internet users. An attorney for Meta, Paul Schmidt, noted that none of the therapists who testified had identified social media as the cause of Kaley's troubles. Instead, he said, Kaley's records show emotional and physical abuse along with academic struggles and psychiatric conditions separate from her use of social media. YouTube, meanwhile, has likened itself to television during the trial, rebuffing the idea of equating it with online social media platforms. Internet titans have long shielded themselves with Section 230 of the US Communications Decency Act, which frees them of responsibility for what social media users post.

Diversification key to surviving volatilitySmoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, as the war in the Middle East escalates. As Canada's Mark Carney urged at Davos, middle powers should act together to build a more resilient international order. Diversification, both political and economic, will be central to this new international order. Critics have argued that the theory over-relies on historical data to measure volatility, which may not predict future performance. What concrete steps can Thailand and other nations in the region take to guard against volatility and help build this new international order?

Iran not going to close Strait of Hormuz, Iran UN envoy saysLuojiashan tanker sits anchored in Muscat, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muscat, Oman, on Saturday. (Photo: Reuters)Iran's ⁠UN ​Ambassador ​Amir ‌Saeid Iravani on Thursday said Tehran ​was not ⁠going to close ‌the Strait of Hormuz, but ⁠added it was Iran's inherent right to preserve ​the peace and ​security ‌of the waterway. He ​made ⁠his comments in ⁠remarks to reporters at the ⁠United Nations.