Iran says progress made towards US talks despite attack jittersListen to this articleIran's security chief Ali Larijani said progress has been made on talks with the United StatesPARIS (FRANCE) - Iran's top security official said Saturday that progress had been made towards negotiations with the United States, even as the Islamic republic's army chief warned Washington against launching military strikes. Iranian army chief Amir Hatami earlier warned the US and Israel against any attack, saying his forces were "at full defensive and military readiness" to respond. He said Iran's nuclear technology and expertise "cannot be eliminated". In a statement, CENTCOM warned the IRGC against "any unsafe and unprofessional behaviour near US forces". On Saturday, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian urged his government to heed public grievances after the demonstrations and "serve the people".

'Empowering': Ireland's first female sumo wrestler blazes a trailListen to this articleToraigh Mallon poses for a photo during a training session at a sumo wrestling club in BelfastBELFAST - Sweat darkened the white "dohyo" ring mat as Ireland's first female sumo wrestler shoved and strained, learning a freshly-discovered sport. "Until then I think I was the only female sumo wrestler on the island of Ireland, Irish champion by default!" But almost all the wrestlers are men, so far, according to 37-year-old Templeton, who represented Great Britain at a sumo world championships in Poland in 2024. "Especially in Ireland, we find that the girls aren't as interested as the boys, maybe shying away from it because of an idea that a sumo wrestler is not very ladylike," he said. Although the exact numbers of women sumo wrestlers in Ireland and the UK are not known, Templeton said the increasingly popular sport offers exciting opportunities.

EC puts 42 provinces on watch listListen to this articleEC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee inspects a venue of advance voting in Bang Kapi district, Bangkok, on Saturday. Office of the Election CommissionThe Election Commission (EC) has stepped up monitoring in 42 provinces where electoral competition is considered intense. EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said on Saturday the commission has classified all 77 provinces into two categories in terms of competition: normal (35) and intense (42). He added such activity is typically expected to emerge after Sunday, in the final week of campaigning, and that while individuals may prepare funds, distributing money to influence voters is illegal. Mr Sawaeng also inspected preparations for advance voting in Bangkok, including Bang Kapi district, which has the highest number of registered advance voters at over 58,000.

Listen to this articleBhumjaithai Party leader and caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul campaigns for votes at a market in Samut Prakan province on Saturday. Asked whether his speech had targeted parties seeking to amend Section 112, Mr Anutin on Saturday insisted he had not attacked any group. Responding to Mr Nattawut's accusation that he was "looting the nation", Mr Anutin laughed and questioned the meaning of the phrase, dismissing it as mere rhetoric. "It has become clear that the 'Uncle's niece' and I take different paths in defending sovereignty," Mr Anutin said. "Uncle" is a reference to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, and Daddy to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

For the People's Party (PP), the return of Pita Limjaroenrat to the campaign trail may help energise loyal supporters and attract some undecided voters, Mr Suvicha said. He added that while Pheu Thai Party's "Nine Millionaires a Day" lottery-style scheme has generated buzz, its electoral impact is likely to be limited. The Klatham Party, he said, could secure about 35 seats, while the Democrats--buoyed by Mr Abhisit's return--may win 30–35 seats. Olarn: BJT, PP running neck-and-neckThree-bloc contest emergesOlarn Thinbangtieo, a political science and law lecturer at Burapha University, said the race remains centred on three main blocs: Pheu Thai, PP and BJT, with the latter gaining from strategic voting among conservative voters. "Some analysts suspect behind-the-scenes talks, allowing Pheu Thai to stabilise its base and keep its campaign on track."

Progressives under fire over SSO board planListen to this articleRukchanok Srinork, centre, and Sia Champathong, right, campaign on social security on Silom Road in Bangkok on Jan 22. The controversy intensified after Sia Champathong, a PP party-list MP, dismissed claims that such a policy existed. Rachada Dhnadirek, a Bhumjaithai Party party-list MP candidate, highlighted the apparent contradictions in a Facebook post on Saturday. She pointed to a written policy issued by the Progressive Social Security team, specifically Policy No. 14, which proposed amending regulations to allow migrant workers to vote for and stand as candidates for seats on the SSO board.

“I’m happy that I won,” Siasarani told the Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium. Siasarani revealed he had been ill throughout fight week but chose not to withdraw, with several bouts already falling off the card late. Mohammad Siasarani lands a punch on Pedro Dantas at ONE Fight Night 39“I was really not feeling good,” he said. “I would love that.”Mohammad Siasarani receives instructions from coaches Mehdi Zatout and Chris Forster between rounds at ONE Fight Night 39Above all, Siasarani has his sights set on ONE 175 in Tokyo on April 29. I try my best to make my country proud and make everybody hear it.”For Siasarani, the win in Bangkok was not a celebration – it was a step.

Pricey pens latest Social Security spending targetListen to this articleA fresh controversy has emerged over spending by the Social Security Office (SSO) after documents revealed the procurement of 500 engraved pens worth nearly 240,000 baht using a “specific-selection” method. Sahassawat Kumkong, a People’s Party election candidate, alleged that luxury pens bearing personalised names were distributed to senior officials, advisers and former high-ranking bureaucrats. The disclosure has reignited public scrutiny of Social Security Fund spending, following unresolved questions over costly buildings, an 850-million-baht app that has crashed, overseas study trips and 7,000 sets of uniforms. In a related development, the War Veterans Organisation (WVO) issued a clarification on Friday defending the legality of uniform and calendar procurement contracts wit the SSO. Documents show the WVO won a bid for the controversial 35-million-baht uniform tailoring project for SSO officials.

Italian-Canadian champion says preparations are under way for first defence since reclaiming strawweight kickboxing beltListen to this articleJonathan Di Bella falls to his knees after winning the ONE Championship strawweight kickboxing title from PrajanchaiJonathan Di Bella says his next ONE Championship fight is already on the calendar – even if his opponent is not. “We do have a date,” Di Bella said. “After every fight, I just take a few weeks off and go straight back to training,” Di Bella said. China’s Zhang Peimian – whom Di Bella beat to claim the title the first time around in 2022 – is keen on revenge and a rematch. Though he has twice lost to Rui Botelho – who himself was beaten comfortably by Di Bella in December 2024.

Listen to this articlePARIS - France has lowered the safety limit for cereulide toxin in infant formula, aiming to strengthen ‌protections after several ​major producers ordered worldwide recalls over contamination concerns, the farm ministry said on Saturday. The lower threshold is likely ‌to lead to further withdrawals in France in the coming days, it added. The recalls illustrate how a ‌single ​compromised ingredient can spread through the infant nutrition supply chain, despite tight regulation, and cause rapid market jitters. The recalls began last week with Nestle and widened to the French groups Danone and Lactalis, as well as others. On Thursday, the consumer group ​foodwatch said it had filed a criminal complaint in Paris on behalf of eight families whose babies it says fell ill after consuming ​contaminated infant formula, claiming companies waited too long to warn the public.

After earning a unanimous decision win over short-notice debutant Mohanad Battbootti at ONE Fight Night 39 last weekend, the Russian veteran hinted he could soon make the jump to MMA. “I’m ready for MMA, kickboxing or Muay Thai. Anatoly Malykhin watches on from the stands at ONE Fight Night 39 – where he was bellowing instructions to Vladimir Kuzmin“In the third round I started getting tired,” Kuzmin said. He passed that information to Anatoly, and I heard him calling it out to me.”That mentorship could soon extend beyond Muay Thai. Muay Thai, kickboxing – or a full switch to mixed martial arts.

Rather than presenting a vision and concrete policies to the public, Mr Anutin has chosen to avoid debate platforms and instead rely on fear-mongering, Ms Kattiya said. This raised serious questions about his readiness and qualifications to lead the country, said the Pheu Thai deputy secretary-general. (Story continues below)Nattawut Saikuar, a former red shirt leader and now a Pheu Thai campaign assistant, addresses party rally in Phayao province on Saturday. (Photo: Pheu Thai Facebook)‘Uncle’ jibe draws responseNattawut Saikuar, a Pheu Thai campaign assistant, echoed Ms Khattiya’s comments, criticising the “blue party” of Mr Anutin for portraying itself as the sole defender of the nation. “I don’t know whether Mr Anutin listens to ‘daddy’ or not, but what I do know is that he listens only to his ‘head teacher’.

Chinese police in several cities have begun deploying humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with traffic enforcement, marking a serious step toward automating road management and public safety. The robots, officially project named Intelligent Police Unit R001 and nicknamed “RoboCop”, are designed to issue warnings and traffic tickets automatically. Developed by AiMOGA Robotics, the humanoid machines are being assigned to real-world traffic duties alongside human officers. It can also perform standard hand signals to control traffic in the middle of the road. Beyond traffic enforcement, AiMOGA has also tested the humanoid robot in other roles, such as dancing, drumming, Chinese calligraphy and even assisting as a nurse, highlighting its versatility.

Foreign election observers welcomedListen to this articleThe Election Commission of Thailand (EC) has authorised representatives from foreign embassies and international organisations to observe the upcoming general election and constitutional referendum on Feb 8. The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok will send three observers to monitor voting in the capital. The British Embassy will deploy 15 representatives across six provinces: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Buri Ram, Phayao and Ayutthaya. Their mission will cover both advance voting on Feb 1 and the main election day on Feb 8. The Election Commission has instructed provincial offices to facilitate the work of these observers in line with legal requirements, ensuring transparency and fairness during both the election and referendum processes.

Armed robber flees Bangkok shop with gold worth B11 millionListen to this articleA still from CCTV video shows the gunman taking gold necklaces from a tray in the shop at Lotus in Sukhumvit Soi 50, Bangkok, on Friday night. (Photo supplied)Police in Bangkok have launched a manhunt for a gunman who robbed a gold shop in Sukhumvit Soi 50 and made off with gold ornaments worth about 11.1 million baht and 170,000 baht in cash on Friday night. Police from the Phra Khanong station were alerted to the robbery of the Aurora gold shop at a Lotus mall in Khlong Toey district at 11.30pm. He poured gasoline in the shop and threatened the staff with a gun, telling them to hand over all valuables, police said. He took a total of 149 baht-weight (about 2.2kg) of gold, worth about 11.1 million baht at current prices, and 170,000 baht in cash, police said.