Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea 'golden rules' by end of yearA China Coast Guard vessel 21559 uses a water cannon against Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ship BRP Datu Pagbuaya in the South China Sea, in this handout image released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Oct 12, 2025. Beijing claims sovereignty over almost all the islands and rock features in the South China Sea and in their adjacent waters. "Peace, cooperation and friendship are shaping a new narrative for the South China Sea," the foreign minister said. He argued that through Wang's remarks, Beijing sought to place the South China Sea and regional security within a larger international strategic context. "Beijing's message is clear: the stability of the South China Sea is critical to the security and development of the entire Asia-Pacific region, not a battlefield for geopolitical rivalry."

City denies PP claims of overpaying for traffic conesThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued a clarification after People's Party (PP) MP Rukchanok Srinork questioned equipment costs, noting the comparison involved different road safety devices. During a lecture at Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus on Saturday, Ms Rukchanok raised concerns about the procurement of orange traffic cones. The criticism compared flexible bollards with standard pyramid-shaped traffic cones. The BMA said it purchased flexible bollards last year at 1,600 baht each, lower than the reference price of 1,800 baht. This year, the price was further reduced to 1,500 baht per unit from a reference price of 1,600 baht.

Google has officially rolled out a new warning system on the Play Store to alert users about Android applications that consume excessive battery power, following a policy shift aimed at improving device efficiency. The system is designed to identify and label apps that continue to strain hardware resources even when not actively in use. By surfacing these warnings, Google aims to provide transparency to consumers before they commit to a download. Beyond the visible warnings, Google is also penalising unoptimised apps within the Play Store’s ecosystem. Source: Android Developers Blog

Young waitress killed in Chiang MaiA police investigator stands in front of the rented house where the body of a young waitress was found in Hang Dong district, Chiang Mai, on Saturday. (Photo: Hang Dong rescue foundation)Police investigating the death of a 22-year-old waitress found at her house in Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai have arrested her cousin's boyfriend. The body of the waitress, identified only as Yupa aka Praew, was on the bed. Police identified the murderer because a deliveryman arrived at the house just when the murderer was about to flee the place on Friday. On Saturday the man returned to the house and pretended to be a witness when police examined the crime scene.

Dept mulls easing booze curbs at banquetsThe Department of Disease Control (DDC) has opened public consultation on easing alcohol restrictions at traditional events, including wedding banquets and diplomatic events, in restricted venues. The Office of the Alcohol Control Committee under the Department of Disease Control is seeking feedback on a draft Prime Minister's Office regulation concerning "traditional banquets". The source said the proposed regulation stems from the amended Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which introduced a legal definition of "traditional banquets". However, the law allows exemptions for traditional events once formally designated by ministerial announcement. "Under the proposal, wedding receptions will be classified as traditional banquets, enabling alcohol to be served at such events even if held in venues normally subject to alcohol restrictions," he said.

Japan mulls abolishing face-to-face immigration checks amid tourism surgeAn airplane of Japan Airlines approaches to land at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Jan 5, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)The Japanese government is moving to abolish with the need for most foreign tourists to meet face-to-face with immigration officers to enter the country as it seeks to streamline entry procedures amid the inbound tourism surge. Doing away with in-person immigration checks to reduce airport congestion is rare by global standards, the agency said. Immigration officers would be stationed near the gates and could conduct face-to-face checks if they spot suspicious activity. The Integrated Kiosk is currently available at Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Fukuoka airports, with the agency planning to expand the system to more airports.

Pressure builds for Australia to offer Iran women's football team asylumIran's players salute during the national anthem before the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 football match between Iran and Philippines in Gold Coast on March 8, 2026SYDNEY - Australia must protect the visiting Iranian women's football team, the son of the nation's late shah urged Monday, warning their refusal to sing the national anthem before a match could have "dire consequences". US-based Reza Pahlavi lent his voice to a growing chorus calling for Australia to offer the women asylum, joining politicians, human rights activists and even author J.K Rowling. "The members of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic," said Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran. They later surrounded the Iranian team bus, chanting "let them go" and "save our girls". Asked about their case on Sunday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia "stands in solidarity" with the people of Iran.

Stocks and bonds drop on oil’s surge, dollar gainsIranian missiles fly towards Israel, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on Monday. The dollar, which has emerged as the haven of choice during this conflict, rose against almost all its major peers. Treasuries slid on concern rising oil prices will add to inflation, after they had gained on Friday following Friday’ weak payrolls report. Spiking oil prices may precipitate a stock market correction rather than a bear market, but the latter is possible, said Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research. “The worst is yet to come in the stock market reaction,” said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading.

Thai stocks drop on escalating war in MideastAn electronic board displaying the Korea Composite Stock Price Index and a news report on the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the dealing room of a bank in Seoul on Monday. Thai shares also dropped in line with other markets. (Photo: Reuters)The Stock Exchange of Thailand dived on Monday amid the escalating war in the Middle East, as oil prices moved beyond US$100 a barrel. The SET index had dropped 55.96 points, or 3.97%, as of 10.05am, with the Thai bourse following the downward trend of its regional peers. The Thai market plunge was in the same direction as other Asian markets as investors unloaded holdings, worried about surging oil prices as the US-Israel versus Iran war entered its second week with no end in sight.

When we talk about AI transformation, we often point to systems, strategy and structure. The AI age is not only redesigning how companies operate. But learning in the AI age is different. To thrive, individuals must create intentional rhythms: moments of deep work, moments of learning, moments of reflection. The AI age is not asking us to become machines.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed military cooperation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (March 8), Starmer's office said, after Trump dismissed the need for Britain's help to win the war with Iran.

Turning biotechnology into hope for farmersChallika Kaewborisuth. In 2022, Thailand's pig farming industry faced a major crisis when African swine fever spread across the country. Nearly half of the breeding pigs were lost, and about 40% of small- and medium-sized pig farmers had to close their businesses. For many families, pig farming was a lifelong tradition, so the outbreak was devastating. In recognition of her work, Ms Challika received the L'Oréal Thailand For Women in Science Award.

Hezbollah says fighting Israeli forces in east LebanonLebanon was drawn into the Middle East war when Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei during US-Israeli attacks. afpBEIRUT- Hezbollah said on Monday it was engaging Israeli forces that landed in eastern Lebanon by helicopter across the Syrian border, the second such operation since the outbreak of the latest conflict with Israel. Two Hezbollah officials in the Bekaa region, where Nabi Sheet is located, told AFP that an Israeli helicopter was downed. In the south, Hezbollah said on Monday that it targeted Israeli soldiers entering the Lebanese border towns of Odaisseh and Aitaroun with artillery shells. Lebanon's health minister Rakan Nassereddine said on Sunday that Israeli strikes on Lebanon had killed 394 people over the past week, including 83 children and 42 women.

Fake AI satellite imagery spurs US-Iran war disinformationThe rise of generative AI has turbocharged the ability to fabricate convincing satellite imagery that can be exploited during conflicts. afpWASHINGTON - The satellite image posted by an Iranian news outlet looked real: a devastated US base in Qatar. But it was an AI-generated fake, underscoring the accelerating threat of tech-enabled disinformation during wartime. Reports of fake satellite imagery created or edited using AI also followed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the four-day war between India and Pakistan last year. The company's own satellite imagery helped confirm that the photos were fake, almost certainly generated using AI, Vantor's Tomi Maxted told AFP.

Thaifex-Horec Asia 2026 will present top-class products, equipment, technology and solutions tailored for hospitality and foodservice businesses, at Impact Challenger Hall 1-2, Muang Thong Thani, from Wednesday to Friday. This is the third edition of Southeast Asia's premier trade show which provides a focused platform for hospitality leaders and operators to evaluate solutions, strengthen operational capabilities and connect with partners relevant to their business needs. The show is back with an increased emphasis on how hospitality businesses operate day to day, from kitchen workflows and service processes to housekeeping, coffee and workforce execution. The exhibition floor remains central to the event, with equipment, systems and solutions demonstrated through live workflows, skills programmes and operating environments. There will also be a Workshop Zone featuring hands-on training in bakery techniques, wellness cooking, bartender training and wine masterclasses, led by experienced industry practitioners.