Grabbing the bull by the tail: Venezuela’s cowboy sportThe sport of bull tailing or coleo is a key cultural touchstone in the Venezuelan llanos (tropical grasslands) but has been criticised by animal rights groups. Unlike their Texan counterparts, coleadores don’t try to ride the bull or grab it by the horns but rather chase its tail. For Neomar Sanoja, one of the judges, it’s Venezuela’s “national sport” — a bold claim in a baseball mad nation. To reach the bull’s tail, riders spur on their horses and when they draw alongside the animal’s flanks, perform acrobatic maneuvers to try flip the beast. The AnimaNaturalis animal rights NGO, which is active in Spain and Latin America, has called for the practice to be abolished.

Rio de Janeiro is preparing to host the 2026 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit from March 30 to April 2 in Copacabana. Founded in 2017, the Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of more than 70 cities working collaboratively on high-impact public policies and interventions that can save lives. “Rio is thrilled to be hosting public health experts from cities around the world at the 2026 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit,” said Eduardo Cavaliere, deputy Mayor of Rio de Janeiro. “As a proud member of the global Partnership for Healthy Cities network, Rio de Janeiro is committed to driving real solutions for critical public health challenges. The Summit in Rio de Janeiro offers a firsthand look at how city leadership is accelerating action that saves lives.”

(Photo: Jakkrit Waewkraihong)TRAT - Concern over rising fuel prices is growing among tourism operators in this eastern province, who are urging the government to stabilise prices before they can no longer bear the burden. “We will try to freeze fares as long as possible to avoid hurting tourism,” Mr Atthaphon said. “Initially, we can bear the extra costs for about a month.”He urged the government to consider support measures, such as direct fuel subsidies, tax relief or interest-rate reductions. So far, the government's main response has been to freeze diesel and petrol prices until March 17. Cutting the number of trips is the only way to reduce costs, Ms Rinlapas said, adding that the government is expected to review the fuel situation again soon.

“The Mall Lifestore Summer-Cation 2026” joins forces with GMMTV Fandoms to celebrate the warmest summer ever! The Mall Lifestore is transforming its shopping complexes into a grand "House of Friends" with the launch of “The Mall Lifestore Summer-Cation 2026: HOUSE OF FRIENDS” This event marks Thailand’s first and largest gathering of 27 GMMTV Fandom Characters, led by the iconic POLCASAN and friends, ready to offer a warm and intimate welcome to fans from March 6 to March 29, 2026, at all The Mall Lifestore branches and The Mall Korat. A heart-warming highlight included a 3rd-birthday celebration for POLCASAN, featuring a surprise appearance by New-Thitipoom and Gemini-Norawit on the "House of Friends" second-floor balcony. Thai Namthip Special: Spend 300 THB at Gourmet Market for House of Friends activity tickets or use 18 M Points for a soft drink. Spend 300 THB at Gourmet Market for House of Friends activity tickets or use 18 M Points for a soft drink.

Binance sees October Bitcoin uptickPhoto: 123RFThe Thai unit of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, believes the price of Bitcoin will start to climb by October, suggesting investors trade with caution as escalating tensions in the Middle East could be short-lived. Nirun Fuwattananukul, chief executive of Binance TH by Gulf Binance, said the cryptocurrency market has remained relatively stable even as the Middle East conflicts have intensified. Bitcoin recently rebounded above US$70,000, showing resilience despite heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, noted Mr Nirun. A bear market rally to around $80,000 is possible, though prices could also fall to $50,000, noted Binance TH. The $52,000-55,000 range is an interesting accumulation zone for long-term investors, noted the exchange.

'Severe summer storms' next weekThe Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of possible summer storms across upper Thailand, including Bangkok, on Wednesday and Thursday. However, on Wednesday and Thursday, summer storms may develop in parts of northern, northeastern, central and eastern Thailand. The storms could bring heavy rain in some areas, strong winds, hail and lightning. The TMD urged residents to remain cautious during the storms, avoid open spaces, large trees and unstable billboards, and limit travel in areas experiencing severe weather. Farmers were also advised to secure fruit trees and prepare protective measures for crops and livestock as weather conditions change.

Early trip planning urged as Mideast war sends airfares soaringThe baggage claim area at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand. For now, though, most airlines based in the Middle East are unable to resume normal operations, except for some flights from Oman. International flight networks have been affected, particularly routes that rely on the Middle East for connecting flights. As a result, some passengers have shifted to direct flights between Asia and Europe, the CAAT said. Planning trips well in advance is advised, and passengers with flexible schedules may consider alternative routes through countries that still operate connecting flights.

(Photo: Reuters)Commercial airline pilots have faced escalating risks in recent years, from drone incursions to flight paths squeezed by conflict. The outbreak of war in the Middle East has put hundreds of ballistic missiles and attack ‌drones into the skies above some of the world’s busiest airports. That has increased the strain on the mental health of pilots desperate to keep themselves and their ​passengers safe. “Middle East pilots have always faced crises, so from the start we trained how to deal with contingencies, emergencies and everything else,” said Captain Mohammed Aziz, director general of Lebanon’s civil aviation authority. (Photo: AFP)Drones in EuropeThe risks are not confined to the Middle East.

Rising fuel prices could spark domestic wildfire for TrumpIn California and across the United States, fuel prices are on the rise as the Middle East war begins to affect pocketbooks. Since last week, US average domestic fuel prices have risen 11%, according to the American Automobile Association’s fuel price gauge. Swonk warned that rising fuel prices added “insult to injury” for low-income Americans, who are already seeing higher healthcare costs and a tightening of welfare benefits under Trump. Trump, who has bragged about oil prices falling during his term, sought to address the political fallout on Friday, telling CNN he expected prices to come down quickly. “The more you pay higher gas, higher groceries (costs),” he said, voters will “start to see” that the middle class is shrinking.

(Photo: AFP)KYIV - Russia pummelled Ukraine with drone and missile attacks overnight, killing six people and triggering air alerts across the country, officials said on Saturday. A nearby house was also damaged,” the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleg Synegubov, said on Telegram. In Dnipropetrovsk, the head of the regional administration, Oleksandr Ganzha, said one person had been killed and another wounded in a Russian attack in the Nikopol district. In Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, a Russian drone strike wounded a baby, the head of the regional administration, Ivan Fedorov, said. An air‑raid alert was triggered during the night across all of Ukraine due to Russian raids.

Warehouse also held other items destined for export to traditional Chinese medicine marketsDried geckos found at a warehouse in Pathum Thani were believed to be destined form export to China for use in traditional medicine products. (Photo: Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation)Police on Friday impounded more than 120,000 dried gecko carcasses at a Pathum Thani warehouse where they were being stored before being exported for sale. The dried geckos had been smuggled into Thailand from another country, and the seizure was part of an ongoing investigation, according to the police Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. Officers armed with a search warrant from the Thanyaburi Court found 124,000 dead, dried geckos packed in paper boxes prepared for shipment at the premises located in Lam Luk Ka district. Officers subsequently discovered that the Pathum Thani warehouse was a major storage hub for products reportedly destined for China where they were used in traditional medicine products.

The entrance examination for the 2026 academic year at Triam Udom Suksa School was held at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province on Saturday. “Students are not allowed to bring money into the exam room and are being told to throw it in the trash. Another Facebook user commented: “If money is not allowed in the exam room, there should be a better solution. It’s very disheartening.” (Story continues below)More than 13,000 students were registered to take the entrance exam at Impact Muang Thong Thani. (Photos: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Students sprint to the venue for the entrance exam that could change their lives.

Mercedes 1-2 for Australian GP as Verstappen crashesMercedes driver George Russell celebrates after topping the qualifying session on Saturday in Melbourne. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE - George Russell powered to pole position Saturday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, but there was disaster for Max Verstappen who crashed out. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will keep Hadjar company on the second row with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and world champion teammate Lando Norris starting from fifth and sixth. Russell eclipsed his rivals with a flying lap of one minute 18.518 seconds on soft tyres, 0.293 ahead of Antonelli. Fantastic,” said the Dutchman, whose hopes of a second win in Australia after his 2023 victory appear to be over.

(Photo: Reuters)Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has approved a four-day work week for government offices starting on Monday in the country’s bid to save on energy as tensions in the Middle East push fuel costs higher. In a video message on Friday, Marcos said the shorter work week would be temporary and would not cover those who provide emergency services including the police and firefighters. “All non-essential travel and activities of the government are also temporarily prohibited such as study tours, team-building activities or meetings that can be done online,” Marcos said. The archipelago “tends to see a stronger inflation hit because retail fuel prices are more market-driven and subsidies are limited”, said Deepali Bhargava, regional head of research at ING Bank. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry had warned that the four-day work week could significantly affect the manufacturing industry, a key pillar of the economy.

(Photo: AFP)CARACAS - Inflation in Venezuela soared to 475% in 2025, the highest in the world, driven by a tightening of US sanctions in the lead-up to the ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro. Full-year inflation far exceeded the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 270%, figures released by the central bank showed on Friday. Accumulated inflation for the first two months of 2026 stood at nearly 52%, said the bank, which had not released inflation figures in over a year. “This inflation is killing us,” said Eduardo Sanchez, a leader of the teachers’ union, blaming poor economic policies. Tamara Herrera, director of the Sintesis Financiera consulting firm, said she expected inflation to fall to a little over 100% this year.