(Photo: AFP)REYKJAVIK - Iceland's government on Friday proposed that a referendum be held on August 29 on resuming the country's EU membership talks after they were terminated in 2015. The North Atlantic island submitted an EU membership application in 2009, a year after the stunning collapse of its financial sector. An opinion poll published in early February by public broadcaster RUV indicated that the Icelandic public was evenly divided on the question of EU membership. Frostadottir also noted that the world had changed since Iceland last engaged in EU membership talks. The European Union’s enlargement chief Marta Kos on Friday said Iceland was set for a “significant decision” with its referendum.

Klatham Party chief adviser Thamanat Prompow and party leader Narumon Pinyosinwat on Friday led the party’s MPs to report to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. Asked whether Klatham should now be considered an opposition party, he said the situation remained unclear. Responding to rumours of MPs defecting to support Bhumjaithai, Thamanat dismissed the claims as political speculation meant to sow confusion. He described the party’s position as a matter of political courtesy, noting that Bhumjaithai was already aware of the Democrats’ conditions for joining a coalition. Among the commitments the party made to voters during the election campaign was that it would not serve in any government that included the Klatham Party, given the later's image problems.

‘Mistakes were clearly made,’ rights chief says of attack that killed more than 150Mourners gather at the funeral for dozens of children killed in the strike on a school in Minab, Iran. On the first day of the war last Saturday, a strike hit an elementary school in the southern Iranian town of Minab and killed at least 150 people, say Iranian officials. When it comes to a school, he said, that was “clearly a civilian institution that should never be attacked”. He pointed out that the attack had “happened in the morning”, at a time when children were likely to be in school. “The onus is now really on those who conducted these strikes to conduct this type of investigation,” he said.

(Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned Klatham Party MP Chonnaphat Naksua to acknowledge charges linked to an online gambling and money-laundering network, following raids that uncovered audio and chat evidence reportedly tying him to the network. They also found application chat records related to online gambling and manipulation of tax accounts, with mention of a woman identified as Rae (surname withheld). Mr Chonnaphat has been summoned to answer allegations of organising online gambling and conspiracy to launder money on March 12 at DSI headquarters in Bangkok. If he fails to appear, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon explained, a second summons would be issued for March 19, with an arrest warrant to follow if he still does not turn up. When asked whether money linked to the gambling network had been used for election campaigning, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said the matter had not yet been examined.

US investigation points to likely US responsibility in Iran school strikePeople and rescue forces work following a strike on a school in Minab, Iran, on Saturday. The girls' school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country. "The Department of War would be investigating that if that was our strike, and I would refer your question to them," Rubio said. The UN human rights office, without saying who it believed was responsible for the strike on the school, called on Tuesday for an investigation. Deliberately attacking a school or hospital or any other civilian structure would likely be a war crime under international humanitarian law.

Thailand’s major oil retailers disagree with a government order for them to triple their reserves to ensure a sufficient supply for motorists during the war in the Middle East. “We instructed oil retailers to raise their oil reserve proportion from 1% to 3% to increase confidence among the public,” he said after a meeting with caretaker prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The Fuel Control Act allows the government to order oil retailers to set aside certain amounts of oil as reserves. Oil retailers will be required to gradually increase reserves from 1% to 1.5% this month, rising to 3% in April, he said. Oil retailers plan to hold discussions with the government about the issue to determine what is possible, he said.

Woman protests against boyfriend by sitting in middle of busy junctionscreenshot from อีกี้ของแทร่ แอ๊บแอ้แอ๊บแอ้CHON BURI - A video circulating widely on social media has sparked concern after a woman was seen sitting in the middle of a busy road at a traffic-light intersection. The footage shows a young woman seated on the road at the Kiri–Ang Sila intersection in Mueang district, Chon Buri, as traffic continued to pass through the junction. In the clip, the woman appears visibly upset and at one point throws one of her shoes, which struck a passing motorcyclist, startling the rider. Her boyfriend is then seen hastily stopping his car on the opposite side of the intersection before running across the road in an attempt to calm and console her. Several motorists were forced to slow down and swerve to avoid the pair, narrowly preventing what could have been a serious accident.

Poll finds strong opposition to tainted ministers(Bangkok Post file photo)Nearly half of Thais reject the idea of having cabinet ministers with records of corruption, according to a new poll highlighting strong public demand for integrity and competence in government. Findings from the KPI Poll conducted by the King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI) indicate corruption remains the most decisive factor in public opposition to prospective cabinet members. The poll suggests corruption has become a “red line” for many voters, reflecting rising expectations for ethical governance and merit-based appointments rather than political bargaining. About 26.4% said the inclusion of professionals from outside politics should depend on the prime minister’s discretion, while others supported varying proportions. Similarly, 31.2% expressed no fixed view on the number of female ministers, suggesting gender representation should be determined by suitability rather than quotas.

BRUSSELS - EU member states and lawmakers agreed on Thursday to ban using meat-related terms such as "steak" and "bacon" to market plant-based foods -- but spared veggie "burgers" and "sausage". The decision marks a win for Europe's livestock farmers, many of whom argue that plant-based foods which mimic meat are potentially misleading for consumers, threatening their already troubled sector. It "recognises the value of livestock farmers' work and protects their products, fruits of unique know-how, against a form of unfair competition," she said. EU consumption of plant-based alternatives to meat products has grown five-fold since 2011, according to data from BEUC. "Fortunately, the conservative word police have failed to ban the 'veggie burger'," said Anna Strolenberg, a lawmaker with the Greens group.

(Photo: AFP)BAKU - Iranian drone strikes on Azerbaijan have raised fears that the Middle East war could spill into the Caucasus, as Baku, an ally of Israel, vows to respond. Azerbaijan announced on Friday that it was withdrawing diplomatic staff from Iran, a day after drones launched from Iranian territory targeted an airport and exploded near a school in the country’s Nakhichevan exclave, bordering Iran. The drone strikes have fuelled concerns that the war could spill into the strategically sensitive South Caucasus, some analysts said. “The pipeline’s above-ground facilities, such as terminals and pumping stations, could be vulnerable to drone strikes,” said Ilham Shaban, head of the Baku-based Centre for Oil Research. “Azerbaijan does not wish to enter into an armed conflict with Iran,” Musabekov said.

Almost 95% of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East and is processed at ageing refineries optimised for Middle Eastern crude grades. (Photo: Kyodo via Reuters)SINGAPORE - Asian energy buyers are scrambling to find alternatives as the Iran war creates unprecedented supply disruption, but the region has ​limited longer-term options to reduce its heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil. Energy Aspects analyst Richard Jones said some governments may seek diversification at the margins, but many Asian refiners are tied to Middle East term contracts. Michal Meidan, head of China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, said the situation could lead to fuel ​switching and demand destruction. Surrey’s Imsirovic said a prolonged disruption could prompt governments to reconsider ‌their reliance on Middle East energy entirely.

French cultural awards held for first time in ThailandHRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn poses for a photograph with distinguished participants at the ceremony, including Jean-Claude Poimbœuf, French Ambassador to Thailand; Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow; HRH Princess Yasmine Murat and Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Grand Prix du Rayonnement Français Association, with support from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, held the Grand Prix du Rayonnement Français 2026 ceremony at Alliance Française Bangkok on Wednesday, marking the first time the awards have been presented outside France. French Ambassador Jean-Claude Poimbœuf presents the Grand Prix du Rayonnement Français award to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn exchanges greetings with Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul who receives Her Royal Highness at the event. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn views an exhibition at the event celebrating Franco-Thai relations.

Liquidity support and special credit terms for firms with shipping obligations to Mideast customersCargo vessels at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri province. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) and the Export-Import Bank of Thailand have introduced measures to support Thai exporters affected by maritime transport disruptions in the Middle East. The Exim Bank said it would provide emergency funding to assist existing clients with outstanding export obligations to the Middle East. The liquidity support of up to $150,000 will be offered to each borrower at an interest rate of 3.99% per year, requiring only a key executive as guarantor. The TNSC and Exim Bank urged exporters to revise their business plans to reduce risks.

Indonesia to withdraw from Trump's Board of Peace if it does not benefit PalestiniansInaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, in Washington, the United States. (Photo: Reuters)JAKARTA — Indonesia's ⁠President Prabowo ⁠Subianto has reassured local ​Islamic groups that he will withdraw from United States President Donald ​Trump's 'Board of Peace' if the ‌platform does not benefit Palestinians, a government statement said on Friday. Prabowo will withdraw from the board if it does not benefit Palestinian and Indonesian interests, the statement quoted Hanif Alatas of the Islamic Brotherhood Front as saying. Nahdlatul ⁠Ulama, the country's largest Muslim group, said Indonesia's government could use the board to encourage de-escalation in the Middle East. All Board of Peace discussions have ‌been halted due ⁠to the war, Indonesia Foreign ​Minister Sugiono has previously said.

Home hero Piastri edges Antonelli in second Australian GP practiceMcLaren's Oscar Piastri was fastest in second practice for the Australian Grand Prix. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE — McLaren's Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Friday as drivers grappled with sweeping new engine changes. The Australian sent 125,000 fans at his home track into a frenzy by blasting round Albert Park in one minute 19.729secs, 0.214 clear of Antonelli. At the halfway mark it was Italy's Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton and Piastri. In first practice, Leclerc outpaced Hamilton with Verstappen and Hadjar third and fourth.