US sub that torpedoed Iranian ship included AustraliansA US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The prime minister’s comments came after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, in the first such attack since World War II. More than 100 sailors were missing or dead while 32 had been rescued, according to Sri Lankan authorities. “But I can confirm that there were three Australian personnel on board that vessel. Albanese declined to comment on the legality of the US-Israeli operation, saying such questions were a matter for the two countries involved.

(Photo: Reuters)After only four months in Cambodia, Chen Xian Jin reckons he can spot a scam manager when he sees one. Ambassador Wang Wenbin warned Cambodian officials in a meeting that scam centres pose a “serious obstacle” to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation. The US in late October gave Cambodia 90 days to act on scam centres as part of a deal for lower tariffs. Activists point to the chaos from the latest crackdown, where thousands of people poured out of scam centres in quick succession. When the scam centres are centrally located, whole ecosystems spring up around them — vendors, delivery drivers, cleaners.

Arsenal, Chelsea aim to avoid FA Cup upsetsArsenal midfielder Declan Rice. With that lofty goal in mind, Phil Parkinson's side can measure themselves against elite opposition in the shape of eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea. And Parkinson hopes they can rekindle the spirit that inspired the club, then in the fourth tier, to a famous FA Cup win over Arsenal in 1992. MansfieldMansfield boss Nigel Clough has a rich heritage as the son of one of football's most iconic managers, but FA Cup success has been elusive for his family. Fifth round fixtures (all times GMT)FridayWolves v Liverpool (2000)SaturdayMansfield v Arsenal (1215)Wrexham v Chelsea (1745)Newcastle v Manchester City (2000)SundayFulham v Southampton (1200)Port Vale v Sunderland (1330)Leeds v Norwich (1630)Monday

US, Venezuela restore ties as Washington pushes for minerals accessVenezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez met with US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in Caracas. (Photo: AFP)MAIQUETíA (VENEZUELA) - Venezuela and the United States are restoring diplomatic ties, the two countries announced Thursday, in a new sign of thawing relations after Washington ousted former president Nicolas Maduro. The announcement came as US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrapped up a two-day trip to Venezuela, part of US President Donald Trump's push for greater access to the country's mineral wealth. Besides oil, Venezuela is rich in minerals such as gold and diamonds, as well as bauxite, coltan and other rare materials used to make computers and mobile phones. Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, and Rodriguez last month overhauled the state-controlled oil sector to enable a wave of private investment.

Pornpawee Chochuwong moved into the women's singles quarter-finals of the US$1.45 million BWF All England Open in Birmingham on Thursday. The Thai eighth seed defeated Michelle Li of Canada 21-16, 24-22 in 59 minutes in the last 16 on Thursday at Birmingham's Utilita Arena. Men's second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn was to face Toma Junior Popov of France in the last 16 later on Thursday. The Thai world No.2 came through his first round match on Wednesday with a 21-15, 21-10 win over China's Lu Guangzu. Another Thai player Supanida Katethong was scheduled to face second seed Wang Zhiyi of China in another late match on Thursday.

America risks grand folly in Iran warIt is just the first week of the joint attack between the United States and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran, but the repercussions from the Middle East for the Indo-Pacific are already discernible. It does not necessarily mean China will attempt a takeover of Taiwan or the South China Sea anytime soon. While the wording of China's official response to the US's Maduro capture included "strongly condemns", the case of Iran was milder. Chinese strategic planners also must have their eyes on the upcoming March 31–April 2 summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. Much will now depend on how Mr Trump will extricate the US from what could shape up to be a morass in Iran.

Thailand faces closer scrutiny over products falsely claiming "Made in Thailand" status that are exported to the US, following a surge in Thai exports to the American market over the past year. In addition, Thai products rank among the top five subject to US anti-dumping measures. Regarding products falsely claiming Thai origin, the two agencies cooperated on investigations and arrests, with the value of such seizures rising by 142% year-on-year. One major case was handled by the Bangkok Port Customs Office, which seized goods falsely claiming Thai origin. Mr Phantong said the two departments will continue to implement stricter measures to intercept goods falsely declaring origin.

(Screenshot)Police have arrested the alleged mastermind and his sister in Bangkok for their alleged link to the brutal abduction and murder of a company manager, whose burnt remains were found in Lop Buri province. Sorawee Ratpithakthirada, 46, and Benyapha Ratpithak, 45, were arrested at a house in Wang Thong Lang district, Bangkok, late on Thursday night. Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat said police investigators believed the male suspect acted as the mastermind, who hired an abduction team previously issued with arrest warrants. Police earlier obtained arrest warrants for eight members of the alleged abduction team on charges of coercion and unlawful detention. Police said the first batch of arrested suspects may face additional charges as investigations continue.

Trump fires homeland security chief Kristi NoemUS Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Photo: AFP)WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump on Thursday fired Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security, the agency responsible for carrying out his sweeping immigration crackdown. Trump described Mullin as a "MAGA Warrior" and said he will be a "spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security." Noem came in for bipartisan criticism at Tuesday's Senate hearing over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. "Under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law," Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, told Noem.

Meet 2026 Miss Tiffany: Theerachaya ‘Book’ Pimkitidaj — Vogue Thailand’s former digital beauty editor and a celebrated columnist. In an exclusive Bangkok Post interview, Theerachaya looks back on a four-time pageant journey that began the moment she first dared to dream of the crown and reflects on what this hard-won victory means to her. She also weighs in on a simmering national debate over transgender people’s right to choose their own honorifics — a culturally fraught issue Thailand has yet to settle.

Nude sex workers chase non-paying customer in Pattaya(Photo: Amporn Sangkaew)Two transgender women were seen running completely naked after a foreign tourist while swearing and demanding payment for their sexual services near Pattaya beach early Thursday morning. According to witnesses, the pair were seen holding a brick, threatening the tourist and demanding money. One Pattaya municipal officer said he saw the two sex workers chasing an Indian tourist and shouting that he had assaulted them. The situation was eventually settled, with the tourist agreeing to pay the women 1,000 baht each. Authorities said the incident had damaged the image of Pattaya as a tourist city.

EC answers police ballot probe queriesThe vote recount in Kannayao on Feb 22. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Election Commission (EC) has submitted written responses to 30 police questions as part of an investigation into allegations that several individuals photographed ballot papers and attempted to decode ballot barcodes during a recent re-poll in Bangkok. Mr Kanchit said police had asked the EC to clarify 30 issues in writing, and the commission submitted its replies yesterday. He added that investigators had not yet scheduled any EC officials for questioning and would first review the responses before deciding on the next steps. Mr Somchai said any dispute over ballot design or the protection of vote secrecy should be tested in court.

IMF suggests deeper Asian economic integrationMs Georgieva says Asia leads the world in mobile broadband subscriptions, providing a strong foundation for digital payments and cross-border financial services. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief has called for deeper integration among Asian economies to help the region prepare for heightened global trade tensions and policy shocks. Economic growth in Asia has been driven partly by exports since the 1960s. Asian economies are already emerging as leaders in both the development and adoption of AI technologies, said Ms Georgieva. "By 2050, I expect to see many more Asian countries joining the family of advanced economies," she said.

Bitcoin rebounds as conflict in Middle East intensifiesAn artistic interpretation of the symbol for Bitcoin. (Photo: 123RF)Bitcoin has rebounded to top US$70,000 despite escalating conflicts in the Middle East, diverging from most major assets including gold, as global investors move aggressively into US dollars, says digital asset fund manager Merkle Capital. Iran's disruption of a critical maritime corridor handling more than 20% of global oil supply has triggered a supply shock, pushing crude prices sharply higher. Elevated oil prices risk reigniting global inflation, complicating the Federal Reserve's effort to bring inflation back to its 2% target. "If geopolitical tensions ease and inflation stabilises, Bitcoin could regain momentum, supported by ETF inflows and improving liquidity conditions.

As chatbots replace care, more teens will pay priceIn youth mental health care, a striking trend has emerged in recent years. International research shows that nearly three-quarters of teenagers in the United States use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT daily or several times a week. When mental health systems cannot meet demand, young people will turn to whatever is available. While mental health professionals are bound by strict legal and ethical frameworks, including youth care legislation, AI systems operate largely without such safeguards. It is up to us to make that distinction crystal clear, and to provide the guidance and care young people truly need.