Rare vulture chick hatchesA vulture egg laid by the pair 'Pok & Ming' hatches at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, in a collaboration between the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand under Royal Patronage and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. KORAT ZOOThe breeding programme for the critically endangered red-headed vulture is making progress, says the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPOT). The first egg was transferred to Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, where it was monitored by veterinarians and specialists who previously hatched Thailand’s first red-headed vulture. Ms Chongkolnee said the organisation will provide intensive care to ensure the chick grows into a healthy adult. In the long term, it is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the red-headed vulture population and restoring ecological balance to natural ecosystems.

Iran vows revenge for slain supreme leader despite Trump threatThousands gathered to mourn the death of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, shown here, and in other cities including Shiraz and YazdTEHRAN - Iranian top officials vowed Sunday to avenge their slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and declared a new wave of strikes on US bases in the Gulf, defying US President Donald Trump's threat of an unprecedented escalation in force. Ali Larijani, the powerful head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, declared: "The brave soldiers and the great nation of Iran will teach an unforgettable lesson to the international oppressors." Iran's first retaliatory strikes on Saturday had hit all the Gulf states apart from Oman, which had sought to mediate US-Iran talks. - Question on succession -Iran had already seen intense speculation on a successor to Khamenei, given his age. Pezeshkian and two other top officials would lead Iran in the transitional period following Khamenei's death, state television said Sunday.

Music, mourning after Iran's Khamenei killedA Shiite Muslim holds a photograph of Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) and former leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini during an anti-US and Israel protest in Srinagar on March 1, 2026PARIS - Cheers in Tehran. - Music in Tehran -Iranians took to the streets cheering with joy, setting off fireworks and playing celebratory music after reports of Khamenei's death, according to witnesses and video footage verified by AFP. - Mourning in Tehran -The thousands who did gather in the centre of Iran's capital were instead mourning Khamenei's death, according to AFP journalists. - 'Cruel tyrant' -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called for Iranians to "overthrow the regime" after Khamenei's killing. Government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said in a statement that Khamenei was killed in "a blatant act of aggression".

Shifting strategyWanwichit Boonprong, a political scientist at Rangsit University, argues that Cambodia has shifted its strategy from direct confrontation to international political manoeuvring. “Otherwise the narrative becomes that we are escalating.”He suggested Cambodia may be leveraging international opinion during Thailand’s political transition following the election. Mr Panitan said Cambodia is framing its case around alleged violations of the UN Charter, Asean Charter and joint ceasefire statements. Mr Panitan sees Cambodia’s posture as influenced by three variables: international reaction, domestic political pressure and tactical opportunities. But if we simply announce termination and indicate that we intend to assert control over contested maritime areas, that could provoke retaliation on the ground,” Mr Panitan said.

DLT launches safety tool for passengersThe Department of Land Transport has launched its “Taxi Dee Prom” system, introducing digital tools designed to enhance safety, transparency and convenience for taxi passengers in Bangkok, the DLT says. Accessible through the DLT GPS NOTICE mobile app, the system allows passengers to check driver details, track journeys, estimate fares and submit real-time feedback or complaints. The system uses a QR code system links both drivers and passengers to the DLT GPS NOTICE platform, he said. Under the scheme, the QR code stickers are divided into three colours. Blue stickers are for passengers, allowing them to check vehicle and driver details, estimate fares, rate services and submit complaints.

Afghan, Pakistani forces battle along their borderMonths of cross-border clashes escalated on Thursday when Afghanistan launched an offensive along the frontier, with Pakistani forces hitting back. (Photo afp)KABUL - Afghan and Pakistani troops battled along their border, Afghan residents and officials told AFP on Sunday, with the fighting coming alongside multiple strikes including the former US air base at Bagram. North of the capital Kabul, air strikes "hit Bagram air base" according to a resident who AFP is not naming for security reasons. At Torkham border crossing -- a key gateway for Afghans returning from Pakistan -- fighting was reported by the Nangarhar province information department. Afghan officials said Thursday's border offensive was a response to earlier air strikes that killed civilians, which Pakistan said targeted militants.

Ships avoid Hormuz as Iran raises threats, conflict spreadsDemonstrators hold a banner reading "No War On Iran" during a protest against war in Iran at City Hall in Los Angeles, California, US, on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Iran’s supreme leader was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes, raising the stakes in a conflict that’s spiraling across the oil-rich Middle East and disrupting traffic around the Hormuz shipping strait. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, describing the waterway as effectively shut, said on Saturday that the country’s Revolutionary Guard warned ships that transiting Hormuz is not safe. The US issued a warning to shipping that vessels in the region should stay 30 nautical miles away from its military assets. The warning from Greece’s shipping ministry also told ships to be ready to use “conventional” navigation methods that don’t use electronics, citing the risk of interference while sailing in the region.

THAI flights operating normally, detouring Iran warA Thai Airways Boeing 787-800. (Photo supplied)Thai Airways International (THAI) said on Sunday all flights were operating as normal despite the conflict with Iran, with European services rerouted to avoid affected airspace. The flag carrier said it had adjusted flight paths for Europe-bound and inbound services to keep them clear of areas of conflict. THAI said safety remained its top priority and it was closely monitoring developments and making risk assessments, to ensure uninterrupted operations. This can be dpne via the THAI Contact Centre's 24-hour line, +66 (0)2‑356‑1111.

Turkish Airlines cancelled flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan until March 2. Air France cancelled its Dubai, Riyadh, Beirut and Tel Aviv flights until Sunday, extending its earlier suspension. Swiss International Air Lines suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until March 7, and cancelled flights from Zurich to Dubai scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. United flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until Monday, and flights to Dubai until Sunday. - Africa airlines -Ethiopian Airlines cancelled its flights to Amman, Tel Aviv, Dammam, and Beirut.

Ali Larijani, the Islamic Republic's supreme national security council secretary, photographed at a Hezbollah ceremony on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept 27, 2025. Larijani had also made several trips to key ally Moscow in recent months to discuss a range of security ties, in a further sign of his return to high-level diplomacy. But in the wake of January's outpouring of anti-government anger, his security council role was denounced by Washington. - Engaging with Putin -Larijani has cautioned that Iran's nuclear program "can never be destroyed". Born in Najaf, Iraq, in 1958 to a leading Iranian clerical family, ‌Larijani moved to Iran as a child and went on ⁠to earn a philosophy PhD.

Storms alert for 62 provincesStorm alerts, and a cautionary reminder: A storm packed with hail swept through several districts in Chiang Mai on Feb 21, striking Mae Wang, Phrao, Kalayaniwattana, Chom Thong and Doi Lo. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)A storm alert is out, warning residents of 62 provinces, including Bangkok, to brace for thunderstorms, strong gusty winds, torrential rain with hail in some areas, and possible lightning strikes, from Tuesday into Friday this week. The warning was issued by the Central Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command following a Meteorological Department advisory of summer storms in upper Thailand. Mr Theeraphat said all 62 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central regions could be affected, including Bangkok and its vicinity. Provincial and regional disaster units were on alert, with orders to monitor weather updates and ensure timely warnings are issued.

World Cup marks 100-day countdown amid political upheavalThe MetLife Stadium outside New York will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World CupLOS ANGELES (UNITED STATES) - The 100-day countdown to the biggest World Cup in history gets under way on Tuesday against a chaotic backdrop of global unrest, from US-Israeli strikes on Iran to surging violence in Mexico and anxiety over Donald Trump's domestic agenda. The Trump administration's immigration crackdown meanwhile has seen enhanced visa restrictions on dozens of countries including four World Cup qualified nations -- Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. The surging violence gripped Guadalajara, Mexico's second biggest city, which is hosting four World Cup matches. Both Infantino and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have both given assurances that the recent unrest will not disrupt World Cup games taking place in the country. Argentina's hopes of winning back-to-back World Cup titles will face a stern challenge from 2018 champions France and reigning European champions Spain.

Mideast war affects 54 flights at major Thai airportsTourist police give advice on flights affected by the war in the Middle East, at Phuket airport on Sunday. (Photo: tourist police)The war in the Middle East has affected 54 flights at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports since Saturday, primarily airlines based in the conflict region. Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) said on Sunday that the Mideast situation affected 32 flights, 16 inbound and 16 outbound, operated by nine airlines from Saturday to Sunday morning. They were operated by Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and Unicair, a private air ambulance service. On Saturday flight ETD 417 of Etihad Airways left Phuket airport for Abu Dhabi at 3.30pm and returned to Phuket at 8.30pm on Saturday for passenger safety, Phuket airport authorities said.

Thailand has a two-month oil reserve and the energy supply is unlikely to be affected by the latest Mideast conflict, says the Energy Ministry. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The Ministry of Energy said on Sunday that Thailand has a two-month oil reserve and it will search out alternative sources to ensure energy security if the Iran war escalates to other countries in the Mideast. This could meet demand in Thailand for an additional 23 days. If the Iran war was prolonged, or escalated, the Ministry of Energy would take action to stabilise energy reserves and prevent an oil shortage, he said. At present, 77,495 Thai workers are under the supervision of Thai labour offices in Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong said.

Strikes on Iran continue after US, Israeli assault kills supreme leaderA photo released by US Central Command shows shows a US drone being readied during the operation dubbed "Epic Fury", an attack by the United States and Israel on Iran. (Photo: Centcom/ Reuters)DUBAI/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON - Israel said it had launched another wave of strikes on Iran on Sunday, as Iranians faced uncertainty after the killing of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic in US and Israeli attacks ​that threatened to destabilize the wider Middle East. Israel's military said its strikes on ​Sunday morning targeted Iran’s ballistic missile and air defense systems. The Pentagon said there were no US deaths or injuries, but the strikes raised concerns of ‌new risks for Americans. - Failed negotiations -Israeli ⁠military operations over the past two years had already killed some of Iran's senior military officials and severely weakened several of Tehran's once-feared proxy forces across the Middle ​East.