New clashes in Iran as protests enter second week: rights groupsProtests have affected at least 40 different cities in Iran to varying degrees over the last weekPARIS (FRANCE) - New deadly clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Iran over the weekend, rights groups and local media said Sunday, as demonstrations first sparked by anger over the rising cost of living entered a second week. The Iran Human Rights NGO, also based in Norway, gave an identical toll of four dead, as well as 30 wounded, after "security forces attacked the protests" in Malekshahi. Videos verified by AFP showed security forces dispersing protesters who had gathered overnight and blocked a road by overturning garbage cans. On Sunday, the vast majority of shops were open in the capital, although the streets appeared less crowded than usual, with riot police and security forces deployed at major intersections, AFP observed. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States was "locked and loaded" to respond if Iran killed protesters -- a day before the American operation to capture Iran's ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Ms Pirongrong highlighted the emergence of "agentic AI" -- systems capable of autonomous decision-making and planning. One of the biggest challenges, she said, is accountability when AI systems act autonomously. Ms Pirongrong pointed to the European Union's AI governance model, which categorises AI systems by risk level. AI and mediaFrom the media perspective, Asst Prof Ekapon Thienthaworn of Thammasat University's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication said Thailand remains far behind global AI leaders. Finally, addressing geopolitical divisions in AI development between China and the West, Asst Prof Ekapon said Thailand should remain technologically pragmatic.

Listen to this articleThailand has accused Cambodia of violating international and humanitarian law while noting it still faces unfounded allegations from the other side. Cambodia positioned troops, weapons and military stockpiles within civilian zones, contravening civilian-protection norms and using residents as human shields -- a practice strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, it added. The centre urged the international community to assess the situation based on international law, humanitarian principles and verifiable evidence -- not misinformation or propaganda. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Army rejected Cambodia's latest allegations that Thai troops have crossed the border and occupied territory in four Cambodian provinces. Maj Gen Winthai said Thai forces had not seized or occupied any Cambodian land, and all areas currently under Thai control are indisputably within Thailand.

With the People's Party (PP) and the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) locked in a tight race for the most seats, neither is expected to secure a parliamentary majority. Mr Sutin said Pheu Thai will remain a decisive power broker regardless of the final seat count. Pheu Thai, on the other hand, has a new candidate, and in the final stretch, we could still finish first," he said. "Even with Pheu Thai, he has yet to make it clear whether he is willing to work with us," he said. Chulalongkorn University political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot said the emerging governing formula looks familiar, centring on a coalition of three main parties -- the BJT, Pheu Thai and Klatham.

Delcy Rodriguez: From Maduro's 'tigress' to acting Venezuelan presidentListen to this articleVenezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez was a staunch supporter of her ousted boss, Nicolas MaduroCARACAS - Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric, earning her the nickname "the tigress" from toppled leader Nicolas Maduro. "She has probably been one of Maduro's most trusted people over the years," political analyst Pedro Benitez of the Central University of Venezuela told AFP. Hours after Maduro's capture, Rodriguez insisted he remained the "only president" of Venezuela, demanded his release, and said the government in Caracas stood ready "to defend" the country. "If she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," Trump told The Atlantic. Political scientist Benigno Alarcon told AFP that even though Rodriguez still needs to be sworn in formally, she "already is" the de facto president.

114 killed in week of attacks in Sudan's DarfurListen to this articleAfter more than two years of war, 11 million Sudanese have been forced from their homes and many are reliant on humanitarian aid. afpPORT SUDAN, Sudan - Attacks by Sudan's army and its paramilitary foes on two towns in the western Darfur region over the past week have killed 114 people, medical sources told AFP on Sunday. RSF fighters advancing westward towards the border with Chad last week killed another 63 people in and around the town of Kernoi, a medical source in the local hospital told AFP Sunday. The war's fiercest violence is currently unfolding in Kordofan, Sudan's vast oil-rich southern region that links Darfur to the capital Khartoum, which the army recaptured last year. Drone strikes on North Kordofan capital El-Obeid caused a power outage, the national electricity company said.

Thailand accuses Cambodia of war crimesListen to this articleA woman peeks out from her tent at a temporary shelter during the deadly clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops in a disputed border area of Surin province, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)Thailand has accused Cambodia of war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law in attacking Thai civilian areas and discarding the bodies of its own soldiers on the battlefield. “That is considered using civilians as human shields, which violates international humanitarian law,” the joint press centre said. “Such attacks constitute direct attacks on civilians, which are war crimes under international law,” the joint press centre said. They “constitute a threat to peace and security and undermine efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully", the joint press centre said.

PP denies anti-military stance, vows to press on with reformsListen to this articleA supporter takes a selfie with Parit Wacharasindhu, centre, spokesman of the People’s Party (PP), and Seksit Yaemsanguansak, right, a candidate for Bangkok's Ratchathewi, Pathumwan, and Sathon constituency, at Siam Square on Sunday while canvassing for votes. Apichart JinakulThe People’s Party (PP) has rejected criticism accusing it of undermining the military, asserting strong support for troops defending sovereignty and public security as nationalism gains momentum. Parit Wacharasindhu, PP spokesman, said on Sunday the party stands firmly with the armed forces in their duty to protect sovereignty and public safety. Mr Parit said the party stands alongside soldiers performing security duties but opposes unfair systems and practices, whether in justice or budget management. Mr Wiroj said the party has never opposed the armed forces but has consistently called for a modern military that protects professional soldiers and addresses injustices faced by lower ranks.

Abhisit, Dems top picks in SongkhlaListen to this articleDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva campaigns for votes in Bangkok on Sunday. Democrat PartyDemocrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is the most popular choice for prime minister among voters in Songkhla, with the Democrats also leading the polls for both the constituency and party-list contest, says a National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) poll. The survey, held between Dec 20 and 25 among 1,067 voters in Songkhla province, found 40.67% of respondents would support Mr Abhisit as prime minister, while 24.18% of respondents said they were still undecided. Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) leader Anutin Charnvirakul came in third with 12.56%, followed closely by People's Party (PP) leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut at 11.43%. Mr Abhisit thanked residents of Songkhla for their support, saying the Democrats would present policies to persuade undecided voters.

North Korea fires ballistic missiles in first test of 2026Listen to this articleA photo released by North Korean state media shows leader Kim Jong Un visiting a missile factory this weekSEOUL - North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast on Sunday, Seoul's military said, a day after a major US military operation against Pyongyang's socialist ally Venezuela. Seoul's defence ministry said it had detected "several projectiles, presumed to be ballistic missiles" fired from near the North Korean capital Pyongyang around 7:50 am (2250 GMT Saturday). "The underlying message is likely that attacking North Korea would not be as easy as a strike on Venezuela," he said. A former senior North Korean diplomat who defected in 2023 said Pyongyang should learn from the US operation. Lee hopes to possibly harness China's clout over North Korea to support his bid to improve ties with Pyongyang.

(Photo: @RapidResponse47/Handout/ Reuters)CARACAS/NEW YORK - Venezuelan President Nicolas ‌Maduro was in a New York detention center on Sunday after President Donald Trump ordered an ​audacious U.S. raid to capture the South American leader and take control of the country and its vast oil reserves. For months, his administration criticized Maduro, 63, over what ‌it called his involvement in shipping drugs to the US. “We demand the immediate release of President Nicolas Maduro and his ‌wife ‍Cilia Flores," Rodriguez said, calling Maduro "the only president of Venezuela." A US occupation "won't cost us a penny" because the United States would be reimbursed from the "money coming out of the ground," Trump said, referring to Venezuela's oil reserves, a subject he returned to repeatedly during Saturday's press conference. Trump also runs the risk of alienating some of his own supporters, who have backed his "America First" agenda and oppose foreign interventions.

But neither will it recognize an intervention that violates international law and pushes the ​region toward a horizon of uncertainty and belligerence." Iranian Foreign Ministry: The ministry condemned the US attack on Venezuela as "a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity." The American intervention in Venezuela is not in accordance with international law", "A peaceful transition to democratic rule is the only viable path in Venezuela. Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico: “The US military action in Venezuela is further evidence of the breakdown of the world order created after World War II." We have also consistently attached importance to upholding the principles of international law within the international community.

The life of an esports player: performance behind the screenListen to this articleTeams of gamers compete at Thailand Game Show 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. If speed and stability are what runners need, reaction time is what esports players yearn for. The image of an esports player is often one of a gaming-addicted child, yet the reality is far from that. Most people are unaware of the pressure, the stress and depression that esports players must deal with. Those who do not support esports use this incident as a weapon to attack and disgrace the honour of esports.

"Many of the victims were apprentices, high school students, and university students," said Pastor Gilles Cavin, representing the Reformed Church of Switzerland at the memorial mass. They include 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French -- the French foreign ministry gave a tally of 16 on Saturday -- 11 Italians, four Serbs, a Belgian, a Bosnian, one person from Luxembourg and also a Pole and a Portuguese. They are charged with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. - Horror and anger -The mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, assured Swiss public broadcaster RTS that there had been no negligence on the municipality's part. For Patricia Mazzoni, a 55-year-old Swiss on holiday in Crans-Montana, what happened is simply incomprehensible:"How is this possible, especially in Switzerland?

New Year traffic accidents claim 207 lives in 5 daysListen to this articleThe Ayutthaya-bound side of the M6 inter-city motorway is packed with holiday makers returning home, in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Sunday morning. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)There were 1,185 traffic accidents over the first five days of the New Year travel period, claiming 207 people's lives and injuring 1,141 others. Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat said on Sunday the figures applied from Dec 30 (Tuesday) to Jan 3 (Saturday) inclusive. Phuket province reported the most accidents, 47, and the most injured people, 51, and Bangkok the highest traffic death toll, 18. Motorcyclists were involved in 73% of the traffic accidents.