Iran women's football captain withdraws Australia asylum bid: state mediaMembers of Iran's women's football team not claiming asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on WednesdayPARIS (FRANCE) - The captain of the Iranian women's football team which played in the Asian Cup in Australia has withdrawn her bid for asylum, state media said Sunday, making her the fifth member of the delegation to change her mind. Zahra Ghanbari will head from Australia to Malaysia and from there fly back to Iran, the IRNA news agency said. Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement that day that "three members of the Iranian Women's Football Team made the decision to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran". - 'Traitors' -Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had lauded the bravery of the women, vowing they would be welcomed with open arms. A presenter on Iranian state TV branded the players "wartime traitors", fuelling fears they could face persecution, or worse, if they returned home.

Dry pump fear spikes demandSeveral petrol stations across the country have run out of fuel, while others started imposing limits on fuel purchases on Sunday, as motorists rushed to fill their tanks amid fears of a possible shortage and a price hike sparked by the war in the Middle East. In Tak's Mae Sot district, motorists began queuing at petrol stations as early as 5am. Some stations limited diesel purchases to 300 baht per vehicle to ensure fair distribution. Stations run by private operators in Chumphon and Ranong reported fuel demand rising by 200–300%. Operators capped diesel purchases in containers at 50 litres to prevent hoarding, as some traders were stockpiling fuel ahead of a possible price increase on Wednesday, after the current diesel price subsidies expire.

Zelensky: EU pressure to open Russian oil pipeline is 'blackmail'Ukraine says repairs on the pipeline could take up to six weeksKYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told his European allies that pressure to re-open the Druzhba oil pipeline carrying Russian supplies was like "blackmail", he said in remarks released Sunday. "If we have decided to restore Russian oil supplies, then I want them to know that I am against it... The Strait of Hormuz, a route that once accounted for a fifth of the world's oil supplies, has been virtually paralysed due to the conflict. Ukraine has so far only offered expertise to the Gulf and is not "at war with Iran", Zelensky said. France will provide Ukraine with an air defence system later this year that may be capable of blocking ballistic missiles, Zelensky told reporters.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, also a caretaker deputy prime minister, said people worried about price rises were rushing to buy fuel at local petrol stations where there were no stored emergency reserves of fuel. Owners of public transport vehicles were also buying and storing fuel from retail pumps where diesel prices were much lower than prices quoted by their usual providers. Demand was further fuelled by knowledge the government’s decision to freeze diesel prices would end early this coming week, according to officials. There was no shortage of fuel. People rushing to top up had caused some petrol stations to run dry.

Emotional Antonelli wins maiden grand prix with Mercedes 1-2 in ChinaWinner Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (centre), second-placed Mercedes' British driver George Russell (left) and third-placed Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (right) celebrate on the poidum after the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai on Sunday, March 15, 2026. (afp)SHANGHAI - An emotional Kimi Antonelli won a grand prix for the first time on Sunday in China ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who made his maiden podium for Ferrari. The 19-year-old Antonelli converted being the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history into victory after both McLarens dramatically failed to start the Shanghai race. Early championship leader Russell was full of praise for his young teammate after the dominant Mercedes team secured a one-two for the second race running. - McLaren, Red Bull woes -Once the dust settled and they went racing again, Antonelli led from Hamilton, with Leclerc third and Russell fourth.

No rationing at pumps, only a ‘preparedness guideline’, says PTTAn attendant fills a customer's car at a PTT petrol station in Samut Prakan. (Bangkok Post file photo)PTT moved to quell fears that its pumps had begun limiting the amount of fuel motorists could purchase, explaining on Sunday that it had only issued a "preparedness guideline" for dealers, not an enforcement policy. In a statement issued on Sunday, the state‑controlled energy giant said all PTT service stations continued to operate normally and were selling fuel as usual. It stressed that a recommendation on rationing earlier issued to service‑station operators was intended solely to help manage demand should an unusually high surge in fuel consumption occur. The company was closely monitoring the situation and coordinating logistics to ensure smooth distribution and an uninterrupted service for motorists.

People’s Party’s access to ID verification system blocked after data breachThe People's Party recruits members and receives donations at Stadium One, Chula Soi 5, Bangkok, in August 2024. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)The Department of Public Administration has blocked the People’s Party (PP) from using its digital ID verification system, after the party's membership database was hacked. The action complied with relevant laws to protect people’s confidence in the privacy of their personal data, the department said. Also, people whose personal data had been abused could file complaints and demand compensation for possible offences including fraud, computer crime and document-related violation. For their own protection, affected people could apply for new ID cards with new laser ID codes on the back.

Bhumjaithai’s Sophon elected House SpeakerThai lawmakers on Sunday elected Sophon Zaram, a Bhumjaithai Party MP for Buriram, the new House speaker. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The House of Representatives on Sunday elected Bhumjaithai’s Sophon Zaram as speaker, with 289 votes, defeating People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who received 123. The sitting was chaired by Pheu Thai list MP Pairote Lohsunthorn, the most senior member, who served as temporary speaker to oversee the secret ballot. Bhumjaithai nominated Mallika Jirapunvanit, a Lop Buri MP and deputy transport minister, for first deputy speaker, while coalition partner Pheu Thai nominated Lertsak Pattanachaikul, an MP for Loei, for the second deputy speakership. With no rival candidates, both nominees briefly presented their visions before being formally approved by the chamber.

Roadworks vehicles torched in PattaniOne of the torched vehicles burns at the roadworks site in Mayo district, Pattani, early Sunday morning. (Photo: supplied)PATTANI - Two 10-wheel trucks and a road roller were set on fire overnight at a road construction site in Ban Khok Kor of tambon Luboyirai in Mayo district of this southern border province. About seven armed men first rounded up the security guards at the construction site on Highway 3057, and used cable ties to bind their hands, police said. The attackers then poured petrol on the vehicles and set them ablaze. The vehicles belong to Pattani Sahaphun Construction Co.

Bhumjaithai’s Sophon vs People’s Party’s Parit in House Speaker voteThe House convenes Sunday to choose a new speaker, with Bhumjaithai’s Sophon Zaram up against People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu. The House of Representatives convened on Sunday to elect a new speaker, with Bhumjaithai’s Sophon Zaram competing against People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu for the post. The opposition People’s Party put forward Mr Parit, 33, a party-list MP and the party’s spokesman. Lawmakers will vote for the House speaker by secret ballot. Bhumjaithai, as leader of the coalition, will nominate Mallika Jirapunvanit, a Lop Buri MP and deputy transport minister, as first deputy speaker.

REUTERSUS President Donald Trump stepped up calls to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, saying warships will “hopefully” be sent to the area near Iran’s coast to help commercial vessels sail through safely. He gave little detail beyond saying he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea and the UK would also send warships. He stated that even though Iran’s military was “already destroyed 100%,” it was “easy” for Tehran to continue threatening ships with drones, mines and short-range missiles. Iran’s Araghchi, speaking on MS NOW, said “it is clear” the missiles that hit Kharg Island overnight came from two locations inside the UAE. The outlet said more than 15 explosions shook Kharg Island, with the targets including air-defense systems, a naval base, an airport control tower and a helicopter hangar.

Google Docs has expanded the capabilities of its built-in AI assistant Gemini, allowing it to help users draft, edit and refine documents automatically as part of a new upgrade to the platform. The update enables Gemini to assist users in writing documents by pulling reference information from other services within the Google Workspace ecosystem. In addition to drafting and editing support, Google has introduced a new feature called Match writing style. Google said the new AI capabilities are being gradually rolled out to users subscribed to the Google AI Pro and AI Ultra packages. Source: Workspace Google, 9to5Google

Poll: Most expect Anutin to head a stable governmentBhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul shows his new MP card after reporting to parliament on March 5. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)The latest opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration found that most respondents believed the new House of Representatives would vote for the premiership of Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and his government would be stable. Nida surveyed 1,310 respondents by phone nationwide on March 10 and 11. Asked whether Mr Anutin would to be voted the new prime minister,42.29% of respondents saw a high possibility38.02% quite possible10.53% quite impossible7.94% totally impossible1.22% no answer/no interestAsked about the stability of the new government, with potentially 291 votes in the 500-member House,42.82% of respondents expected it to be quite stable21.07% to be very stable25.34% not quite stable10.08% completely unstable. Asked about the major parties expected to be in opposition - the People's Party, Democrat Party and Klatham Party - 54.73% of respondents said they would work well together in the opposition, but 25.88% said the parties would not be able to cooperate.

HOLLYWOOD (UNITED STATES) - After months of expensive campaigns, the Oscars finally arrive Sunday, with all eyes on the race between "One Battle After Another" and "Sinners" for best picture, Hollywood's most coveted prize. But until "the final envelope is opened for best picture, we're not going to know who's going to win." Ryan Coogler, previously best known for "Black Panther," could become the first ever Black person to win best director, in the 98 years of Oscars history. Sean Penn could win a third acting Oscar for his comic yet terrifying soldier in "One Battle." Oscars producers declined to comment on reports that Barbra Streisand will sing a tribute to her "The Way We Were" co-star.

The public is being urged to take precautions against heatstroke after the condition claimed 21 lives in Thailand last year. She said high-risk groups include the elderly, young children, pregnant women, outdoor workers, athletes and people with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. The highest number of fatalities was reported in April, accounting for 57% of the total, which coincides with the period of peak temperatures, Ms Aiyarin said. Amporn Benjaponpitak, director-general of the Department of Health, said temperatures this year are expected to be more severe than last year, when Thailand recorded a heat index of up to 59.5C. The heat index refers to the temperature the body actually feels, often described as the "feels-like" temperature, and it indicates the level of risk that heat may pose to the human body, she said.