Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking 'hostage' bank staff carrying $40mn
Ukraine accuses Hungary of taking 'hostage' bank staff carrying $40mnThe State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) says bank staff transporting $40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold" have been detained in Hungary. KYIV (UKRAINE) - Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary on Friday of taking "hostage" a group of Ukrainian bank employees who were reportedly transporting US$40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold. Hungary is one of the few European countries to maintain close ties with Russia since its Ukraine offensive and has consistently opposed military aid for Kyiv. The State Savings Bank of Ukraine (Oschadbank) said that the bank staff were transporting $40 million and nine kilogrammes of gold" when they were detained. "We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," Sybiha added on X.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 09:11 UTC
Volatile hardware prices upend IT planning
Dell AI servers at the Astronomical Digital Technology and AI Applications Laboratory in Chiang Mai. In the past, hardware prices were stable and price quotes were valid for 30 days. Budgets set mid-year or in the previous year are often no longer sufficient to cover the higher current prices. Despite rising prices and long waits for equipment delivery, many organisations cannot afford to delay their IT investments. "Winning bidders who sign contracts and must deliver within 90 days are now facing losses because component prices have already changed.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 09:10 UTC
Summer storms forecast for 34 provinces, thunderstorms and hail expected
Summer storms forecast for 34 provinces, thunderstorms and hail expected(Photo: Guilherme Christmann)The Meteorological Department has warned of summer storms across upper Thailand over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorms, strong gusts and possible hail in 34 provinces. Combined with hot weather conditions and a westerly trough from Myanmar moving over the upper North, these conditions are creating summer storms characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds in some areas and occasional lightning. Central: 20% of the area, mainly Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. East: 20% of the area, mainly Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong. South (east coast): 30% of the area, mainly Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 09:05 UTC
Time for region to double down on green energy
Time for region to double down on green energyThe escalating instability in the Middle East has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing Southeast Asian nations into a precarious position. As the conflict widens, the global energy landscape is weathering its most violent disruption since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. For nations stretching from Vietnam to Indonesia, this crisis represents a direct assault on the cost of living and a systemic threat to the regional energy transition. We need a fundamental systemic overhaul of the global energy architecture. By decoupling energy security from geopolitical volatility, we can protect workers and frontline communities while ensuring that energy is no longer a currency used to fund conflict.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 09:04 UTC
Heavy attacks hit Tehran as Israel says war in 'new phase'
Heavy attacks hit Tehran as Israel says war in 'new phase'Plumes of smoke rise after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran. (Photo: AFP)TEHRAN - Heavy attacks were reported in Tehran on Friday after Israel said it was hitting "regime infrastructure" in a "new phase" of the war it launched with the United States against Iran. Early Friday, Iranian media reported heavy strikes in the capital, Tehran, shortly after Israel announced it was striking "regime infrastructure" in the city. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced "firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically". Israel has carried out waves of air strikes in Lebanon, killing 123 people, the Lebanese health ministry said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:42 UTC
Gulf carriers resume limited flights, but missile fire fuels uncertainty
An Emirates flight departing from Dubai lands at Taoyuan International Airport, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Thursday. Etihad said on Friday it would resume a limited flight schedule through March 19. Qatar's Doha hub remains shut, though it has been arranging a limited number of relief flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia. "We'd spent about £20,000 booking Emirates flight instead. Saudi budget carrier flynas will run a limited number of flights between Saudi Arabia and Dubai starting on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:37 UTC
16 Hong Kongers sued for refusing to vacate homes in 'Little Thailand' area
16 Hong Kongers sued for refusing to vacate homes in 'Little Thailand' areaResidents and shops on Nam Kok Road are affected by the Urban Renewal Authority project. The secretary for justice, on behalf of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), initiated proceedings at the District Court on Wednesday seeking eviction orders and damages against the 16 residents in Kowloon City. Kowloon City, nicknamed "Little Thailand", is home to dozens of Thai restaurants and grocery stores. The community grew in the 1970s when Chiu Chow men returning from Thailand settled in the area with their Thai wives. Some residents have voiced concerns about unaffordable rents for the redeveloped flats and the loss of the neighbourhood's distinctive character.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:30 UTC
Thailand sets up centre to handle Middle East crisis
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn chairs an ad-hoc centre set up to cope with the Middle East crisis. (Photo: Government House)Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has set up a 37-member centre to monitor the situation in the Middle East and offer advice to mitigate impacts from the US-Israeli war against Iran. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn will chair the Centre for Middle East Situation Administration, with the prime minister as an advisor and 35 other leaders from state and private agencies as committee members, according to the order signed by Mr Anutin on Friday. It will monitor and manage the situation in the Middle East and suggest measures to alleviate the problems that affect the country. The war against Iran by the United States and Israel entered its seventh day on Friday, and the conflicts have widened to the Gulf region.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:30 UTC
Traditionally modern
Often referred to as "the voice of modern Bahrani cuisine", chef Tala Bashmi -- the UN Gastronomy Tourism Ambassador for the Gulf country -- was on her way to becoming a football star. Known for championing Bahrani cuisine, chef Bashmi says her culinary philosophy is ever-evolving. "In our region, rice came from India, but now it is a staple that you will find in every household. However, going from a traditional table to creating modern Bahraini cuisine hasn't been easy for chef Bashmi. Three years after winning the Middle East and North Africa's Best Female Chef, chef Bashmi was crowned winner of the Chefs' Choice Award last year, as part of the Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:28 UTC
Australia forces porn sites to block under-18s from Monday
Australia forces porn sites to block under-18s from MondayAustralia is introducing new online child protection rules. SYDNEY - Australia's online regulator warned porn websites they must block under-18s from Monday under sweeping new restrictions to protect children. It covers porn websites, search engines, app stores, gaming providers and generative AI systems, including chatbots. "Users will be asked to confirm their age when accessing age-restricted material on pornography websites and services," eSafety said. App stores and online gaming sites are also required to block under-18s from adult-only content.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:27 UTC
US sub that torpedoed Iranian ship included Australians
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:21 UTC
After the raids, Asia’s billion-dollar scam trade flickers back
(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.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:06 UTC
Arsenal, Chelsea aim to avoid FA Cup upsets
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
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 08:02 UTC
US, Venezuela restore ties as Washington pushes for minerals access
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 07:57 UTC
Pornpawee advances at All England
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.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 06, 2026 07:55 UTC