Senior US counterterrorism official resigns to protest Iran war
Senior US counterterrorism official resigns to protest Iran warJoseph Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned to protest the US-Israel war on IranWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - A senior US counterterrorism official resigned on Tuesday to protest the US-Israeli war against Iran and said the Islamic Republic posed no imminent threat to the United States. "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran," Joseph Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), said in his resignation letter to President Donald Trump. Kent, 45, who was appointed to head the NCTC by Trump, is the first senior US official to resign from his administration to protest the war against Iran. Kent's wife, Shannon, also served in the US military and was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019. "I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives," he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 04:36 UTC
UN watchdog says projectile struck Iran nuclear power plant
UN watchdog says projectile struck Iran nuclear power plantInfographic with a map of Iran showing nuclear sites, reactors and uranium minesVIENNA - The UN nuclear watchdog said Wednesday that Iranian authorities had reported projectile impact at the country's only operational nuclear power plant that caused no damage. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr NPP on Tuesday evening", the Vienna-based agency posted on social media. Agency head Rafael Grossi "reiterates his call for restraint during the conflict to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident", the statement said. The Bushehr plant in southwestern Iran has the Islamic republic's only operational nuclear power reactor and was first connected to the grid in 2011, according to the IAEA. Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons, insisting that its activities are entirely peaceful.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 03:39 UTC
Senegal stripped of AFCON title, Morocco declared champions
Senegal stripped of AFCON title, Morocco declared championsSenegal have been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations titlePARIS (FRANCE) - Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions, two months after their chaotic final. CAF said that having studied Morocco's appeal, "the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match" and the result was "officially recorded as 3-0" in favour of Morocco. "The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute," it said in a statement. Several of the team's players posted on social media after the announcement that they had been stripped of the title. In the immediate aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had condemned "some Senegal players" for the "unacceptable scenes".
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 03:39 UTC
Two killed near Tel Aviv by Iranian missile shrapnel: emergency services
A man and a woman in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, were killed by shrapnel injuries from an Iranian missile that was intercepted before it landed, the national ambulance service Magen David Adom said early on Wednesday (March 18), bringing the number of people killed in Israel in the war to at least 14. Haim Sargerof, Tel Aviv District Police Commander said the victims were "just a few meters from the safe room".
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 03:29 UTC
Trump postpones trip to Beijing as Iran war delays China reset
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was postponing a highly anticipated trip to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the war with Iran upends U.S. foreign policy and delays an effort to ease tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 03:25 UTC
PSG, Real Madrid and Arsenal march into Champions League last eight
PSG, Real Madrid and Arsenal march into Champions League last eightBradley Barcola was among the scorers as Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea 3-0 to claim an 8-2 aggregate victory in their last-16 tiePARIS (FRANCE) - Holders Paris Saint-Germain, record 15-time winners Real Madrid and Arsenal surged into the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday, while Sporting produced a brilliant comeback in Portugal to end Bodo/Glimt's remarkable run. Chelsea had been left with a mountain to climb after a late collapse in last week's first leg, and PSG quickly snuffed out any chance the English club had. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia followed his first-leg double by opening the scoring on six minutes at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr misjudging a long ball on his Champions League debut and then being outmuscled by the Georgian who applied the finish. Two-time European champions Chelsea were not the only English club to be eliminated on Tuesday, with Manchester City losing 2-1 at home to Real as they went out 5-1 on aggregate. His team now face Manchester City in the English League Cup final on Sunday, and will play Sporting in the quarter-finals.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 03:02 UTC
Jaymart taps 7-Eleven to expand retail reach
Jaymart taps 7-Eleven to expand retail reachJaymart Mobile is set to expand its network of mini service shops at 7-Eleven locations by 40 branches this year, from two at present. SET-listed Jaymart Group Holdings' handset distribution arm, Jaymart Mobile, is set to expand its network of mini service shops at 7-Eleven locations by 40 branches this year, from two at present. According to Dusit Sukumvitiya, chief executive of Jaymart Mobile, the company rents space at 7-Eleven convenience stores in locations with strong marketing potential. Mr Dusit said Jaymart Mobile has set a total revenue growth target of 50% year-on-year this year, aiming to reach around 15 billion baht. Jaymart Mobile has defined a new consumer segmentation, comprising 25% Gen Z, 45% millennials and 25% Generation X.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 02:53 UTC
Inspections into oil hoarding ordered
Inspections into oil hoarding orderedA petrol station in Samut Prakan displays signs saying fuel is out of stock on Tuesday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)The permanent secretary for energy, Prasert Sinsukprasert, has ordered urgent inspections into suspected oil hoarding, warning that violators will face legal action. Speaking ahead of Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Mr Prasert said clarity on maintaining fuel price caps would depend on cabinet deliberations. Addressing reports of shortages at petrol stations despite government assurances, Mr Prasert attributed the issue primarily to transport and logistics constraints. On hoarding, Mr Prasert stressed that existing laws would be strictly enforced.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 02:38 UTC
Freight surge forces export realignment
Freight surge forces export realignmentAs soaring ocean freight rates put pressure on exporters, Thai wooden furniture manufacturer Deesawat is urging exporters to explore closer markets amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Before the war, exporters' main concerns centred on US tariffs, which he described as "unfavourable but manageable". Markets in Southeast Asia could be a promising option during this period, as their proximity helps keep logistics costs relatively low. Moreover, the Thai furniture export industry is shifting away from mass-market products towards more craft-oriented and project-based work. In addition, he observed that the Thai furniture industry is becoming more focused on the domestic market.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 02:37 UTC
Key goods put under strict price watch
Key goods put under strict price watchThe government will strictly control prices of 59 regulated product categories, mostly consumer goods, allowing increases only when justified and warning of tough action against violators, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said. Existing stock must be sold at current prices, and any unjustified increases will lead to penalties, she added. She stressed that price controls must be based on fairness and actual cost structures, warning that excessive pressure on businesses could backfire by affecting employment and supply chains. "Entrepreneurs and consumers must be able to move forward together," she said, noting that any price changes must be justified, particularly if fuel costs increase globally. A key pressure point is packaging costs, as Thailand relies heavily on plastic pellets sourced from the Middle East.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 02:20 UTC
Shrimp exporters unfazed by US tariffs
Thailand expects to export more than 250,000 tonnes of shrimp this year if production surpasses 400,000 tonnes. Thailand's shrimp exports are unaffected by the new US tariffs and antidumping (AD) duties, and the industry aims to produce 400,000 tonnes of shrimp this year, says the Thai Shrimp Association. Thailand expects to export over 250,000 tonnes of shrimp this year if production exceeds 400,000 tonnes. "Thai shrimp exports to the US face a combined tariff of 17.01%, comprising a 15% global tariff and 2.01% AD duties. Thailand's shrimp exports to Europe dropped from 60,000 tonnes annually to 200 tonnes following the loss of GSP (Generalised Scheme of Preferences) privileges.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 02:05 UTC
Jail sentence for ex-leader
Jail sentence for ex-leaderPeerawit: Embezzled party funds, assetsSaraburi Provincial Court has sentenced Peerawit Ruangluedollaphak, former leader of the Tai Rak Tham Party, to five years in prison for embezzling party funds and assets for personal use, according to the Election Commission (EC). In a statement on Tuesday, the EC said the case stems from allegations that Peerawit and his associates diverted party subsidies amounting to 18.79 million baht and submitted false expenditure reports. The EC registrar, with the commission's approval, pursued both civil and criminal charges, seeking repayment of the misused funds and the prosecution of party executives. Investigations revealed that Peerawit fled to Laos before being apprehended on Aug 15, with cooperation between the EC and the Royal Thai Police.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 01:35 UTC
Battery shortage hits Toyota's EV production
Japanese carmaker Toyota is confronting mounting challenges from a global shortage of batteries, a setback that has slowed production of several hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models. Suphakorn Rattanawaraha, executive vice-president of Lexus Group under Toyota Motor Thailand, acknowledged the strain on supply chains. Despite the shortage, the company recently announced plans to increase global HEV production by 30%, signalling its long-term commitment to electric mobility. Last year Lexus sold 942 units in Thailand, capturing a 3.5% share of the premium car segment. Total premium car sales in the country fell 11% year-on-year to 26,828 units, reflecting cautious spending amid an economic slowdown.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 01:23 UTC
Iran vets friendly ships for Hormuz passage: trackers
Iran vets friendly ships for Hormuz passage: trackersThe 'Nanda Devi' was one of two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers that Iran allowed to transit the Hormuz Strait arrives at Vadinar Port in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state on March 17, 2026 after Iran allowed it to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy corridor that remains disrupted by the Middle East war. Indian-flagged tankers 'Shivalik' and 'Nanda Devi', carrying around 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG, had reached ports in Gujarat state, marking a rare exception in commercial passage through the chokepoint. LONDON - Iran is selecting ships from friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade waterway cut off by the Middle East war, data trackers indicated Tuesday. But at least five ships exited the Strait via Iranian waters on March 15 and 16, maritime intelligence firm Windward said in an analysis report on Tuesday. Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas reached Indian ports after crossing the strait over the weekend after officials from the countries said they held talks.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 01:20 UTC
White House pressure on Cuba mounts as island fights power cut
White House pressure on Cuba mounts as island fights power cutUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump renewed pressure on Cuba which is also dealing with its latest mass power cutHAVANA - Washington heaped pressure on Cuba's communist authorities Tuesday to allow free-market reforms as the impoverished island scrambled to recover from a nationwide electricity blackout. So they've got some big decisions to make," Rubio, a Cuban-American and vociferous critic of the country's ruling party, told reporters at the White House. President Donald Trump, who just Monday had said he would "take" Cuba, added: "We'll be doing something with Cuba very soon." Trump told reporters Monday. "I do believe I'll be...having the honor of taking Cuba," Trump said.
Source:Bangkok Post
March 18, 2026 01:20 UTC