Jonathan Hackett, ONE Championship's British bantamweight world champion (135-145 lbs), will defend his title for the third time against Hiroki Akimoto, a formidable Japanese fighter and former champion, at ONE Samurai 4 on Saturday, October 17 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. After two successful title defenses, Hackett heads to Japan for another championship defense, but this challenge differs from his previous ones—Akimoto is a former champion hungry to reclaim the belt after a four-year wait. Both fighters possess world-class credentials, making this bout not merely a title defense but a true test of who rightfully owns the crown.

Hackett captured the ONE bantamweight kickboxing title by knocking out former ONE MMA champion Fabricio Andrade in ONE Fight Night 16 in November 2022, then successfully defended against Chinese striker Wei Rui at ONE 171 in February 2023. He later faced challenger Yuki Yoza at ONE Samurai 1 in April, and despite Yoza's sharp calf kicks, Hackett's superior technique prevailed. Now the British champion must prove he can retain the belt yet again against Akimoto.

Akimoto, known as the "White Elephant, Japan's Cloud Commander" for his aggressive striking style, won the title by defeating Captain Petchyindee Academy at ONE X in March 2022 but lost it in his first defense to Petch Tongnong Petchfergus at ONE 163 in November that year. Recently, Akimoto has surged back with three consecutive victories, including a recent win over teammate Taumu Hisai at ONE Samurai 1, restoring his confidence as he prepares to challenge Hackett before his home crowd with the firm goal of reclaiming his former world title.

Fans interested in attending ONE Samurai 4 can purchase tickets through ONEFC.com/ONESamurai4 and follow event updates on ONE Championship Thailand's Facebook, ONEFC.com, Instagram (@ONEChampTh), and TikTok (@ONEChampTH).

Prime Minister Anuthín Charnveerakul seems to be seizing an opportunity to turn around his situation as polls indicate plummeting popularity ratings. He has fired a warning at forgetful ministers, suggesting that the prime minister himself could also be forgotten and potentially removed from the cabinet. This is a deliberate move to steer political momentum following waves of severe political challenges that have battered the government. These include cases damaging the Democratic Party and a serious corruption investigation into local officials that exposed a massive network shaking the Interior Ministry during Anuthín's leadership. With latest polling showing both the PM and the Democratic Party losing significant support, he appears to be pivoting to publicly warn negligent ministers that cabinet reshuffles are based on legitimate necessity, not mere power rotation. This has amplified momentum for ministerial changes rather than pressure to replace the PM himself. Earlier, rumors emerged of a potential replacement premier with the initial "S," intended to shake Anuthín's position. However, upon careful consideration, such reports appear far from reality, since any new prime minister must come from officially registered prime ministerial candidates of political parties. Among current candidates with the initial "S," only Sirikanya Tansakul of the Pheu Thai Party exists, which seems highly implausible. Moreover, the "S" reserve PM narrative likely referenced a former Bank of Thailand governor, who falls outside the system and would require extraordinary circumstances. It remains noteworthy that replacement PM rumors have gained traction despite being factually and procedurally impossible, suggesting Anuthín's position has begun to wobble due to government performance issues and mounting surrounding problems. When rumors circulate, people believe them without verification. The government itself must reflect on why, after three months in office, it has achieved little to satisfy citizens. If the government operates in a forgetful manner, ministerial changes could represent one solution, injecting greater dynamism into the cabinet. Thus, while a new PM name remains merely rumor, a cabinet reshuffle appears more realistic. However, the government must still rebuild public confidence through tangible improvements in economy, cost of living, straightforward anti-corruption efforts, and reduction of graft.

Kaoru Mitoma, left winger for Japan's national football team, was involved in a traffic accident when his car struck a cyclist. He remained at the scene and is suspected of running a red light.

Yahoo Japan reported that Kaoru Mitoma, the Japanese national team's left winger who is already out of the 2026 World Cup squad due to injury, hit a cyclist in the Itabashi district of Tokyo at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8. One person sustained minor injuries at the scene, while Mitoma himself was unharmed. Mitoma allegedly ran a red light, explaining that he was distracted while looking at the traffic signal at the Jujo Station intersection.

Reports indicate that Mitoma remained at the scene and immediately checked on the condition of the injured 48-year-old woman cyclist. He waited to speak with authorities and complied with all legal procedures, with no attempt to flee the scene.

China said it has been closely monitoring reports of heavy metal contamination in tributaries of the Mekong River in Thailand and understands growing public concern over the environmental and health impacts.

The statement, issued by a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, came after groups of protesters gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and the Chinese Consulate-General in Chiang Mai to raise concerns over pollution in tributaries of the Mekong River.

The embassy said China attaches great importance to the issue and has been following reports of heavy metal contamination in the affected waterways. It also acknowledged the concerns of communities living along the river basin over potential risks to the environment and public health.

The spokesperson said the rivers in question are transboundary waterways shared by Thailand and Myanmar, stressing that the source of the contamination should be determined through an investigation based on facts, scientific evidence and responsibility.

China supports Thailand and Myanmar in strengthening communication and coordination and carrying out a joint investigation as soon as possible to identify those responsible and address the issue appropriately, the statement said.

The embassy added that protecting the Mekong River ecosystem is a shared responsibility of all countries in the basin. China said it is ready to strengthen cooperation with Mekong nations on water resource management and environmental conservation to safeguard the river's ecological security.

BEARHOUSE has unveiled seven criteria for selecting business partners, highlighting supply chain excellence as it prepares to expand to 100 branches and international markets. Vice President Operations Thananya Pongwijit announced the Supplier Recognition Awards 2026 under the theme "Together We Rise, Together We Partner," introducing the "7 Qualities of BEARHOUSE Strategic Partners" framework to the public for the first time. The initiative reflects the company's commitment to joint growth with suppliers and elevates operational standards to support domestic and international expansion plans.

Every beverage that reaches customers is not the result of front-of-house operations alone, but relies on an integrated supply chain system spanning raw material selection, quality control, logistics, and inventory management. "Behind every drink is a system working constantly, and behind every system are partners who make that system real," Thananya stated.

The disclosure of the "7 Qualities of BEARHOUSE Strategic Partners" framework signals the company's long-term direction in working with partners. BEARHOUSE views suppliers not merely as vendors but as strategic partners who play a role in developing product quality, operational efficiency, and customer experience.

Supply Chain Director Jiraphon Saelim noted that BEARHOUSE's Supply Chain Management team operates similarly to an R&D department, continuously testing, comparing, and evaluating product quality while incorporating feedback from stores and customers to improve products and processes with partners.

The seven core standards BEARHOUSE uses to evaluate business partners include Quality Excellence, On-Time & Reliability, Best Commercial Value, Service Excellence, Innovation Partner, Outstanding Global Partner, and Supplier of the Year 2026. These encompass product quality, punctuality, joint commercial value creation, service capability, innovation potential, and capacity for international market growth.

BEARHOUSE emphasizes that the awards across these seven categories reflect not just recognition of supplier performance but shared collaboration standards the company wishes to establish with long-term partners, especially as it accelerates expansion and prepares to enter international markets.

Currently operating over 76 branches nationwide, BEARHOUSE aims to reach 100 branches and pursue franchise expansion and overseas growth by 2026. This makes supply chain management and building a strong partner network critical strategies for the brand.

The company believes that end-product quality begins with careful partner selection and development from the outset, ensuring all partnerships maintain consistent standards in raw material quality, food safety, and sustainability to deliver the best customer experience across every BEARHOUSE beverage sold.

BANGKOK — On July 8, 2026, activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to submit demands urging the Chinese government to help resolve cross-border pollution and to investigate police use of force during a protest at the Chinese Consulate.

The demonstration was organized by the NGO Coordinating Committee (NGO-COD) and civil society networks. Protest leaders poured water collected from affected areas onto a map of Thailand and Myanmar to symbolically highlight environmental damage in the Kok, Sai, Ruak, and Mekong river basins.

Lertsak Kamkongsak, chairman of NGO-COD, read a statement urging China to prioritize resolving cross-border pollution. The statement referenced reports of contaminants in water sources and called for investigation into mining companies operating in Myanmar's Shan State. He emphasized that cross-border investment must be accompanied by environmental protection and corporate accountability to affected communities.

Toward the rally's conclusion, some participants wore masks depicting Wisarut Srichan, an activist injured during protests in Chiang Mai, to demand accountability and a transparent investigation into allegations of excessive police force. Leaders also called for a fact-finding inquiry through the House of Representatives.

The demonstration concluded peacefully. The Chinese Embassy announced it would close for half a day.