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.

A chilling incident occurred in Toledo, Argentina when 42-year-old flight instructor Leandro Bertazzzo jumped from a training aircraft during flight, resulting in his death. His 22-year-old female trainee pilot, with limited flying experience, managed to control the aircraft and land it safely on her own. According to the trainee's account, before jumping, the instructor removed his headset, organized his belongings including his mobile phone, unbuckled his seatbelt, and opened the aircraft door—which was difficult to open—before jumping out. She immediately notified authorities and successfully brought the aircraft back to the airport for landing. The director of Flying Parrot Córdoba flight school praised her professionalism, noting that despite her shock, she demonstrated expert skill in flying back and landing the plane flawlessly. The instructor, known for being cheerful and good-natured, said to his student before jumping, "You know what to do. Just keep going." Local media reports indicate the deceased instructor had previously received psychiatric and neurological treatment, with only close family members aware of this information before the incident occurred.

The Department of Land Transport has reduced intercity bus fares by 3 satang per kilometer per seat, starting July 11, 2026, following a sustained drop in diesel prices. Transport Department Director-General Sorpong Paiturpong explained that normalizing conditions in the Middle East have continuously driven down diesel prices, now sitting at 34.94 baht per liter. Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakij and Transport Minister Siripong Angskulgkait ordered the fare adjustment to match current fuel costs and ease financial burdens on the public. A subcommittee on transport rates approved the reduction on July 8, affecting both Bangkok-to-province buses and intercity routes. For example, passengers traveling 100 kilometers will save 3 baht per seat. The reduction is based on an updated cost calculation formula incorporating the Consumer Price Index, Energy Index, and labor costs, designed to adjust with economic conditions. This approach allows operators to collect appropriate fares reflecting actual operating costs while maintaining continuous service. The department aims to support public finances during economic volatility, encourage greater use of public buses, and reduce traffic congestion while ensuring travel safety.