Celeste Amarilla, a Paraguayan senator, is demanding that Kylian Mbappé, captain of the French national football team, apologize and is threatening legal action following a bitter exchange on social media between the two.

The conflict began on July 4 during the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 knockout match, in which France narrowly defeated Paraguay 1-0, with Mbappé converting a penalty kick for the decisive goal. After the match, Amarilla posted inflammatory comments on X, attacking Mbappé with derogatory remarks.

In her initial post, Amarilla insulted Mbappé, calling him an oppressed Cameroonian struggling to pass himself off as French, a savage incapable of writing, and suggesting he deserved to be slapped by a Paraguayan player.

Mbappé responded on X, describing the senator as a despicable woman unfit for her position, an incompetent individual damaging her own country's reputation, and vowed he would not tolerate her spreading hatred worldwide.

Most recently, Amarilla posted a counter-response on X, stating: "This is clearly a sexual attack. This is political persecution of a woman who earned her position through the people's vote. Retract your words, respect your French citizenship, and apologize to me. Otherwise, I may pursue legal action for sexual harassment. France should summon you for questioning, as France is a nation of gentlemen with a long history."

The Department of Industrial Works (DIW) has shut down two waste management factories in Saraburi province following pollution complaints from residents in the Huai Takhe area of Mueang district. After authorities from the Pollution Control Department, the Provincial Industrial Office, and the Environmental and Pollution Control Office Region 7 conducted field inspections and collected water samples from three facilities involved in waste and wastewater management, violations were discovered.

Company A was found to have problems managing leachate from hazardous and non-hazardous waste burial pits, as well as inadequate drainage systems, and was ordered to immediately halt operations in the hazardous waste burial section. Company B, which was licensed to separate non-waste recyclable materials, was found to have illegally expanded operations by installing an additional 210 horsepower of machinery beyond its authorization, and was also caught illegally burying leftover materials, stockpiling materials outside the facility, and illegally discharging water from the premises. The company received a full operational shutdown order, pending corrective measures to comply with its permit conditions and strict environmental monitoring.

On July 7, the Surin Task Force's Lower Drug Suppression Unit, working with the Mekong River Peace Maintenance Patrol Unit, conducted an inspection at Vatchara Pier in Na Waeng Subdistrict, Khemarat District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, following intelligence reports of drug smuggling along the border. Officers conducting water patrols discovered eight suspicious sacks abandoned on the riverbank and brought their boat to shore for inspection. Inside the sacks, authorities found 193 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice), a Class 1 narcotic worth approximately 400 million baht. No suspects or individuals claiming ownership of the seized items were found at the scene. Authorities believe the smuggling network detected the police presence and abandoned the drugs to escape. All seized materials have been stored at the Khemarat Boat Station and transferred to investigators at Khemarat Police Station for legal proceedings.

PHUKET: Emirates has expanded its Phuket operations by launching a third daily service between Dubai and Phuket, increasing the airline’s schedule to 21 flights a week and introducing its Airbus A350 on the new route.

An arrest was made of a former agricultural officer who allegedly conspired with farmers to file false reports of rice field flooding in order to receive compensation under the farmer income guarantee program. On July 7, Phumiwisal Kaemsakul, secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission, along with Narongwit Suwannsithi, director of the ACC's Region 6 office, ordered officers Somboorn Inthahtab and Awin Banjolard, along with investigator Wisut Saensamran, to arrest Sompon at his residence in Moo 6, Wang Bua subdistrict, Khlong Khlung district, in Kamphaengphet province, based on a court arrest warrant for fraud and corruption charges in Region 6. The suspect allegedly used his official position to convince multiple farmers to submit false statements and fabricated documents claiming they were rice field tenants eligible to receive aid from the rice farmer income protection program and had suffered damage from flooding. In his official role, the suspect accepted and certified false farmer registration documents and natural disaster relief program documents for 2010-2011, certifying that the farmers qualified to receive assistance. Although the suspect knew the certifications were fraudulent, he proceeded to collect money from the farmers. The suspect has been taken into custody and transferred to the Anti-Corruption Court for Region 6 for further legal proceedings.

Coach Ya Natthapond Srisamutnag, head coach of Thailand's national women's volleyball team for players under 18, achieved impressive results by defeating Japan 3-2 in sets to clinch third place at the Asian Championship and secure an Asia quota for the World Championship. However, following the tournament, the seasoned coach shocked everyone by announcing he will no longer coach any Thai national team regardless of age group, though he remains available for club-level work.

The Under-18 women's volleyball coach said: "I want to thank the athletes, coaching staff, and all parties who supported the team, as well as the schools—Suranaree, Bodindecha, Nakhonnom, Wangjanchan, and Sukhothai—whose cooperation gave us more training time. It's gratifying that all parties collaborated, and we achieved success by qualifying for the World Championship and reaching the podium as planned."

"In closing this announcement, I'm stepping back from all national teams. I'm considering my own situation and won't coach the national team in any division anymore, though there may be opportunities to see you all again if someone invites me to coach Thailand League."

"I want to tell fans, especially the keyboard coaches commenting on sports, that you won't see me in any national team anymore. I ask that the younger players on this team grow up and replace their seniors properly. I believe it's time for these seven champions to step up, and I've given them plenty of guidance already."