Paxlovid, a Pfizer's coronavirus disease pill, is seen manufactured in Ascoli, Italy, in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on Nov 16. (Pfizer/Handout via Reuters)Britain has approved Pfizer's Covid-19 pill for adults who have mild to moderate infection and are at high risk of their illness worsening, its second easily administered antiviral against the coronavirus. Britain is scrambling to build its defences amid a record hit a daily record of new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, government data showed surge in Covid-19 cases in the winter season as the Omicron variant of the virus spreads quickly. "We now have a further antiviral medicine for the treatment of Covid-19 that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously. Rival Merck's Covid-19 pill was approved by Britain last month, but that drug only reduced hospitalisations and deaths in its clinical trial of high-risk patients by around 30%.

The legislation mandates that data controllers and processors that use personal data must receive consent from data owners and use it only for expressed purposes. Organisations need to have data protection officers who will ensure their data protection practices are in line with those stipulated in the PDPA and act as contact person in regard to the issue. They are obliged to clearly determine methods on how data owners can cancel organisations' usage of their personal data. The central bank already established guidelines for testing the currency as a pilot project on two tracks -- foundation and innovation. The central bank views that the financial innovation has given rise to various forms of privately-issued digital currencies, such as cryptocurrencies.

Close friends and seniors, teachers, monks or priests will bring good fortune. Regarding financial problems, Geminis will find a better solution from the second quarter until the end of the year. And there will be no more problems with their employees or colleagues in the second quarter. ♎ Libra(Oct 18-Nov 16)Work and finances: Finances are much better than last year, especially for those who work in service. ♓ Pisces(Mar 14-Apr 13)Work and finances: Finances are not stable.

Take a look at Bangkok Post's best photos of 2021. A worker operates a vehicle to spray disinfectant around Wat Ta Khien and the adjacent floating market in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi yesterday. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Political protesters clash with anti-riot police while staging a protest at Sanam Laung yesterday evening. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Bubble and Seal -Mask-clad construction workers, many of them foreign migrants, queue up for food at their camp in Phaya Thai district yesterday. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)A woman looks at herself wearing ‘rad klao’ headgear while shopping in the Sam Peng area of Bangkok yesterday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chairs a meeting of the Police Commission at the Royal Thai Police Office in Bangkok on Wednesday. (Governmentn House photo)Six opposition parties plan to seek an interpretation by the Constitutional Court next August on when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's tenure expires, as they believe his term must end on Aug 24, 2022, Cholnan Srikaew, leader of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, said on Wednesday. A House source said its legal team was assigned to go over the issue earlier and concluded the PM's tenure began on June 9, 2019. Metha Matkhao, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD), said the findings of the House's legal team were nonsense. Gen Prayut declined to comment when questioned on the matter on Wednesday.

B24m in aid paid to laid-off workersThe Labour Ministry has paid out 24 million baht in aid to almost 3,000 workers who became unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, under a new relief programme rolled out by the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare. Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who oversees the ministry, had asked it to provide financial aid to those who were laid off during the pandemic. Between Dec 16-28, 2,864 people signed up for the relief programme, to which the government has channelled 24.16 million baht in aid, he said. This rendered 1,388 workers at the clothing and undergarment factory jobless. Mr Suchart said 661 have been compensated and 425 others will get theirs today.

Vietnam's growth slides to new 30-year lowThis file photo taken on March 31, 2021 shows a woman riding her bicycle past shops beneath a residential building in Hanoi. Vietnam reported economic growth of just 2.58 percent on Wednesday, beating a 30-year low set last year as the pandemic continues to take a toll. (AFP)Vietnam reported economic growth of just 2.58% on Wednesday, beating a 30-year low set last year as the pandemic continues to take a toll. The communist state has long been a success story among Asian economies, posting growth of seven% in 2019. But shutdowns caused by coronavirus have battered the export-reliant economy, sending GDP growth plunging to 2.91% in 2020 -- the lowest reported in three decades.

Tripartite effort to set up smart factoryAuto parts maker Daisin has adopted automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for parts delivery during the production process. According to management consultancy McKinsey & Co, driven by IoT technology, global factories could generate between US$1.4 trillion and $3.3 trillion by 2030. DTAC has the opportunity to work with aluminium vehicle parts maker Daisin and Nectec to develop a smart factory prototype, which could be followed by other factories in Thailand, he said. Thanin Leegomonchai, president of Daisin, pointed out in the wake of the pandemic, the company has seen the importance of technology and automation which could transform it into a smart factory. Mr Krit pointed out the collaboration is the first stepping stone for Daisin to become a smart factory by embracing Internet of Things, 5G and data analytics to unlock the potential for a smart factory which draws together automation, efficiency, productivity and insight.

Bad: Camera not as good as Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung S21 Ultra, pricey, a little chunky when folded. MacBook- Pro m1Apple MacBook Pro M1Good: As fast as high-end PC for video editing, looks great, great keyboard. MicroClimate AIR2MicroClimate AIR2Good: Why use a mask when you can wear a space-suit-like helmet instead, great filter system. Bad: Not shipping to Thailand… yetApple AirtagApple AirTagGood: Smart tag is a great gadget for forgetful people, wide discoverable range. Apple iPadApple iPad (10.2-inch, 2021)Good: A great middle ground between a smartphone and a PC, apps are mostly well built, not expensive, great for educational use, stylus support.

Airasia Digital, which is AirAsia Group's digital arm, consists of airasia Super App, Teleport, a logistics venture, and BigPay, a fintech company. AirAsia Group wanted to venture into digital business by developing its own super app even before the pandemic. CP SPREADING ITS WINGSDespite widespread Covid-19 outbreaks, CP Group, the country's biggest agribusiness conglomerate, has been aggressive pursuing mergers and acquisitions in recent years. The purchase of Lotus last year marked the return of the grocery and hypermarket chain to CP Group, which originally established Lotus as Lotus Supercenter in 1994. In the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis, CP Group was forced to sell the retailer to Tesco in 1998.

Commerce Ministry puts 2022 export growth at 3-4%Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit chairs a meeting with senior Commerce Ministry officials. The Commerce Ministry has set the export growth target at only 3-4% for next year, slightly lower than projections by private organisations, citing a spate of persistent risk factors such as prolonged Covid-19 outbreaks, stiffer measures for public health and the environment and a shortage of labour and semiconductors. Its forecast for 2022 remains unchanged at 4.5%, but the report was released only days after Omicron was detected. Mr Jurin revealed the ministry's forecast after a virtual meeting yesterday with the Joint Public and Private Sector Consultative Committee on Commerce and commercial ambassadors worldwide. Mr Jurin said another booster is the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) early next year.

Minister suggests arrivals unlikely to meet forecastThe number of international tourists next year might be lower than the Finance Ministry's forecast because of the impact of the Omicron coronavirus variant, said Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. The ministry projects seven million foreign tourist arrivals next year, up from the forecast of 200,000 for this year. There were around 40 million tourist arrivals in 2019. Mr Arkhom said if there is another lockdown to bring down the infection rate to zero, this could cost the economy dearly. The instalment period is five years with a grace period for principal and interest payment during the first six months.

Side effects cost govt B1bnAlmost one billion baht in compensation has been paid out to Thais who suffered adverse side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine over the past eight months, says the National Health Security Office (NHSO). About 927 million baht in compensation was approved between April 5 and Dec 26, it said. The claims were grouped into three categories, the first being claims filed by vaccine recipients who reported mild to moderate side effects after receiving their Covid-19 jab. The final category is made up of individuals who were left permanently paralysed or died after receiving their Covid-19 shot. Out of the 11,707 claims filed, 1,752 were rejected because the claimants failed to meet the criteria set out -- 615 of whom have lodged an appeal.

'Decrepit' PM fighting to stay put, claim reportersThe government and key cabinet ministers have been given epithets to reflect their performance in the eyes of reporters covering them. Reporters on the Government House beat have labelled the government as Yue Yut (Fighting to Stay Put) while others have been assigned to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and high-profile ministers. The powers-that-be were said to be doing everything in their power to keep Gen Prayut in office. The conflicts also threaten to undermine the fraternal ties he has with Gen Prayut and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was called Wak Cine (Vaccine Reproach) for his perceived mishandling of vaccine procurement and distribution.

A total of 58% of consumers surveyed say they'll be buying gifts for their family, 24% will buy for friends and 23% plan to buy something for themselves. Nevertheless, retailers can still expect a busy time with Thai consumers still out buying gifts for their family and friends and even treating themselves. The Marketbuzzz survey, conducted among 500 Thai consumers nationwide in November, shows an almost even split between people planning to buy gifts in stores at 53%, and buying online at 47%. A total of 58% say they'll be buying gifts for their family, 24% will buy for friends and 23% plan to buy something for themselves. The top five gift categories this year are food and drinks, health products and supplements, hampers, jewellery and electronics.