Bali to reopen direct flights from China, Japan, South KoreaA man carries a canoe during sunrise at a beach in Sanur on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Sept 28, 2021. (AFP photo)Indonesia’s tourist spot Bali will start allowing direct arrivals from China, Japan and South Korea as a receding Covid-19 outbreak lets the country ease restrictions further. The government is now allowing fitness centres and restaurants in cinemas to reopen with limited capacity and strict health protocols. Authorities reported 922 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the lowest since June 21, 2020. More than 4.2 million people in the country have tested positive for the virus, with 142,261 total fatalities, according to the health ministry data.

Teen-student vaccinations begin, 3-11 year-olds next yearStudents at Pibool Uppatham School in Huai Khwang district of Bangkok wait their turn to be vaccinated on Monday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The Public Health Ministry plans to inoculate children aged 3-11 years against Covid-19 next year, if a vaccine is approved for that age group. They would be incolulated next year if the World Health Organisation and the Thai Food and Drug Administration endorse a vaccine for them. Its use is approved by the FDA and the World Health Organisation," he said. Achools not under the Education Ministry included religious schools and schools operated by border patrol police.

Soldier, 4 insurgents killed in 6-day siegeFourth Region Army chief Lt Gen Kriangkrai Srirak is briefed by planning officers ahead of the operation against insurgents in Bacho district of Narathiwat on Sunday. (Photo: Adbullah Benjakat)PATTANI: Four insurgents wanted on court warrants in criminal cases were killed in a firefight while trying to break through encircling soldiers at a village in Bacho district in Narathiwat province on Sunday. A military unit laid siege to Hutae Yuelo village in tambon Bare Tai in Bacho district, where the fugitive insurgents were hiding. The insurgents tried to break out on Saturday night. On Sunday the four insurgents again tried to break out.

'Hard to have Myanmar junta boss at Asean summit' - Malaysia ministerFILE PHOTO: Myanmar's junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on Feb 1, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. (Reuters)KUALA LUMPUR: Myanmar's failure to cooperate with a special envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will make it difficult to have the country's junta leader attend an upcoming summit of the group, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Monday. Saifuddin Abdullah in a Tweet said he expressed disappointment at a meeting of his Asean counterparts over the non-cooperation of Myanmar's ruling military council. Myanmar's top general in April committed to a five-step peace roadmap following its Feb 1 coup.

Harley-Davidson hits new milestone with Pan America 1250Turning off traction control adds to the fun on a gravel surface. After launching the Softail family, the company unveiled the great touring fleet and now the all-new Pan America 1250 Special Touring Adventure with a brand new liquid-cool V-Twin 1250cc engine. I love the idea of not only testing the Pan America but the chance to make this story a documentary. Riding through heavy traffic within Bangkok gave me a clear understanding of what the Pan America can do. Overall, I love the balance and design of the Pan America.

Bomb explodes harmlessly in SouthSoldiers patrol the road in Sungai Padi district of Narathiwat where a bomb detonated harmlessly on Monday. (Photo: Waedao Harai)NARATHIWAT: A bomb exploded in roadside bushes in Sungai Padi district of this southern border province on Monday morning, but caused no damage. Pol Capt Panuwat Sodanil, an investigator at Sungai Padi, said the bomb went off about 8am, around 500 metres from Sungai Padi Secondary School in tambon Riko. Police and soldiers from Ranger Task Force 48, accomnpied by a bomb disposal team, were sent to the scene to investigate. Pol Col Apakorn Wirupakarak, the Sungai Padi police chief, said the explosion hurt no one and caused no damage to property.

Govt to cap diesel prices until end-OctFILE PHOTO: A Bangchak attendant at the pumps. (Bangkok Post photo)The government will cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre until the end of the month to help reduce living costs for consumers as global oil prices rise, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Monday. The short-term support could be extended if necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong , who is also energy minister, told a news conference. "If global oil prices keep increasing, we still have room to manoeuvre," he said, adding prices of some diesel types would be lowered from Tuesday and some from Oct 11. The subsidy will be financed by an oil fund worth 11 billion baht and a loan if needed, Mr Supattanapong said.

Police seek extended detention of US rape suspectA police officer holds Robert Gordon's passport against his chest, checking the embedded photo matches the suspect, during his arrest at a hotel in Soi Nana in Bangkok on Saturday. (Police photo)KHON KAEN: Police on Monday sought court approval to detain American rape suspect Robert Gordon for another 12 days. Pol Col Preecha Kengsarikit, chief of Muang Khon Kaen police station, said investigators opposed bail, citing concern the suspect might try to flee. He fled on the same bike to Bangkok on the day of the alleged offences in Khon Kan. He was arrested on Saturday at a hotel in Soi Nana, downtown Bangkok.

Big Panama law firm implicated in 'Pandora Papers' revelationsPanama has expressed concern over possible further damage to the country's reputation from the new leak following the fallout from the 'Panama Papers' in 2016. PANAMA CITY: A prestigious Panamanian law firm was named in the so-called "Pandora Papers" as implicated in the creation of offshore shell companies meant to hide money in tax havens for more than 160 politicians and public figures. "Alcogal rejects the conjecture, inaccuracies and falsehoods in the papers," the firm said, offering to work with authorities to investigate any irregularities. The revelations from the Pandora Papers could further damage Panama's reputation, after the Central American country's image already took a hit in a previous round of financial scandal reporting known as the "Panama Papers" five years ago. "The damage could be insurmountable," the Panamanian government said in the letter, sent through a law firm to the ICIJ.

Tom Brady makes NFL history on winning return to New EnglandTampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady waves to the crowd as he leaves the field after making passing history and defeating the New England Patriots in an emotional return to Gillette Stadium. Brady was facing his former team for the first time after two decades of dominance in New England which resulted in six Super Bowl championships. Brady entered the contest needing 68 yards to pass the recently retired Brees. "I can throw a little bit and I am glad I have had some great guys to catch it," Brady said. Brady completed 22 of 43 passes for 269 yards against the Patriots and threw no interceptions in the see-saw contest.

Taliban say Islamic State cell destroyed after mosque attackThe Taliban said they destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. KABUL: The Taliban said on Monday they had destroyed an Islamic State cell in the Afghan capital, hours after a suspected IS attack on a mosque killed five people. Kabul resident and government employee Abdul Rahaman told AFP that a "large number" of Taliban special forces attacked at least three houses in his neighbourhood. On Monday, Mujahid told AFP that an investigation was still ongoing but "initial information suggests that Daesh-linked groups may have carried out the attack". The Taliban and the Afghanistan branch of IS -- known as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or IS-K -- are both hardline Sunni Islamist militant groups.

London inquest seeks to solve mystery sinking of French trawlerFive crew members drowned when the Bugaled Breizh sank off Cornwall, southwest England, in January 2004LONDON - A coroner's inquest opens in London on Monday into the mysterious sinking of a French fishing trawler 17 years ago, which the victims' families blame on a submarine. French courts spent years investigating the sinking of the Bugaled Breizh in international waters off Cornwall, southwest England, on January 15, 2004. The ship's crew of five French nationals -- Yves Gloaguen, Pascal Le Floch, Georges Lemetayer, Patrick Gloaguen, and Eric Guillamet -- all perished in the sinking. Judge Nigel Lickley will hold inquests into the deaths of Yves Gloaguen and Le Floch, whose bodies were found by UK search and rescue. The inquest into Yves Gloaguen and Pascal Le Floch's deaths began in Cornwall in 2020 but was adjourned due to Covid-19 restrictions and transferred to London.

Oldest Thailand conglomerate eyes power projects in Europe, USThe operation of wind farms forms part of B.Grimm’s strategy. (B.Grimm photo)B.Grimm Group, Thailand’s oldest industrial conglomerate, is mulling investments in power projects in Eastern Europe and the United States to tap rising demand for renewable energy. “We have such growth potential in the energy sector,” with a major focus on “very interesting” projects in Eastern Europe, she said, without elaborating on possible US ventures. Malaysia and South Korea also offer potential for new power ventures, she said. B.Grimm is controlled by Harald Link, Ms Caroline’s father, and her family, which owns more than 60% in B.Grimm Power, its only listed company.

Millions of students to get Pfizer shotYoungsters are injected with the Pfizer vaccine at Vajira Hospital on Sept 20, 2021. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)A Covid-19 vaccination drive for more than 5.04 million students nationwide starts on Monday, ahead of the new school term which is due to begin in November. The Education Ministry now aims to fully vaccinate students aged 12 to 18 using the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, which is approved for use on children as young as 12. The ministry will vaccinate students in the 29 provinces in the "dark red" zone first before expanding the drive to other parts of the country. In the second phase, schools which have passed an inspection of their facilities will open.

Merck’s Covid pill sparks Asia vaccine shares selloffA handout photo of the experimental Covid-19 treatment pill, called molnupiravir, developed by Merck & Co Inc and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP. (Photo: Reuters)SINGAPORE: The price of shares in makers of vaccines and other coronavirus treatments dropped in Asia on Monday after Merck & Co said its experimental pill cuts the risk of hospitalization and death from Covid-19 in half. Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co, which has a deal to distribute BioNTech and Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine in Greater China, slumped as much as 21% in Hong Kong, leading losses in the region’s health stocks. Drugmakers were broadly weaker, with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. and Wuxi Biologics (Cayman) Inc. each dropping more than 7%, among the worst declines on the Hang Seng Index. “This is on the back of Merck’s game-changer pill, which still requires emergency-use authorization from the FDA before being rolled out,” said Justin Tang, the head of Asian research at United First Partners.