24 dead in Ecuador prison gun battle: policeInmates walk on the roof of a wing of the main regional prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where at least 24 prisoners were killed in a gun battle among inmates. QUITO: At least 24 prisoners were killed in a battle between inmates equipped with firearms and grenades at a prison in Guayaquil, Ecuador, officials said Tuesday. Ecuador's prison system has become a battle ground between prisoners linked to Mexican drug gangs -- mainly the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Two weeks ago, Guayaquil's Prison Number 4 was attacked by drones, part of "a war between international cartels," prison authorities said. Ecuador's prison system has about 60 facilities designed for 29,000 inmates, but is burdened by overcrowding and staffing shortages.

10,414 new Covid cases, 122 more deathsA health worker conducts antigen tests to find Covid-19 cases in Klong Toey district, Bangkok, last Saturday. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)Thailand logged 10,414 new Covid-19 cases and 122 more fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Wednesday morning. The number of new cases rose from the 9,489 announced on Tuesday when the country recorded 129 more deaths. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 1,591,829 Covid-19 cases, with 1,459,786 complete recoveries so far. The highest number of cases was 23,418 on Aug 13.Global Covid-19 cases rose by 426,535 in 24 hours (up from 371,530 on the previous day) to 233.55 million.

Canaries volcano lava reaches sea, raising toxic gas fearsLa Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on September 19, spewing out rivers of lava that have slowly crept towards the seaMADRID - Lava from an erupting volcano in the Canary Islands has reached the ocean, volcanologists said, raising fear of toxic gases being released as the lava hits the sea water. "The lava flow has reached the sea at Playa Nueva," the Canary Islands Volcanic Institute (Involcan) said on Twitter Tuesday night. La Cumbre Vieja volcano, which straddles a southern ridge in La Palma, an island with 85,000 inhabitants, erupted on September 19, spewing out rivers of lava that have slowly crept towards the sea. Experts say the entry of lava into the seawater will send clouds of toxic gas into the air, causing explosions and a fragmentation of the molten rock like gunshots. The eruption has forced the evacuation of more than 6,000 people from their homes but has not killed or injured anyone so far.

Biden cancels trip with agenda under threat, debt crisis loomingUS President Joe Biden Biden had been meant to address his Covid-19 vaccination policy in the Midwestern cityWASHINGTON - President Joe Biden postponed a Wednesday trip to Chicago to stay in Washington and fight for his domestic agenda, which hangs from a thread in Congress, the White House said. "He will now remain at the White House tomorrow to continue working on advancing these two pieces of legislation to create jobs," an administration official said late Tuesday. McConnell has repeatedly argued that the political burden of raising or suspending it again should fall to Democrats because they control the House, Senate and White House. But Yellen told the Senate Banking Committee the debt limit increase was a "shared responsibility" that both parties should support. But the Senate shot down the plan on Monday, with Republicans objecting to a debt ceiling hike that was included in the wording.

Thailand targets Indian tourists to make up for missing ChineseTourists pose for pictures at Phra Tamnak Hill in Pattaya, a prime spot for enjoying panoramic views of Pattaya City, on June 14, 2018. (Photo: Patipat Janthong)Thailand is looking to attract Indian travellers during the traditional holiday season to boost its tourism-reliant economy that’s been hit hard by the absence of mass holidaymakers from countries including China. With the outbound Chinese travel not expected to resume anytime soon, Thailand is betting on travellers from other origins to take advantage of its relaxed rules for tourists. They were the largest group behind Chinese and Malaysians that year when the nation saw almost 40 million tourists. “Even though it will be difficult to match the number of visitors and revenue generated by Chinese travellers, Indian tourists can help support Thailand’s tourism industry during this time,” Ms Somsong said.

Manycuts Artspace l Ari marks its opening with "Priceless", an exhibition that will help viewers evaluate losses caused by the country's latest coup d'etat, until Dec 5. (Photo courtesy of Manycuts Artspace l Ari)On display are 17 abstract-like artworks by Surajate Tongchua, an emerging artist from Chiang Mai, who started creating this series in May 2014, when the junta took over the country. The artist connects his personal experiences to Thai politics and social context in order to portray his perspectives as a Thai citizen. At the same time, such personal experiences are contextually woven into collective experiences which everyone has shared in the past seven years. Manycuts Artspace l Ari is a new branch of Manycuts Artspace in Chachoengsao province, located on Ari 3, Phahon Yothin Road and open Friday to Sunday from noon to 6pm and by appointment on Wednesday and Thursday.

Rassarin Kijchaisawas, the owner of the Soonthornphu bookshop, joined the cultural programme held by the Book Studies Foundation and the Ministry of Culture last year. "I think I won the award because I am committed to promoting reading and contributing to society. When the community was hit by the coronavirus, my bookshop becomes a donation centre," she told the Bangkok Post by phone. She encouraged reading on all platforms but hometown bookshops can offer a unique experience and face-to-face interaction. "I organise reading activities and encourage children to share their experiences.

New excise tax structure for cigs gets cabinet nodAll details of the new excise tax for cigarettes will be disclosed by the Excise Department on Thursday. (Bangkok Post photo)The cabinet has approved the new excise tax structure for cigarettes, expected to come into effect this Friday, according to a Finance Ministry source. At present, a 20% tax rate is applied to the retail price for cigarette packs costing up to 60 baht. If the retail price exceeds 60 baht per pack, a 40% tax rate is applied. The source said that the cabinet agreed to raise the tax rate from 20% to 25% including the 40% tax rate, together with an adjustment of the retail price which is at least 60 baht.

Schools to reopen with limitsThe Education Ministry has announced its two-phase plan to reopen schools while still imposing strict Covid-19 measures. The first phase is for boarding schools that have already implemented measures for creating a Covid-19 safety zone on their grounds since August. The second phase is for other schools that pass a formal Covid-19 assessment on their readiness to reopen. She also called on the government to supply schools and universities with mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, saying the vaccination rate among students was rather low making it difficult to reopen schools. The vaccination rate of Chiang Mai University students, for instance, was as low as 30% while the minimum rate of Covid-19 vaccination required upon reopening is 70%, she said.

World Bank cuts Thai GDP growth outlook to 1% this yearFILE PHOTO: There are no tourists to be seen at Shiva Samui resort on July 20, 2021. The economy is now expected to return to its pre-pandemic level in 2023, Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, senior World Bank economist for Thailand, told a virtual briefing. Tourist arrivals are seen at 1.7 million next year, when the economy is forecast to grow 3.6%, he added. Exports and fiscal measures had provided support in the meantime and the World Bank backed the government's lifting of the public debt ceiling to help the economy, Mr Kiatipong said. The World Bank's 2021 economic outlook compared with growth of 1.3% predicted by the finance ministry and 0.7% by the central bank.

TEST YOURSELF: Thai goes globalPhoto : IMDB/YouTubeThailand's culture is spreading around the worldTest Yourself is where you can improve your reading skills. Blackpink's Lisa spread Thai culture around the world by wearing a traditional Thai headdress in the MV for her hit Lalisa. Guru breaks down a few more things that help spread Thai culture around the world. THAI CUISINESearch for "Thai restaurants near me" in a foreign country and you'll find a list of places you can go. There are a few award-winning Thai restaurants outside of Thailand like Farang London, which has a Michelin award.

Hong Kong man on national security trial over protest chantsMore than 70 people, including many of the city's most prominent democracy activists, have been charged with national security crimes, almost all for holding political views now deemed illegal. HONG KONG: A Hong Kong man who chanted protest slogans pleaded not guilty to inciting secession on Tuesday in the second national security case to come to trial as authorities wield the sweeping new law to snuff out dissent. Most of those charged under the national security law are denied bail and Ma has been in custody since his arrest 10 months ago. Prosecutors said slogans Ma used that incited secession included "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", "Hong Kong independence, the only way out", "Hong Kongers, build our own country", "One nation, one Hong Kong" and "All shall be valiant, start armed uprising". National security judges previously ruled in the July trial that "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", a popular protest slogan, was secessionist.

Fugitive army ranger surrenders, faces murder chargesSgt Maj Pheeraphat Onchart, 37, seated with a document hiding his face, after his surrender to police at Saba Yoi police station in Songkhla. He is charged with the murder of his wife and her mother last Thursday, and other offences. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)SONGKHLA: A fugitive army ranger has surrendered to face charges of shooting dead his wife and mother-in-law at their home in Saba Yoi district on Thursday night. Sgt Maj Pheeraphat Onchart, 37, a ranger stationed in Yala’s Yaha district, turned himself in to his commander at the 47th Ranger Regiment on Monday. He was then taken to Saba Yoi police station and formally charged, Pol Col Kongthap Senathip, chief of Sabai Yoi police, said on Tuesday.

A utility in Jilin even warned power shortages could disrupt water supplies at any time, before apologising for causing alarm. - At any cost -The power crunch has taken hold as a shortage of coal supplies, toughening greenhouse emission standards and strong demand from manufacturers and industry have pushed coal prices to record highs and triggered widespread curbs on usage. Jilin governor Han urged companies to fulfil their "social responsibilities" and "overcome the difficulties" caused by coal price rises. It said China needed to increase the production and supply of coal while guaranteeing safety and environmental protection. "This is about coal generators unable to operate their plants profitably, in most cases," he said.

Small earthquake in KanchanaburiA map from the Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department shows the epicentre of the 3.2 magnitude earthquake in Sri Sawat district of Kanchanaburi on early Tuesday morning. (Photo supplied)KANCHANABURI: An earthquake of magnitude 3.2, centred in Sri Sawat district, was recorded by seismologists early on Tuesday morning. The Meteorological Department reported the quake occured at 4.39am and was centred six kilometres underground, below tambon Khao Jot of Sri Sawat district. It was about 50 kilometres north of Srinagarind dam and 62km east of the Vajiralongkorn dam. The Provincial Electricity Authority reported the quake had no impact on the dams.