At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siegeMOGADISHU: At least 12 people have been killed in Somalia's capital Mogadishu after al Shabaab militants attacked a hotel leading to a siege that authorities are still trying to end, an intelligence officer said on Saturday. Sounds of explosions punctuated the night as government forces tried to wrest control of the hotel back from the militants, witnesses said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist group statements. Al Shabaab has been fighting to topple the Somali government for more than 10 years. The Hayat Hotel is a popular venue with lawmakers and other government officials but there was no immediate information if any of them had been caught up in the siege.

Forget about the boring Web2.0 online shops, and dive into the 3D world powered by the latest Web3.0 technologies. In 2021, Smilodo, a Swiss online shop builder launched the first iteration of its eCommerce SaaS Business by providing Web2.0 online shop services. Smilodo already has an operational Metaverse mall prototype that is linked to its existing eCommerce SaaS Business, and the company is launching a closed beta run of its mall in Q4 2022. To enter this closed beta the community needs to own a Smilodo Community NFT, which is, besides being the entry ticket, the user’s dynamic Avatar. After the closed beta run, Smilodo will prepare its Smilodo Mall space sale as a second NFT round in 2023.

Soldier surrenders over fatal shootingCpl Manit Chanthaphinit, 33, wanted for shooting a private, 29, to death outside an army camp in Nakhon Phanom's Pla Pak district, surrenders to police on Friday night. According to police, Cpl Manit arrived on a motorcycle at the entrance of the army camp and started talking with Pvt 1st Class Watchara. His superior picked up him at a petrol station near Nakhon Phanom airport and escorted him to the police station. During questioning, Cpl Manit told police that the shooting stemmed from a personal conflict between him and Pvt 1st Class Watchara. Pol Col Natthawit Ratchakaew, chief of Muang Nakhon Phanom police station, investigators and military officers jointly interrogated the suspect.

Covid-19 to be declared endemic in OctoberDr Taweesilp Visanuyotin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, announces the decision of the CCSA meeting from Government House on Friday. (Screenshot)The government will declare Covid-19 endemic in October, and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will then no longer be the main agency dealing with the disease. The decision to declare the disease endemic was based on the presently limited number of severe Covid-19 cases and related fatalities. "The goal is for people to be able to coexist safely with Covid-19 and live normal lives," Dr Taweesilp said. The incidence of Covid-19 would be similar to influenza, and there would be new cases all year long, Dr Taweesilp said.

Thailand to allow foreign tourists to extend stay as Covid easesTourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan province, on Feb 6, 2022. Foreigners from 18 territories coming to Thailand under the visa on arrival category will be allowed to double their length of stay for up to 30 days, Dr Taweesilp said. Those from more than 50 places that currently get 30 days will be able to stay for up to 45 days. Between Jan 1 and Wednesday, the country gained 176.3 billion baht (US$4.93 billion) in revenue from 3.78 million foreign arrivals. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expects 8 million to 10 million arrivals this year, above an earlier forecast of 7 million, according to the Ministry of Finance.

Torrential rain causes havoc in New Zealand, hundreds forced from homesThis handout picture taken on Wednesday by local media outlet Andrew App and released on Thursday shows a flood-inundated car and homes from the overflowing Maitai River in central Nelson on New Zealand's South Island. (Photo: AFP)WELLINGTON: Torrential rain hit parts of New Zealand for a fourth day on Friday, forcing hundreds of people from their homes as rivers overflowed their banks and waterlogged ground becomes unstable. (Photo: Reuters)The New Zealand Defence Force has personnel helping with evacuations and flood prevention work. A view of flooding in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand, on Friday. Landslide is pictured as a state of emergency is declared after severe flooding affected Nelson, New Zealand, on Thursday.

Meanwhile, 66 drivers stand to have their licences suspended, while 63 have been told to undergo training and testing to learn about road safety, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) said on Thursday. Seksom Akraphand, DLT’s deputy director-general, said the department has introduced a points deduction system in a bid to raise awareness of driving safely. He also said that most public transport drivers face punishment for speeding or being impolite. He added that one driver lost his licence for taking drugs while driving.

The Brazilian international, who spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Porto, has been at Real since 2013, winning three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues with 336 appearances across all competitions. Man United sit bottom of the Premier League table after their 2-1 opening home defeat to Brighton was followed up with a 4-0 loss at Brentford in a disastrous start to Erik ten Hag’s reign as manager .

“The most important measure is the Visa on Arrival (VoA) that allows foreign tourists from 19 countries to enter Thailand without having to get a visa beforehand,” he said. “This measure will expire on April 30, and we want the government to extend it to the end of 2020 to keep the flow of foreign tourists going.”Wichit added that Atta has also pitched the idea of granting multiple entry visas to Chinese tourists to Ministry of Tourism and Sports. “The Ministry agreed with this idea and is discussing it with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies,” he said. “Once implemented, we can attract high-end tourists from China to come to Thailand several times a year. “Chinese tourists are still our biggest clients, with an estimated number in 2020 increasing by 500,000 to 1 million from this year's number, which is expected to stand at 11 million,” said Wichit.

The ministry is asking the CCSA to downgrade Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance from October 1. Supot said that after the disease is downgraded, the CCSA will consider whether any special law or order is still required to control the situation. If not, the CCSA may be disbanded, he said. However, the emergency law is still needed for now although the situation has improved, the secretary-general said. Supot explained that the emergency law was still needed to control arrivals into the country and departures and to prohibit activity that would worsen the spread of the disease.

Published byThe Bangkok Postpublished : 18 Aug 2022 at 04:00 newspaper section: [Life](http://search.bangkokpost.com/search/result_advanced?category=news&xNewsSection=Life) Japanophiles in Pattaya take note. The “Japan Signature 2022” is taking a roadshow to Central Pattaya in Chon Buri from tomorrow to Aug 28. Presented by Central Pattana, this is an opportunity to enjoy a range of carefully selected authentic Japanese cuisine with deliciousness guaranteed in the atmosphere of Matsuri, or the Japanese festival of joy. Expect to indulge in legendary ramen recipes and ready-to-eat dishes cooked by chefs from many restaura…Read More

New pacts cement India-Thai relationsIndia's Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, left, walks with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha inside the Thai Khu Fah building at Government House after their meeting on Wednesday. Mr Jaishankar paid a courtesy call on him during his visit to attend the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting. Indian Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was in Thailand to attend the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting as the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. One was an MoU on Health and Medical Research cooperation between the Department of Medical Services, which falls under Thailand's Ministry of Public Health, and the Indian Council of Medical Research of Department of Health Research, under India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. "Thailand and India have been longstanding friends and we just celebrated the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations on Aug 1.

Meanwhile restrictions on alcohol sales in Lithuania had cut the number of road accidents and injuries. In contrast, allowing late-night drinking had triggered a rise in physical assaults, injuries, drink-driving and other destructive behaviour, he said. Surasak cited statistics from Australia showing that extending bar hours had led to increased drinking and road accidents. Longer sale hours in Iceland also led to a rise in emergency-ward patients, injuries, quarrels, physical assaults and drink-driving. He added that Norway saw a 16 per cent rise in physical assaults after extending alcohol sales by just one hour.

"I got married at a young age, and after that, I went to India with my husband. It inspired me to learn," said Sunar, explaining the desire to catch up on the lessons she missed. One of Sunar's classmates, 14-year-old Bijay B.K., said it was fun to be in the same class with her. "I help didi in studies and she helps me too," he said, using the Nepali term for an elder sister. As a seventh-grade student, Sunar was below average, but a keen learner, said Bharat Basnet, the principal of the village school.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took it upon himself to command the CCSA so that all government agencies can work together,” Anutin said. Kiattiphum said the ministry would have to adjust its operation plan accordingly that will be enforced until December. As part of the new operation plan, the ministry will ensure that Covid medicine will be accessible from drug stores but require prescription by doctors. Kiattiphum said the committee had also decided to change the treatment and surveillance period of Covid patients from seven days for treatment and three days for surveillance to five days for treatment and five days for surveillance. The permanent secretary said the antiviral Molnupiravir drug will be the main medicine for Covid treatment and the ministry is certain the drug would be adequate.