EU rallies behind angry France in US row but Biden budges on travelTop EU diplomat Josep Borrell removes his face mask prior to speaking during a press conference following a meeting at the United Nations of EU foreign ministers that touched on a US-French row. UNITED NATIONS: Tensions rocked the Western alliance Monday as European Union leaders backed France in its anger over a scuppered mega-contract, but US President Joe Biden addressed a key European grievance by easing Covid travel restrictions. European Union foreign ministers, meeting in New York, "expressed clear solidarity with France," top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said. "This announcement ran counter to calls for greater cooperation with the European Union in the Indo-Pacific," he said. European powers including Germany -- which has been circumspect in its remarks on the EU-France row -- hailed the shift on travel.

What Merkel, the belated feminist, did for womenMerkel recently admitted she was 'shy' about the feminist labelFRANKFURT - As Germany's first female chancellor, Angela Merkel smashed the glass ceiling and became a leading player in global politics. In 2017, Merkel was at a rare loss for words when she was asked if she was a feminist, and dodged the question. Germany's gender pay gap remains among the highest in the European Union and stood at 19 percent in 2019, not least because many German women work part-time. "She showed that women can do power jobs well and that women can serve the country," said Kappert. Kappert said Merkel had not held the door open for progressive, feminist politicians.

10,919 new Covid cases, 143 more deathsMigrant workers wait for their turn to be vaccinated at Bang Yai City Central Market in Nonthaburi on Monday. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)There were 10,919 new Covid-19 cases and 143 more fatalities recorded during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Tuesday morning. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 1,500,105 Covid-19 cases, with 1,352,838 complete recoveries so far. Four southern border provinces had 1,127 new cases and 10 new fatalities, while 67 other provinces recorded 5,179 new cases and 61 new deaths. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 397,618 in 24 hours to 229.82 million.

Fewer Europe fans no worry for Harrington at Ryder CupEuropean Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington holds the trophy that Europe won in France in 2018, the same one that will be up for grabs when the Ryder Cup begins Friday at Whistling Straits. KOHLER, United States: Europe captain Padraig Harrington says bring on the noise from American fans at the Ryder Cup even if the Covid-19 pandemic reduces the number of Europe supporters at Whistling Straits. Asked what helps unite European talent, Harrington said the emphasis the late Seve Ballesteros put on the Ryder Cup to bolster the European Tour has become a motivating force. Winning the Ryder Cup was the way to say that Europe deserved a seat at the table." Asked about the importance of a captain, Harrington said the Cup could come down to a single decision one makes, or about the atmosphere he creates over an entire week.

SAC Gallery invites us to witness artworks that remind us to take care of our thoughts and feelings towards the stimuli around us during "Art Cart 04: Handle With Care", which is running until Oct 30. Deity 9 by Vipoo Srivilasa. photo courtesy of SAC GalleryKittaya Poolsawatdi, Attasit Pokpong and Chayanin Kwangkaew have chosen to combine their imagination and reality to present a female image in their own ways. Viewers are invited to look for meanings from her eye which shows her strength, gentleness, volatility and stability. SAC Gallery is on Sukhumvit 33 and opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

US Democrats unveil plans to suspend debt limitRepublicans have vowed to withhold support for raising the federal borrowing limit, despite warnings of an economic 'catastrophe'WASHINGTON - Democratic congressional leaders on Monday unveiled plans to suspend the nation's borrowing limit, following a White House warning of "economic catastrophe" unless that ceiling is raised. The measure would suspend the debt limit through December 2022 -- after the midterm congressional elections. But Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell once again said Democrats should go it alone. Failing to raise the debt limit "would produce widespread economic catastrophe" and "compound the damage of the continuing public health emergency," she said in a column Monday in The Wall Street Journal. But under Trump, Democrats supported Republican efforts to suspend the debt limit for two years.

Reopening of capital 'must be safe'Nurses comfort a Satriwithaya School student as she and other students receive a dose of Sinopharm vaccine provided by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy at the National Telecom head office on Monday. Pol Gen Aswin said the second factor for reopening to proceed is if daily caseloads continue to drop and there are fewer Covid-19 patients in hospitals. In recent days, between 2,700-2,800 daily infections have been reported. "People's safety comes first in reopening plans," Dr Apisamai told a daily press briefing on the coronavirus situation. On Monday, Thailand logged 12,709 new Covid-19 cases and 106 more fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Monday morning, said Dr Apisamai.

Extra security for N.Z. women's cricketers in BritainParamilitary soldiers stand guard outside the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on September 17, 2021, after New Zealand postponed a series of one-day international (ODI) cricket matches against Pakistan over security concernsWELLINGTON - New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday boosted security around the women's national team currently touring Britain as a precaution after a threatening email was received by English officials. NZC, which last week abruptly abandoned the Black Caps' tour of Pakistan over security fears for the men's team, said the latest threat was ultimately deemed "not credible". But it said the communication received by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prompted increased security around the White Ferns women's team, which is due to play England in Leicester on Tuesday. "The White Ferns have now arrived in Leicester and, as a precaution, security around them has been boosted."

We must end torture in all its formsArtists organise an arts exhibition in 2019 in Bangkok aimed at calling for justice over the death of Karen rights activist Porlajee 'Billy' Rakchongcharoen, the latest victim of enforced disappearances in Thailand. Given the current impetus, it is hoped that the draft bill will become law in the coming weeks and bring to an end nearly 10 years of waiting since Thailand signed these two conventions. Indeed, if past records serve as any indicator, Thailand has a pretty dark history in dealing with enforced disappearances. It is an open secret that some of the torture and enforced disappearances were carried out by state officials; indeed they are biggest alleged perpetrators. It is a positive step to boost Thailand's human rights standards.

Meesak Chunharuckchot, president of the Chonburi Real Estate Association, said the ceiling price of 1.2 million baht for homes entitled to the Government Housing Bank's low-interest-rate mortgages under the stimulus scheme of 1-million-units was too low. Most of them are between 1.5 and 1.8 million baht. The ceiling price of the scheme should be 1.8 million baht," he said. The higher ceiling prices of both schemes can help homebuyers reduce expenses from loan interest and fees and help absorb existing supply. "Foreign ownership quotas for condos should be higher than 49% to boost the property market," he said.

Koeman defends direct approach after Barca held by GranadaRonald Koeman watched on as Barcelona were beaten at home to Granada on Monday. MADRID: Ronald Koeman defended his direct tactics after being accused of betraying Barcelona's attacking traditions in a 1-1 draw at home to Granada on Monday. There were 85 seconds on the clock when Domingos Duarte headed Granada in front. Luuk de Jong came on for Sergi Roberto at half-time, indicating a more direct approach was coming but Granada were not uncomfortable. Depay hooked over from a de Jong ball in before Oscar Mingueza’s delivery grazed the top of the crossbar.

People visit the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok when the Red Line railway started its test run early last month. Mr Nirut said the first phase of the station's commercial development will see shops offering essential services, including food and beverages, opened at the new rail hub. According to Mr Nirut, the development of Bang Sue Grand Station's commercial spaces will be divided into two contracts spanning 20 years. One involves development of commercial spaces covering 52,375 square metres (m²), while the other covers the development of advertisement space totalling 2,303m². The commercial space at 12 stations along the Red Line has a total area of 4,626m², plus 2,407m² for advertising.

We can't wait for the infrastructure project [on the Chao Phraya River basin] which is due to be completed in the next decade. However, the rainy season has increased the volume of usable water from 2,265mcm on May 1 to 3,108mcm on Sept 15. "However, there should be at least 8,000mcm of usable water by Nov 1 for off-season rice farming next year. Flooding is likely to occur in the Central Region (the Chao Phraya River basin) and some parts of the Northeast. While the Bangrakam lowland area (upper Chao Phraya River basin) can collect 400mcm, 12 lowland areas (lower Chao Phraya River basin) can hold 1,500mcm.

New report urges better digital infrastructureThe Office of National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) is joining hands with six other digital-related state agencies to exchange information which will enable them to streamline their databases and draw up strategic plans as people are spending more time online. The collaboration follows the release of the "Thailand Digital Outlook" report by the ONDE which included a survey on internet use by the public and businesses among other issues related to the country's digital development. The data exchange collaboration is intended to help these state agencies to streamline their databases, a cost-saving exercise strongly encouraged in the "Thailand Digital Outlook" report. The public and private sectors can make use of the findings in this report for planning and enhancing efficiency," he said. The respondents came from three groups: 39,145 people from the general public, 3,381 people from the business sector and 935 people from state agencies which provided primary public services.

THAI sells more planesCash-strapped Thai Airways International (THAI) is putting three aircraft along with a flight simulator up for sale, as a part of its financial rehabilitation plan and the ongoing push to modernise its ageing fleet, a source in the company said. THAI has 15 A330-300s in its fleet, but they wide-bodied jets are currently grounded because of the minimal demand for air travel amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It has also let go of its six Airbus A340-600ds, three A340-500s, two Boeing 737-400s and an Airbus A300-600. THAI had been haemorrhaging money for years, and last year it sought the help of the Central Bankruptcy Court, after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the grounding of its entire fleet. The airline's independent director, Piyasvasti Amranand, who is one of the airline's rehabilitation plan administrators, went on Facebook saying that THAI can sell 10 Boeing 747s if the Transport Ministry approves their sale.