Measures set to assist SMEsThe cabinet on Tuesday agreed in principle job support measures worth 46.9 billion baht to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) retain workers and create new jobs. According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the cabinet has acknowledged the job support measures approved last Thursday by the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA). He said the measures aim to help SMEs that have 200 or fewer employees retain 95% of their workers, and encourage entrepreneurs to increase new hires. The new support measures will see the government hand out 3,000 baht a month to each worker from November 2021 to January 2022. The measure will cover 480,122 SMEs, which are expected to help retain employees and create new jobs for a total of 5.04 million workers.

In Thailand, Facebook and photo-sharing app Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, suffered service outages from around 10.30pm on Monday night. The outage triggered outcry among many local netizens who expressed their discontent through other social media channels. According to him, Facebook is a major platform used by small merchants to livestream their sales. There are three main channels for online sales -- social media, e-marketplaces and vendors' websites, he said. Regarding small merchants, Facebook accounts for about 30% of their sales channels, he said, noting businesses may now need to explore other channels when it comes to sales.

Pandemic dampens fuel consumptionAn attendant fills a customer's tank at a Bangchak petrol station. Demand in the country for the major fuel types, including diesel, petrol, jet fuel and compressed natural gas, all fell. Jet fuel consumption continued to experience the biggest decline, plunging 47.2% to an average of 4.55 million litres a day, down from 8.6 million litres during the same period last year, she said. Petrol consumption decreased by 7.3% to a daily average of 28.5 million litres from 30.7 million litres during the same period last year. "The decline in fuel consumption began after the Covid-19 outbreak flared up in April, months after the second outbreak in December last year," said Ms Nantika.

The Commerce Ministry has revised its annual headline inflation forecast to a range of 0.8% to 1.2% (with an average of 1%), narrowing from 0.7% to 1.7% (with an average of 1.2%) earlier. The ministry expects the inflation rate will expand in the range of 1.4-1.8% in the fourth quarter from the corresponding period last year. Core CPI, which excludes raw food and energy prices, rose 0.19% year-on-year in September, up from 0.07% in the previous month. For the third quarter of 2021, the headline inflation rose by 2.36% year-on-year compared to the third quarter of last year and rose 0.74% quarter-on-quarter compared to the previous quarter this year. For the first nine months this year, average headline inflation was 0.83% year-on-year and core inflation 0.23%.

Shippers keep growth outlook at 12%A group of Thai shippers is feeling more upbeat about export prospects this year after shipments rose for the sixth month in a row in August. Chaichan Chareonsuk, chairman of the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC), said on Tuesday the group maintained its forecast for Thai export growth of 12% this year to US$260 billion. However, obstacles persist in 2021, including a stubborn pandemic in Thailand and slow vaccine distribution, said Mr Chaichan. The Commerce Ministry reported on Sept 24 customs-cleared exports rose 8.39% year-on-year in August to $22 billion, with imports increasing by 47.9% to $23.2 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.22 billion. Exports in the real sector (excluding gold, oil-related products and weaponry) continued to rise by 19.4% in August year-on-year.

Indonesia targets greater solar capacity by 2030PLN officials stand between solar cell panels at the largest solar power plant at Oelpuah village in Kupang in this file photo. (Antara Foto via Reuters)JAKARTA: Indonesia is targeting the addition of 4.68 gigawatts of solar power capacity by 2030 and is aiming to source 51.6% of its added power capacity from renewable sources under a new masterplan. Indonesia, a major coal producer and exporter, sources around 60% of its existing electricity capacity from coal-fired power plants. Under the 2019-2028 plan, it had outlined 908 MW of new solar capacity, with 30% of new power generation from renewables. Still, nearly 14 GW new coal power capacity would be added in coming years from projects already underway, the presentation showed.

Energy minister explains diesel pricing(File photo: Apichit Jinakul)Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow has explained the government's thinking in acting to lower the price of B7 diesel by one baht per litre at the pump. He said it would help rein in the cost of living as global oil prices rise in a time of hardship. Efforts had been made to persuade people to switch to diesel B10, which was still below 30 baht, but this type of diesel was not popular, he said. There were still technical problems regarding the use of diesel B10 and most consumers still used diesel B7. Mr Supattanapong announced earlier that Epac had approved a cap on diesel prices of 30 baht per litre, initially until the end of the month.

French Catholic Church inquiry finds 216,000 sex abuse victims from 1950An independent report, running to nearly 2,500 pages, found 216,000 victims of child sex abuse by French Catholic priests, deacons and other clergy. PARIS: An independent inquiry into alleged sex abuse of minors by French Catholic priests, deacons and other clergy has found some 216,000 victims of paedophilia from 1950 to 2020, a "massive phenomenon" that was covered up for decades by a "veil of silence." When lay members of the Church such as teachers at Catholic schools are included, the number of child abuse victims climbs to 330,000 over the seven-decade period. "Until the early 2000s the Catholic Church showed a profound and even cruel indifference towards the victims," he said. - 'Institutional recognition' -Sauve had already told AFP on Sunday that a "minimum estimate" of 2,900 to 3,200 paedophiles had operated in the French Church since 1950.

Malaysia protests China’s vessels in its territorial watersMalaysia summoned China’s ambassador on Monday to protest the presence and activities of Chinese vessels off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak states, describing the incident as an encroachment. In June, Malaysia protested an “intrusion” by 16 Chinese air force planes over the disputed waters. China’s foreign affairs ministry said on Tuesday the survey vessel was conducting a “normal scientific investigation” in its own territory. “China is willing to keep communicating with Malaysia on the issue, and maintain the development of China-Malaysia relationship and the stability and peace of the South China Sea,” the spokesman’s office at the foreign affairs ministry said in a statement. Malaysia is one of several countries in the region that disputes China’s claims over the South China Sea, while Beijing regularly asserts sovereignty over about four-fifths of the waters.

Marcos heir says will run for Philippines presidencyFILE PHOTO: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, son of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, his wife, Louise (left) and his sister Imee (right) smile upon arrival at the Supreme Court in Padre Faura, Metro Manila, Philippines April 2, 2018. (Reuters)The son and namesake of the Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday he will run for president in the 2022 election, as the controversial clan seeks the ultimate political revival. A tilt for the country's highest office comes after Marcos Jr's failed bid for the vice presidency in 2016, which he narrowly lost to Leni Robredo. - Political comeback -Marcos Jr accused Robredo of electoral fraud and spent nearly five years waging a legal battle challenging the vote. If Marcos Jr's presidential bid succeeds, it would be a remarkable political comeback for the family.

Sept inflation beats forecast as state subsidies endAn employee dresses the windows of an H&M store on the day of shops reopening at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok on Sept 1, 2021, as Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions begin to ease across the nation. (AFP photo)The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose more than expected in September as government utility subsidies ended and energy prices increased, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday. The CPI rose 1.68% in September year-on-year, the most in four months, compared with a forecast for a rise of 0.70% in a Reuters poll. October's CPI is expected to be similar to September's pace, ministry official Wichanun Niwatjinda told a news conference on Thursday. In the January-September period, headline CPI rose 0.83% from a year earlier, with the core rate up 0.23%.

Minister moots musical toots for noisy Indian roadsIndia is home to some of the noisiest cities in the world, as rickshaws, buses, taxis, weaving motorbikes and private cars fight for space on the traffic-clogged roadsNEW DELHI - India's transport minister is mulling a law that would seek to replace the country's constant car-horn cacophony with the sound of music. Gadkari also said he wanted to replace the "irritating" sirens used by ambulances and police vehicles with soothing tunes. India is home to some of the noisiest cities in the world, as rickshaws, buses, taxis, weaving motorbikes and private cars fight for space on the traffic-clogged roads. India's colourful trucks often have messages painted on their backs aimed at overtaking drivers such as "Horn OK Please" or "Blow Horn". The World Health Organization says noise pollution can cause hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, stress and depression.

Zero net emissions by 2050: a huge challenge for airline industryThe airline sector is aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, a huge challenge for an industry that currently relies on fossil fuels. The question of "greening" the international aviation sector by 2050 constitutes a colossal task whose stakes -- and sheer numbers -- can make the head spin, according to the airlines themselves. As it stands, the aviation sector produces 900 million tons of CO2 per year, according to IATA. By 2050, if nothing is done to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, that will rise to 1.8 billion tons. Reducing this level to gradually achieve net zero emissions in 2050 poses an enormous technological challenge that the IATA estimates will cost companies around $1.55 trillion between 2020 and 2050.

All districts in Phichit flood disaster zonesMany communities along the Yom River in Phichit province flooded after the river bursts its banks. All 12 districts declared disaster zones. (Photo: Sitthipoj Kebui)PHICHIT: All 12 districts in Phichit have been declared disaster zones, with 374 villages reported flooded as the Yom River burst its banks. Ratilos Phuangphrom, chief of the Phichit disaster prevention and mitigation office, said on Tuesday that 3,968 households in the lower northern province were affected by the flooding. All 12 districts were declared disaster zones, so authorities at all levels could access allocated budgets to help affected residents, Ms Ratilos said.

Exports seen up 12% this year - shippersExports are expected to rise 12% this year, the high end of a previous forecast range of 10-12%, boosted by improved global demand and a weaker baht currency, the national shippers' council said on Tuesday. However, the country's coronavirus outbreak remains a negative factor, it said in a statement.