US surpasses 700,000 Covid deaths: Johns HopkinsWhite flags marking US Covid-19 deaths -- a toll which has surpassed 700,000 -- are seen on the National Mall near the White House as part of a September 2021 project. WASHINGTON: US fatalities from Covid-19 surpassed 700,000 on Friday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University, a toll roughly equivalent to the population of the nation's capital Washington. After a heavily criticized early response to the pandemic, the United States has since organized among the world's most effective vaccine roll-outs. While the latest global coronavirus wave peaked in late August, the virus continues to spread rapidly, particularly in the United States. The Democratic state of California on the other hand announced on Friday that Covid vaccinations will be compulsory for all students.

The SET index moved in a range of 1,593.32 and 1,639.97 points this week before closing yesterday at 1,605.17, down 1.59% from the previous week, in daily turnover averaging 98.84 billion baht. Retail investors were net buyers of 6.11 billion baht. Foreign investors bought 2 billion baht and brokerage firms purchased 1.33 billion baht worth of shares. Institutional investors sold 9.45 billion baht worth of shares. The government plans to introduce more measures to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) retain workers and create new jobs, with 46.9 billion baht to be allocated.

AIS looks ahead to Thailand's 5G futureMr Somchai names "I-Irene", Thailand's first virtual influencer, as AIS's new presenter. Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand's largest mobile operator by subscriber base, vows to continue revolutionising Thailand through its 5G technology as it celebrates 31 years of quality service. Somchai Lertsutiwong, chief executive of AIS, said the network's 5G technology was ranked the fastest in Thailand. "We have unlocked access to digital platforms with 5G technology, yielding the same efficiency as any leading industrialised nation," said Mr Somchai. The company projects Thailand's 5G market will grow to US$1.2 billion by 2025.

Thailand's first real estate-backed tokens, Siri Hub Investment Digital Tokens (SIRIHUB), have raised 2.2 billion baht through a 90% sale of overall tokens within the first week of the public initial coin offering (ICO). The debut of Siri Hub Investment Digital Tokens was warmly received by investors, with 90% of overall tokens subscribed within the first week. Att Thongyai Asavanund, chief executive of XSpring Digital, said SIRIHUB tokens broke the limits of all other traditional investments. They comprise 160 million tokens worth 1.6 billion baht for the first tranche and 80 million tokens worth 800 million for the latter. Holders of SIRIHUB-A receive a quarterly revenue share of 4.5%, while SIRIHUB-B holders receive a return of 8% per year.

Test case for toleranceA new set of children's books, titled Waad Wang, which provides information on the other side of the anti-institution movement, has drawn mixed reactions and become another test case for tolerance towards different opinions in our society. Most of the books in the eight-piece set are written by well-known children's book author Srisamorn Soffer under the pen name of Song-ka, which means two legs. There's also the use of some political symbols, employed by young political activists like yellow ducks, and the three-finger sign in promoting their ideology. Some even went so far as to ask the authorities to slap Section 112 charges against the publisher for promoting sedition. It should limit its duty to ensuring the book set has no dangerous distortions, leaving the rest to parents to decide what is good or not for their kids.

Ominous Ryder Cup warning for EuropeFor decades, the Americans have looked far too strong on paper for the Europeans in the Ryder Cup. But in the Ryder Cup, such behaviour seems to have gone out of the window and the galleries are becoming increasingly rowdy. Most players have become used to the rowdiness and accept it is a part of the Ryder Cup. He is not the first to be reduced to tears at the Ryder Cup. The next Ryder Cup is in Rome and one suspects it will require a considerably different European line-up if they are to have any hope.

Quarter-final heartbreak for ThailandThai men's doubles pair Supak Jomkoh, left, and Kittinupong Kedren. In another quarter-final, China beat Denmark 3-2. Thailand took the lead when Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree beat Kim Wan-Ho and Kong Hee-Yong 21-9, 21-17 in the opening mixed doubles match. In the men's doubles, Thailand's Supak Jomkoh and Kittinupong Kedren finished off Choi Sol-Gyu and Seo Seung-Jae 21-18, 24-22 in 48 minutes. Thailand reached the semi-finals in the previous edition in 2019 but lost 3-0 to China who went on to claim their 11th title in Nanning.

Google pulls plug on plan for mobile banking in Pay appGoogle has ended work on its Plex project, but continues to eye ways to integrate financial services, it said. SAN FRANCISCO: Google has hit the brakes on a project to add mobile banking to its Pay app, even as the online financial services market for everyday investors heats up. "We strongly believe that this is the best way for Google to help consumers gain better access to financial services." Google said late last year that it was working with nearly a dozen credit unions and banks, including Citigroup, for inclusion in its Plex project for its Pay mobile app available on Android smartphones. The Pay app allows users to pay for transactions, send money to friends, and store loyalty cards, among other advantages.

UK army to deliver petrol from Monday amid fuel crisis: govtMotorists queued at fuel pumps across Britain at the beginning of the week, draining tanks and fraying tempersLONDON - The British army will begin delivering petrol to fuel stations on Monday after fears over tanker driver shortages led to panic buying and forced the government to offer visa waivers to foreign truckers to plug the shortfall. Motorists queued at fuel pumps across Britain at the beginning of the week, draining tanks and fraying tempers. "It's important to stress there is no national shortage of fuel in the UK, and people should continue to buy fuel as normal. The government says a lack of tanker drivers to deliver fuel and unprecedented demand is behind the crisis. Fuel operators, including Shell, BP and Esso, said there was "plenty of fuel at UK refineries" and expected demand to return to normal soon.

Breen leads as night falls in Finland while Ogier strugglesCraig Breen took two stages to grab te lead in Rally FinlandJYVASKYLA, Finland: Craig Breen led Rally Finland on Friday at the end of the first day's racing with Sebastien Ogier, who could clinch an eighth world title this weekend, down in seventh. After winning two earlier stages, Breen was second to Elfyn Evans in the final stage of the day, raced as night fell. "It hasn't been a very strong day for us," said Ogier, whose fifth place on the final stage was his best finish. Neuville lost more than 15sec as he finished eighth on the final stage. Adrien Fourmaux (FRA/Ford Fiesta) 1:48.9Special stage winners:Tanak 2 (SS3, SS4), Breen 2 (SS2, SS5), Katsuta 1 (SS1), Evans 1 (SS6)

Ringside seat for fearful villagers as Canaries volcano spews fireThe lava flow from the Cumbre Vieja volcano has poured into the Atlantic OceanTAZACORTE (SPAIN) - Residents of the Canary Island village of Tazacorte had a ringside seat but were shocked and unwilling onlookers on Friday, contemplating a too-close-for-comfort spectacular eruption of La Palma's Cumbre Vieja volcano. Down in the port, fisherman Jesus Guillermo Hernandez Rodriguez, 49, defiantly hoses away sticky blackened volcanic sand which has covered his vessel. He explains he operates in what is "one of the best fishing zones in the west of the island". Massive swathes of banana plantations dominate the scenery in Tazacorte -- exports of the fruit are one of La Palma's main earners. Nieves, who refuses to give her surname, says she has little hope for the future after the volcano "destroyed everything."

Blinken seeks to patch up on France trip after subs furorUS Secrretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the press during US-EU trade talks in Pittsburgh ahead of a trip to Paris following tensionsWASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will promise better communication with France on a trip to Paris to next week where officials are still smarting over the cancellation of a massive submarine contract. Blinken will then fly from Paris to Mexico City for his first trip to the neighboring country as the top US diplomat, a trip already announced by the Mexican government. France accused the United States of betrayal and Australia of back-stabbing and withdrew ambassadors from both countries. Blinken had already been planning to visit for the 60th anniversary of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Blinken will speak at the OECD on "shared values" including transparency, said Matt Murray, a senior State Department official handling economic affairs.

Democrats under pressure to save Biden's agendaSpeaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has another hard day ahead in trying to save President Joe Biden's domestic agendaWASHINGTON - Democrats entered a second day of likely marathon negotiations Friday to resolve splits over the scope of President Joe Biden's domestic spending plans, knowing that failure could be crippling for the party. Democrats control not just the White House but both houses of Congress, so on paper they have a rare chance to enact their priorities. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared a pause late Thursday but the White House insisted this did not mean defeat. They also have already voted in favor of the separate $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. This year, though, Republicans are refusing to join Democrats in granting authorization, while Democrats argue they should not have to bear responsibility alone.

Thousands brave heat as delayed Dubai Expo finally opensAustralia is among the 192 countries with pavilions at ExpoDUBAI - Thousands of people toured Dubai's Expo 2020 on the opening day on Friday, braving hot temperatures as the Covid-delayed world fair finally opened its doors one year late. - Human rights criticism -Some exhibitors are hoping Expo, set to be the most attended event since the pandemic, reflects a turning point in the global fight against the disease. Reem Al Hashimy, the Expo 2020 director general and the United Arab Emirate's minister of state for international cooperation, said officials were keeping a close eye on the situation. The UAE last month brushed off a European parliament resolution urging member states and businesses to boycott Expo over the country's human rights record. But criticism continued on Friday, with campaign group Human Rights Watch hitting out at the detention of activists.

The global tech powerhouse Huawei has praised Thailand for being a 5G leader in Asean and suggested that the country would better benefit from the cutting-edge technology by establishing a national 5G alliance. For the consumer market, new infrastructure has stimulated rapid 5G development across the country. Huawei envisions a Thailand 5G Alliance as having five components: information sharing, collaborative innovation, standard influence, technology support, and cross-industry exchange. Mr Deng closed his speech on an optimistic note, expressing confidence that 5G will light up a brighter future for Thailand. “Together, we would like to bring the 5G and digital technology to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent and low-carbon Thailand,” he said.