Great-grandmother keeps Indian martial art alive
Great-grandmother keeps Indian martial art aliveMeenakshi Amma practitioner and teacher of 'Kalaripayattu' has trained since she was seven years oldVATAKARA (INDIA) - Deftly parrying her son with a bamboo cane, Meenakshi Amma belies her 78 years with her prowess at kalari, thought to be India's oldest martial art. "When women learn this martial art, they feel physically and mentally strong and it makes them confident to work and travel alone." "There are two divisions in kalaripayattu -- one is that kalaripayattu is peace and the other is kalaripayattu in war," said the "gurukkal" (master). "It's an art that purifies mind, body and soul, improves concentration, speed and patience, regenerates physical and mental energy. "When totally connected mentally and physically to kalari, then the opponent disappears, the body becomes eyes."
Source:Bangkok Post
October 01, 2021 02:26 UTC
EU, Australia trade talks postponed amid subs row
EU, Australia trade talks postponed amid subs rowAustralia last month abruptly cancelled a multibillion-dollar contract for 12 French submarines, opting to buy nuclear-powered US-designed vessels instead. SYDNEY: A long-planned round of Australia-EU free trade talks have been postponed, a European official confirmed Friday, after fury over Canberra's decision to cancel a major French submarine contract. "The FTA trade round has been postponed for a month until November," an EU official in Canberra told AFP, throwing the future of the far-reaching pact into doubt. Australia last month abruptly cancelled a multibillion-dollar contract for 12 French submarines, opting to buy nuclear-powered US-designed vessels instead. The next round of talks was due to cover areas including trade, services, investment and intellectual property rights.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 01, 2021 01:52 UTC
11,754 new Covid cases, 123 more deaths
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)There were 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 123 more fatalities recorded during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Friday morning. The number of new cases rose from the 11,646 announced on Thursday, when the country recorded 107 more deaths. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 1,615,229 Covid-19 cases, with 1,483,146 complete recoveries so far. Global Covid-19 cases rose by 487,191 in 24 hours to 234.55 million. The United States had the most cases at 44.31 million, up 113,922, and the most deaths at 716,847, up 1,812.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 01, 2021 00:53 UTC
Drowning in love
Not very often are the subjects of identity, race, racism told through a candid story of love. Alienation, belonging, loss and the breaking of identity channelled through a tunnel of tender love are its bold subject matters. It doesn't heal either for he's a wounded child who doesn't know that love is the hardest thing to earn and most painful thing to let go. Her love doesn't save him. In Open Water, love at times feel like one's lost and found language.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 01, 2021 00:45 UTC
11,754 new Covid cases, 123 deaths Friday
11,754 new Covid cases, 123 deaths FridayOfficials of the Public Health Ministry are moving wheelchairs out of the Challenger Hall at the Impact exhibition and convention complex in Nonthaburi province on Thursday when the country's biggest field hospital for Covid-19 patients shut down there. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)Thailand logged 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 123 more fatalities during the previous 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry announced on Friday. The number of new cases rose from the 11,646 announced on Thursday, when the country recorded 107 more deaths. Since April 1, when the third wave of Covid-19 began, Thailand has treated 1,586,366 Covid-19 patients, 1,455,720 of whom have recovered to date. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 1,615,229 Covid-19 cases, with 1,483,146 complete recoveries so far.
Source:Bangkok Post
October 01, 2021 00:45 UTC
Finance Ministry mulls Q4 stimulus spending spree
Finance Ministry mulls Q4 stimulus spending spreeThe Finance Ministry might pump fresh money into the economy in the fourth quarter and extend stimulus measures in an effort to revive the nation, says Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. He said the ministry wants to stimulate domestic spending in the fourth quarter as many economists and companies forecast a stagnant economy this year, attributed to the impact of the prolonged pandemic. He said the ministry will consider a proposal from companies to relaunch the tax rebate scheme "Shop Dee Mee Khuen" that was introduced last year. He estimated raising the tax deduction to 50,000 baht would cost the state tax revenue of between 7-10 billion baht, but would stimulate consumer spending of 50 billion baht. This disbursement should result in the public debt ratio surging to 62.7% by the end of fiscal 2022, said Mr Arkhom.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 23:15 UTC
LGBT want to donate blood
People come to donate blood at the Thai Red Cross Society on 28 August 2021 to help shore up dwindling blood supplies. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)An LGBT+ activist has urged the Thai Red Cross to change its blood donation criteria and allow people from the LGBT+ community to donate, especially when blood is in short supply. "To make it fair, it would be better if the Thai Red Cross allows LGBT to donate their blood and conduct research on this matter," he said. According to the Thai Red Cross, the criteria for screening out male gays from donating blood is a universal practice. It is not about having or not having the right to donate blood, the Thai Red Cross said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 23:14 UTC
Executives back reopening
Executives back reopeningMost executives of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) support the government's plan to reopen the tourism industry between October and November and are demanding only necessary measures to prevent new Covid-19 infections. A total of 78% of 150 executives agreed with the reopening and lockdown easing plan in a survey conducted by the FTI in September, said Wirat Uanarumit, vice-chairman of the FTI. The findings came as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration decided to reschedule the start date of the reopening from Oct 1 to Nov 1. The pollsters found 73.3% of the interviewees held a moderate view on the reopening plan as they wanted disease prevention and economic recovery to occur together. Mr Wirat said 16.7% wanted tourists to only stay in the designated tourist areas while 12.6% supported nationwide travel, provided foreign tourists were initially kept in quarantine for 14 days.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 22:30 UTC
SEC scheme uses AI for digital enforcement plan
SEC scheme uses AI for digital enforcement planThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has developed an e-enforcement project that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology in verifying and investigating crimes and wrongdoing in the capital market. Anek Yooyuen, the SEC's assistant secretary-general of enforcement, said the e-enforcement project consists of three parts: AI enforcement, corporate surveillance, and an e-link. AI enforcement detects unusual actions, such as odd stock price movements or anomalous trading behaviour, helping the regulator catch suspicious movements the moment they occur, he said. Although the SEC has employed AI enforcement in the real market, it is in the second and third developmental phases, said Mr Anek. By 2023, the project aims to use AI and data analytics to predict misconduct and fraud in financial statement audits.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 22:30 UTC
Qatar to hold its first ever Formula One Grand Prix
Qatar to hold its first ever Formula One Grand PrixWorld champion Lewis Hamilton will be fighting to retain his title when Qatar hosts its first ever Grand Prix on November 21DOHA - Qatar will hold its first ever Formula One Grand Prix in November replacing the cancelled Australian GP, organisers announced on Friday. Qatar has also signed a 10-year deal to host Formula One from 2023. "We are very pleased to welcome Qatar to the Formula 1 calendar this season and for the longer term from 2023," said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali. “We have shown that we can continue to adapt and there is huge interest in our sport and the hope from many locations to have a Grand Prix. The Losail Circuit opened in 2004 and has hosted Moto GP since then, under floodlights which will also be used for the Grand Prix.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 09:33 UTC
Flood misery persists in 18 provinces
Flood misery persists in 18 provincesA motorcyclist with a sidecart moves cautiously along a flooded road in Ayutthaya province on Thursday. (Photo: Sunthorn Pongpao)Flooding has affected more than 200,000 households in 31 provinces over the past week and persists in 18 provinces to the north of Bangkok. In Phitsanulok, the Yom River bursted its banks, sending a huge amount of water through riverside communities in Bang Rakham district. Bang-orn Jakkrang, 62, a resident at Wang Kum village in Bang Rakam district, moved her belongings to the Chao Mae Maliwan shrine after her one-storey house was inundated. Mrs Bang-orn Jakkrang, 62, of Wang Kum village in Bang Rakam district, Phitsanulok, moved her belongings to Chao Mae Maliwan shrine after her one-storey house in Phitsanulok's Bang Rakam district was flooded out.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 09:01 UTC
Man held for allegedly shooting Din Daeng protester
Man held for allegedly shooting Din Daeng protesterChutipong Thitkrathok, 28, is held by police for allegedly shooting a teenager during an anti-government protest in Din Daeng district, Bangkok, in August. (Police photo)Police arrested a man in Kanchanaburi province on Thursday for allegedly shooting a teenage protester in Din Daeng district in August. Pol Maj Gen Piya Tavichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said Chutipong Thitkrathok, 28, was taken into custody for allegedly shooting a 15-year-old boy in the neck while the latter was demonstrating near the Din Daeng police station on the night of Aug 16. Mr Chutipong was charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of a gun and bullets and illegal use of a gun. Pol Maj Gen Piya said the suspect, who stayed in a flat in Din Daeng district, was upset by demonstrators and randomly shot them.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 08:48 UTC
Malaysia makes vaccinations compulsory for government employees
Unvaccinated employees have until Nov 1 to get shots or face disciplinary actionPeople wearing protective face masks walk past a mural in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. (Reuters photo)KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia said on Thursday it would now be mandatory for all federal government employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, with exceptions only to be allowed on health grounds. Malaysia has one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in Southeast Asia, with 61% of its 32-million population already fully vaccinated. In a statement, the Public Service Department said vaccinations would be made compulsory for federal staff in order to boost public confidence and ensure government services can be delivered smoothly. Those who fail to get vaccinated in time will face disciplinary action, the department said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 06:45 UTC
Taliban disperse women protesters with gunfire in Kabul
Taliban disperse women protesters with gunfire in KabulThe Taliban pushed back women protesters as they tried to continue with the small demonstration in Kabul, while a foreign journalist was hit with a rifle and blocked from filming. KABUL - The Taliban on Thursday violently cracked down on a small women's rights demonstration, firing shots into the air and pushing back protesters, AFP journalists witnessed. The women unfurled a banner that read "Don't break our pens, don't burn our books, don't close our schools", before Taliban guards snatched it from them. They pushed back the women protesters as they tried to continue with the demonstration, while a foreign journalist was hit with a rifle and blocked from filming. The Taliban follow a strict interpretation of sharia law that segregates men and women, and have also slashed women's access to work.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 06:33 UTC
Search for sunken river tug, missing crew
Search for sunken river tug, missing crewThe overturned tugboat in the Chao Phraya River in front of Wat Phanan Choeng Voraviharn in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Sunthorn Pongpao)A sonar scanner was being used in the search on Thursday for a barge tug that overturned and sank in the deep and muddy Chao Phraya River on Wednesday, trapping the husband-and-wife crew inside the vessel. The boat went down in fast-flowing water about 20 metres deep while manoeuvring with five laden barges near a pier in Nakhon Luang district of Ayutthaya province. Representatives from the Marine Department, the navy and the Ayutthaya marine office drew up a search plan that used side scanning sonar to locate the sunken tug. The tug driver, Somchai Tharnkul, 60, and his wife Naruemol Tharnkul have not been seen since their barge tug sank in the Chao Phraya River opposite Wat Phanan Choeng Voraviharn in Ayutthaya province late on Wednesday morning.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 30, 2021 06:22 UTC