Algeria's Bouteflika: a veteran leader who was finally ousted
Algeria's Bouteflika: a veteran leader who was finally oustedAbdelaziz Bouteflika, shown here in 2009, helped foster peace in Algeria after a decade-long civil war in the 1990sALGIERS - Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who died Friday aged 84, was Algeria's longest-serving president and a veteran of the independence struggle who clung to power through ill health before being forced out in 2019. When Bouteflika came to power with the support of an army battling Islamist guerrillas, nobody expected him to stay in office for so long. - Long spell in exile -Bouteflika was born in Morocco on March 2, 1937 to a family from western Algeria. As rallies against his rule swelled even further, Bouteflika resigned from the presidency on April 2. "Bouteflika failed to turn Algeria into a modern country, with real institutions," according to Myriam Ait-Aoudia, a professor of political science.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 00:11 UTC
Tourism, retail stocks picked to profit
Tourism, retail stocks picked to profitAfter being battered by pandemic closures, tourism and retail stocks stand to benefit from Thailand's October reopening. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is set to propose a plan to reopen Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan on Oct 1. Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) expects the tourism industry to start recovering from 2022. Of the 27 stocks selected, Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Central Retail Corporation are the broker's top picks in terms of highest prospects for recovery. After the five provinces are reopened next month, aviation stocks are expected to increase based on positive sentiment from more frequent domestic flights and more passengers, said ASPS.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 00:11 UTC
Hainan mini-FTA deepens China trade
Hainan mini-FTA deepens China tradeSeasonal Thai fruits are likely to get a boost from the trade agreement with China. The government is upbeat about trade prospects with China after partnerships were deepened via "mini-FTAs" signed with Hainan province in late August. Thai officials are eager to sign similar partnerships with other provinces in China to increase trade with the country. The Chinese government recently declared Hainan a free trade port, linking it with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative to encourage trade activity there. Two-way trade between Thailand and Hainan province tallied 3.62 billion baht in the first half this year, with exports accounting for 2.48 billion baht and imports 1.14 billion.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 23:37 UTC
Pele briefly back in ICU but now 'stable', says hospital
Pele briefly back in ICU but now 'stable', says hospitalPele's daughter said on Instagram he is "recovering well," despite being back in ICU after surgerySAO PAULO - Brazilian football legend Pele, 80, was briefly transferred back to an intensive care unit Friday after suffering breathing difficulties but is now stable, said the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he underwent surgery earlier this month. In the photo, Pele is seen on what looks like a hospital bed in a black puff vest or jacket, alert and smiling. On September 6 the hospital said Pele had undergone surgery for a suspected colon tumor. He originally left the ICU unit on Tuesday, telling his fans on social media that he was feeling happier by the day and was looking forward to reuniting with them. The suspected tumor was detected during routine tests, according to the hospital, where Pele has been undergoing treatment since August 31.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 22:18 UTC
Seeking 2nd title, Pajaree wants more focus
Thai star Pajaree Anannarukarn hits a shot in the first round of the Portland Classic on Thursday. (AFP photo)PORTLAND: Pajaree Anannarukarn shot a four-under-par 68 to share the first-round lead at the Portland Classic on Thursday. The 22-year-old Thai, who carded five birdies and one bogey, was joint leader with Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh and Spain's Carlota Ciganda. Pajaree is chasing her second LPGA Tour title after winning the World Invitational in Northern Ireland last month. "Some shots, the ball was flying 10 to 12 metres less, at least for me on the range," she said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 22:07 UTC
SpaceX tourists talk to Tom Cruise from orbit, provide update on flight
SpaceX tourists talk to Tom Cruise from orbit, provide update on flightA screengrab from the SpaceX live webcast shows Inspiration4 crew (from left) Chris Sembroski, Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor and Hayley Arceneaux. WASHINGTON: Four space tourists orbiting the Earth in a SpaceX capsule at 28,162 kilometres per hour talked to movie star Tom Cruise on Friday and provided a live update about life aboard the spacecraft. 'Fortunate'The four crew members shared their experiences in space during a 10-minute live webcast with mission control on Friday. Crew members said they were collecting blood samples for research and doing cognitive tests which will be compared with their results prior to liftoff. "We know how fortunate we are to be up here," said billionaire Jared Isaacman, the mission commander.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 22:07 UTC
Justice in sight?
Justice in sight? In both cases, state officials were charged but later acquitted for "lack of evidence". Ms Phetdao said her family has waited for three generations for any semblance of justice. Thailand, a signatory to the international convention against enforced disappearances, has long been criticised for the absence of such a crucial law as disappearances have occurred time and again. The legislation aims to end acts of torture and enforced disappearances committed by state officials.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 22:07 UTC
Capital not open to tourists yet: BMA
Capital not open to tourists yet: BMAAswin: 70% must be jabbedThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has no plans to reopen to foreign tourists on Oct 15 and it will not be up for talks until more than 70% of residents are fully vaccinated, says Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. Pol Gen Aswin denied speculation that the capital will reopen for foreign tourists and activities on Oct 15, insisting he never said Bangkok will reopen on that date because health safety is a top priority. "Any other people who talked about the Bangkok reopening have no authority. However, people entering the country may be allowed to quarantine at Safety and Health Administration (SHA) hotels, she noted. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul allayed concerns about the reopening of Bangkok, saying no decision was made.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:56 UTC
France recalls ambassadors to Australia, US in escalating row
France recalls ambassadors to Australia, US in escalating rowThe deal extends US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities. Le Drian said in a statement that the decision was made to "immediately" recall the two French ambassadors due to "the exceptional seriousness of the announcements made on September 15 by Australia and the United States." The abandonment of the ocean-class submarine project that Australia and France had been working on since 2016 constituted "unacceptable behaviour among allies and partners," the minister said. US President Joe Biden announced the new Australia-US-Britain defence alliance on Wednesday, extending US nuclear submarine technology to Australia as well as cyber defence, applied artificial intelligence and undersea capabilities. The French ambassador recalls from the United States and Australia, key allies of France, are unprecedented.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:56 UTC
Thaksin linked to THAI's losses
Apart from Thaksin, there are four other people suspected of being involved in the decision, Mr Niwatchai said. Between 2002 and 2004, Thaksin's cabinet approved THAI's plan to purchase 10 A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft worth about 53.5 billion baht. The purchase plan was submitted by Mr Suriya at the time. But THAI ended up suffering 39.8 billion baht in losses on all the routes, it said. On Wednesday, Thaksin appeared on Clubhouse again, discussing a topic on Thai politics and the future of young Thais.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:45 UTC
Classrooms enhance value of learning
Classrooms enhance value of learningA Thai university lecturer conducts an online lesson for students via Zoom for the first time in March last year. They have salvaged more than an entire academic year of study for our Thai university students. However, I worry that we may under-state the value of a classroom in the total education of a young person. Over this year, I have been interviewing university students about these questions. Learning online and alone made clear their benefits.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:11 UTC
Thaicom ready to navigate new frontiers
The satellite business has been disrupted by innovation for decades," Thaicom chief executive Anant Kaewruamvongs told the Bangkok Post. Thaicom 4 is a broadband satellite and Thaicom 6 is broadcasting satellite. Thaicom can continue to operate Thaicom 7 and 8 satellites under a single licence provided by National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). "Thaicom also plans to enter the smart solution business linked with the space economy," said Mr Anant. Mr Anant retires at the end of this year and his deputy Patompop Suwansiri is expected to succeed him.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:11 UTC
TCG expands soft loan guarantee allocation by B100bn
TCG expands soft loan guarantee allocation by B100bnThai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) expanded its guarantees yesterday for the Bank of Thailand's soft loan scheme by an additional 100 billion baht after the first allocation of 100 billion was exhausted, says acting general manager Wasukarn Visansawatdi. TCG is open to requests for the loan guarantee until Oct 9, 2023. The central bank launched the soft loan scheme worth 250 billion baht to help businesses and individuals survive the impact of the prolonged pandemic. The firm charges corporates a guarantee fee of 1% for the first two years, with a maximum loan guarantee of up to 150 million baht. Under the loan scheme, TCG also provides full compensation to cover the damage to lenders if SME and micro-SME loans become non-performing loans (NPLs).
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:11 UTC
Now comes hard part for champ Raducanu
Now comes hard part for champ RaducanuSome may regard the British reaction to the stunning, success of Emma Raducanu as being a bit over the top … and they would be partly right. Like Raducanu, she was born in Canada with her father from Ecuador and mother a Filipina. She pushed Raducanu all the way and the 6-4, 6-3scoreline did not fully reflect the closeness of the match. Raducanu has already appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine and in assorted American TV talk shows. There was inevitably also much emphasis on the financial rewards awaiting Raducanu with speculation that she could become the first British billion-dollar sports star.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 21:00 UTC
US admits strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, not IS militants
US admits strike in Kabul killed 10 civilians, not IS militantsThe scene of the August 29 US drone strike in Kabul that the Pentagon now admits mistakenly killed 10 people, including seven children, who were not a threat. Intelligence reports had led US forces to watch for a white Toyota Corolla that the group was allegedly using, he said. "Clearly our intelligence was wrong on this particular white Toyota," he said. The drone strike killed 10 people, including seven children, according to McKenzie, none of who ultimately were linked to IS. McKenzie said that no civilians had been spotted in the area at the time the strike was authorized.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 17, 2021 20:37 UTC