Global coronavirus death toll passes one million | Bangkok Post: learning
The virus has claimed one million lives since it first emerged in China late last year. The global death toll from the new coronavirus, which emerged less than a year ago in China and has swept across the world, passed 1 million on Sunday. The United States has the highest death toll with more than 200,000 fatalities followed by Brazil, India, Mexico and Britain. With scientists still racing to find a working vaccine, governments are again forced into an uneasy balancing act: Virus controls slow the spread of the disease, but they hurt already reeling economies and businesses. "One million is a terrible number and we need to reflect on that before we start considering a second million," the WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan told reporters on Friday.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 22:52 UTC
Richard Leu, Motoring Editor, dies at 52
Richard Leu, Motoring Editor, dies at 52Richard Leu, a test driver and motor columnist at the Bangkok Post, who always followed his passion: automobiles. Richard Leu, a Motoring editor at the Bangkok Post, died on Friday at the age of 52. Leu -- amicably known by his friends and colleagues as "Richi", succumbed to throat cancer. After graduating, Richi worked at the sports section at The Nation for one year before joining the motoring section at the Bangkok Post in the early 90s. Richi often tested the cars he wrote about and was never shy to tell readers if a vehicle has flaws.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 13:41 UTC
China's coal addiction erodes climate goals
China's coal addiction erodes climate goalsChina burns about half the coal used globally each year. There is a "tension at the heart of China's energy planning" Li Shuo, senior climate and energy officer at Greenpeace China, told AFP. "China's energy policy is like a two-headed beast, with each head trying to run in the opposite direction," said Greenpeace's Li. - 'White elephants' -Experts say China's coal addiction will not be easy to end. Meanwhile, overseas Belt and Road investments will festoon developing nations from Pakistan to Zimbabwe with new coal power stations.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 06:22 UTC
Slight majority says 'no-one' suitable to be PM: Poll
On the person they thought was suitable for the post of prime minister, the replies were as follows:1. 10.57% Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Pheu Thai Party;4. 1.07% Sompong Amornvivat of the Pheu Thai Party. Asked which political party they support right now, the replies were as follows:1. 19.39% Pheu Thai Party;3.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 05:15 UTC
In first Trump-Biden debate, US will finally see its choice
In first Trump-Biden debate, US will finally see its choiceAfter months of shadow boxing, President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will finally meet on the debate stageWASHINGTON - The volatile US presidential election enters a fierce new stage this week when Donald Trump and Joe Biden hold their first debate -- a television spectacle finally allowing Americans to witness the two antagonists head to head. And with his history of skillful showmanship and brutal debate tactics, Trump is hoping the meeting in Cleveland will put him back on top. "Normally, that first debate is the toughest for the incumbent," said Aaron Kall, director of debate at the University of Michigan and co-author of "Debating The Donald." "When you are the president, you are kind of in a bubble and historically that first debate usually goes better for the opponent." "We have to be prepared for the tuned-in Joe Biden," Trump's campaign communication chief Tim Murtaugh said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 05:03 UTC
Koh Chang resort sues expat guest over bad review | Bangkok Post: learning
Sea View Resort on Koh Chang has a high proportion of “excellent” ratings on Tripadvisor, but several posts by a guest who left a bad review earlier have angered the owners. (Post File Photo)A Koh Chang resort sued an American resident of Thailand for defamation over a negative review posted online. The Sea View Resort released a five-page statement on Saturday after news of its legal action against Wesley Barnes attracted widespread attention. Under Thailand’s tough criminal defamation laws, Mr Barnes could face up to two years in prison if found guilty. Tom Storup, the rooms division manager at the resort, replied to Mr Barnes in a post dated July 20.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 03:47 UTC
Greece warms to EU asylum pact but refugee groups rage
Greece warms to EU asylum pact but refugee groups rageMigrants' tents are surrounded by barbed wire at a Lesbos facility built after an overcrowded camp burned down. Such moves are music to the ears of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' conservative government, which has been operating a harsh migration policy since taking power over a year ago. Wednesday's pact "goes in the right direction, our main positions are included, but we're disappointed on redistribution, we'd have preferred a different model," Greek asylum service secretary Manos Logothetis told ERT public television. Mitsotakis himself has reiterated calls for a "balanced asylum policy" and highlighted "the need to share responsibilities in a fair way". So far almost 9,400 people have moved into the new temporary camp on Lesbos, the Greek section of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 27, 2020 02:48 UTC
What next for tourism sector?
What next for tourism sector? While the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) insists there is high interest from overseas tour agents, a number of business operators still lack confidence regarding practicality. Meanwhile, the government is considering shortening the compulsory two-week state quarantine to seven days for some groups of foreign visitors. As long as other stringent measures accompany it, a shorter quarantine period could be a useful option to help this major economic sector out of stagnation. Back to tourism, in order to restart the engine of this major sector while a vaccine is not available, the government must examine all possibilities to keep Thailand safe, through stringent measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing, as well effective screening of arrivals.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 23:15 UTC
Wagglers, winkers and grasshoppers
Wagglers, winkers and grasshoppersA half-hearted spring-cleaning session at home during the week came to a welcome halt when I unearthed a long-lost copy of Have Fun With Thai Proverbs collecting dust under a pile of disintegrating paperbacks. Animals play a prominent role in Thai proverbs. I shall in future prefer to be regarded as an "old tree" rather than an old fart. Proverbial paradoxParents often find proverbs useful in teaching kids how to make the right choice. You can't teach an old dog… new maths.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 23:15 UTC
Anti-govt protests set to escalate
Academics, politicians from opposition parties and student leaders believe anti-government demonstrations, particularly next month, will escalate with more supporters expected to take part in the wake of the delay in the charter rewrite vote. Student activists and demonstrators who gathered outside parliament to monitor the vote expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution, pledging to step up their protests. UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan said the vote delay would only add insult to injury as those who are in despair would have no choice but to fight back. PROTEST CONTINUESTattep Ruangprapaikitseree, a leader of the Free People Group (FPG), said the group will carry on and step up their protest following the charter vote delay. "The Oct 14 rally is expected to draw many more people than the Sept 19 rally," Mr Tattep said.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 23:03 UTC
Richard Leu, test driver, dies at 52
Richard Leu, test driver, dies at 52Richard Leu, a test driver and motor columnist at the Bangkok Post, died on Friday at the age of 52. Leu -- amicably known by his friends and colleagues as "Richi", succumbed to throat cancer. After graduating, Richi worked at the sports section at The Nation for one year before joining the motoring section at the Bangkok Post in the early 90s. A test driver and motor columnist who knew cars well, Richi was known for his integrity and straightforwardness. "It was the simple things he cared about: a good street-side meal, a few beers and a hearty laugh with a few close friends.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 23:02 UTC
Djokovic insists 'won't make same New York mistake twice'
Djokovic insists 'won't make same New York mistake twice'Eye on the prize: Novak DjokovicPARIS - Novak Djokovic insisted Saturday there will be no repeat of his sensational US Open disqualification at Roland Garros as the world number one promised: "I won't make the same mistake twice". Djokovic was defaulted in New York when a ball he swiped away in frustration struck a line judge. "Well, obviously I am going to be extra careful of hitting a tennis ball around the court," said Djokovic. Djokovic is seeded to face 12-time Roland Garros champion Nadal in this year's final. "It's very hard to say whether the ball is heavy in general or is it because we are playing under these kind of slow and heavy conditions."
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 16:07 UTC
Thanathorn: Students on right track
'Inconvenient truth' of monarchy reform needs to be discussed, says former FFP leaderProgressive Movement co-founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit speaks to reporters during a brief appearance at the Sanam Luang pro-democracy protest on Sept 19. Progressive Movement founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has expressed support for student protesters calling for reforms to the monarchy, saying Thai people must tackle an “inconvenient truth” about the country. “As a constitutional monarchy, the monarchy has to be above politics,” he said. “Bringing the monarchy into politics is dangerous as otherwise people would start criticising the monarchy.”Mr Thanathorn praised the students who have taken to streets with their concerns. “Each country has its own inconvenient truth.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 11:15 UTC
Three new Covid-19 cases foreigners
Three new Covid-19 cases foreignersA total of 243 Thai returnees from Sydney arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on Aug 2. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)Three new Covid-19 cases were foreigners from Luxembourg, Turkey and Albania in quarantine, bringing the total to 3,522 cases. Global Covid-19 cases rose 317,937 in 24 hours to 32.75 million. Second was India with 5.90 million cases, up by 85,458. Brazil was third with 4.69 million cases, up by 32,670.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 06:33 UTC
TEST YOURSELF: Eleven goes Holmes | Bangkok Post: learning
Read the following story by Tatat Bunnag from the Bangkok Post. Straight from self-isolation at her Atlanta home, Brown spoke with the Bangkok Post via Zoom. In the new film, Brown transforms into a proper Victorian lady and breathes new life into English literature's most famous detective Sherlock Holmes as the title character, streaming now on Netflix. It's Enola Holmes' big brother Sherlock. Section 2: Write the noun form of the following words in the space provided.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 26, 2020 05:02 UTC