Croatia votes for new government as virus woes loom
The ruling conservative HDZ party has been touting its relative success in containing Croatia's outbreak thus far, reporting roughly 100 deaths and 3,000 infections. "The coronavirus has changed economies, not only in Croatia, everywhere, so we should change our ideas." HDZ is set for a close race with the main centre-left opposition and also risks losing votes to a new right-wing movement gunning for third place. Opposition leader and prime minister candidate Davor Bernardic has accused the government of "consciously pushing Croatia into a risk" by deciding to hold the elections. - 'Political quackery' -Plenkovic, meanwhile, is hoping the uncertain future will inspire voters to stick with HDZ, in power since 2016.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 02:15 UTC
Amid reckoning on police racism, algorithm bias in focus
Amid reckoning on police racism, algorithm bias in focusFacial recognition technology is increasingly used in law enforcement, amid concerns that low accuracy for people of color could reinforce racial biasWASHINGTON - A wave of protests over law enforcement abuses has highlighted concerns over artificial intelligence programs like facial recognition which critics say may reinforce racial bias. Critics of facial recognition use in law enforcement say the case underscores the pervasive impact of a flawed technology. Amazon, IBM and Microsoft have said they would not sell facial recognition technology to law enforcement without rules to protect against unfair use. "There are (facial recognition) systems that are accurate, so we need to have more testing and transparency," Castro said. - Robots vs humans -Ironically, many artificial intelligence programs for law enforcement and criminal justice were designed with the hope of reducing bias in the system.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 01:52 UTC
Pacemaker debate sets hearts racing after Serpentine's Derby win
The surprise was not that trainer Aidan O'Brien had won a record eighth Derby but the manner in which one of the least fancied of his six runners triumphed. The 30-year-old's last win dated back to October 2019 -- though he finished second in the Irish Derby last Saturday -- and was riding in only his ninth race this season. They would have been wiser not to as the Englishman had chosen the wrong horse for the last two of the Irish trainer's Derby wins. McNamara's surprise elevation to the pantheon of Derby winning jockey resembles that of Padraig Beggy. "The only thing I would say in that regard is that Aidan O'Brien filled me with a huge amount of confidence, so it's not a complete surprise.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 01:52 UTC
Myanmar continues capital-market projects despite virus
Myanmar continues capital-market projects despite virusForeign investment in Myanmar’s fledging capital markets should increase quickly after the pandemic subsides, as the country pushes ahead with new trading platforms for stocks and bonds, according a Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar official. The Southeast Asian nation started allowing foreigners to invest in equities on March 20 -- four days before the country reported its first coronavirus cases. “Post pandemic, we expect to see three or four new main-board listings every year,” he said. “Listed companies can offer foreign investors as many shares as they want,” though a firm’s designation changes into a “foreign entity” if overseas ownership exceeds 35%. The central bank’s recent reduction of interest rates should boost investment in Myanmar’s stock and bond markets, as people with bank deposits may seek alternative, the regulator said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 01:52 UTC
2 dead, 16 missing in Japan heavy rain
2 dead, 16 missing in Japan heavy rainRescue workers were trying all night to reach people cut off by the flooding. TOKYO: Two people died and 16 others were feared dead, local media said Sunday after torrential rain in western Japan triggered massive floods and mudslides. Sixteen others remained in a state of "cardio-respiratory arrest", NHK said, using a term often used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death. Emergency crews and troops from the Self-Defense Forces have been out all night looking for missing people and rescuing those trapped in their homes. Although the rain had eased in Kumamoto by Sunday morning, collapsed bridges and blocked roads due to broad flooding and mudslides have isolated many communities in the region, NHK said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 01:30 UTC
'Sci-fi' England-Windies opener a new frontier for Test cricket
'Sci-fi' England-Windies opener a new frontier for Test cricketSci-fi cricket - England fast bowler Mark WoodLONDON - It will be Test cricket but not as we've known it when England face the West Indies in the opening match of a "bio-secure" series at Southampton starting on Wednesday. However, a number of anti-virus measures mean next week's match will look like few others in 143 years of Test-match history. For while sparse crowds are not unknown in Test cricket -- particularly when Pakistan play 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates -- this series will be a completely behind closed doors affair. Meanwhile, Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt insisted a $3 million loan from the ECB was a "helping hand" at a time of economic crisis rather than a condition of touring England. "When that Test match starts up, crowd or no crowd, you are going to be really up for it."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 01:07 UTC
Conserving river prawns
The aromatic flavour of river prawns and their creamy blob in the heads is unique. The converted prawns retain their long claws, firm flesh comparable to the original, yet the male prawns can produce eggs and are propagatable. In the past, river prawns were caught along the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani up to Ayutthaya. Another place you can find natural river prawns is the Trat River, Thailand's shortest river, which originates in Bantad Mountain in Cambodia. If we want to eat natural river prawns, we need to help maintain the environment, otherwise we will have no choice but to buy farmed prawns.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:56 UTC
Travelling post-Covid
Running clockwise from the north gate, all 178 dramatic scenes were first painted in the reign of King Rama III, depicting the Ramakien epic on the walls. The Thaksina Bhimuk Hall draws visitors with a rare selection of Thai musical instruments and art pieces related to the royal performing arts. There's also instruments that King Manivong of Cambodia gave to King Rama VII during his visit to Cambodia in 1930. The Prissadangkhabhimuk Hall is lined with a collection of sapkhap, the carriage placed on an elephant's back for travelling and for battle. The North Region zone draws visitors with Wat Chong Kham and a showcase of refined Tai Yai-style craftsmanship.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:45 UTC
Trump's angry words, virus darken US July 4th weekend
"We are now in the process of defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters," Trump said. Some of the US leader's sharpest words were for the media, which he accused of a campaign to smear opponents as racists. Florida on Saturday marked a new daily high in confirmed virus cases at 11,458 -- far more than any other state. Health officials have been bracing for a new spike in virus cases after this weekend, which they see as a potential tipping point for more infections. This Independence Day, let's not just celebrate those words, let's commit to finally fulfill them."
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:45 UTC
Art lovers head to drive-in for safe Van Gogh show in Canada
People sit in their cars to experience a drive-in immersive Vincent Van Gogh art exhibit in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 3, 2020; amid the coronavirus pandemic, many events are rethinking their programming and innovating for safety's sake. TORONTO: While some museums have had to cancel or postpone long-planned exhibits because of the coronavirus, organizers of a Van Gogh show in Toronto had a novel idea: offering art lovers a drive-in option. Viewing art from inside a car provides a safe experience for people who are physically fragile, fearful of the virus or vulnerable. "It's just a really immersive experience that you can't really get in a regular art gallery. "The whole thing of sitting in your car and being out and enjoying the art –- it was comfortable, it was safe.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:45 UTC
Loan shark on run, suicide pact for debt pair, cat in the bag
He had received many complaints about loan sharks, who are wary of leaving a paper trail, which makes prosecution difficult. The room showed no sign of struggle, and the pair left a suicide note in rough scrawl. The vet gave the cat some basic care, called a Grab taxi, and sent the pair to Chula. "The vet charged 450 baht and helped us all pay for that bill, and Bun left with the cat," he said. Terl said Bun made just 300 baht a day as a labourer and he admired his generosity.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:22 UTC
Real women rock
"I've done my share of helping with your defence/ But now I can't dismiss, it's killing me/ Hometown of mine." "I don't wanna give, I don't wanna give too much/ And I don't wanna feel, I don't wanna feel at all," the song addresses guitarist Danielle's struggle with depression, the theme that runs alongside each of her sister's personal trauma throughout the record. This is by far the best work that they've put out and one that will surely prove their male doubters wrong. THE PLAYLISTBeyoncé / Black ParadeNever one to shy away from unapologetically celebrating her blackness, Beyoncé joins in the BLM movement with a new single, Black Parade. Released on the Juneteeth weekend last month, the track fuses trap, pop and hip-hop with blaring horns and flutes.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:22 UTC
Boxing matches resume after lockdown, but audiences stay home
Boxing matches resume after lockdown, but audiences stay homeMuaythai boxers fight in front of empty spectator seats behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease at Siam Boxing Stadium in Samut Sakhon on Saturday. However, authorities have yet to issue rules on when and how audiences will be allowed at sports venues. In March, a spike in virus cases was linked to a boxing match at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. "Today is a good start for the boxing industry," said Viboon Jampa-nguern, head of the boxing committee. The same goes for those who work as boxing referees, they don't have second jobs to support them," he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:22 UTC
UK historian quits Cambridge over slavery claim
UK historian quits Cambridge over slavery claimDavid Starkey (right) seen here in 2007 with Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, has resigned from his position at Cambridge University. LONDON: A British royal historian who said slavery was not genocide has quit his honorary position at Cambridge University and been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins. Javid's tweet was picked up by British media, and Cambridge University's Fitzwilliam College accepted Starkey's resignation the next day. HarperCollins UK called Starkey's views "abhorrent". Starkey could not be reached for comment and did not respond to other UK media interview requests.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:11 UTC
Bookshelves behind the talking heads
Bookshelves behind the talking headsOne result of the coronavirus is that the majority of news interviews on television are coming from people's homes, whether they be professional broadcasters, celebrities or the general public. They tend to get a bit tedious after a while and it is easy to find yourself examining the backdrop. It can be fun trying to see if you share a taste in books with whoever is talking. More authentic are the cluttered bookshelves in wonderful random disorder that suggests they are in active use. Perhaps the most uncomfortable word Shea came up with was "paracme".
Source:Bangkok Post
July 05, 2020 00:00 UTC