World

New Delhi extends lockdown as India Covid cases hit new record People cremate the bodies of victims of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, on Saturday. (Reuters photo) India's capital New Delhi on Sunday extended its lockdown as the country's Covid-19 crisis grew with infections and deaths hitting record highs. The announcement came as the healthcare system struggled to cope with the huge surge, with reports of severe oxygen and medicine shortages and patients' families pleading for help on social media. The vast nation of 1.3 billion people recorded 349,691 fresh cases and 2,767 deaths in the last 24 hours -- the highest since the start of the pandemic. The northern megacity -- home to 20 million people and the worst-hit in India -- had im...

Myanmar junta leader to attend Asean summit Myanmar junta chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing presides an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Nay Pyi Taw on March 27, 2021. He will join an Asean summit on Saturday. (Reuters photo) Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar's junta leader, will attend an Asean summit in Jakarta where representatives of the bloc are expected to discuss Myanmar's situation, according to Thailand's Foreign Ministry. "I can confirm that the Brunei Chair has proposed the date April 24 with the venue at the Secretariat in Jakarta," ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said in a message to reporters. "Several leaders have confirmed their attendance including Myanmar's MAH [Senior General Min Aung Hlaing]," he added. "Some leaders have yet to confirm." Mr Tanee declined to name the leader...

Officers' khaki shirts get a refresh with agility and comfort in mind A senior officer explains the change in uniforms that will make police better suited to the crime suppression job and the hot climate. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill) The Royal Thai Police is seeking to update its conventional khaki uniform, in the hopes of making its officers more agile in their pursuit of criminals. Even though the new uniform's prototype is still being trialled at some police stations and has yet to be officially launched, many believe that a change is inevitable. Previously, a number of police units have attempted to change the police uniform, with little success. For example, tourist police at tourism hotspots once saw their uniforms change from the long-sleeved khaki shirt with shoulder...

Myanmar activists protest as report says junta chief to attend summit Protesters hold signs as they march in a demonstration against the military coup in Dawei on Tuesday. (AFP PHOTO / DAWEI WATCH) Myanmar anti-coup activists launched protests on Wednesday calling for the release of detained prisoners, as Nikkei Asia reported that junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing would attend a regional summit to discuss the crisis in the country. Spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the military commander would attend the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, the online service of the Japanese news magazine reported. Reuters could not reach the spokesman for confirmation. The Southeast Asian country has been in crisis since the military sei...

Egos clash in Bezos and Musk space race Musk aimed low with a recent tweet saying "can't get it up (to orbit)" in response to a post about Bezos-founded space company Blue Origin PARIS - Even the Milky Way seems too small to keep the egos of tech billionaires Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk from colliding as they vie to conquer space. Musk aimed low with a recent tweet saying "can't get it up (to orbit)" in response to a post about Bezos-founded space company Blue Origin protesting NASA's choice of Musk's SpaceX team to build a module that will land the next US astronauts on the moon. "This is more than just a battle for space," said Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives. "There is some ego at play as well; this has become even more personal." The tech entrepreneurs have each channeled some of their v...

AstraZeneca's plan to produce its Covid-19 vaccine in Thailand has made significant progress and the first batch of vaccines will be ready for delivery to the government by June. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Siam Bioscience as a manufacturing facility for AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine. The company, together with Siam Bioscience, has been working tirelessly to ensure that the facility is on track to safely deliver supply to support the national vaccination campaign. The collaboration with the Thai government and the FDA has facilitated the swift but careful progress with the manufacturing plant over the past few months, according to a statement issued by AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd on Wednesday. James Teague, Country President, AstraZeneca (Thailand) Ltd, said: "Ast...

CREATING ASEAN’S FULLY CHARGED EV HUB BOI incentives get set to propel Thailand’s EV vision Imagine busy urban streets alive with battery-powered motorcycles, cars and buses but without the haze of exhaust fumes and the noise of whirring engines. Imagine e-ferries docking quietly at piers and traveling along waterways without emitting hot black smoke into the air or oil into the water. Imagine cities that are more liveable with healthier air and cleaner water. Imagine ASEAN’s fully-charged EV hub. Thailand is committed to playing a leading role in the global electric transportation revolution and fulfilling its international commitment to greenhouse gas reduction. Indeed, the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has quickly become a practicality in Thailand where multiple models of EVs from g

Gaysorn Village in co-operation with Christie's Hong Kong auction house is to hold a live virtual auction on May 22. Virtual auction Dubbed "The Live Auction In Bangkok", the event will offer timepiece collectors and watch lovers an exclusive preview of horology masterpieces. It will bring together a fine collection of 24 haute and rare watches worth an estimated 1.8 billion baht. The event highlight is the unique Alan Banbery Patek Philippe Ref.3448 No Moon Phase. This one-off horological treasure, custom made for Banbery, comes with a prototype leap year indication, unique mechanical conversion work, AB monogram engraving on the case back and detailed documentation. Alan Banbery is one of the world's most influential horologists. He joined Patek Philippe in 1965 as director of sales...

US, China commit to climate cooperation ahead of key summit US climate envoy John Kerry was the first official from the Biden administration to visit China. WASHINGTON: The United States and China are "committed to cooperating" on the pressing issue of climate change, the two sides said Saturday, issuing the pledge days ahead of a key summit hosted by President Joe Biden. The joint statement came after a trip to Shanghai by US climate envoy John Kerry, the first official from Biden's administration to visit China, signalling hopes the two sides could work together on the global challenge despite sky-high tensions on multiple other fronts. But to achieve the global climate goal, Kerry said words must be put into action and urged China to reduce its use of coal. "The United States and C...

ST. MARY’S – The route to one of St. Mary’s most popular tourist attractions will get the repairs community activists say it desperately needs. At its committee of the whole meeting on April 21, Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s council approved calling for tenders to rebuild the municipal road that leads to the Port Bickerton Lighthouse and Interpretive Centre, concurring with Deputy Warden James Fuller that because the site is a major public attraction, “easy access and egress [to it] is essential.” Donald Dodge, president of the Port Bickerton and Area Planning Association, raised the issue most recently at the April 7 committee of the whole meeting. “The association has undertaken general maintenance with provincial help over the past couple of years, but major repairs have