US to step up 'removal flights' for migrants stranded at Texas bridge
US to step up 'removal flights' for migrants stranded at Texas bridgeHaitian migrants cross the Rio Grande near the Del Rio-Acuña Port of Entry in Ciudad Acuña, MexicoDEL RIO (UNITED STATES) - The United States said Saturday it would step up the number of so-called "removal flights" for thousands of migrants who flooded into the Texas border city of Del Rio, in a bid to alleviate a burgeoning crisis for President Joe Biden's administration. The port of entry at Del Rio has been temporarily closed, and traffic is being rerouted to relieve the bottlenecks that had formed at the bridge. Homeland Security said it would "secure additional transportation to accelerate the pace and increase the capacity of removal flights to Haiti and other destinations in the hemisphere within the next 72 hours." But in Saturday's statement, the Department of Homeland Security said "regular expulsion and removal flights" were ongoing to Haiti, Mexico, Ecuador, and countries in Central America's Northern Triangle -- Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The number of Haitians crossing the southwest border into the United States has been surging for months.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 17:03 UTC
Relatives of Afghan family killed in US strike want face-to-face apology
Relatives of Afghan family killed in US strike want face-to-face apologyAimal Ahmadi (R), brother of Ezmarai Ahmadi, who was one of 10 people killed in a US drone strike in Kabul that the US now says was a mistake, stands next to the wreckage of a vehicle destroyed in the attackKABUL - Relatives of the victims of a US drone strike that wiped out 10 members of an Afghan family in a "tragic mistake" demanded a face-to-face apology and compensation on Saturday. A top general admitted the attack was an error, and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin apologised to the relatives of those killed. Haidari, whose brother Naser and young cousins also died, said the US had made no direct contact with the family. "They were not terrorists, and now it is clear for them and all the world to see," he said of his relatives. McKenzie said the US government was studying how payments for damages could be made to the families of those killed.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 16:30 UTC
Iran looks east after China-led bloc OKs entry
- 'Deflect sanctions'Kayhan, like Javan an ultraconservative title, headlined its lead story in large type: "Deflecting Western sanctions." In Kayhan's view, "from now on Iran can implement its policy of multilateralism, progressively abandon a vision based solely on the West and mitigate Western sanctions." It said SCO membership would permit Iran "to connect with markets" representing a major portion of the world's population. Several SCO members did not want a country under international sanctions in their ranks. It has become evident that, in recent years, they affect more the independent countries, especially SCO members."
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 15:33 UTC
Greece inaugurates its first 'closed' camp for asylum seekers
Greece inaugurates its first 'closed' camp for asylum seekersGreece will inaugurate the first of five new "closed" migrant camps on its Aegean islands on SaturdaySAMOS (GREECE) - Greece on Saturday inaugurated the first of five new "closed" migrant camps, opposed by rights groups who say the strict access measures are too restrictive. Asylum seekers still live there -- rats, improvised wooden barracks without heating and a lack of toilets and showers continue to be part of their daily lives. Last week, dozens of NGOs, including Amnesty International, accused Greece of pursuing "harmful policies focused on deterring and containing asylum seekers and refugees". "The word 'closed' comes up often and this is concerning," Mireille Girard said, adding "asylum seekers need protection, they are not criminals or a risk for the community, they are people who need help. Greece was the main point where more than one million asylum seekers -- mainly Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans -- entered Europe in 2015.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 14:47 UTC
UK travellers cheer eased curbs
A worker cleans a sign at the international arrivals area of Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport in London in August. (Reuters File Photo)LONDON: Travel companies were gearing up for the busiest weekend of the year as holiday bookings surged following the UK government’s announcement on Friday that it would ease travel curbs for the fully vaccinated. A handful of countries will also be removed from the red list this coming Wednesday, but Thailand is not among them. British travellers returning from red-list countries face strict Covid testing and costly hotel quarantine requirements. From Oct 4, fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England from a non-red designated country will not need pre-departure screening.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 11:03 UTC
At least two dead in Afghanistan blasts
At least two dead in Afghanistan blastsTaliban members inspect near the site of a blast in Jalalabad on September 18JALALABAD, Afghanistan At least two people were killed and up to 20 more wounded in three explosions in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Saturday, a Taliban official said. "So far we have reports of two killed and up to 20 wounded," said the Taliban official, who asked not to be named, and said that a patrol vehicle was targeted. The attacks are the first deadly blasts since the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. An official from the health department of Nangarhar Province told AFP that three people were killed and 18 were wounded. Several local media reported the attacks left at least two dead and 19 injured.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 10:30 UTC
Korat cops in hot water over beach break
Regional chief orders investigation into use of police van for trip to Cha-amPol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, head of Provincial Police Region 3, has ordered an investigation into how a police van from Korat ended up at a beach in Phetchaburi. The van belonged to the Phon Krang police station in Muang district of the northeastern province, 425 kilometres from Cha-am. Pol Lt Gen Panurat said on Saturday that Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Nonwachai, chief of Nakhon Ratchasima police, brought the matter to his attention and he had ordered a fact-finding committee to investigate it. An initial investigation found that police from the station had no official duties in Phetchaburi. If the investigation showed that some officers attached to the Phon Krang station had used the police van for personal use, they would face disciplinary punishment, said Pol Lt Gen Panurat.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 10:18 UTC
Vietnam approves Cuban vaccine
Abdala becomes eighth jab approved in country where only 6% of population is fully inoculatedA woman receives a dose of Cuban-developed Abdala coronavirus vaccine in Caracas, Venezuela in July. (Reuters Photo)HANOI: Vietnam has approved a Cuban vaccine for use against the coronavirus, the government said on Saturday, as the country continues to battle its worst outbreak yet. Vietnam has recorded 667,650 coronavirus infections and 16,637 deaths, the vast majority in the Delta-driven outbreak from late April. "The ministry of health has approved Abdala vaccine, based on the country's urgent need for its Covid-19 fight," the government said in a statement. Vietnam and Cuba are among the last five Communist-ruled countries in the world, along with China, Laos and North Korea.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 08:36 UTC
Forest ranger killed in gaur attack in Khao Yai
Forest ranger killed in gaur attack in Khao YaiForest rangers and the family of Nakorn Sriruang arrive at Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri to receive his body to prepare for funeral rites following his death in a wild gaur attack. (Photo: Manit Sanubboon)PRACHIN BURI: A forest ranger was killed and another one injured in an attack by a wild gaur while they were patrolling in Khao Yai National Park on Friday. When the patrol arrived at Khao Samer Poon in Prachin Buri on Friday afternoon, a gaur standing behind a rock suddenly ran towards Nakorn Sriruang, head of the patrol, and then charged Samruay Neeplee, said Adisak Phusitwongsanuyut, chief of Khao Yai National Park. Nakorn was taken to Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital in Prachin Buri, where he died shortly after being admitted. The gaur population in Thailand is believed to number only a few hundred, but the animals are making a comeback at Khao Phung Ma, a conservation area adjacent to Khao Yai that has been designated a non-hunting area.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 08:03 UTC
Taliban bars girls from high school
But the new order from the education ministry was the latest move from the new government to threaten women’s rights. The statement, issued late Friday, made no mention of women teachers or girl pupils. Since a US-led invasion ousted the Taliban in 2001, significant progress has been made in girls’ education, with the number of schools tripling and female literacy nearly doubling to 30%. “It is critical that all girls, including older girls, are able to resume their education without any further delays. Primary schools have already reopened, with boys and girls mostly attending separate classes and some women teachers returning to work.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 07:30 UTC
Hong Kong activists erase online content
Lee Cheuk-yan (second from right), chairman of the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, joins other activists in commemorating the Tiananmen massacre at Victoria Park in Hong Kong on June 4 last year. (AFP File Photo)HONG KONG: A prominent pro-democracy group in Hong Kong known for its yearly vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown has deleted its publications on the internet, including photos of the protest at the Beijing square, to comply with police orders. Four members of the group, including vice-chairwoman Tonyee Chow, were arrested earlier this month after they refused to comply with a police demand to hand in information on its operations. The Global Times, an English-language newspaper affiliated with the Communist Party-run People’s Daily, cheered the end of the alliance. “This is the long-awaited result of Hong Kong’s righteous forces,” the newspaper said in a recent commentrary.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 07:18 UTC
Indonesia frets about new regional arms race
An Indonesian Air Force F-16 Jet Fighter flies over an Indonesian navy warship during an operation in waters off the Natuna islands in January 2020. (Antara Foto via Reuters)JAKARTA: Indonesia says it is worried about an arms race in the region after neighbouring Australia announced plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with the United States and Britain. Known as AUKUS, the new alliance will help Australia get the technology to deploy nuclear-powered submarines as part of agreement intended to respond to growing Chinese power. In a statement on Friday, the Indonesian foreign ministry said it noted with caution Australia’s decision to acquire the submarines and said it was “deeply concerned over the continuing arms race and power projection in the region”. The foreign ministry called on Australia to maintain its commitment to regional peace and stability, and reiterated its respect for international law.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 06:45 UTC
New York Philharmonic marks 'homecoming' after pandemic cancellations
New York Philharmonic marks 'homecoming' after pandemic cancellationsFriday's concert by the New York Philharmonic was a 'homecoming' for musicians limited to live streams, one-off and outdoor shows for more than a yearNEW YORK - Following 556 days of pandemic-inflicted cancellations and unconventional concerts, the New York Philharmonic opened its new season Friday, a "homecoming" for musicians limited to live streams, one-off and outdoor shows for more than a year. The pandemic forced the famed symphony orchestra to cancel its 2020-21 season, resulting in more than $21 million in lost ticket revenues. Despite everything, Chris Martin, the orchestra's principal trumpet player, said the start of a fresh season "feels like coming home." "But to come back in this space... to have an audience again, that's the part that really feels like a homecoming." The pandemic, which dealt an early and particularly deadly blow to New York, hit in the middle of the violinist-turned-conductor's second season as music director.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 03:33 UTC
Lisa-mania boosts Buri Ram's annual meatball fair
Lisa-mania boosts Buri Ram's annual meatball fairA vendor in a traditional dress similar to the one Lisa wears in her new video at a meatball fair in Buri Ram. (Photo: Surachai Piraksa)Trade at an annual meatball fair in Buri Ram was brisk this week after Thai K-pop star Lalisa "Lisa" Manoban said she really missed the event that her mum used to take her to when she was a kid. This year's event runs from Saturday until Thursday at Buri Ram railway station in tambon Nai Muang of Muang district, with many activities planned, including the addition of some extra Blackpink songs to go with the meatball promotions. The fair is jointly run by state provincial offices in Buri Ram, the State Railway of Thailand and the province's tourism council and tourism businesses association. The fair was previously due to go-ahead last month but was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 03:00 UTC
Critics warn of Apple, Google 'chokepoint' repression
Critics warn of Apple, Google 'chokepoint' repressionGoogle and Apple were under the microscope over their decision to pull a Russian opposition appWASHINGTON - The global dominance of tech giants serves as a convenient online chokepoint for authoritarian governments to crack down on dissent or rig elections, critics of Apple and Google said Friday. "The app stores are the new frontier for censorship," Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel at rights group Access Now told AFP. But after an app advising opposition supporters on how to vote out Kremlin allies in Russia's parliamentary election was removed from the app stores of both Apple and Google, advocates warned of another threat. In the case of Russia, pressure has been building after Moscow accused the US tech giants of election interference and demanded they remove the app. Sources close to the decision to pull the opposition app said both companies faced threats of criminal charges or the jailing of staff and general "bullying" from authorities.
Source:Bangkok Post
September 18, 2021 02:26 UTC