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OTTAWA: Canada said on Tuesday (Apr 13) it was talking to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) about reports its COVID-19 vaccine might cause rare blood clots, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said a surge in dangerous variants could threaten progress made so far. US federal health agencies on Tuesday recommended pausing the use of the vaccine made by J&J's Janssen unit for at least a few days after six women under 50 given the shot developed clots. Health Canada, the federal health ministry, said it was working with the manufacturer, the US Food and Drug Administration and other international regulators. "Health Canada has asked Janssen to provide information on any cases of these rare blood clotting events," it said in a tweet. Canada has approved the vaccine but deliveries are not due to start until the end of April. The news is the latest potential challenge for an inoculation effort that is already dragging. Canada is due to import enough doses to ensure every ... » Learn More about Canada talking to Johnson & Johnson about COVID-19 vaccine setback as PM frets over variants

A new arrest warrant has been issued for Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya over the fatal crash in 2012 where he allegedly ran over and killed a 47 year old police officer. The grandson of the co-founder of the Red Bull empire is facing charges of reckless driving, refusing to help an injured person and possessing illicit drugs (cocaine). The court recently reviewed new evidence in the case, according to the d eputy assistant to the national police chief. “We will arrest him as soon as he returns to Thailand.” The Office of the Attorney General controversially dropped charges against 35 year old Vorayuth in July, saying that they didn’t have enough evidence to move forward with legal action. Since Boss in not in the country, police will issue a new Interpol Red Notice, requesting law enforcement outside of Thailand to help arrest the Red Bull heir. Vorayut is understood to reside overseas, probably in the UK, having fled Thailand in 2017 just 3 days before a scheduled appearance ... » Learn More about Thai court issues a new arrest warrant for ‘Boss’ Yoovidhya

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said he did not want to be the country's next prime minister after current premier Lee Hsien Loong retires, according to his letter published in local media on Thursday. He is also set to give up his portfolio as finance minister, local media reported. Heng will step aside as leader of the ruling People's Action Party's fourth-generation team, a term used to describe the group of ruling party politicians seen as future leaders. The Straits Times reported that Heng, who turns 60 this year, cited the long-term and profound challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, his age, and the demands of the top job, as reasons for his decision. In a letter to Prime Minister Lee he said: "This year, I am 60. As the crisis will be prolonged, I would be close to the mid-60s when the crisis is over. The 60s are still a very productive time of life. But when I also consider the ages at which our first three prime ministers took on the job, I would have ... » Learn More about Singapore’s PM-in-waiting steps aside as future leader

Malaysia's scandal-plagued former prime minister Najib Razak is facing bankruptcy for allegedly failing to pay more than $400 million in taxes, which could bring his political career to an end. Najib lost power in 2018 when his party, which had governed the Southeast Asian nation for six decades, was defeated at the polls after he became embroiled in a financial scandal. The leader and his cronies were accused of stealing billions of dollars from state investment fund 1MDB, and he has since been convicted and sentenced to 12 years in jail in the first of several trials he is facing over the fraud. Last year, a court ordered Najib -- who remains free on bail and is still an MP -- to pay 1.69 billion ringgit ($409 million) in taxes owed between 2011 and 2017. Late Tuesday, Najib said that tax officials issued a notice demanding he settle the bill, plus additional costs, otherwise they will launch bankruptcy proceedings. If he is declared bankrupt, the ex-premier will lose his ... » Learn More about Malaysian ex-PM Najib faces bankruptcy over tax bill

Youngsters get creative as they try to sculpt sand figures during a Songkran celebration at Wat Siripong Thammanimit in Bang Khen. (Photo by Varuth Hirunyatheb) The government pledged to take care of elderly citizens on the occasion of National Elderly Day yesterday and assured Thai citizens nationwide of the country's plan to provide care for the elderly. Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said the government has factored in the country's ageing population into the national agenda and will continue to implement its senior citizen plans in order to prepare Thai society for an ageing society. "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants to raise people's awareness of our ageing society as the country is becoming one," she said. April 13 is the first day of Songkran in Thailand and also marks National Elderly Day when the water pouring ceremony or rod nam dam hua is held for younger people to seek blessings from their elders. People pour blessed water into a vessel ... » Learn More about PM pledges to take care of ageing on ‘Elderly Day’

Sporting fixtures in Minnesota were called off Monday as tensions in the city simmered in the wake of the fatal police shooting of a Black man in a Minneapolis suburb. Basketball, baseball and ice hockey games were all postponed following the shooting death of Daunte Wright on Sunday (Monday in Manila) by police in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center. “The National Basketball Association announced today that in light of the tragic events in the Minneapolis area yesterday, tonight’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed,” the NBA said in a statement. The shooting, which comes with Minneapolis already on edge because of the Derek Chauvin trial for the murder of George Floyd, sparked protests and looting overnight. Authorities in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs including Brooklyn Center announced a curfew from 7:00 pm (0000 GMT) Monday (Tuesday in Manila) until 6 a.m. Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). The ... » Learn More about Minnesota sports shut down after police shooting

Future Forward’s 40 year old leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has called for change this afternoon. He made his speech outside of the temporary parliament as he’s been barred as an MP pending legal cases yet to be heard by the Constitutional Court over alleged media share holdings. The speech was made as the parliament hears from MPs about why they support one candidate or the other. Both current PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and Thanathorn were nominated as PMs to lead the new parliament this morning. “I am ready to be Thailand’s next prime minister. I will be the prime minister of change.” “Coups will only lead Thailand to deadends. We must make parliament a place of honour, not a place where people’s faith goes to die.” 750 MPs and Senators are in a joint sitting of the two houses of parliament with the numbers heavily stacked against the tycoon businessman whose party, Future Forward, was the stand-out new performer in the March 24 election. A new PM will require at least ... » Learn More about Thanathorn says he will be Thailand’s Prime Minister of change

“One source, a core leader in Phalang Pracharat, confirmed the previous deals had been revoked.” Thailand’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit from June 20 to 23 is forcing Palang Pracharat members to stitch together its government and sort out key ministerial posts before the event. More than two months after the election, and following the election of a PM that saw Prayut Chan-o-cha return to the office, the parties within the pro-military bloc have yet to reach agreement over ministerial positions. Indeed, it is clear now that the the pro-junta Palang Pracharat party is going to renege on its deals to allocate key ministerial positions to coalition partners in return for their support for the PM vote. Phalang Pracharat has reportedly insisted on controlling economy-related ministries – Agriculture, Commerce and Transport – that it had earlier agreed to allocate to key partners, the Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties. The backtracking follows intensive talks before the vote for the PM ... » Learn More about ‘Ministry deals’ in tatters – Palang Pracharat revoke cabinet post promises

Philippine police said Wednesday they are investigating the death of a coronavirus lockdown violator who was forced to do a hundred squat-like exercises as a penalty for breaking curfew. Police have punished more than 10,000 people for breaching a 6:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew imposed on Metro Manila and four provinces bordering the national capital region last week to curb soaring infections. Darren Penaredondo, 28, was detained Thursday night after going out to buy water in General Trias city, south of the capital, his wife told AFP . He was taken along with other curfew breakers to a police station and made to do the gruelling workout, national police spokesman Ildebrandi Usana said, citing two witness accounts. "They were made to exercise 100 times. It's a knee-bender exercise," Usana explained to AFP . "It's painful. If that's the requirement, you will really pass out especially if you're not used to it. Even policemen themselves find it difficult." Reichelyn Balce ... » Learn More about Philippine police probe death of curfew violator forced to do squats

When you think of going out to eat in Chiang Mai, sushi is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But believe it or not, there are a few good Japanese restaurants in Chiang Mai. Sushi bars that serve up all your favorite rolls and sashimi dishes to noodle houses with delicious ramen or udon, you will find something for everyone on this list of 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in Chiang Mai. Mu’s Katsu Mu’s Katsu is a small , casual restaurant on a quiet Soi off Nimmanhaemin Road. It’s a family-owned business, and the father is often seen cooking behind the counter. The interior of Mu’s Katsu features an open kitchen where you can watch as they prepare your meal from scratch – something I always love about eating out in Thailand. The majority of Mu’s Katsu customers order a katsu set, which includes rice with miso soup, Japanese pickles (tsukemono), cabbage salad (yasu), deep-fried patties made from pork or chicken that are served in a breaded coating for extra ... » Learn More about Reviews on the 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in Chiang Mai