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MIT peer reviews refute lab origin of coronavirus

NationalOct 09. 2020

By MAY ZHOU
CHINA DAILY/ANN

Four peer reviews published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology refute a study that asserts the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic was created by intentional genetic manipulation in China.

All four published peer reviews found that the study has “serious flaws and errors in the methods and data” that render its conclusions “misinformative”.

The study, released on Sept 14, implicates numerous research groups in contributing to the pandemic and calls for “an independent investigation into the relevant research laboratories”.

The research was conducted by Li-Meng Yan, who claims to be a former researcher at the Hong Kong School of Public Health, as well as Shu Kang, Jie Guan and Shanchang Hu.

Shortly after the study was released, Rapid Reviews: COVID-19, a journal that seeks to accelerate peer review of COVID-19-related research preprints under the MIT Press, one of the largest and most distinguished university presses and a leading publisher, published four peer reviews of the study.

The journal sought peer reviews from world-renowned experts in virology, molecular biology, structural biology, computational biology, vaccine development and medicine.

An editorial statement in the journal said that reviewers have collectively debunked three claims in the “Yan Report”: bat coronaviruses were used as a background strain to engineer SARS-CoV-2; evidence suggests prior screening for a virus targeting the human ACE2 receptor; and the fur-in-like cleavage site is unnatural and provides evidence of engineering.

“There was a general consensus that the study’s claims were better explained by potential political motivations rather than scientific integrity. The peer reviewers arrived at these common opinions independently, further strengthening the credibility of the peer reviews,” said the editorial.

Insufficient evidence

One of the peer reviews was by Takahiko Koyama of the IBM Research Computational Biology Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. He concluded that “the manuscript does not demonstrate sufficient scientific evidences to support genetic manipulation origin of SARS-CoV-2”.

The peer review by Adam Lauring, from the University of Michigan Internal Medicine Department, said the authors of the report “don’t contest the natural origin hypothesis with data. Instead, they offer ideas and opinions”.

He also questioned the background of the research.

“A key aspect of research ethics and the responsible conduct of research is to include information on who supported the work－financially or otherwise. The authors’ affiliation is the Rule of Law Society and the Rule of Law Foundation. It is not clear who supports this foundation or what its purpose is,” wrote Lauring. “It is also unethical to promote what are essentially conspiracy theories that are not founded in fact.”

Reviewer Marvin Reitz from the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute said: “My opinion is that this is an inept attempt to make the case the virus was man-made. There are no concrete facts in this report. I do wonder why this is coming out now.”

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Thai berry-pickers in Europe earned Bt800 million in three months

NationalOct 09. 2020Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin 

By THE NATION

Thai labourers who had been working as berry-pickers in Sweden and Finland in the past three months have earned almost Bt800 million, Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said on Thursday.

“Today, 895 Thai labourers returned home via Suvarnabhumi Airport, 365 of them from Finland and 530 from Sweden. They had been working there since July during the berry-picking season,” he said. “Since October 1, 3,270 Thai labourers have returned from these countries [689 from Finland and 2,581 from Sweden] where they got paid around Bt80,000 per month, or total earnings of almost Bt800 million.

“Sending Thai labour to work overseas is one of the ministry’s missions following the policy of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to promote the skills of Thai labourers in international markets and assure the world of Thailand’s efficiency in Covid-19 prevention,” he added.

After the berry-picking season ended, Thai labourers have gradually returned home since October 1 and will continue until October 23. The ministry reported that nearly 5,300 Thais had been working in Sweden and Finland.

“On reaching Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Thai labourers would be screened by public health officials wearing protective suits to prevent the spread of Covid-19, after which they would be transported to either alternative state quarantine or organisation quarantine and stay there for 14 days,” added Suchart.

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Showers forecast for most parts of Thailand with isolated heavy rain in some areas

NationalOct 09. 2020

By THE NATION

Isolated heavy to very heavy rain is possible in the lower Northeast, the East and the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity and the South while the wet spell continues across the country, the Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Friday.

A monsoon trough lies across the lower Central, the upper South and the East while the strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf. People in risky areas should beware of severe conditions, the department said. Strong winds are expected with waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf 2-4 metres high and more than four metres high in thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, the department said.

The category 1 active low pressure cell covers the upper South and is expected to move through the upper South into the Andaman Sea on Friday.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 32-34°C.

Northeast: Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-23°C and maximum 26-30°C.

Central: Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 31-33°C.

East: Cloudy with thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 29-32°C; waves 2-4 metres high and over four metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 31-33°C; waves 2-4 metres high and over four metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 29-30°C; waves 2-4 metres high and over four metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 30-32°C.

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New evidence points to ‘magnate’s role’ in PWO’s huge rubber gloves deal with private firm

NationalOct 09. 2020

By The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has reportedly been given evidence linking a “magnate” behind the alleged corruption in a Bt112-billion deal for purchase of surgical gloves between the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) and a private company.

Details of the evidence have not been disclosed yet.

The DSI has already interrogated five PWO personnel, including Kriangsak Prateepvisut, the new director of the PWO.

The DSI has seized Bt2 billion that Pol Colonel Roongroj Phuthiyawat, former acting director of the PWO’s central administrative office, paid to Guardian Gloves Ltd.

The PWO and the National Anti-Corruption Commission are ready to begin legal action against Roongroj and his alleged accomplices when the DSI finds clear evidence of wrongdoing.

A panel will be established to investigate the breach of duty, which could result in a salary cut, demotion or dismissal.

“I am certain that we will win since the evidence is so strong. Roongroj’s actions were illegal and he must be prosecuted as ordered by Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit,” Kriangsak said.

He said that DSI had followed the trail of the Bt2 billion that Guardian Gloves withdrew, and eight sales contracts for surgical gloves were now revoked, according to the meeting on September 25.

The PWO has reportedly found evidence that someone had given an order to Roongroj to implement the alleged corrupt deal and the DSI was already informed of the new evidence.

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Only short-term gains seen from year-end shopping stimulus

NationalOct 09. 2020

By THE NATION

The government’s proposed “Shop Dee Mee Kuen” (Shop and Payback) scheme will boost the national economy only in the short term, according to the Kasikorn Research Centre.

The new stimulus plan will be considered by the Cabinet on October 12, and the scheme is proposed to be operated from October 23 to December 31.

Under the scheme, people who shop for specified products, such as those with VAT (excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco, accommodation, or flight tickets), OTOP, or books, will receive a tax discount in line with the scheme’s rules.

Kasikorn Research Centre estimated that the expected 1.85 million buyers would help generate around Bt55.5 billion in the economic system. If the participants reach 4 million, the money rolling in the system will more than double to Bt120 billion.

It also said that the scheme would promote the sales of several products whose demands have fallen due to the present economic situation. Retail business is expected to be the biggest beneficiary from this scheme.

The research centre also predicted that total credit card payment in 2020 would decrease by 11 per cent, if the scheme is implemented. Without this scheme, total payment will decrease by 12 per cent.

However, the centre forecast that the scheme will help stimulate the Thai economy only in the short term. Besides, most of the beneficiaries will be huge entrepreneurs, not SME organisers.

The centre said that some production lines would not return to full prodiction, since the stimulated demand rises only in the two months when the scheme is in operation. Besides, employment to support the production line would not have recovered much.

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Pro-democracy group announces details of Oct 14 rally

NationalOct 08. 2020

By THE NATION

The pro-democracy activist group, “Free People”, gathered in Bangkok’s Sanam Luang on Thursday afternoon to officially announce details of the October 14 protest.

The rally will mark the 47th anniversary of the uprising on October 14, 1973, which overthrew the unpopular regime of Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn.

Protesters are also demanding the resignation of Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government, charter amendments and reforms to the institution of monarchy.

Prominent human-rights lawyer Arnon Nampha said the rally will start from 2pm at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, with protesters removing potted plants to symbolically reclaim democratic land.

The plants that had been placed around the monument to block protesters from organising activities will apparently be returned to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

Arnon said protesters will also deliver speeches and camp overnight in a bid to pressure the government into answering their demands. He also promised a “surprise” on that day.

Organisers said they expect the turnout to be larger than the tens of thousands at the September 19-20 protest. The group is also calling for a labour strike and for university and school students to skip classes.

Arnon said he expected more than 30 groups to participate, including labour unions and university students in Bangkok, and warned this protest will continue for many days, even “infinity”.

Other protest leaders who joined Arnon on stage included Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattankul, Panupong Chadnok and Tattep Ruangprapaikitseree.

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Army clerk claims being used for false allowance withdrawal

NationalOct 08. 2020

By The Nation

A well-known whistle-blower unveiled another corruption case in the Army on Thursday after he was allegedly forced to falsely withdraw travel allowance in his own name.

Sergeant Narongchai Intarakawi, a clerk at the Army’s Ordnance Material Rebuild Centre, posted photographs of documents that he said were evidence of corrupt practices.

The documents stated that the money had been withdrawn to pay for work-related travel when there were no such trips and no receipts had been provided as proof.

He said this was just a small example of corruption in his unit, adding that in other Army units, graft has become a tradition.

“Those who fight corruption will be targeted and eventually dismissed or even prosecuted,” he said in a Facebook post with hashtags #ReformTheArmy and #ThatsOurTax.

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Egat invites other power producers to join clean energy challenge

NationalOct 08. 2020

By The Nation

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is inviting independent power users to join its Thailand Clean Energy Network 2020 and work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet the nationally determined contribution (NDC) target. The energy producers also stand to win a renewable energy certificate.

Energy Minister Supattanapong Panmeechao said Thailand is posing the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emission to all sectors, and will hand out renewable energy certificates to winners.

“The mechanism will help boost development, production and use of renewable energy, resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gases. It will also be another mechanism that will lead Thailand to achieve the national goal of all Thais using clean and sustainable energy,” the minister added.

Egat governor Viboon Rerksirathai said the agency, in cooperation with independent power producers, has successfully reduced the emission of carbon dioxide by up to 10.03 million tonnes.

Egat has also set up a renewable energy certification (REC) agency, which issues internationally accredited certificates. This certification is expected to help promote the use of renewable energy, and create jobs and income while stimulating the economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UN sustainable development goals.

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Watch your skin after tattoo, doctor advises

NationalOct 08. 2020

By THE NATION

A skin expert is advising tattoo lovers to observe their skin after it is tattooed, as changes can signal risks such as infection.

Mingkwan Wichaidit, director of the Institute of Dermatology, said tattoos can cause infection, inflammation from allergic reaction to the ink or keloids (overgrowth of scar tissue). 

The doctor also warned that sometimes infection can surface late, adding that most people do not know what they are allergic to unless they have had a reaction before. 

She also said the use of adulterated products when tattooing can also cause inflammation. 

Hence, the doctor said, people whose tattoos cause a rash, itching or produce pus must go see a doctor immediately.

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GHB expresses gratitude to medical professionals with special home loans

NationalOct 08. 2020

By THE NATION

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) is offering special housing loans to medical professionals as a way of thanking them for their dedicated work during the Covid-19 outbreak.

“GHB is arranging Bt10 billion to disburse loans under the ‘Home for Medical’ scheme to help medical professionals get their own residences with less financial burden,” GHB president Chatchai Sirilai said. “The loan will charge 0.67 per cent interest in the first year, 3.5 per cent in the second year, MRR [mininum retail rate] minus 2.65 interest in the third year, and MRR minus one interest from the fourth year until the 40th year, the maximum loan term.”

The bank’s MRR as of May 25 was 6.15 per cent.

“The starting repayment rate in the first year for a Bt1-million loan is only Bt2,900,” he added.

To be eligible, applicants must be professionals in a field related to medicine, such as doctor, nurse, medical technology professional, radiologist, pharmacist, medical investigator, orderly, nutritionist, physical therapist, morgue staff as well as staff working in medical institutions, even in non-medical capacities such as finance, public relations or ambulance driver.

The bank accepts registrations via the GHB ALL mobile application or at branch offices nationwide from now until December 20. For more information, contact GHB branch offices, Call Center 0-2645-9000 or visit www.ghbank.co.th