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Stars are aligned for new Thai finmin Thirachai

With a central banking background and astrology as a hobby, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala could come in handy as finance minister for a new Thai government trying to satisfy demands at home while steering through more upheaval in the global economy
A 59-year-old former deputy governor at the central bank, Thirachai is a non-party outsider brought in by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to give her government credibility in the markets and reassure investors worried about Thai politics.
Thirachai has a passion for Thai astrology and refers to himself as a "serious amateur," having co-authored a book called "Know Your Future."
According to his website, he got it right in predicting David Cameron would become Prime Minister of Britain but was off the mark when he said the late Osama bin Laden would launch an attack in 2014.

Violence spreads, UK's Cameron vows to restore order

LONDON: The worst riots in Britain for decades spread to new cities on a fourth night on Tuesday as youths ran amok in Manchester and the industrial Midlands, after 16,000 police took to the streets of London.

Yingluck's govt locked in and ready

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's cabinet has received royal endorsement with a surprise choice for foreign minister.

Foreign Ministry officials yesterday voiced disappointment after learning yesterday afternoon that Pheu Thai deputy leader Surapong Towijakchaikul had been chosen as foreign minister.

German court releases Crown Prince's jet

A German court has released the impounded Boeing 737 aircraft owned by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Werner Schneider, the insolvency administrator, seized the Boeing 737 in Munich on July 11 to force the Thai government to comply with an international arbitration panel ruling in 2009 for it to compensate Walter Bau AG.

King endorses Yingluck as PM

National reconciliation tops new govt's agenda

His Majesty the King yesterday endorsed Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female prime minister.

In her first address to the nation after receiving the royal command formalising her premiership, Ms Yingluck vowed her allegiance to the monarchy and pledged to foster national reconciliation.

Her cabinet line-up is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

S&P warns of a second US downgrade

WASHINGTON: Standard & Poor's warned on Sunday that there was a one in three chance of a further US credit downgrade, as lawmakers traded blame for the failure to rein in the country's massive debt.

The ratings agency docked the United States from a sterling AAA to a AA+ rating on Friday largely because of the failure of bitterly divided US leaders to reach a consensus on containing the country's spiralling debt.