US Congress blocks Obama's climate change plan

"The people that are going to be hit the hardest are lower income families."

WASHINGTON: -- As US president Barack Obama gathered with world leaders in Paris to work out a global climate deal .. Republicans in the US Congress voted to block Obama’s plan to force cuts in power plant emissions.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875613-us-congress-blocks-obamas-climate-change-plan/

Defiance in Catalonia as Madrid thwarts independence bid



"The decision has pleased all Spanish people who believe in Spain, in national sovereignty and in the equality of citizens"

MADRID: -- Spain’s Constitutional Court has revoked a motion from the Catalonian Parliament to begin the process to separate from Madrid.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875616-defiance-in-catalonia-as-madrid-thwarts-independence-bid/

Environmental protesters forcibly removed from Australian parliament
By Seamus Kearney



"This is a battle that's not going to be won in this place, it's going to be won out there"

CANBERRA: -- Climate change protesters have held a sit-in in the foyer of the Australian parliament.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875617-environmental-protesters-forcibly-removed-from-australian-parliament/

COP 21: hoping for more than just hot air



"The heads of state and government gave us an unambiguous mandate and we must do whatever we can to succeed"

PARIS: -- The world leaders have gone home and it is time for the hardcore climate negotiators to get to work on the basics of a deal at the global climate summit in Paris.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875618-cop-21-hoping-for-more-than-just-hot-air/

Volkswagen ‘agrees loan’ to cover emissions scandal costs



WOLFSBURG: -- Volkswagen is said to have agreed the terms of a 20 billion euro bridging loan with banks to help shoulder the costs of its emissions scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875619-volkswagen-agrees-loan-to-cover-emissions-scandal-costs/

Britain votes to join airstrikes against IS

LONDON (AP) — British lawmakers have voted to join the international campaign of airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875620-britain-votes-to-join-airstrikes-against-is/

UN believes Iran worked on developing nuclear weapons
By GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — Iran did work related to developing nuclear arms in the past, the U.N. atomic agency concluded in a report Wednesday that wraps up a near decade of investigations and opens the way to implementing a landmark deal aimed at reducing any future nuclear threat from Tehran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875621-un-believes-iran-worked-on-developing-nuclear-weapons/

UPDATE:

Britain's parliament approves airstrikes in Syria

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875620-britain-votes-to-join-airstrikes-against-is/#entry10147110

Holocaust survivor, rescuer reunited in New York City
By VERENA DOBNIK

NEW YORK (AP) — An Israeli man and a Polish woman were reunited Wednesday in New York, seven decades after her Catholic family saved him during the Holocaust.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875651-holocaust-survivor-rescuer-reunited-in-new-york-city/

Texas sues US to block resettlement of 6 Syrian refugees
PAUL J. WEBER, Associated Press
JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas on Wednesday sued the U.S. government in an effort to block six Syrian refugees from resettling in Dallas this week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875652-texas-sues-us-to-block-resettlement-of-6-syrian-refugees/

Kim Jong-un's aunt sues defectors in South Korea

SEOUL: -- An aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has filed a defamation case against three defectors who "spread false stories" about her.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875654-kim-jong-uns-aunt-sues-defectors-in-south-korea/

UPDATE:

1 suspect down, 1 in custody after deadly shooting in Southern California
English.news.cn

LOS ANGELES (Xinhua) -- One suspect was gunned down and one in custody Wednesday afternoon after a shooting killed at least 14 people and injured 14 others in San Bernardino City of Southern California, local media reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875612-at-least-14-people-are-reported-dead-in-shooting-at-disabled-centre-in-southern-california/page-2?p=10147305#entry10147305

Two suspects dead after US mass shooting /BBC

Ten Expressways to be made toll-free on BIKE FOR DAD day

BANGKOK, 3 December 2015 (NNT) – To facilitate the general public especially BIKE FOR DAD participants, the Expressway Authority of Thailand will exempt motorists from paying tolls at 10 expressways.

The 10 expressways to which the toll exemption applies are Yomaraj, Hua Lamphong, Saphan Sawang, Uruphong, Surawong, Thanon Chan, both sections of Rama IV, Phoenchit and Phetchaburi. Motorists will be able to use any of these expressways on 11th December free of charge, starting from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand expects that its offer will enable BIKE FOR DAD cyclists to enjoy the historic event to the full. The number of participants across the country has exceeded 600,000 so far. The activity, which is scheduled for 11th December nationwide, is designed as tribute to His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his 88th birthday.


-- NNT 2015-12-03

Hawaii Supreme Court denies telescope construction

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Supreme Court Wednesday invalidated a permit awarded for the construction of one of the world's largest telescopes on a mountain many Native Hawaiians consider sacred.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875660-hawaii-supreme-court-denies-telescope-construction/

Security upped at National Police HQ in Jakarta over terror threat



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's National Police have heightened security measures at their headquarters in South Jakarta, with guards now constantly wearing bullet-proof vests and carrying assault rifles, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875669-security-upped-at-national-police-hq-in-jakarta-over-terror-threat/

SET down 6.94 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Phuket Tourist Police arrest Russian woman working illegally as real estate agent
Eakkapop Thongtub


Anastasia Spirkina (centre) was arrested after trying to sell a condo unit to an undercover Tourist Police officer.

PHUKET: -- Tourist police in Phuket yesterday (Dec 2) arrested a Russian woman for working illegally when she attempted to sell a condo unit to an undercover officer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875672-phuket-tourist-police-arrest-russian-woman-working-illegally-as-real-estate-agent/

40th anniversary of Lao PDR celebrated



VIENTIANE: -- Lao people representing all strata on Wednesday showcased their best prepared performances to mark the biggest event ever held since the establishment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975, according to Lao News Agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875677-40th-anniversary-of-lao-pdr-celebrated/

Thailand Focus 2015 expects to attract more foreign investments to the country

BANGKOK, 3 December 2015 (NNT) - The Ministry of Finance expressed confidence that the ‘Thailand Focus 2015’ seminar will attract more foreign investment to the Kingdom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875678-thailand-focus-2015-expects-to-attract-more-foreign-investments-to-the-country/

Second aviation safety ruling on Thailand is due mid this month



BANGKOK: -- The United States Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) downgrading of Thailand's aviation industry has dealt a heavy blow to the industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875679-second-aviation-safety-ruling-on-thailand-is-due-mid-this-month/

RAF Tornado jets carry out first air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria, MoD confirms /BBC

UPDATE:

Pattaya Police obtain "confession" from American in Australian murder case

PATTAYA: -- Pattaya Police continue to make progress in the murder case of an Australian ex-biker and on Thursday Morning reportedly obtained a confession from the American suspect arrested at the Thai-Cambodian border in Satkeaw Province on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875476-two-arrests-made-in-australian-ex-biker-murder-case/page-5?p=10148081#entry10148081

Mai Khao, Karon could 'get' contested Hollywood Movie Museum
Phuket Gazette


Santi Pawai said that the museum will contain a small cafe and a facility for showering, as a general service for beachgoers. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The much-protested against ‘Hollywood Movie Museum’ originally slated for Nai Harn could very well end up in Karon or Mai Khao, confirmed officials.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875690-mai-khao-karon-could-get-contested-hollywood-movie-museum/

Ministry of Education investigates fire incident involved in college hazing ritual

BANGKOK, 3 December 2015 (NNT)-The Minister of Education has ordered an investigation into a video clip showing senior students using fire on freshmen during college initiation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875696-thai-education-min-investigates-fire-incident-involved-in-college-hazing-ritual/

France shuts down three mosques and four Muslim prayer rooms
Alissa Rubin

Paris: The French government has shut down three mosques and several informal Muslim prayer rooms out of concern that they were contributing to Islamic radicalisation, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875703-france-shuts-down-three-mosques-and-four-muslim-prayer-rooms/

UPDATE:

Hotplate unusual explosion at a shabu-shabu restaurant injures four, triggers probe



KORAT: -- An unusual explosion of an electric hotplate that injured four customers in Nakhon Ratchasima at a hotpot (shabu shabu) restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima province has forced the restaurant owner to replace all the electric stoves with charcoal stoves as the police and its manufacturer are conducting investigation into how it happened.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875586-police-manufacturer-investigate-hot-pot-explosion-that-injured-4/#entry10148485

Phuket vendors appeal to keep tourist sites
Eakkapop Thongtub


Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Armornwat (centre, right) was presented to hear the vendors’ complaint. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- More than 30 vendors gathered at Provincial Hall this morning (Dec 3) to protest a plan to auction leases for buildings at Nai Harn lake, Klong Pakbang and Karon View Point.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875734-phuket-vendors-appeal-to-keep-tourist-sites/

Body Found Near Abandoned House in San Sai
by CityNews

CityNews – The body of a Thai man was found near an abandoned house in San Sai with injuries to his face on December 3.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875736-body-found-near-abandoned-house-in-san-sai/

Britain launches airstrikes on IS in Syria
By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS and JILL LAWLESS

AKROTIRI, Cyprus (AP) — British warplanes carried out airstrikes in Syria early Thursday, hours after Parliament voted to authorize air attacks against Islamic State group targets there.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/875738-britain-launches-airstrikes-on-is-in-syria/