Russians and Americans report 'common ground' over Syria
By Robert Hackwill



MOSCOW: -- The Russians and Americans have met in Moscow to discuss Syria, and it seems they have agreed on common ground from where they can move forward together, and will meet again in New York on Friday. They also appear to have agreed which opposition groups they will recognise at any future peace talks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879016-russians-and-americans-report-common-ground-over-syria/

Poland calls for extension of EU sanctions on Russia



KYIV: -- The Polish president has called for an extension of EU sanctions imposed last year on Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879017-poland-calls-for-extension-of-eu-sanctions-on-russia/

Angela Merkel praised by CSU leader at conference



MUNICH: -- The refugee crisis has split political and popular opinion in Germany. As the number of refugees in the country approaches the one million mark politicians from Angela Merkel’s CDU and its conservative sister party the CSU from Bavaria sought to draw a line under their differences.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879018-angela-merkel-praised-by-csu-leader-at-conference/

Iran slams Turkey's role in anti-ISIL alliance as hypocrisy
By Robert Hackwill



PARIS: -- The Saudi’s diplomatic recipe for an Islamic response to ISIL has been welcomed by some and condemned by some.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879019-iran-slams-turkeys-role-in-anti-isil-alliance-as-hypocrisy/

US models benefit as European car sales accelerate



PARIS: -- European car sales rose by 13.7 percent in November according to industry data, with American models performing well as Volkswagen continues to pay the price of its diesel emissions test-rigging scandal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879020-us-models-benefit-as-european-car-sales-accelerate/

Moody's cuts 2016 oil price forecasts



NEW YORK: -- Moody’s has sharply lowered its forecasts for oil prices next year against the threat of a sustained global surplus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879021-moodys-cuts-2016-oil-price-forecasts/

Migrant crisis: EU plans to treble spending on border defence



"We must make sure that this new coastguard will respect human rights... We must make sure that cooperation with third countries will not run against the legitimate interest of member states"

BRUSSELS: -- The EU plans to treble spending on border defence, as it grapples with the migrant crisis.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879022-migrant-crisis-eu-plans-to-treble-spending-on-border-defence/

UN closes the books on decade-long nuclear probe of Iran
By GEORGE JAHN

VIENNA (AP) — The U.N. nuclear agency closed the books Tuesday on its decade-long probe of allegations that Iran worked on atomic arms, and Tehran proclaimed that within weeks, it would finish cutbacks on present nuclear programs that the U.S. fears could be turned into making such weapons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879023-un-closes-the-books-on-decade-long-nuclear-probe-of-iran/

30 lives extinguished, but no regrets: A killer's story
By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO

IGUALA, Mexico (AP) — The killer says he "disappeared" a man for the first time at age 20. Nine years later, he says, he has eliminated 30 people — maybe three in error.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879024-30-lives-extinguished-but-no-regrets-a-killers-story/

Republicans to take debate stage in race reshaped by attacks
By JULIE PACE and JULIE BYKOWICZ

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Republican presidential candidates take the debate stage Tuesday night for the first time in a month, their race reshaped by national security threats but still dominated by outsider contenders. Now it's Ted Cruz challenging front-runner Donald Trump.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879025-us-republicans-to-take-debate-stage-in-race-reshaped-by-attacks/

Thailand Opium Eradication Effort Still a Model for Other Nations
Lien Hoang

CHIANG RAI, THAILAND — As a child, Sopon Ayi sometimes went hungry when his father squandered the family’s money to feed his opium addiction. Sopon, now 29, is convinced he wouldn’t have gone to school, his father would still be miserable, and their village would be unsafe if they hadn’t given up the drug.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879027-thailand-opium-eradication-effort-still-a-model-for-other-nations/

Gun Fight Sees Two Dead in Chiang Rai
by CityNews

CityNews – Chiang Rai police and military were alerted to the death of two men from a gun fight at a house in Wiang Kaen’s Por sub-district, Chiang Rai on December 15.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879028-gun-fight-sees-two-dead-in-chiang-rai/

Johnny Depp's wife Amber Heard gets 'dog smuggling' court date

LONDON: -- A date has been set for Johnny Depp's wife Amber Heard to face a court trial in Australia for allegedly smuggling her two dogs into the country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879033-johnny-depps-wife-amber-heard-gets-dog-smuggling-court-date/

One year on since Sydney cafe siege



SYDNEY: -- The text of tribute messages has been projected onto buildings in Sydney, to mark the first anniversary of the Lindt cafe siege.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879036-one-year-on-since-sydney-cafe-siege/

Funeral procession of Supreme Patriarch begins
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The elaborate 1,383-strong 456-metre-long funeral procession of the late Supreme Patriarch started at 8:01 am Wednesday.

The procession that moved from Wat Bovoranives and will move along Wat Phra Sumen Road, Phanfa Lilat Bridge, Lan Luang Road, and Krung Kasem Canal towards Wat Thepsirintharawas where the grand cremation will take place at 5.30pm.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Funeral-procession-of-Supreme-Patriarch-begins-30275024.html


-- The Nation 2015-12-16

Chinese buy up bottles of fresh air from Canada

By Jennifer Pak, Shenzhen

Canadian company which started out as a joke bottling Rocky Mountains air has seen its product fly off the shelves in pollution-hit China, with first shipment selling out in four days

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879037-bottled-fresh-air-from-canada-sells-out-in-china/

LOS ANGELES (AP) - LA school district says hundreds of schools closed after emailed threat will reopen Wednesday

Clinton: US needs '360-degree' anti-terror strategy
KEN THOMAS, Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the American people "cannot give into fear" in the aftermath of attacks in Paris and California, laying out a multi-pronged strategy to protect the homeland and prevent domestic terrorist attacks.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879044-clinton-us-needs-360-degree-anti-terror-strategy/

ILO calls for decent work for homeworkers in Indonesia



JAKARTA: -- Homeworkers in Indonesia face low pay and long working hours, as they are employed in informal work arrangements, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has said, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879045-ilo-calls-for-decent-work-for-homeworkers-in-indonesia/

Headless body of Malaysian hostage recovered in Jolo



MANILA: -- The Star Online reported that a headless body believed to be that of slain Malaysian hostage Bernard Then Ted Fen was recovered late Monday in Jolo Island and has been sent to Zamboanga City for identification.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879046-headless-body-of-malaysian-hostage-recovered-in-jolo-philippines/

1,300 join anti-terrorist drill in northern Vietnam



VINH PUC: -- Nearly 1,300 commandos, soldiers and police officers participated in a large scale anti-terrorist drill in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on Monday, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879047-1300-join-anti-terrorist-drill-in-northern-vietnam/

Ho Chi Minh City to hold fireworks displays for New Year celebration



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- People will be able to enjoy pyrotechnic performances to celebrate New Year at two spots in Ho Chi Minh City, according to Tuoi Tre News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879048-ho-chi-minh-city-to-hold-fireworks-displays-for-new-year-celebration/

One dead, 10 missing after fresh Hpakant landslide



YANGON: -- At least one jade miner has been killed and locals believe that 10 prospectors are still missing after a landslide in Kachin State’s Hpakant Township, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879049-one-dead-10-missing-after-fresh-hpakant-landslide/

UPDATE:

Trump defends call for banning Muslims from United States
By JULIE PACE and JULIE BYKOWICZ

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Republican front-runner Donald Trump defended his provocative call for banning Muslims from the United States in Tuesday night's presidential debate as the candidates pushed their own plans for fighting Islamic State militants. Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz clashed over government access to Americans' communications.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879025-us-republicans-to-take-debate-stage-in-race-reshaped-by-attacks/#entry10197918

WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmaker: House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced year-end spending and tax deal

Firearms laws confused and unclear, Law Commission says

LONDON: -- Firearms laws in England and Wales are "confused, unclear and difficult to apply", the Law Commission says.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879051-firearms-laws-in-england-and-wales-confused-and-unclear-law-commission/

SET opens up 4.25 to 1,304.76 /Bangkok Post

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korean court sentences Canadian pastor to life in prison for anti-state activities

Nation sends off the late Supreme Patriarch to heaven today



BANGKOK: -- The nation today joined together to give a send-off to the late Supreme Patriarch as the funeral procession started to move out from Wat Bovoranives to Wat Thepsirintharawas this morning.

The half kilometre long procession moved slowly out at 8.01 am today along Wat Phra Sumen road, Phan Fa bridge, Lan Luang road, and Krung Kasem canal towards Wat Thepsirintharawas where the grand cremation will take place at 5.30 pm.

Along the route where the procession passed, thousands of Thai Buddhists clad in black and white gathered on both sides of the roads to pay respects to the kingdom’s 19th supreme patriarch since Rattanakosin era.

Funeral musical band played as the procession with two royal chariots carrying the body of the late Supreme Patriarch in royal coffin marched to Wat Thepsirintharawas.

The procession was also attended by 19 spiritual leaders from 12 countries.

According to NNT, the Thai government has invited all Buddhists to pay tribute to the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara in today’s funeral rites.

Spokesperson to the Prime Minister’s Office Major General Sansern Keawkamnerd said those wishing to attend the funeral rites were urged to dress politely.

Government officials wore their khaki uniform while members of the general public and private sector must wear light-colored clothes.

However, all attendees are required to wear black today when the cremation began.

On the last day of the cremation ceremony on Thursday, participants should dress politely while the remains of the late Supreme Patriarch are being collected, he said.

The late Supreme Patriarch died at 100-years-old in October 24, 2013.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nation-sends-off-the-late-supreme-patriarch-to-heaven-today


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-16

N. Korea sentences Canadian pastor to life in prison

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — A North Korean court has sentenced a Canadian pastor to life in prison for what it called crimes against the state.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879077-north-korea-sentences-canadian-pastor-to-life-in-prison/