Russia unveils plan to try to prevent young people from joining ISIL



"Young people feel disappointed and there is kind of a deceptive romanticism that appeals, that a fight between the good and the evil is going on."

MOSCOW: -- Russia has put into place a plan to try to prevent its young citizens from being recruited by radical organisations such as ISIL.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879289-russia-unveils-plan-to-try-to-prevent-young-people-from-joining-isil/

Patient plays saxophone while brain tumour removed



MALAGA: -- Surgeons in Spain have become the first in Europe to successfully removed a brain tumour while the patient was conscious and playing a musical instrument.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879290-spain-patient-plays-saxophone-while-brain-tumour-removed/

British PM set for summit showdown over EU reform demands



"One recipe for disaster would be a one-size fits (all) or a European super-state"

BRUSSELS: -- EU leaders meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday for their final summit of the year – and Britain’s push for EU reform is set to be high on the agenda.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879291-british-pm-set-for-summit-showdown-over-eu-reform-demands/

US Defence Secretary seeks support against ISIL



WASHINGTON: -- The US Defence Secretary is hoping his trip to Baghdad will lead to increased support for the fight against ISIL.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879292-us-defence-secretary-seeks-support-against-isil/

Fed raises its key interest rate from record low near zero
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates from record lows set at the depths of the 2008 financial crisis, a shift that heralds modestly higher rates on some loans.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879293-us-fed-raises-its-key-interest-rate-from-record-low-near-zero/

US Congress leaders agree to end 40-year oil export ban



WASHINGTON: -- US Congressional leaders have agreed to lift the country’s 40-year-old ban on oil exports, a historic action reflecting the impact of a boom in US oil drilling.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879294-us-congress-leaders-agree-to-end-40-year-oil-export-ban/

Italy: 'Puppeteer' former Masonic lodge head Licio Gelli dies, 96



AREZZO: -- Liccio Gelli, the former head of Italy’s outlawed P2 Masonic lodge, has died, at the age of 96.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879295-italy-puppeteer-former-masonic-lodge-head-licio-gelli-dies-96/

HAVANA (AP) - Officials say US, Cuba reach understanding on restoring commercial airline flights.

Russian airstrikes restore Syrian military balance of power
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — Weeks of Russian airstrikes in Syria appear to have restored enough momentum to the government side to convince President Bashar Assad's foes and the world community that even if he doesn't win the war he cannot quickly be removed by force.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879297-russian-airstrikes-restore-syrian-military-balance-of-power/

AP FACT CHECK: Republican debaters go astray
By TAMI ABDOLLAH and VIVIAN SALAMA

WASHINGTON (AP) — The vast complexities of a dangerous world were cast in too-simple terms in the latest Republican presidential debate.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879299-ap-fact-check-republican-debaters-go-astray/

Thai men who murdered Good Samaritan Luke Mitchell have been jailed for 24 years
Adam Cooper

MELBOURNE: -- Two Thai men found guilty of murdering Good Samaritan Luke Mitchell, who was repeatedly stabbed outside a Brunswick 7-Eleven more than six years ago, have each been jailed for 24 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879313-thai-men-who-murdered-luke-mitchell-have-been-jailed-for-24-years-in-australia/

US, Cuba near deal on restoring commercial flights
MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press
BRADLEY KLAPPER, Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) — The United States and Cuba are close to a deal on restoring regularly scheduled commercial flights, Cuban and American officials said Wednesday on the eve of the anniversary of detente between the Cold War foes.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879314-us-cuba-near-deal-on-restoring-commercial-flights/

British tourist vanishes in Thailand after telling parents a 'man would not let him leave'
By James Rothwell

Jordan Jacobs, 21, from Lyneham, Wiltshire, sent a disturbing message to his family before he disappeared


Missing: Jordan Jacobs, 21, Wiltshire, who was last seen on Ko Phi Phi Don island, Thailand. Photo: Facebook

LONDON: -- A British man has gone missing in Thailand just days before he was due to come home for Christmas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879323-british-tourist-vanishes-in-thailand-after-telling-parents-a-man-would-not-let-him-leave/

Motorcycles make up 73% of all traffic violations in Jakarta



JAKARTA: -- Jakarta police said motorcyclists were responsible for more than 73 percent of all traffic violations committed between January and November in the Greater Jakarta area this year, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879329-motorcycles-make-up-73-of-all-traffic-violations-in-jakarta/

Bipartisan transition committee holds first meeting in Naypyidaw



NAYPYIDAW: -- A cross-party committee formed to oversee the transition to the next government of Myanmar held its first meeting in Naypyidaw on Wednesday, with National League for Democracy Leader (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi telling those assembled that she believed the transfer of power was on track to proceed smoothly.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879331-bipartisan-transition-committee-holds-first-meeting-in-naypyidaw/

Boat collision spills 40,000 liters of petrol into southern Vietnam river



TIEN GIANG PROVINCE: -- At least 40,000 liters of gasoline been leaked into the Tien River, a tributary to the Mekong River in Tien Giang Province, after a collision with a gas tanker on Tuesday, Thanh Nien News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879334-boat-collision-spills-40000-liters-of-petrol-into-southern-vietnam-river/

'Melor' leaves 13 dead, P150-M worth of damages



MANILA: -- Thirteen people have died due to Typhoon Melor (local name Nona), which also left over P150-million worth of damages to agricultural products and infrastructure, Manila Bulletin reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879338-typhoon-melor-leaves-13-dead-p150-m-worth-of-damages/

SET down 2.07 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Crown Prince presides over Supreme Patriarch’s ashes collection ceremony



BANGKOK: -- His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkon this morning presided over a ceremony on behalf of His Majesty the King to collect the ashes of the late Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara at Wat Debsirin.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakkri Sirindhorn, Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, Her Royal Highness Soamsavaliu, Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Princess Siriwanwaree.

The ceremony began at 7 am.

The ashes of the late Supreme Patriarch was later brought to keep at Tamnak Petchara inside Wat Bovoranives.

Earlier last night, National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) reported that His Majesty the King had entrusted His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to officiate on his behalf at the royally-sponsored cremation ceremony for His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, at the crematorium of Wat Debsirin.

The ceremony was also attended by other members of the Royal Family such as Their Royal Highnesses Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Soamsawali and the royal daughters of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince — Princess Bajrakitiyabha and Princess Siriwanwaree.

After his arrival, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince presented commemorative prayer fans made in conjunction with the funeral, to His Holiness Somdet Phra Maharatchamangkhlachan and 15 other high-ranking monks. Following that, His Royal Highness listened to a sermon by Somdet Phra Maharatchamangkhlachan and chanting of prayers dedicated to the deceased Supreme Patriarch. He then presented monastic gifts and yellow robes to the monks.

Afterwards, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince proceeded to the crematorium to pay his last respects to the remains of the Supreme Patriarch in the royal urn and laid sandalwood floral tributes from Her Majesty the Queen and his own underneath the urn before lighting the fire for the cremation. After this, thousands of people led by monks, both Thai and foreign, members of the Royal Family, Privy Councilors, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corps, leaders of the Supreme Court, the legislature and independent organizations, formed a line to lay sandalwood flowers to pay their last respects to the Supreme Patriarch.

Earlier yesterday morning, His Majesty the King designated Lieutenant General Mom Chao Chalermsuk Yugala to represent him at the royal funeral procession for His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara. In the procession, the urn containing the Supreme Patriarch’s remains was transferred from Tamnak Phet Building in Bovoranives Monastery to the Debsirin Monastery crematorium, in a rite known as “Ok Phra Men.”

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/crown-prince-presides-over-supreme-patriarchs-ashes-collection-ceremony


-- Thai PBS 2015-12-17

UPDATE:

U.S. Federal Reserve raises key interest rate, ending years of near-zero rates
BY BNO NEWS

WASHINGTON: -- The U.S. Federal Reserve has raised the target range for its benchmark federal funds rate from the zero to 0.25 percent range to 0.25 to 0.5 percent, ending seven years of near-zero rates.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879293-us-fed-raises-its-key-interest-rate-from-record-low-near-zero/#entry10201747

Thai Chamber of Commerce to push forward tourism development project

BANGKOK, 17 December 2015 (NNT) - Thai Chamber of Commerce vice president Kalin Sarasin has confirmed that the chamber has taken steps to develop Thailand's tourism and service sector.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879345-thai-chamber-of-commerce-to-push-forward-tourism-development-project/

French far-right leader Le Pen investigated over ISIS tweets
BY BNO NEWS

PARIS: -- French prosecutors have launched an investigation into far-right leader Marine Le Pen after she tweeted graphic images that show killings carried out by Islamic State (ISIS) militants.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879348-french-far-right-leader-le-pen-investigated-over-isis-tweets/

Anti-asylum seekers protest in the Netherlands turns violent
BY BNO NEWS

GELDERMALSEN: -- A protest against a center for asylum seekers in the Netherlands has turned violent after protesters stormed a municipal hall where a meeting was underway.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879350-anti-asylum-seekers-protest-in-the-netherlands-turns-violent/

Sihanoukville hosts Brit wanted for murder in Thailand

A British national wanted in Thailand for the 2004 murder of his then-girlfriend on the resort island of Phuket is currently residing in Sihanoukville, though Cambodian authorities are not presently seeking his arrest, police officials said yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879340-sihanoukville-hosts-brit-wanted-for-murder-in-thailand/

Senate committee won’t investigate Cruz comments for classified information
BY BNO NEWS

WASHINGTON: -- The U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence says it is not launching an investigation to determine whether comments made by presidential candidate Ted Cruz during Tuesday night’s debate contained classified information.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879351-senate-committee-wont-investigate-cruz-comments-for-classified-information/

UPDATE:

Mobile licence bidding enters third day with prices rising to almost 100 billion now



BANGKOK: -- The marathon bidding for the two fourth generation (4G) mobile phone licences entered the third day with now prices climbed to 96,890 million baht in total at the end of 108th Round.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879268-900mhz-auction-set-to-be-major-windfall-for-thai-govt/#entry10201872

Germany introduces new counter-terrorism police unit
By DAVID RISING

BERLIN (AP) — Germany on Wednesday introduced a new police unit that officials said will be better armed, outfitted and trained to deal with terrorism, based on an analysis of the country's security in the wake of deadly attacks in Paris earlier this year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879354-germany-introduces-new-counter-terrorism-police-unit/

North shivers as temperatures drop



BANGKOK: -- Thai Meteorological Department says the country's northern region will shiver until weekend as the result of strong cold spell moving down from China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879356-thailands-north-shivers-as-temperatures-drop/

Newspaper: Defense secretary used personal email at Pentagon

WASHINGTON (AP) — A news report published Wednesday said Defense Secretary Ash Carter used a personal email account to do some of his government business during his first months at the Pentagon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879357-newspaper-defense-secretary-used-personal-email-at-pentagon/

US $1.83 billion arms sales for Taiwan draws China's ire
MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press
CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration announced a $1.83 billion arms sale to Taiwan on Wednesday, drawing an immediate rebuke and threats of retaliation from Taipei's rival Beijing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/879358-us-183-billion-arms-sales-for-taiwan-draws-chinas-ire/