Israel Versus Hezbollah, Round Three?
ADAM CHANDLER

The Lebanon-based terror group fired rockets into northern Israel just hours after an Israeli strike killed a senior Hezbollah leader in Syria.

NEW YORK: -- On Sunday morning, Arab media outlets reported that Israeli forces launched a missile strike that killed Samir Kuntar, a senior Hezbollah leader, and several others in Syria.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880294-israel-versus-hezbollah-round-three/

USA to foreign tourists: We want you here . . . but on our terms

WASHINGTON: -- Anyone wanting to enter the United States of America under the U.S. Visa Waiver program now needs to apply tor a U.S. Visa if they had visited Syria, Iran, Iraq or the Sudan in the past five years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880296-usa-to-foreign-tourists-we-want-you-here-but-on-our-terms/

Norway: Child injured in Svalbard avalanche dies in hospital

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Norwegian police say one of two children who were seriously injured in an avalanche on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has died.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880297-norway-child-injured-in-svalbard-avalanche-dies-in-hospital/

AP FACT CHECK: Clinton's video claim doesn't hold up
By VIVIAN SALAMA and CALVIN WOODWARD

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton had no evidence to back up her claim in the latest Democratic presidential debate that the Islamic State group is using video of Donald Trump to recruit Muslims to its cause.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880298-ap-fact-check-clintons-video-claim-doesnt-hold-up/

Last deep-cast coal mine in Britain closes



LONDON: -- Britain’s last deep-cast coal mine has closed, marking the end of an era for the industry which in its heyday employed well over a million people.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880301-last-deep-cast-coal-mine-in-britain-closes/

Kiwi's killer has manslaughter conviction overturned, changed to murder
SHANE COWLISHAW

STOCKHOLM: -- More than three years after bribing his way out of a Thai police cell, the killer of a New Zealand man has finally been found guilty of murder.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880303-kiwis-killer-has-manslaughter-conviction-overturned-changed-to-murder/

EDITORIAL
2016 could be a ROCKY RIDE for Prayut
The Nation

Prime minister bracing himself for a year likely to pose significant challenges

BANGKOK: -- Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has scraped through 2015, thanks largely to special powers his government commands, and lingering fears of "what might have been" - be it uncontrolled political violence or a return to "fake democracy". But even these two factors must be stretched to their limit if he is to successfully endure 2016.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880304-2016-could-be-a-rocky-ride-for-prayut/

Minor convicted in India gang rape released after 3 years
MUNEEZA NAQVI, Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — A man convicted as a juvenile in the fatal 2012 gang rape of a young woman aboard a moving bus in India's capital ended his three-year term in a reform home Sunday, as angry protesters demanded that he remain in detention.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880317-minor-convicted-in-india-gang-rape-released-after-3-years/

UPDATE:

59 missing from landslide that buries buildings in China

BEIJING (AP) — At least 59 people were missing Monday, a day after a massive landslide buried dozens of buildings when it swept through an industrial park in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880292-buildings-collapse-in-china-landslide/#entry10215604

Beer drinker sues Miller Brewing Co for misleading Foster's advertising
Network WritersNews Corp Australia Network

NEW YOR: -- A DISGRUNTLED beer aficionado is suing Miller Brewing Co. for misleading him into thinking Foster’s Lager was brewed in Australia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880318-beer-drinker-sues-miller-brewing-co-for-misleading-fosters-advertising/

Two men in Chiang Mai suspected to have died from cold weather

CHIANG MAI: -- Two men were found dead after being exposed to cold weather overnight in Hang Dong and Saraphi districts of Chiang Mai on Sunday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880332-two-men-in-chiang-mai-suspected-to-have-died-from-cold-weather/

UPDATE:

80 missing, 3 dead as big waves sink Indonesia boat



JAKARTA: -- Rescuers on Sunday pulled out 39 survivors and three dead from a passenger boat that sank in central Indonesia after being buffeted by high waves, and battled bad weather to try to reach scores of others still missing, reported The Jakarta Post.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880134-four-passengers-from-indonesian-ferry-accident-found-alive-official/#entry10215865

Investigation into Yogyakarta jet crash begins



YOGYAKARTA: -- The Indonesian Air Force has dispatched a team of investigators to the crash of a South Korean-made T-50 Golden Eagle, in which two pilots were killed, while performing an aerobatic maneuver at an air show in Yogyakarta on Sunday, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880333-investigation-into-yogyakarta-jet-crash-begins/

Strong earthquake hits Borneo, Indonesia
English.news.cn

JAKARTA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted East Kalimantan known as Borneo of Indonesia earlier Monday, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said here.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880334-strong-earthquake-hits-borneo-indonesia/

Lao National Assembly passes law to prevent human trafficking

VIENTIANE: -- The Lao National Assembly last week passed the adoption of a Law on Preventing Human Trafficking, according to Lao News Agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880337-lao-national-assembly-passes-law-to-prevent-human-trafficking/

Myanmar's investment law approved by Parliament



YANGON: -- Myanmar's Parliament approved a new investment law last week after months of deliberation, replacing interim laws passed earlier in the term of President Thein Sein, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880338-myanmars-investment-law-approved-by-parliament/

UPDATE:

Thai police confirm 13 M’sians dead in Chiang Mai bus crash



BANGKOK: -- Thai police have confirmed that 13 Malaysians were killed in the horrific bus crash in Thailand early on Sunday, New Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880199-bus-carrying-chinese-tourists-plunges-off-cliff/page-4#entry10215970

First Thai HeForShe Ambassador announced



BANGKOK: -- The Embassy of Sweden, Bangkok has proudly introduced the first of its HeForShe Ambassadors – Mr. Prom Sirisant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880343-embassy-of-sweden-introduces-first-thai-heforshe-ambassador/

SET down 14.03 points at opening /Bangkok Post

NLD, ethnic armed groups meet to hash out peace framework



YANGON: -- The Irrawaddy reported that National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi last week hosted leaders from ethnic armed groups.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880345-nld-ethnic-armed-groups-meet-to-hash-out-peace-framework/

Missing Kasetsart designated rector rescued from sea



HUA HIN: -- The designated rector of Kasesart University Dr Bodin Rasamithep who went missing during a jet ski crossing from Sattahip in the east coast to Hua Hin coast on Sunday was rescued safely at sea by a fishing boat this morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880346-missing-kasetsart-designated-rector-rescued-from-sea-off-pranburi-coast/

UPDATE:

Swede convicted of manslaughter of a Kiwi in Thailand has sentence overturned

STOCKHOLM: -- Kiwi Robert Hollick, 43 was stabbed to death in a bar in Pattaya in 2012. The frenzied attack that ended up in his death was reportedly the result of an altercation about his dog with Swede Andreas Ringvall.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880303-kiwis-killer-has-manslaughter-conviction-overturned-changed-to-murder/?p=10216146#entry10216146

Miss Universe mistake crowns Colombia before Philippines
KIMBERLY PIERCEALL, Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Miss Universe contestant from the Philippines is this year's winner but for one brief moment Sunday evening, it appeared as if it might be a repeat win for Colombia.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880351-miss-universe-mistake-crowns-colombia-before-philippines/

Tuk-Tuk Wins Best Costume at Miss Universe

By Chayanit Itthipongmaetee
Staff Reporter


Miss Universe Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong poses in the tuk-tuk themed dress at the pageant Dec. 20. Photo: Miss Universe Thailand fanpage / Facebook

LAS VEGAS — Thailand’s Tuk-Tuk won the Best National Costume today at Miss Universe 2015 in Las Vegas.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880353-tuk-tuk-wins-best-costume-at-miss-universe/

Phuket Myanmar man dead, woman in ICU as big bike slams bridge, plunges into canal
Eakkapop Thongtub


Mr Yw's body was pinned under the motorbike at a depth of four metres. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Myanmar migrant worker is dead and his female companion is in intensive care after the motorbike they were riding crashed into a bridge barrier and plunged into a canal near Sanam Luang (Rama IX Park) in Wichit last night (Dec 20).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880373-phuket-myanmar-man-dead-woman-in-icu-as-big-bike-slams-bridge-plunges-into-canal/

Minority killings by IS 'should be recognised as genocide'

LONDON: -- The killing of minorities by so-called Islamic State should be recognised as genocide, more than 60 parliamentarians have said in a letter to the PM.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880375-minority-killings-by-is-should-be-recognised-as-genocide/

11 taken to hospital after car hits people on Vegas Strip
The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Authorities say 11 adults were taken to a trauma center after a car ran into pedestrians Sunday night on the Las Vegas Strip.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880376-11-taken-to-hospital-after-car-hits-people-on-las-vegas-strip/

BANGKOK (AP) - Thai police official: crackdown on shrimp slavery began before AP investigation was published.

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai government says it's not ignoring shrimp industry slavery highlighted by AP investigation.

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai police say they will prosecute those behind debt-bound slave laborers in shrimp industry.

Surin Beach demolition stalled yet again
Phuket Gazette


V/Gov Chokdee said that there are many documents that the PPAO need to review and prepare before demolition can begin. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- The expected end-of-year demolition of buildings on Surin Beach has been delayed, according to Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/880378-surin-beach-demolition-stalled-yet-again/