Budapest cabbies protest and call for ban on Uber



BUDAPEST: -- More than 100 Hungarian taxi drivers brought the capital Budapest to a standstill today calling for a ban on Uber and other smartphone taxi applications.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887697-budapest-cabbies-protest-and-call-for-ban-on-uber/

Morocco captures another alleged Paris plot member
By Robert Hackwill



RABAT: -- Moroccan authorities have arrested a Belgian man of Moroccan origins who is thought to have direct links with the attackers who carried out the Paris shootings.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887699-morocco-captures-another-alleged-paris-plot-member/

Iran 1979-2016, sanctions not over yet



LONDON: -- The international agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme, billed as ‘historic’, ended years of sanctions that challenged the Islamic Republic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887700-iran-1979-2016-sanctions-not-over-yet/

Trial of doctor accused of drugging, raping and locking victim in bunker
By Everton Gayle | With REUTERS



STOCKHOLM: -- The trial has begun of a Swedish doctor accused of drugging, raping and holding a woman in a self-built bunker for almost a week.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887701-trial-of-swedish-doctor-accused-of-drugging-raping-and-locking-victim-in-bunker/

Calls for boycott of Oscars grow over diversity of nominees
By JAKE COYLE

NEW YORK (AP) — Calls for a boycott of the Academy Awards are growing over the Oscars' second straight year of all-white acting nominees, as Spike Lee and Jada Pinkett Smith each said Monday that they will not attend this year's ceremony.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887702-calls-for-boycott-of-oscars-grow-over-diversity-of-nominees/

Islamic State's double standards sow growing disillusion
By HAMZA HENDAWI

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AP) — Mohammed Saad, a Syrian activist, was imprisoned by the Islamic State group, hung by his arms and beaten regularly. Then one day, his jailers quickly pulled him and other prisoners down and hid them in a bathroom.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887703-islamic-states-double-standards-sow-growing-disillusion/

Cologne attacks: First suspect held over sex assault claims

COLOGNE: -- A 26-year-old Algerian asylum seeker has become the first suspect to be arrested over alleged sexual offences in Cologne on New Year's Eve.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887717-cologne-attacks-first-suspect-held-over-sex-assault-claims/

3 missing Americans in Baghdad kidnapped from brothel
Source: Xinhua

BAGHDAD, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Three American contractors went missing in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad were kidnapped from a brothel apartment, while Iraqi security forces carried out a search operation, security sources said on Monday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887718-3-missing-americans-in-baghdad-kidnapped-from-brothel/

Pakistan PM meets Saudi King, calling for end to Saudi-Iran tensions
Source: Xinhua

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in Riyadh on Monday and "expressed deep concern on the recent escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887721-pakistan-pm-meets-saudi-king-calling-for-end-to-saudi-iran-tensions/

As Iowa looms, GOP wonders: Does Trump have fans, or voters?
By JILL COLVIN

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It's the No. 1 question headed into the primary season: Does Donald Trump merely have fans, or does the national front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination have voters who will mobilize come caucus day?

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887737-as-iowa-looms-gop-wonders-does-trump-have-fans-or-voters/

Austria considers tougher border controls to stop migrant flow



VIENNA: -- Freezing temperatures and still they come….Around 850 refugees battled snowfalls on Monday as they trudged through Serbia heading towards northern Europe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887738-austria-considers-tougher-border-controls-to-stop-migrant-flow/

BEIJING (AP) - China's economic growth edges down to 6.8 percent in final quarter of 2015; full-year growth at 6.9 percent

Pakistani teen cuts off hand after cleric accuses him of blasphemy
By Adeel Raja, CNN

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN)A Pakistani teenager cut off his hand after a Muslim cleric wrongly accused him of blasphemy, a local police chief told CNN.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887754-pakistani-teen-cuts-off-hand-after-cleric-accuses-him-of-blasphemy/

Indonesia: The Muslim country ISIS considers un-Islamic
By CNN's Ivan Watson, Kathy Quiano, Brad Olsen and Masrur Jamaluddin

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN)Three days after ISIS militants carried out a deadly terror attack in broad daylight, Indonesians poured out by the thousands onto the streets of this tropical city for an exuberant day of recreation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887755-indonesia-the-muslim-country-isis-considers-un-islamic/

China economic growth edged down to 6.8 percent last quarter
JOE McDONALD, AP Business Writer

BEIJING (AP) — China's economic growth edged down to 6.8 percent in the final quarter of 2015 as trade and consumer spending weakened, dragging full-year growth to its lowest level in 25 years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887756-china-economic-growth-edged-down-to-68-percent-last-quarter/

One dead, 22 injured as quake hits Maluku



JAKARTA: -- A 5.4 magnitude quake that struck South Buru regency in Maluku on Sunday killed one and injured many others, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887758-one-dead-22-injured-as-quake-hits-maluku-indonesia/

Malaysian airports, train stations told to beef up security in light of terror fears



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Transport Ministry has instructed all airports, ports and train stations in the country to beef up security and preventive measures against terror threats, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887759-malaysian-airports-train-stations-told-to-beef-up-security-in-light-of-terror-fears/

Myanmar workers demand jail time for offending employers



YANGON: -- Over 1500 factory workers marched through Yangon’s industrial outer ring on Sunday demanding legal revisions that could see employers imprisoned for labour abuses, The Myanmar Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887760-myanmar-workers-demand-jail-time-for-offending-employers/

Vietnam launches first official breast milk bank



DA NANG: -- Vietnam last week launched the country’s first official human milk bank at a hospital in Da Nang, using donations from women giving birth there, according to Thanh Nien News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887761-vietnam-launches-first-official-breast-milk-bank/

SET up 3.86 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Passenger ferry catches fire off the coast of New Zealand
BY BNO NEWS

Whakatane Harbour - A passenger ferry carrying 60 people caught fire off the coast of New Zealand on Monday, officials say, but all those on board were rescued safely.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887763-passenger-ferry-catches-fire-off-the-coast-of-new-zealand/

Republican party drops NBC as host for February debate
BY BNO NEWS

WASHINGTON: -- The Republican National Committee has decided to drop NBC as the host for one of the Republican debates next month and will award it to CNN instead.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887765-republican-party-drops-nbc-as-host-for-february-debate/

Park chief kills Koh Yao Noi climbing
Phuket Gazette


Grateful Wall, a boat-only access climbing destination, provides a unique experience. Photo: Riccardo Mereu

PHUKET: -- A new national park chief has banned rock climbing on a number of internationally popular limestone outcroppings in areas under his jurisdiction, ruling the sites as unsafe.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887771-park-chief-kills-koh-yao-noi-climbing/

PM to visit hard-hit Nakhon Sawan end of the week



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said he will be visiting Nakhon Sawan and Chai Nat provinces on January 22 to inspect the drought situation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887774-pm-prayut-to-visit-hard-hit-nakhon-sawan-end-of-the-week/

New theme park and marina planned for Bangkok's IMPACT Center
Staff writer



BANGKOK: -- IMPACT Arena, Exhibition and Conference Center have announced some major new projects for their site in Muang Thong Thani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887777-new-theme-park-and-marina-planned-for-bangkoks-impact-center/

12 Thai men arrested during Phuket anti-drug and -crime raid
Eakkapop Thongtub


Gov Chamroen Tipayapongtada speaks at a press conference held to announce the arrest of the 12 men. Photo: Ekkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Twelve men, including two Thalang riot suspects, were arrested on Sunday (Jan 17) when they were found to be in possession of drugs, guns and ammunition as police continue with during their anti-drug and -crime campaign.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887779-12-thai-men-arrested-during-phuket-anti-drug-and-crime-raid/

Drought now hits many parts of the country



BANGKOK: -- The severe drought that is currently affecting many parts of the country has forced the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to order conditions in 32 provinces to be closely monitored.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887780-severe-drought-now-hits-many-parts-of-thailand/

One woman killed, six injured in bomb attack in Songkhla



SONGKHLA: -- A 28-year-old female employee of a karaoke beach shop in Thepha district was killed and six others injured when two home-made bombs exploded last night.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887781-one-woman-killed-six-injured-in-bomb-attack-in-songkhla/

This is where you're most likely to be refused a taxi ride in Bangkok
Staff writer



BANGKOK: -- Taxi drivers refusing fares for being too short, too long, or simply just not in the direction of where they want to go is one of Bangkok’s most frustrating regularities.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887785-this-is-where-youre-most-likely-to-be-refused-a-taxi-ride-in-bangkok/

Min of Commerce estimates rice demand for 2016 at 25 million tons

BANGKOK, 19 January 2016 (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has revealed that demand for rice in 2016 should reach 25 million tons.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/887787-thai-commerce-min-estimates-rice-demand-for-2016-at-25-million-tons/