Governments need to get out of their 'cosy bed' with business, says Oxfam chief



"For heaven's sake, if you're a company that's worth your name, that cares about people and the planet, give a wage that is a living wage"

DAVOS: -- At the World Economic Forum in Davos, euronews caught up with Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888587-governments-need-to-get-out-of-their-cosy-bed-with-business-says-oxfam-chief/

H1N1 Swine flu: a new pandemic on the way?
By Robert Hackwill



LONDON: -- An outbreak of swine flu in eastern Europe is claiming lives and causing a stir in the media.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888588-h1n1-swine-flu-a-new-pandemic-on-the-way/

World Economic Forum participants shouted at, ordered around like refugees



"Put your hands against the wall!"

DAVOS: -- A small window into a global humanitarian crisis, the ‘Day in the Life of a Refugee’ experience at Davos gives delegates a chance to stand in the shoes of a displaced person.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888590-world-economic-forum-participants-shouted-at-ordered-around-like-refugees/

Electric taxi maker wins court ruling over London 'copy' cabs



LONDON: -- The makers of London’s traditional black cabs have lost a trademark case against a rival that is building an electric cab.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888591-electric-taxi-maker-wins-court-ruling-over-london-copy-cabs/

At least 3 killed as Somali extremists attack restaurant

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A suicide car bomber rammed the gates of a restaurant near a beach in Somalia's capital before gunmen fought their way into the building in an attack claimed by an Islamic extremist group that killed at least three people on Thursday, a police official said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888592-at-least-3-killed-as-somali-extremists-attack-restaurant/

UPDATE:

UK judge: Putin 'probably approved' killing of ex-KGB agent
By JILL LAWLESS

LONDON (AP) — Almost a decade after former KGB officer Alexander Litvinenko lay dying in a London hospital bed, a British judge has concluded who poisoned him: two Russian men, acting at the behest of Russia's security services, probably with approval from President Vladimir Putin.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888543-russias-putin-probably-approved-operation-to-murder-alexander-litvinenko/#entry10337381

Ex-Oklahoma officer gets 263 years for rapes, sex assaults
By SEAN MURPHY

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former police officer convicted of raping and sexually victimizing women while on his beat in a low-income Oklahoma City neighborhood was ordered Thursday to spend the rest of his life in prison.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888593-ex-oklahoma-officer-gets-263-years-for-rapes-sex-assaults/

Washington in bullseye of potentially historic storm
By BEN NUCKOLS and SETH BORENSTEIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — The forecast for a historic blizzard has been there for days, looming over the nation's capital like the UFO from "Independence Day." Projected snowfall totals have ticked steadily upward, to the point where the National Weather Service — known for its conservative predictions — says more than 2 feet of snow could land on Washington.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888594-washington-in-bullseye-of-potentially-historic-storm/

Alabama set to carry out 1st execution in more than 2 years
By KIM CHANDLER

ATMORE, Ala. (AP) — A man convicted of the 1992 rape and beating death of a woman is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday evening in what would be Alabama's first execution in more than two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888595-alabama-set-to-carry-out-1st-execution-in-more-than-2-years/

Some Democrats fear Clinton's message is failing

By LISA LERER and KEN THOMAS

WASHINGTON (AP) Hillary Clinton has questioned Bernie Sanders' electability. She's criticized his plans for health care, foreign policy and Wall Street. And she's tagged him with flip-flopping on gun control.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888596-some-democrats-fear-clintons-message-is-failing/

UPDATE:

Al-Shabaab gun and bomb attack targets Somalian beach-side cafés



MOGADISHU: -- Militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for a bomb and gun attack in and around beach-side restaurants in the Somalian capital, Mogadishu.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888592-at-least-3-killed-as-somali-extremists-attack-restaurant/#entry10337432

Egypt intensifies crackdown ahead of Arab Spring anniversary
BRIAN ROHAN, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities have intensified a crackdown on dissent ahead of next week's anniversary of the country's 2011 Arab Spring uprising, with police raiding apartments seeking signs of plans for organized protests and checking people's social media accounts.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888612-egypt-intensifies-crackdown-ahead-of-arab-spring-anniversary/

VIDEO

ISIS using 'jihotties' to recruit brides for fighters

watch here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888613-isis-using-jihotties-to-recruit-brides-for-fighters-video/

Thailand Auto Sales to Decline for Fourth Year on China Slowdown
by Anuchit Nguyen and Jie Ma

- Toyota expects Thai vehicle sales to drop 9 percent in 2016
- Company says Thai car demand may recover in two years

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888614-thailand-auto-sales-to-decline-for-fourth-year-on-china-slowdown/

Will Smith joins Oscars boycott, says he won't attend
JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Will Smith says he will not attend the Academy Awards next month, joining his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and others in protest against two straight years of all-white acting nominees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888616-will-smith-joins-oscars-boycott-says-he-wont-attend/

Woman forced to walk naked on NY street

New York: A man beat his girlfriend for sending texts to other men and then forced her to walk down a Manhattan street naked while he made a video recording of the humiliating episode, which was later posted online, police said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888619-woman-forced-to-walk-naked-on-ny-street/

Author awarded Rp 1b in compensation after Suharto-sanctioned jailing



JAKARTA: -- An Indonesian author who was jailed and had his works banned under former president Suharto's New Order regime has been awarded Rp 1 billion ($71,900) in compensation by the South Jakarta District Court, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888620-author-awarded-rp-1b-in-compensation-after-suharto-sanctioned-jailing/

Mount Bromo activities rise, 110 quakes recorded



JAKARTA: -- An increase in volcanic activities of Mount Bromo in East Java caused more than 110 volcanic earthquakes between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, The Jakarta Globe reported, citing the local disaster mitigation agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888621-indonesias-mount-bromo-activities-rise-110-quakes-recorded/

Luang Prabang: development of sustainable tourism key to reducing poverty



VIENTIANE: -- Luang Prabang Province has integrated sustainable tourism development of culture, history and nature as a key component to creating more income for local people in the province and reducing poverty, Lao News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888623-luang-prabang-development-of-sustainable-tourism-key-to-reducing-poverty/

Myanmar hosts World Buddhist Peace Summit amid interfaith woes at home



YANGON: -- Conflict and tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar could be up for discussion at the World Buddhist Peace Conference in Sagaing Township which begins on Friday, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888626-myanmar-hosts-world-buddhist-peace-summit-amid-interfaith-woes-at-home/

Myanmar military appoints familiar faces to parliament



YANGON: -- The Myanmar Times said in its lead story on Thursday that as the military MPs selected to serve in the incoming parliament are confirmed, attention is turning to how they will interact with the majority National League for Democracy members elected last November.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888627-myanmar-military-appoints-familiar-faces-to-parliament/

Militant attacks in Asia inject new urgency into U.S. bomb training
BY AMY SAWITTA LEFEVRE AND ANDREW R.C. MARSHALL

CHA'AM, Thailand A major Asian city is rocked by a car bomb as VIPs arrive for a summit. Nearby, a man on a motorbike detonates his suicide vest. People gather, emergency crews arrive - then a third explosion rips through the crowd.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888628-militant-attacks-in-asia-inject-new-urgency-into-us-bomb-training/

SET opens up 14.77 to 1,260.38 /Bangkok Post

Hoan Kiem Lake’s 100-year-old turtle dies



HANOI: -- A 100-year-old turtle that lived in Hoan Kiem Lake died of old age on Wednesday, Viet Nam News reported, citing the Hanoi City's People's Committee.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888630-vietnam-hoan-kiem-lakes-100-year-old-turtle-dies/

Not bad: Thailand ranked 21st best country in world
By Coconuts Bangkok


File photo of Krabi. Photo: Coconuts Media

BANGKOK: -- Thailand has been voted the 21st best country in the world in the "Best Countries" list unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888632-not-bad-thailand-ranked-21st-best-country-in-world/

Bus crash kills 2, injures 23 in Chaiyaphum



BANGKOK: -- An interprovincial bus with 50 passengers on board crashed with a private car at an intersection in Chaiyaphum province early on Friday killing two persons in the car and injuring 23 others on the bus.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888634-bus-crash-kills-2-injures-23-in-chaiyaphum/

UPDATE:

Phuket taxi driver charged with reckless driving
Eakkapop Thongtub


Ong-arj Kamrueng crashed into the electricity pylon after falling asleep at the the wheel.

PHUKET: -- A Phuket taxi driver was charged with reckless driving yesterday (Jan 21) after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into an electricity pylon while on his way to Phuket International Airport.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888508-taxi-driver-escapes-death-in-single-vehicle-crash/#entry10338071

Sharp fall of temperatures in Northeast this weekend



BANGKOK: -- A new round of strong cold front from China is moving down to blanket Thailand's upper north region this weekend, and is expected to cause turbulent weather that will bring heavy thunder rainstorms and sharp fall in temperatures.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888636-sharp-fall-of-temperatures-in-isaan-this-weekend/

'Maintenance Fee' for All Foreign Tourists Proposed by Tourism Governor
By Teeranai Charuvastra
Staff Reporter


Visitors and residents celebrate Songkran in Phuket in an April 2015 file photo.

BANGKOK — A plan to charge foreign tourists 360 baht each time they enter the kingdom as a fee to maintain and improve tourist attractions has been proposed by the head of the tourism authority.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888637-maintenance-fee-for-all-foreign-tourists-proposed-by-tourism-governor/

All tourist boarding boats must carry ID, says Gov
Phuket Gazette


Gov Chamroen (center) and Mr Phuripat (yellow shirt) made sure the new regulation was being implemented at Rassada pier. Photo Phuket PR

PHUKET: -- Tourists will be required to show a form of government identification to CCTV cameras before boarding boats at any piers on the island, Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada confirmed to the Phuket Gazette yesterday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/888652-all-tourist-boarding-boats-must-carry-id-says-phuket-gov/