Pope receives Iran's President at Vatican with warm welcome and private meeting



ROME: -- Pope Francis welcomed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to the Vatican on Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889927-pope-receives-irans-president-at-vatican-with-warm-welcome-and-private-meeting/

Where do US presidential candidates stand on foreign policy?
By Dr. Stefan Grobe



WASHINGTON: -- Presidential election campaigns in the United States are typically not about foreign policy issues – until they are. Yet, the ongoing war against ISIL in Syria and Iraq and the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino last year have made national security the most important topic for voters.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889929-where-do-us-presidential-candidates-stand-on-foreign-policy/

Abe Vigoda, sad-eyed character actor, dead at 94
By HILLEL ITALIE

NEW YORK (AP) — Character actor Abe Vigoda, whose leathery, sad-eyed face made him ideal for playing the over-the-hill detective Phil Fish in the 1970s TV series "Barney Miller" and the doomed Mafia soldier in "The Godfather," died Tuesday at age 94.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889930-abe-vigoda-sad-eyed-character-actor-dead-at-94/

Trump now bills himself as uniter as Cruz and others attack
By STEVE PEOPLES and JULIE BYKOWICZ

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican Donald Trump is breaking from his reputation as a flame-throwing outsider with just days to go before Iowa's leadoff caucuses, highlighting his willingness to work with Democrats in Congress as part of a closing argument with a distinctly bipartisan tone.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889931-trump-now-bills-himself-as-uniter-as-cruz-and-others-attack/

Clinton's loyal women backers wary of a 2008 Iowa repeat
By JULIE PACE

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — For Iowa Democrat Leslie McCreery, the memories of Hillary Clinton's stunning loss in her state eight years ago are still fresh.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889933-clintons-loyal-women-backers-wary-of-a-2008-iowa-repeat/

Ex-TV show host arrested in 37-year-old sex abuse case
By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A man who once hosted a children's show on local television under the name "Mr. Wonder" has been arrested on charges he sexually abused children during a camping retreat nearly four decades ago.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889934-us-ex-tv-show-host-arrested-in-37-year-old-sex-abuse-case/

Oil tops $30 a Barrel on Hopes of Potential Deal
BY JACOB MASLOW

NEW YORK: -- Crude oil prices are higher on hopes that both OPEC and non-OPEC producers will come to an agreement that addresses swelling oversupply.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889936-oil-tops-30-a-barrel-on-hopes-of-potential-deal/

Netanyahu says UN chief Ban Ki-moon 'encouraging terror'

NEW YORK: -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of "encouraging terror".

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889938-netanyahu-says-un-chief-ban-ki-moon-encouraging-terror/

'Doomsday Clock' to stand still amid nuclear tensions

LONDON: -- The so-called Doomsday Clock will remain set at three-minutes-to-midnight amid global perils such as climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889941-doomsday-clock-to-stand-still-amid-nuclear-tensions/

UPDATE:

Israeli PM says UN Secretary General’s words ‘bolster terrorism’



"The words of the Secretary-General only bolster terrorism. There is no justification for terrorism, period"

NEW YORK: -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of bolstering terrorism with comments he made about plans to build more Jewish homes on the West Bank.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889938-netanyahu-says-un-chief-ban-ki-moon-encouraging-terror/#entry10355413

UPDATE:

Scientists: "Doomsday Clock" reflects grave threat to world
SUDHIN THANAWALA, Associated Press

STANFORD, California (AP) — Rising tension between Russia and the U.S., North Korea's recent nuclear test and a lack of aggressive steps to address climate change are putting the world under grave threat, scientists behind a "Doomsday Clock" that measures the likelihood of a global cataclysm said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889941-doomsday-clock-to-stand-still-amid-nuclear-tensions/#entry10355429

US Urges Thailand to Investigate Disappearance of Chinese Journalist
Nike Ching

STATE DEPARTMENT—The United States has called on Thai authorities to look into reports that a Chinese editor disappeared in Thailand after fleeing China where he was pressured into being a government informant.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889950-us-urges-thailand-to-investigate-disappearance-of-chinese-journalist/

Leaving EU 'would cut migration by 100,000' - Migration Watch

LONDON: -- Net migration to the UK could fall by about 100,000 a year if Britain votes to leave the European Union, pressure group Migration Watch has estimated.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889953-eu-exit-would-slash-migration-to-uk/

Trump refuses to debate; calls Fox's moderator 'lightweight'
STEVE PEOPLES, Associated Press

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Tuesday bowed out of the final Republican presidential debate before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, saying Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly is "a lightweight."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889957-trump-refuses-to-debate;-calls-foxs-moderator-lightweight/

FBI: Man plotted machine gun attack on Masonic temple
GREG MOORE, Associated Press writers
TODD RICHMOND, Associated Press writers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Milwaukee man wanted to storm a Masonic temple with a machine gun and kill at least 30 people in an attack he hoped would show "nobody can play with Muslims" and spark more mass shootings in the United States, federal agents said Tuesday after the man's arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889959-fbi-man-plotted-machine-gun-attack-on-masonic-temple/

Brunei helps India's space programme



BRUNEI: -- Brunei played a major role in India’s space programme, including the launch of the South Asian country’s mission to Mars in 2013, the new Indian High Commissioner said, as reported by The Brunei Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889961-brunei-helps-indias-space-programme/

Afghan official: Policeman kills 10 other police in south
MIRWAIS KHAN, Associated Press
RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan policeman turned his weapon on fellow officers as they were sleeping in their quarters near a checkpoint in the country's south, killing 10, a provincial spokesman said Tuesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889962-afghan-official-policeman-kills-10-other-police-in-south/

Motorbike driver killed, passenger injured after slamming into stationary pick truck in Phuket
Eakkapop Thongtub


Medical workers give first aid at the scene of the accident. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- One man died and a woman was injured when the man crashed his motorbike into the back of a parked pick up truck near Phuket International Airport yesterday morning (Jan 26).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889963-motorbike-driver-killed-passenger-injured-after-slamming-into-stationary-pick-truck-in-phuket/

BURNS, Oregon (AP) - Law enforcement source: Leader of armed Oregon group that had occupied federal site arrested.

Indonesia transforming into diplomatic capital of Asean



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia is shaping up to be the diplomatic capital of the Southeast Asia region, as marked by the inauguration of the EU Mission to Asean in Jakarta, The Jakarta Post reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889964-indonesia-transforming-into-diplomatic-capital-of-asean/

Cattle, poultry die of cold in Laos

VIENTIANE: -- Fourteen cattle died in the village of Nong Khang and another three in Saleuy of Xamneua district in Huaphan Province, and three cattle and over 100 chickens in Phongsaly due to cold temperatures, Huaphan provincial authorities told the Lao News Agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889965-cattle-poultry-die-of-cold-in-laos/

Thirteen Indonesians drown off Kota Tinggi coast



SINGAPORE: -- Thirteen Indonesians, believed to be illegal immigrants, drowned when their boat capsized after being struck by large waves and strong winds off the coast of Bandar Penawar on Monday night, The Straits Times reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889966-malaysia-thirteen-indonesians-drown-off-kota-tinggi-coast/

SET opens up 8.50 to 1,276.57 /Bangkok Post

At least a dozen missing in latest Hpakant landslide



YANGON: -- At least a dozen gems prospectors are missing after a fresh landslide on Monday in Kachin State’s Hpakant jade mining region, the latest in a series of deadly incidents, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889967-myanmar-at-least-a-dozen-missing-in-latest-hpakant-landslide/

UPDATE:

Debris in Thailand not from MH370, says Transport Minister



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia's Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has said the “plane wreckage” found off the coast of southern Thailand is not from Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889750-malaysia-says-metal-on-thai-beach-not-from-flight-370/?p=10355887

Record cold in North making life miserable



HANOI: -- The record cold spell that brought unprecedented snow to parts of Vietnam has been a hit with tourists, but made life miserable for poor households, according to Viet Nam News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889968-vietnam-record-cold-in-north-making-life-miserable/

BURNS, Ore. (AP) - Authorities: Shots fired during arrest of leader of armed Oregon group. 1 dead

Malaysian PM cleared of wrongdoing in $700 million scandal
EILEEN NG, Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia's attorney general said Tuesday that nearly $700 million channeled into Prime Minister Najib Razak's private accounts was a personal donation from Saudi Arabia's royal family, and cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889970-malaysian-pm-cleared-of-wrongdoing-in-700-million-scandal/

Oregon armed protest leader Ammon Bundy seized in deadly clash

BURNS: -- One person has died during an operation by US police to arrest the leader of an armed occupation at a wildlife refuge in Oregon.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889971-shots-fired-in-arrests-in-oregon-standoff/

Child angel blessing ritual under watch by police



BANGKOK: -- As adoption of "child angel" doll is becoming a fever for many Thais of various professions, the police now are keeping close watch on some Buddhist temples which are performing superstitious rites for these imported dolls from China as they fear the people might be deceived if it turns commercial.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889972-child-angel-luk-thep-blessing-ritual-under-watch-by-thai-police/