UPDATE:

Damascus blasts aimed at disrupting Syria peace talks – EU foreign policy chief



GENEVA: -- Sunday’s deadly blasts in Damascus were intended to disrupt Syria’s fledgling peace talks, according to the European Union’s foreign policy chief.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891247-blasts-close-to-damascus-main-shiite-shrine-kill-60-monitor/#entry10372358

Moscow's homeless living in sewers to escape the cold



"Many people end up freezing to death in their sleep. I know many who've died"

PARIS: -- Moscow is known for its harsh winters, and for more and more people there’s no break from the freezing cold.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891248-moscows-homeless-living-in-sewers-to-escape-the-cold/

10,000 refugee children are missing, says Europol



THE HAGUE: -- It’s another tragic aspect of the migrants’ crisis: at least 10,000 unaccompanied child refugees have disappeared over the past two years after arriving in Europe, according to the EU’s criminal intelligence agency.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891249-10000-refugee-children-are-missing-says-europol/

Israeli Cabinet approves liberal Jewish prayer at holy site
By DANIEL ESTRIN

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's Cabinet voted Sunday to allow non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a move advocates said marked a historic show of government support for liberal streams of Judaism.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891250-israeli-cabinet-approves-liberal-jewish-prayer-at-holy-site/

Trust Ted? Cruz facing growing attacks on credibility
By STEVE PEOPLES and SCOTT BAUER

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Ted Cruz needs you to trust him.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891251-trust-ted-cruz-facing-growing-attacks-on-credibility/

Smiling stewardesses? No more: Delta now has fist fighting female flight attendants

LOS ANGELES: -- In the old days flight attendants had to be slim and beautiful, and had to smile. Today this is no longer an issue and illegal.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891268-smiling-stewardesses-no-more-delta-now-has-fist-fighting-female-flight-attendants/

Chinese government tells air traveler to behave or else...

BEIJING: -- Chinese travelers may finally learn how to behave, or the government will add them to their blacklist for two years.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891270-chinese-government-tells-air-traveler-to-behave-or-else/

UPDATE:

Donald Trump: 'Ted Cruz is a total liar'
By Jeremy Diamond, CNN

Washington (CNN)Donald Trump on Sunday repeatedly slammed his chief presidential rival Sen. Ted Cruz as a "total liar" as the Texas senator and his allies have claimed in the final stretch to the Iowa caucuses that Trump favors government-run, universal health care.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891251-trust-ted-cruz-facing-growing-attacks-on-credibility/#entry10372700

Historic day in Myanmar as Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party takes power
By Hilary Whiteman, CNN

(CNN)It's a day Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters have been waiting for for more than two decades.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891274-historic-day-in-myanmar-as-aung-san-suu-kyis-nld-party-takes-power/

Hollande frees abused murderer Jacqueline Sauvage

PARIS: -- French President Francois Hollande has waived the remaining prison sentence of a woman who was sentenced to 10 years for murdering her abusive husband.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891276-hollande-frees-abused-murderer-jacqueline-sauvage/

Tanzania arrests suspects after British helicopter pilot killed

LONDON: -- Tanzanian police have arrested three suspects over the death of a UK pilot working for a conservation fund whose helicopter was shot down by poachers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891278-tanzania-arrests-suspects-after-british-helicopter-pilot-killed/

MWA promotes water conservation among Thai youths


File photo. Source Internet

BANGKOK, 1 February 2016 (NNT)-The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has organized a youth camp to promote water and environment conservation among young Thais.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891280-mwa-promotes-water-conservation-among-thai-youths/

Culture Ministry to organize Makha Puja festival week nationwide

BANGKOK, 1 February 2016 (NNT) – Culture Minister Weera Rojpotchanarat has disclosed that the Religious Affairs Department and the Buddhist Networks will be organizing the Buddhism Promotion Week for Makha Puja festival nationwide at temples and important sites during 16-22 February 2016.

The central event will be held at the Royal Plaza under the name: "Weluwan Buddhist Park, Makha Month Moon”, which will model the Weluwan bamboo forest for children and young Buddhists to learn and experience the atmosphere at the event.

The event also features Chao Phraya river cruise trip to visit nine temples along the river during 20-22 February. The Religious Affairs Department will be providing boats to the interested public free of charge. Interested individuals can ask for more details by calling 0 2422 8812.


-- NNT 2016-02-01

'World's best chef' Benoit Violier dies aged 44

LAUSANNE: -- Chef Benoit Violier, whose Swiss restaurant was named the best in the world in December, has been found dead at his home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891284-worlds-best-chef-benoit-violier-dies-aged-44/

The art of walking in Bangkok: A rant on pave rage
JAMES NEWMAN



BANGKOK: -- Growing up and working in London, walking was a big part of my life.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891287-the-art-of-walking-in-bangkok-a-rant-on-pave-rage/

Every Picture Tells a Story #5
Orlando Barton



Welcome to “Every Picture Tells a Story”; a weekly post about living in Thailand. Each week we’ll post a picture that illustrates some of the little things those of us fortunate enough to live here hold dear.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891289-every-picture-tells-a-story-5/

Police arrest dozens, seize weapons after clash in Medan



JAKARTA: -- Police in Medan, North Sumatra, arrested dozens of members of youth group Pemuda Pancasila after a clash with another organization in the city left two people dead and four others injured, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891292-police-arrest-dozens-seize-weapons-after-clash-in-medan/

Thailand and Myanmar to begin joint effort to curb wild fires and smogs



BANGKOK: -- In an effort to prevent wild fires and smog that happened every year in the dry season, Thailand and Myanmar have agreed to increase cooperation in tackling the problem.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891293-thailand-and-myanmar-to-begin-joint-effort-to-curb-wild-fires-and-smogs/

Laos, Indonesia enhance ties



VIENTIANE: -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi paid a visit to Laos on Jan 27-28 in response to an invitation from her Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith to enhance the friendly relations and cooperation between Laos and Indonesia, Lao News Agency reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891295-laos-indonesia-enhance-ties/

China officials punished over wrongful execution of teen

BEIJING: -- Twenty-seven Chinese officials have been penalised for the wrongful execution of a teenager, state news agency Xinhua said.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891296-china-officials-punished-over-wrongful-execution-of-teen/

Women's organizations urge govt to decentralize powers

BANGKOK, 1 February 2016 (NNT) - Women's rights organizations have said the political system in Thailand should be constructed based on a decentralized government and greater public participation.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891298-womens-organizations-urge-thai-govt-to-decentralize-powers/

Karen people mark 67th Resistance Day in eastern Myanmar



YANGON: -- Hundreds of ethnic Karen including members of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) gathered at the armed group’s Brigade 7 headquarters in Hpa-an District on Sunday to mark the 67th anniversary of Karen Resistance Day, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891302-karen-people-mark-67th-resistance-day-in-eastern-myanmar/

Najib announces construction of new bridge for Sarawak coastline



KUALA LUMPUR: -- The Sarawak and Federal governments will build a bridge to serve as a gateway to the vast coastline in Sarawak in a joint venture project, according to New Straits Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891325-najib-announces-construction-of-new-bridge-for-sarawak-coastline/

New bridge opened to traffic in Ho Chi Minh City



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport on Saturday inaugurated the Rach Chiec Bridge on the city’s eastern belt in another bid to boost the hub’s socio-economic growth and ease traffic congestion, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891327-new-bridge-opened-to-traffic-in-ho-chi-minh-city/

SET falls 0.13 to 1,300.85 at opening /Bangkok Post

Bush doing whatever it takes to stay relevant
By STEVE PEOPLES and JULIE BYKOWICZ

HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) — Jeb Bush's supporters have spent $15 million on slickly produced ads to win over Iowa voters. Barely registering in the polls and increasingly desperate in the shadow of the Iowa caucuses, he's now trying a cost-free, personal tactic: hugs.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891331-bush-doing-whatever-it-takes-to-stay-relevant/

Cuba announces it will launch broadband home internet
MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN, Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba says it is launching its first broadband home Internet service, a potentially major step forward in bringing the island online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891332-cuba-announces-it-will-launch-broadband-home-internet/

Police launch investigation after body parts found in Chao Phraya River
Staff Writer


Image: Daily News

BANGKOK:-- Metropolitan police have launched an investigation after human body parts were found washed up along different locations of the Chao Phraya River.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891334-police-launch-investigation-after-body-parts-found-in-chao-phraya-river/

Thailand looking shaky
Author: Editors, East Asia Forum

CANBERRA: -- Thailand is struggling. The economy has stagnated and its political system is going backwards. This May marks two years since the coup — Thailand’s second in less than a decade — with the military government still in control. Thailand is also languishing in a middle income trap.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/891338-thailand-looking-shaky/

4th Army Area Commander inspects ranger forces in Yala

YALA, 1 February 2016 (NNT) - Commander of the Fourth Army Area Command Lt.Gen.Wiwat Pathomphal has traveled to Yala province to inspect operations of a ranger forces unit.

The commander and his entourage received a briefing on the security situation in Yala before witnessing a military exercise by ranger forces. The exercise was aimed at increasing the efficiency of small military units in the area as well as preventing violence by insurgent groups.

The rangers who participated in the exercise are expected to meet the same standards of military skills and apply them in a real situation

The commander emphasized that the rangers should understand their role in the military operations in the Deep South and expressed his satisfaction with the exercise.


-- NNT 2016-02-01