Some want to limit justices to 18 years on Supreme Court
By MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Antonin Scalia's sudden death a month before his 80th birthday and the potential impasse over replacing him is giving new impetus to an old idea: Limiting the service of Supreme Court justices.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896208-some-want-to-limit-justices-to-18-years-on-us-supreme-court/

Cheered in Havana, Obama's Cuba trip spurs GOP skepticism
By JOSH LEDERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's plans for a history-making trip to Cuba drew hopeful cheers in Havana on Thursday but equally emphatic condemnation from many U.S. lawmakers and Republican presidential candidates, who accused the president of rewarding a "dictatorial regime."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896209-cheered-in-havana-obamas-cuba-trip-spurs-gop-skepticism/

Porn industry asks health officials not to require condoms
By JOHN ROGERS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scores of porn actors, writers, directors and producers pleaded with state officials Thursday not to make them use condoms in films, saying such a move would criminalize and perhaps destroy their multibillion-dollar industry.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896210-us-porn-industry-asks-health-officials-not-to-require-condoms/

BRUSSELS (AP) - EU President: Talks we made some progress on UK deal, a lot remains to be done

BRUSSELS (AP) - European Union to hold extraordinary migration summit with Turkey in early March

At least 100 bodies found in sewer system under Colombian prison
By Rafael Romo, Senior Latin American Affairs Editor

(CNN)Colombian authorities are investigating the disappearance and dismemberment of at least 100 people whose bodies were allegedly thrown into a sewer system underneath a notorious prison in Bogota.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896241-at-least-100-bodies-found-in-sewer-system-under-colombian-prison/

Pope suggests contraception can be condoned in Zika crisis
NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis has suggested women threatened with the Zika virus could use artificial contraception, saying "avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil" in light of the global epidemic.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896242-pope-suggests-contraception-can-be-condoned-in-zika-crisis/

Cosby sues sex-assault accuser, lawyer for contract breach
MARYCLAIRE DALE, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bill Cosby has filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against a woman whose 2005 sexual-assault accusation led to his recent arrest.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896243-cosby-sues-sex-assault-accuser-lawyer-for-contract-breach/?p=10438388

U.S. stationing tanks and artillery in classified Norwegian caves
By Ryan Browne, CNN

Washington (CNN)Marines are prepositioning battle tanks, artillery and logistics equipment inside Norwegian caves as the U.S. pushes to station equipment near the NATO-Russia frontier.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896246-us-stationing-tanks-and-artillery-in-classified-norwegian-caves/

Obama OKs new sanctions against N Korea over nuclear program
DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama slapped North Korea with more stringent sanctions Thursday for defying the world and pushing forward with its nuclear weapons program, weeks after it launched a satellite-carrying rocket into space and conducted its fourth underground nuclear test.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896248-obama-oks-new-sanctions-against-n-korea-over-nuclear-program/

George Gaynes, 'Punky Brewster' dad and 'Police Academy' head, dies at 98
By Todd Leopold, CNN

(CNN)George Gaynes, the longtime character actor who gained fame late in life with his roles in the TV series "Punky Brewster" and the "Police Academy" movies, died Monday, according to the King County, Washington, Medical Examiner's Office. He was 98.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896249-george-gaynes-punky-brewster-dad-and-police-academy-head-dies-at-98/

Malaysia, Bangladesh sign MoU for 1.5 million workers



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Malaysia and Bangladesh on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to receive 1.5 million workers in stages over the next three years, according New Straits Times, citing a Daily Star report.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896251-malaysia-bangladesh-sign-mou-for-15-million-workers/

No Alcohol sales in Phuket Monday for Buddhist holiday
The Phuket News


All government offices will be closed this Monday (Feb 22) as Thais all across the country celebrate Makha Bucha day.

PHUKET: -- All government offices will be closed this Monday (Feb 22) as Thais all across the country celebrate Makha Bucha day. Bars and restaurants across the island will be forced to refrain from selling alcohol on this Buddhist holy day.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896253-no-alcohol-sales-in-phuket-monday-for-buddhist-holiday/

Marijuana legalising proposal rejected



KUALA LUMPUR: -- The Malaysian government will not consider legalising or regulating the use of marijuana as it is classified as a dangerous drug, says Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M Saravanan, as reported by The Star Online.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896255-malaysia-marijuana-legalising-proposal-rejected/

SET up 1.10 points at opening /Bangkok Post

Vietnam's Mekong Delta faces most serious drought, salinization in 90 years



HANOI: -- Vietnam’s Mekong Delta is facing the most severe drought and salinization in nearly a century, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as reported by Tuoi Tre News.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896265-vietnams-mekong-delta-faces-most-serious-drought-salinization-in-90-years/

NLD, military chief talks raise hopes, and fears, of presidential deal



YANGON: -- The Myanmar Times reported that a third round of talks between military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has raised hopes among her supporters that the two sides can reach a power-sharing agreement over the presidency and new government.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896266-nld-military-chief-talks-raise-hopes-and-fears-of-presidential-deal/

Too much salt: Over 8 million Thais suffer from chronic kidney disease
By Coconuts Bangkok


A street food stall in Thailand. Photo: Anne Roberts/ Flickr

BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Public Health revealed this week that over 8 million Thais suffer from chronic kidney disease, with half of those also suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896267-too-much-salt-over-8-million-thais-suffer-from-chronic-kidney-disease/

Profit or patriotism? What’s driving fight between US, Apple
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



WASHINGTON (AP) — Battling in intense public broadsides, Apple Inc. and the U.S. government are making their cases before anyone steps into a courtroom over a judge’s order forcing Apple to help the FBI hack into an iPhone in a sensational terrorism case.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/profit-or-patriotism-whats-driving-fight-between-us-apple/13938/

New LG G5 smartphone to be unveiled at MWC 2016
BY STAFF WRITER



The MWC2016 awards will see South Korean company LG release their flagship smartphone that they hope will be a challenge to their fierce rivals at Samsung.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/new-lg-g5-smartphone-to-be-unveiled-at-mwc-2016/13935/

What will Huawei launch at MWC 2016?
BY STAFF WRITER

The Chinese manufacturer had a fantastic year in 2015 becoming the third bigger smartphone maker in the World and was also picked to launch Google’s Nexus 6P which is regarded by most as being Google’s flagship Android phone.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/what-will-huawei-launch-at-mwc-2016/13932/

MWC 2016: Lenovo to Launch Lemon 3 Plus Smartphone
BY STAFF WRITER



Next week’s upcoming MWC 2016 event will see the launch of Lenovo’s new Lemon 3 Plus smartphone and they have issued a few teasers to build the anticipation.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/mwc-2016-lenovo-to-launch-lemon-3-plus-smartphone/13927/

MWC 2016: What to expect
BY STAFF WRITER



The long awaited Mobile World Congress 2016 (MWC 2016) will be upon us next week and everyone will be eagerly looking forward to the anticipated unveiling of the new models from world’s leading tech brands. This annual event takes places in Barcelona and gives us the first glimpse of new tech which will be on sale later this year.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/mwc-2016-what-to-expect/13919/

Apple Pay launches in China where e-payments widely used
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



BEIJING (AP) — Apple Inc. on Thursday launched its smartphone-based payment system in China where the electronic payments market is already dominated by an arm of e-commerce giant Alibaba.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/apple-pay-launches-in-china-where-e-payments-widely-used/13917/

Music video service Vevo aims to launch paid service
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS



DANA POINT, California (AP) — Vevo, the music video service owned by major labels Sony and Universal, is working on launching an ad-free subscription service with original content later this year.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/music-video-service-vevo-aims-to-launch-paid-service/13914/

NLA passes additional expenditure bill to implement public projects



BANGKOK: -- The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday passed a 56 billion baht additional expenditure bill in a nonstop session for the government’s urgent need for spending on critically needed public projects.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896274-nla-passes-additional-expenditure-bill-to-implement-public-projects/

Appeals Court drops treason lawsuit against military junta



BANGKOK: -- The Appeals Court yesterday dropped the case filed by the so-called Resistant Citizen Group and the New Democracy Group accusing five core members of the military junta of treason for the May 2014 coup.

The ruling by the Appeals Court was seen to uphold earlier ruling by the Criminal Court on May 29, 2014 throwing out the lawsuit against the National Council for Peace and Order under the leadership of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The groups, which was led by one student activist Sirawich Seritiwat, said they will petition the case to the Supreme Court.

Four other members of the military junta accused of treason are former Navy chief Admiral Narong Pipattanasai, former Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, former Armed Forces chief Gen Tanasak Patimapragon, and former national police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew.

The Appeals Court cited Article 48 of the interim charter that grants amnesty for the military junta in dropping the lawsuit against them.

Activists students filing treason charges against the military top brass include Baramee Chairat, Krit Saengsuk from Khon Kaen university.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151599


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-19

Two men killed in early morning Phuket crashes
Eakkapop Thongtub


The driver of the minivan died when rescue workers were taking him to Thalang Hospital.

PHUKET: -- Two men were killed less than two hour apart on Phuket roads early this morning (Feb 19) when they crashed their vehicles north of Heroines Monument.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896277-two-men-killed-in-early-morning-phuket-crashes/

UPDATE:

Cameron faces off with 27 EU leaders in 'battle for Britain'
By JILL LAWLESS and RAF CASERT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Prime Minister David Cameron faced off Thursday against the 27 other European Union leaders, telling them to grant his country a new deal to settle the festering issue of their relationship or face a possible divorce as soon as this summer.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896202-british-pm-david-cameron-seeks-new-deal-for-membership-at-eu-summit/#entry10438810

UPDATE:

Does Thailand have a gun problem? Boasts highest rate of gun-related deaths in Asia
Staff Writer



BANGKOK: -- Data from the University of Washington shows that Thailand has the highest rate of gun-related deaths out of ten countries in Asia, reports Channel News Asia, confirming what many have suspected for some time: the Kingdom may just have a gun problem on its hands.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/895367-baffling-statistics-fail-to-hide-thailands-worrying-gun-crime-problem/page-3#entry10438907