UN approves harsh new sanctions for North Korea



NEW YORK: -- North Korea faces harsh new sanctions after the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution drafted by the regime’s closest ally China.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899676-un-approves-harsh-new-sanctions-for-north-korea/

Mystery over brutal death of Italian researcher in Egypt deepens
By Seamus Kearney



"Through this act, those who want to damage Egypt and the region, and those who are linked to terrorist groups, tried to make the responsibility fall on the Interior Ministry"

CAIRO: -- The president’s office in Egypt has spoken out about the case of an Italian researcher who disappeared in January and was found dead nine days later.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899677-mystery-over-brutal-death-of-italian-researcher-in-egypt-deepens/

Which nationalities have the world's most powerful passports?
STAFF WRITER


Featured image is by hjl and used under a Creative Commons licence

BANGKOK: -- It’s easy to take for granted the ease in which we can visit most countries as a Westerner.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899678-which-nationalities-have-the-worlds-most-powerful-passports/

Rattled Republicans seek a last-ditch strategy to stop Trump
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY and JULIE PACE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Staring down the prospect of nominating Donald Trump for president, Republicans spiraled into a chaotic, last-ditch search Wednesday for a way to save the GOP from hitching its fortunes to an unpredictable celebrity candidate without alienating his throng of followers.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899679-rattled-republicans-seek-a-last-ditch-strategy-to-stop-trump/

UPDATE:

US official: Debris from same type of plane as MH370
By JOAN LOWY

WASHINGTON (AP) — Debris that washed up in Mozambique has been tentatively identified as a part from the same type of aircraft as the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a U.S. official said Wednesday.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899587-missing-mh370-possible-boeing-777-part-found-off-mozambique-sources-say/#entry10486446

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Family of former New Zealand cricketer Martin Crowe says he has died of cancer aged 53.

CDC President needs 15 days to summarize key issues of draft charter

BANGKOK, 3 March 2016 (NNT) – The President of the Constitution Drafting Commission needs two weeks to summarize the draft charter for public distribution.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899697-cdc-president-needs-15-days-to-summarize-key-issues-of-draft-charter/

Ben Carson doesn't see 'a political path forward'
By Nia-Malika Henderson, Tal Kopan and David Mark, CNN

(CNN)Ben Carson doesn't "see a political path forward" in the Republican presidential nomination process, and will not attend Thursday's GOP presidential debate in his hometown of Detroit, he said in a statement.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899705-ben-carson-doesnt-see-a-political-path-forward/

Donald Trump releases health care reform plan
By Jeremy Diamond, CNN

(CNN)Donald Trump on Wednesday laid out for the first time how he will reform the U.S. health care system after repeatedly pledging to "repeal and replace Obamacare with something much better."

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899706-donald-trump-releases-health-care-reform-plan/

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Seoul: North Korea fires short-range projectiles into sea hours after UN sanctions slapped on Pyongyang.

New Zealand begins final vote on whether to change its flag
NICK PERRY, Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealanders began voting Thursday on whether to change their flag from a design which features the British Union Jack to one which features a native silver fern.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899707-new-zealand-begins-final-vote-on-whether-to-change-its-flag/

CDC spokesman claims new draft charter puts more emphasis on people's rights and freedoms

BANGKOK, 3 March 2016 (NNT) – The spokesman of the Constitution Drafting Commission has given an assurance that the new draft charter puts more emphasis on the people’s rights and freedoms.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899708-cdc-spokesman-claims-new-draft-charter-puts-more-emphasis-on-peoples-rights-and-freedoms/

Israeli PM to visit Africa for Operation Thunderbolt anniversary
TONY OFUNGI, ETN UGANDA CORRESPONDENT

ENTEBBE, Uganda (eTN) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a landmark visit to Uganda and Kenya this summer to mark 40 years since the July 4, 1976, Entebbe raid.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899709-israels-netanyahu-to-visit-africa-for-operation-thunderbolt-anniversary/

Electronic cigarettes banned on all commercial flights in, to, and from USA

WASHINGTON, DC – US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced a final rule that explicitly bans the use of electronic cigarettes on commercial flights. The final rule applies to all scheduled flights of US and foreign carriers involving transportation in, to, and from the US.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899710-electronic-cigarettes-banned-on-all-commercial-flights-in-to-and-from-usa/

UPDATE:

Seoul: North Korea fires short-range projectiles into sea

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's Defense Ministry says North Korea has fired several short-range projectiles into the sea just hours after the United Nations slapped sanctions on Pyongyang for its recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899676-un-approves-harsh-new-sanctions-for-north-korea/#entry10486825

World considers a Trump presidency, and many shudder
JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG

BRUSSELS (AP) — Following Donald Trump's breathtaking string of Super Tuesday victories, politicians, editorial writers and ordinary people worldwide were coming to grips Wednesday with the growing possibility the brash New York billionaire might become America's next president_a thought that aroused widespread befuddlement and a good deal of horror.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899716-world-considers-a-trump-presidency-and-many-shudder/

UPDATE:

Ben Carson says 'no path forward' in his bid for White House
By BILL BARROW

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson said he is effectively ending his bid for the White House Wednesday, concluding a roller-coaster campaign that briefly took him to the top of a chaotic GOP field but ended with a Super Tuesday whimper.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899705-ben-carson-doesnt-see-a-political-path-forward/#entry10486929

OIC summit to discuss six core issues



JAKARTA: -- Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said the upcoming high-level summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to be held on March 6-7 in Jakarta will address six unresolved core issues on the dispute between Palestine and Israel, The Jakarta Globe reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899718-oic-summit-to-discuss-six-core-issues-between-palestine-and-israel/

Ancient human remains, artefacts unearthed at Plain of Jars in Laos



VIENTIANE: -- Excavations by Lao and Australian archaeologists at the Plain of Jars Site 1 in Paek district, Xieng Khuang province, have uncovered three human remains and some artefacts dating back 2,500-3,000 years, according to Vientiane Times.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899721-ancient-human-remains-artefacts-unearthed-at-plain-of-jars-in-laos/

3 huge snakes found in Nakhon Si Thammarat village, locals believe them to be holy
Kwaang Siripoom



NAKHON SI THAMMARAT:-- Three large snakes which were discovered in a village in Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand, are likely to be holy, locals have claimed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899723-3-huge-snakes-found-in-nakhon-si-thammarat-village-locals-believe-them-to-be-holy/

Umno unaffected by Dr M’s resignation, says Najib



KUALA LUMPUR: -- Umno will move forward and is not affected by the resignation of former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian Prime Minister and party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, yesterday, The Star Online reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899724-umno-unaffected-by-dr-ms-resignation-says-najib/

Suu Kyi highlights ethnic 'unity and responsibility'



YANGON: -- Aung San Suu Kyi, chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD), promised ethnic lawmakers at a Monday evening meeting in Naypyidaw that Myanmar’s new government will prioritize peace issues as promised, The Irrawaddy reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899725-suu-kyi-highlights-ethnic-unity-and-responsibility/

DSI inspects Luang Phi Namfon’s classic car

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday conducted second inspection of a vintage car owned by abbot of Wat Phailom temple in Nakhon Pathom province, Phra Khru Palad Sitthiwattana, widely known as ‘Luang Phi Namfon', but this time was accompanied by car experts in bid to prove that it was not imported through illegal channel to avoid the hefty import tax.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899728-dsi-inspects-luang-phi-namfons-classic-car/

Singapore stresses need for greater accountability on haze to Indonesia



SINGAPORE: -- Singapore has stressed to Indonesia the need for greater transparency and accountability to overcome the recurring problem of transboundary haze that has been plaguing the region for decades, Channel News Asia reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899730-singapore-stresses-need-for-greater-accountability-on-haze-to-indonesia/

Ho Chi Minh City to remove local leaders if crime rate doesn't drop



HO CHI MINH CITY: -- Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has threatened to strip district leaders of their titles if crime rates in the areas under their management do not fall, Tuoi Tre News reported.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899733-ho-chi-minh-city-to-remove-local-leaders-if-crime-rate-doesnt-drop/

Sad dinosaur: Police to fine T-Rex truck driver for breaking traffic code
By Coconuts Bangkok


The 4-meter-tall T-Rex was driven around the city on Monday. Photo: Rightman

BANGKOK: -- A deputy police commissioner said the driver who transported the T-Rex to its theme park, which was the most exciting thing to happen in Bangkok traffic this week, broke a traffic law and will have to pay a fine.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899746-bangkok-police-to-fine-t-rex-truck-driver-for-breaking-traffic-code/

Central Group worried consumer spending remains flat in Thailand
BY LARRY BANKS


Image © Nikkei Asian Review. Central Group’s Tos Chirathivat (photo by Yumi Kotani).

BANGKOK: -- As the retail giant Central Group is suffering from a sluggish economy in Thailand, its owners, the Chirathiwat family, expressed worry that premium customers are spending overseas instead of at home.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899749-central-group-worried-consumer-spending-remains-flat-in-thailand/

Newly discovered limestone cave in Tak to become a new tourist site

TAK, 3 March 2016 (NNT)-A newly discovered cave in Tak province is set to receive an upgrade to become a new tourist attraction.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899752-newly-discovered-limestone-cave-in-tak-to-become-a-new-tourist-site/

Chinese tourists flock to apply for Thai driving licences in North



BANGKOK: -- Chinese tourists are now flocking to several Thailand's northern cities not only for sightseeing, shopping, many of them are coming in caravans with other purposes, one of which is to apply for driving licences as they deem it is easier and faster to obtain than applying in their own country.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899755-chinese-tourists-flock-to-apply-for-thai-driving-licences-in-north/

Interior Ministry joins Tourism and Sports Ministry to address tourism business issues

BANGKOK, 3 March 2016 (NNT) Interior Minister Gen. Anupong Paochinda, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanawarangrura and relevant agencies, today attended a meeting on tourism related problems, including the problem of travel agencies which use Thai nationals as nominees.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899760-interior-ministry-joins-tourism-and-sports-ministry-to-address-tourism-business-issues/