At least 20 dead in bomb blast outside Afghan Supreme Court

By Mirwais Harooni

REUTERS

 

Afghan policemen keep watch at the site of a bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan February 7, 2017. REUTERS/Omar sobhani

 

KABUL (Reuters) - At least 20 people were killed on Tuesday in a bomb blast outside the Supreme Court in the centre of the Afghan capital, government officials said, in what appeared to be the latest in a series of attacks on the judiciary.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967785-at-least-20-dead-in-bomb-blast-outside-afghan-supreme-court/

 

Homeland Security chief regrets rapid rollout of Trump travel ban

By Julia Edwards Ainsley

REUTERS

 

Retired General John Kelly testifies before a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing on Kelly’s nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Homeland Security chief John Kelly told a congressional panel on Tuesday he should have delayed U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries and on all refugees so he could brief Congress on the executive order.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967786-homeland-security-chief-regrets-rapid-rollout-of-trump-travel-ban/

 

No renegotiation on Brexit deal if parliament rejects it - minister

By William James

REUTERS

 

A detail is seen from a copy of the Brexit Article 50 bill, introduced by the government to seek parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in front of the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will not seek further talks with the European Union if parliament rejects the exit deal it reaches, the government said on Tuesday, as ministers defeated attempts to give lawmakers more say on the terms of the final agreement.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967788-no-renegotiation-on brexit deal-if-parliament-rejects-it-minister/

 

British PM anticipates call for Scottish independence referendum - report

REUTERS

 

New British Prime Minister Theresa May meeting First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland, July 15, 2016. REUTERS/James Glossop

 

(Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May is developing a secret strategy in the belief that Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is two weeks away from demanding a second referendum on Scottish independence, The Courier newspaper in Dundee, Scotland reported on Tuesday.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967800-british-pm-anticipates-call-for-scottish-independence-referendum-report/

 

Trump reiterates U.S. support to Turkey in call with Erdogan - White House

REUTERS

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with county sheriffs at the White House in Washington, U.S. February 7, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump reiterated "U.S. support to Turkey as a strategic partner and NATO ally" during a phone call with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, the White House said.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967801-trump-reiterates-us-support-to-turkey-in-call-with-erdogan-white-house/

 

China 'mending its ways' on unethical organ transplants, official says

By Philip Pullella

REUTERS

 

FILE PHOTO - Then Deputy Health Minister Huang Jiefu speaks during a group session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing March 10, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Beijing's top official on transplants said on Tuesday Beijing was "mending its ways" from a murky past when organs were taken from detained or executed prisoners.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967805-china-mending-its-ways-on-unethical-organ-transplants-official-says/

 

Exclusive - White House eyeing executive order targeting 'conflict minerals' rule: sources

By Sarah N. Lynch and Emily Stephenson

REUTERS

 

The White House is seen from the South Lawn in Washington October 17, 2008. REUTERS/Larry Downing

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is planning to issue an executive order targeting a controversial Dodd-Frank rule that requires companies to disclose whether their products contain "conflict minerals" from a war-torn part of Africa, according to sources familiar with the administration's thinking.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967810-exclusive-white-house-eyeing-executive-order-targeting-conflict-minerals-rule-sources/

 

China says United States should 'brush up on' South China Sea history

REUTERS

 

A satellite image shows what CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says appears to be anti-aircraft guns and what are likely to be close-in weapons systems (CIWS) on the artificial island Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea in this image released on December 13, 2016. CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe/Handout via REUTERS

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States needs to brush up on its history about the South China Sea, as World War Two-related agreements mandated that all Chinese territories taken by Japan had to be returned to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Australia.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967814-china-says-united-states-should-brush-up-on-south-china-sea-history/

 

RAF Typhoon jets escort Pakistan plane to Stansted

 

LONDON: -- RAF fighter jets have been scrambled to divert a Pakistan International Airlines plane to Stansted Airport.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967816-uk-raf-typhoon-jets-escort-pakistan-plane-to-stansted/

 

U.S. House speaker says Obamacare replacement will pass this year

By Susan Cornwell

REUTERS

 

U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (L) talks with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) as they wait to hear U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of his nominee for the empty associate justice seat at the U.S. Supreme Court, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives' Republican leader said on Tuesday that legislation to replace former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law would be completed this year, trying to dispel the idea that the party is retreating from its campaign promise to dismantle Obamacare quickly.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967818-us-house-speaker-paul-ryan-says-obamacare-replacement-will-pass-this-year/

 

SET opens up 0.42 to 1,582.94 /Bangkok Post

Nigerian arrested with "ice" hidden in model boats

 

Picture: Daily News

 

BANGKOK: -- Police have announced the arrest of a Nigerian national who had a stash of methamphetamine for sale hidden in some model boats.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967820-nigerian-arrested-with-ice-hidden-in-model-boats/

 

Channeling Steve Jobs, Apple seeks design perfection at new ‘spaceship’ campus

BY REUTERS

 

The Apple Campus 2 is seen under construction in Cupertino, California in this aerial photo taken January 13, 2017. REUTERS/Noah Berger

 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – Inside the original Macintosh computer, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs inscribed the signatures of his team, revealing his deep concern for even the hidden features of his products.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/channeling-steve-jobs-apple-seeks-design-perfection-at-new-spaceship-campus/19757/

YouTube stars can live stream from mobile, make money from fans

BY REUTERS 

 

 

(Reuters) – Alphabet Inc’s YouTube said it was rolling out live streaming from mobile devices for users with more than 10,000 subscribers, adding a feature that will help them make money, as it takes on Facebook Live.

 

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/youtube-stars-can-live-stream-from-mobile-make-money-from-fans/19763/

Trump travel restrictions hit demand for visits to U.S. - study

REUTERS

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - The travel restrictions put in place by U.S. President Donald Trump on seven countries are deterring travellers from other countries too, according to a travel analysis company.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967823-trump-travel-restrictions-hit-demand-for-visits-to-us-study/

 

Pattaya hunt for man who tried to rape seven month pregnant woman in department store toilets

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

PATTAYA: -- Police in Pattaya are hunting for a man who tried to rape a woman who is seven months pregnant in the toilets of the Royal Garden Pattaya on Beach Road.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967824-pattaya-hunt-for-man-who-tried-to-rape-seven-month-pregnant-woman-in department-store-toilets/

 

OPINION

Bribery is exactly where it all began
By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Many of us had been involved with bribery even before we were born. Our parents called them “gifts” to the doctors who delivered us, but in many cases those gifts were just bribes with their hair combed. After we die, the “name” changed again, this time to something like “merit money”, with the recipients being senior monks or temple staff who know the way around a tight funeral queue.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967826-bribery-is-exactly-where-it-all-began/

 

UPDATE:

 

Narcotic suppression police to seize over 20 luxury cars suspected to link to Xaysana drug syndicate

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Narcotic Suppression Bureau and Anti-Money Laundering Office authorities are now in the process of tracing the owners of more than 20 luxury vehicles they believed to be connected to the Laotion drug kingpin Xaysana Kaewpimpa syndicate as investigation into the real owner of the Lamborghini sports car turned to be "Boy" Nattapol Nak-udom, not "Benz Racing" or Akarakit Worarojchroendet, a well-known car racer and husband of TV star Napapa “Pat” Tantrakul.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967772-thai-police-poised-to-seize-20-supercars-over-links-to-drug-trafficking-network/?do=findComment&comment=11601139

 

Koh Lan tourist operator attacked Korean who complained of loud music

 

Picture: Pattaya News

 

PATTAYA: -- A tourist operator who works on Koh Lan has been arrested following an attack on a Korean man in beach road Pattaya last week.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967828-koh-lan-tourist-operator-attacked-korean-who-complained-of-loud-music/

 

Officials enact readiness measures for drought and forest fires

 

THAILAND, 8 February 2017 (NNT) - Thai officials are working with the agricultural sector to implement readiness measures for the upcoming drought, while the Pollution Control Department has lent support to the northern provinces to address poor air quality due to forest fires. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967831-officials-enact-readiness-measures-for-drought-and-forest-fires/

 

Temperatures to drop 4-6 degrees at weekend

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Meteorological Department today forecast a sharp drop in temperature of 4-6 degrees Celsius end of the week in the Northeast, Central and Eastern regions with a warning of thunder storm and abrupt weather change.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967833-temperatures-to-drop-4-6-degrees-at-weekend/

 

"Don't employ kids in the sex trade!" - top cop appeals to industry after underage worker found

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

BANGKOK: -- Police and the military raided a well known Huay Kwang massage parlor Tuesday and found evidence of underage sex.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967836-dont-employ-kids-in-the-sex-trade-top-cop-appeals-to-industry after-underage-worker-found/

 

Sinkhole opens up near Australian prime minister's Sydney home

REUTERS

 

A worker inspects a sinkhole that appeared after heavy rain outside a property located near Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's residence in Sydney, Australia, February 8, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A sinkhole opened up less than 1 kilometre (0.62 mile) from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's home in the wealthy Sydney suburb of Point Piper, media said on Wednesday, after a night of heavy rain and flash flooding.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967839-sinkhole-opens-up-near-australian-prime-ministers-sydney-home/

 

Another teenager killed, and a second seriously injured in Phuket road crash

Phuket Gazette 

 

          

The victims were both students and still in school uniform when the accident occurred. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

 

PHUKET: A 15-year-old biker was killed and his passenger, also 15, was seriously injured when a van driver cut them off, causing a three-vehicle collision yesterday evening in Chalong. 

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967841-teenager-killed-another-seriously-injured-in-phuket-road-crash/

 

Award winning cop doesn't let serious handicap stand in his way

 

Picture: Sanook

 

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: -- A policeman who lost both forearms and part of a leg after being electrocuted in a storm has won awards for his work.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967843-award-winning-cop-in-nakon-si-thammarat-doesnt-let-serious-handicap-stand-in-his-way/

 

American father of 'DJ JJ' plunges to death from Thong Lor condo

By Coconuts Bangkok 

 

File photo of Bangkok skyline. Photo: Eustaquio Santimano

 

BANGKOK: -- An elderly American is believed to have jumped to his death from the tenth floor of his condo building in Thong Lor area early this morning.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967846-american-father-of-dj-jj-plunges-to-death-from-thong-lor-condo/

 

Court begins hearing of petition seeking the retrial of alleged hit-and-run teacher case

 

 

NAKHON PHANOM: -- The Nakhon Phanom Provincial Court today began the hearing of witnesses produced by a team of legal advisors from the Ministry of Justice in the bid to convince the court to allow the retrial of a hit-and-run case in 2005 in which a teacher was  wrongfully judged in 2013 to serve three years in prison.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967847-court-begins-hearing-of-petition-seeking-the-retrial-of-alleged-hit-and-run-teacher-case/

 

DeVos confirmed as U.S. education secretary as Pence breaks tie

By Richard Cowan

REUTERS

 

Betsy DeVos testifies before the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee confirmation hearing to be next Secretary of Education on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 17, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's choice of billionaire Betsy DeVos to be education secretary was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, but only after Vice President Mike Pence was called in to break a tie that threatened to defeat her.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967849-devos confirmed-as-us-education-secretary-as-pence-breaks-tie/

 

Russian Dead and another foreigner Injured

By Danny Boy -

 

  

Russian Tourist dies after being hit by a Ducati Super bike

 

PATTAYA: -- At around 3:30am on February 8th, Pattaya police and Emergency services were called to the scene of a fatal Russian casualty on Pattaya second road.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967862-russian-tourist-dies-after-being-hit-by-a-ducati-super-bike-on-pattaya-second-road/

 

Six tunnels touted in revamped Phuket light-rail plans

Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

The latest proposal for Phuket's light-rail project is build six tunnels for the rail cars to pass through instead of affecting traffic. Image: OTP

 

PHUKET: -- The revised plans for the decades-in-coming Phuket light-rail project shown to local residents this week now include six tunnels for the rail cars to pass through in order to avoid causing more traffic woes on the island.

 

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/967864-six-tunnels-touted-in-revamped-phuket-light-rail-plans/