World News
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Only the US and Canada left flying the Boeing 737 Max aircraft*
The US and Canada remain the only two country’s left flying the Boeing 737 Max 8 model aircraft in any substantial numbers (*there are a few smaller airlines and nations but very few remaining). Otherwise most of the world’s aviation authorities have either grounded the planes or closed access to their airspace for the operation of the popular new Boeing…
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UPDATE: Regulators ground the Boeing 737 Max 8, but not in Thailand
PHOTO: Thai Lion Air won’t be grounding their Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft The digital flight data recorder for Flight ET302 from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to Nairobi, Kenya was located yesterday morning Citizens of 35 countries are among the 157 people killed, including 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, nine Ethiopians and eight passengers each from China, Italy and the US Multiple…
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Some airlines ground the Boeing 737 MAX 800 aircraft “as a precaution”
Airlines around the world that fly the new Boeing 737 MAX 800 model are starting to ground their fleets of the new next-gen aircraft. China’s aviation regulator have already ordered local airlines to stop flight with the 800 MAX model after an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft of the same model crashed yesterday morning. The aircraft is relatively new to the skies,…
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Ethiopian Airlines crash – a second new Boeing 737 falters after take off
PHOTO: A brand new Boeing 737 Max 800 for Ethiopian Airlines All 157 people on board the Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa that crashed yesterday morning have died, the airline has confirmed. The airline said in a statement… “We hereby confirm that our scheduled flight ET 302 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi was involved in accident today.” The plane is…
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‘No homosexuals in Malaysia” – Malaysian Tourism, Arts and Culture minister
Malaysian minister grilled in Germany over policy on gays, Jews ahead of travel fair Malaysia’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi has caused ripples in Germany after making an ill-informed remark about homosexuality. “Homosexuality? I don’t think we have such a thing in our country.” “I cannot answer whether it’s safe or not,” he was quoted as saying by…
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Singapore Covid-19 patients to have their meals, medicine delivered by robot.
Patients at a Singapore hospital suspected or confirmed to be infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus will soon get their meals and medicines from a robot. What’s more, a second robot is being deployed to clean, and will chat with patients in four languages, as well as “Singlish.” Details of the use of the robot technology were outlined in Singapore’s Ministry…
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China lowers growth targets to lowest in 28 years
“A more complicated environment as well as risks and challenges, foreseeable and otherwise, that are greater in number and size.” by Chong Koh Ping, The Straits Times – Asia News Network China will set lower growth targets, between 6-6.5% this year, as the world’s second largest economy loses steam due to the ongoing trade war with the US along with weaker…
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Upstart Chinese start-up shades Samsung and Huawei
A Shenzhen-based manufacturer of flexible displays has launched, and is selling, the first workable flexible screen smartphone, beating Samsung and Huawei into the foldable market. At this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Samsung and Huawei made all the noise with their new $2,000 foldable phones. But they very secret with specs and not available for review with people clamoring…
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Two week+ wait for visa appointments at Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos
PHOTO: Waiting to get into the Thai Embassy in Vientiane Expect to wait up to two weeks if you want to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Laos to apply for a tourist or non-immigrant visa. ThaiVisa reports that, since February 1, foreigners applying for tourist, non-immigrant or transit visas, will need to make an online appointment before submitting…
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Flying into history, the mighty Airbus A380
In an era where airlines are now run by accountants instead of pioneers, aviators or passionate flyers, it’s no wonder we’re seeing the passing of an important aviation milestone this week. The Airbus A380, a passenger favourite, failed to ignite the interest it needed to sustain new orders and and a continuation of the program of building, selling and servicing…
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Five Thais die after their car plunges into a Laos ravine
Five Thai tourists were killed in a car accident just over the north-eastern border in Laos. The incident occurred when their car plunged down a deep ravine in Luang Prabang. The popular tourist region is approximately 300 kilometers north of the Lao capital Vientiane. Yesterday’s fatal crash was reported at 10pm last night by Lao authorities to the rescue unit…
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Kim-Trump summit ‘fail’ over North Korea’s demands to lift sanctions
by Choi He-suk, Korea Herald – Asia News Network US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un’s summit ended abruptly with both sides failing to reach an agreement. The second day of talks kicked off at 9 am yesterday at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi but the event was cut short when Kim and Trump departed at 1:25 pm.…
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Day One in the second Trump-Kim summit in Vietnam
PHOTO: A fake Kim Jong-un has been deported from Hanoi, Vietnam in the lead up to the second Trump-Kim Summit. Vietnam is letting fake Trump stay though.by The Korea Herald – Asia News NetworkUS President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will meet for two hours today in the first day of their second summit, according to Yonhap news agency.…
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AirAsia adds more Thailand-Vietnam flights
PHOTO: The Golden Bridge in the Ba Na Hills, near Da Nang Thai AirAsia says it’s adding new routes linking Thailand to destinations in Vietnam, as it seeks to increase its market share in the Mekong Region – Cambodia, Southern China provinces, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam The latest promotion supports the launch of a service from Chiang Mai in North…
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Langkawi ferry bursts into flames – passengers safe – VIDEO
by Bernama/The Star – Asia News Network A passenger ferry travelling from the Kuah Ferry Terminal to Kuala Perlis in Langkawi island in Malaysia had to be evacuated after the passenger cabin filled with choking smoke. All the passengers were rescued by a nearby tour boat and local fishing boats. “The ferry stopped in the middle of the sea and we saw smoke…
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Thai AirAsia looking to purchase stake in local rival Nok Air
Having a cashed-up and aggressive competitor looking to buy a stake in Nok Air will send more shudders down the corridors of the lumbering local behometh, Thai Airways. Asia Aviation, the majority shareholders of Thailand’s low-cost Air Asia franchise Thai AirAsia, says it was considering buying a stake in local rival Nok Airlines. The announcement has sent Nok’s share prices…
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Die! Die! Korean Air ‘nut rage’ heiress assaults husband in video
by The Korea Herald – Asia News Network A video clip showing a woman who appears to be Cho Hyun-ah, formerly Korean Air vice-president, shouting at her husband, and photos showing his injuries has been revealed. In the video, the woman shouts “Die! Die!” at her husband, surnamed Park, who filed for divorce last year citing physical and verbal abuse against…
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Students are dropping out along Cambodia’s border with Thailand
by VOA A Cambodian official has reported that about 23% of children in three provinces along the border with Thailand have stopped attending school. The Cambodian Education Minister Hangchuon Naron was speaking about the student dropout rate. He said that the rate in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Oddor Meanchey provinces was much higher than in other areas, where rates are…
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Better analysis needed to track down the source of new chemicals in illicit drugs
The Office of Narcotics Control Board has been training personnel in drug analysis to handle new illicit substances coming onto the streets. A Chinese analysis lab has recently discovered 230 new psychotropic substances which are making their way into recreational drugs and other foods. China has subsequently banned several beverages and sweets that contain these new illegal substances. Thailand’s Justice…
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Lion Air flight slips off Borneo runway, landing in poor conditions – VIDEO
Another PR disaster for Lion Air, luckily no fatalities in this latest incident. A Lion Air Boeing 737 with 189 people on board has skidded off a Borneo runway as the pilot tried to land during heavy rain. The Lion Air flight was coming in to land at the Supadio International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 182 passengers and seven crew…
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Airbus signals end to A380 production, end of an era
Emirates Airlines says it’s reducing its Airbus A380 orders from 162 to 123 aircraft. They say this follows a review of its operations and developments in aircraft and engine technologies. The A380 is the double-decker mega aircraft that was developed as a new-age rival to the successful Boeing 747 ‘Jumbo’ jet. Whilst popular for passengers with its spacious size and…
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Air Asia booking system down for 24 hours this weekend
Air Asia will be upgrading it Navitaire New Skies reservation system over the weekend causing a 24 hour blackout for all booking systems across all channels. Flight booking for Air Asia will be unavailable on Saturday, February 16 from 2pm (GMT +8) until Sunday, February 17 at 3pm. This will include AirAsia.com, AirAsia sales counter, AirAsia mobile app, all offices…
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Thailand loses its ‘cheap living’ reputation – Numbeo
Many of Thailand’s most popular tourist and retiree destinations are becoming the most expensive places in Southeast Asia to settle down, being beaten by Malaysian and Indonesia counterparts. The cost of living survey was conducted by comparison site Numbeo. Comparing the region’s top 18 destinations, Numbeo lists Bangkok as the second most expensive city after Singapore. But Pattaya, Phuket and…
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Yangon International Airport gears up for new flights, new destinations
PHOTO: MYANMORE Yangon International Airport is poised to welcome more airlines and passenger this year as travel demand grows following Myanmar’s relaxation of entry visa requirements at the end of 2018. The Yangon Aerodrome Company Limited, the company that manages Yangon’s international airport, says it’s increasing airport facilities and stepping up marketing to open new direct routes into the Burmese…
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24 year old dies after e-cigarette explodes in his face
PHOTO: William Brown died in a Fort Worth hospital on January 29 – CNN CNN reports that a Texas man died of a massive stroke after the e-cigarette he was using exploded and tore his carotid artery. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office says that William Brown died in a Fort Worth hospital on January 29. The death certificate says…
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Leopard cub smuggled on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to India
A one month old leopard has been found in a passenger’s hand luggage after landing in Chennai, India after a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok. The young leopard was weak and dehydrated when it was discovered. The leopard kitten was hidden in a grocery basket hidden put inside his carry on luggage. At this stage officials haven’t reported the nationality…
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Thailand’s Central Group planning to invest $200 million in Grab
Central Group, Thailand’s biggest shopping Centre and department store operator, is planning to invest US$200 million (6.3 billion Thai baht) in ride-hailing giant ‘Grab’, according to sources ‘familiar with the matter’ today. The deal seals a strategic partnership where the Thai retail giant will help Grab expand its business in Thailand. Central Group would invest in Grab’s Thai business unit.…
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Burmese migrants, heading for Malaysia, stopped in Chumphon
Police and soldiers in Chumphon have arrested 37 Burmese people who were heading to Malaysia. Security forces, including troops from the 44th Army Circle, checked a wooded location where residents had seen a group of strangers in a makeshift camp. The 33 men and four women had no travel documents and appeared exhausted in their rough camp behind a deserted…
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Vietnam and Thailand head toward $20 billion in two-way trade
FILE PHOTO Việtnam and Thailand are poised to reap the benefits of a US$20 billion two-way trade deal by 2020. A meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation wrapped up in Thailand yesterday. The two-day meeting was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh together with the Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. The two sides agreed…
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Deputy PM says Malaysia can learn from Thailand on caring for neglected children
PHOTO: Thai PBS Malaysia’s Deputy PM Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has been visiting Thailand and says that her government can learn something from the methods implemented in Thailand to tackle the issue of neglected children and babies and those without citizenships. Bernama news agency quotes Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, as saying…
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