Thais welcome ordination of new Supreme Patriarch

PEOPLE ACROSS the country are preparing to welcome the country’s new Supreme Patriarch at his official ordination ceremony today, with a former disciple of Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan labelling him the perfect choice to lead Thai Buddhists. The sacred appointment ceremony for the new Supreme Patriarch will be held today at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha confirming Somdet Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan, the abbot of Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Temple, as the 20th Supreme Patriarch of the Rattanakosin Era .

Keeping Chinese relations on the rails

Having been posted in Bangkok for three-and-a-half years, Chinese Ambassador Ning Fukui discusses collaboration between China and Thailand in a Facebook Live interview with Suthichai Yoon, a digital journalist of Nation Multimedia Group. The joint committee of the two governments has had 16 meetings and there has been some progress.

Security tightened at Thai-Malaysia border

SECURITY on the Thailand-Malaysia border has been tightened to deter drug smuggling, after Malaysian authorities captured a suspected member of alleged Lao drug lord Xaysana Keopimpha’s network. The ramped-up security is taking place at the border crossing in Yala’s Betong district, following the arrest of Kamarudin bin Awang and the seizure of money allegedly made from drug-dealing.

Tucci urges support for the arts at Berlin Film Festival

Director Stanley Tucci poses for the photographers during a photo call for the film ‘Final Portrait’ at the 2017 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. Director Stanley Tucci poses for the photographers during a photo call for the film ‘Final Portrait’ at the 2017 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017.

Cyprus tests to see if remains of missing were misidentified

In this Feb. 10, 2009 file photo, a forensics expert examines exhumed remains at the Anthropological Laboratory, inside the United Nations controlled buffer zone in the divided capital of Nicosia, Cyprus. The United Nations-led Committee on Missing Persons said on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, the review was prompted after a DNA analysis carried out on remains exhumed in 2015 showed that they belonged to a person whose family had instead received another set of misidentified remains in 2009.

Plans to Extend Substance Misuse Centre in Wrexham Refused

The application, which was presented before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at this month’s meeting proposed a ground floor extension at the rear of The Elms on Rhosddu Road. In the plans submitted by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board the extension would have allowed for the colocation of Health and Criminal Justice Substance Misuse Services at The Elms facility.

Turkey arrests 2 suspected Islamic State militants

Two men suspected of planning Islamic State group attacks in Europe were arrested in Turkey following 10 days of being interrogated by police, Turkey’s state-run agency reported Saturday. Mahamad Laban, 45, a Danish citizen, and Mohammed Tefik Saleh, 38, a Swedish citizen, received weapons and explosives training in Syria for the past three months, the Anadolu Agency said.

Slow going for Turkish-backed forces in north Syria

Turkish troops and allied Syrian opposition forces have managed to capture just one-tenth of a north Syrian town from Islamic State militants, a conflict monitoring group said Saturday, despite reaching its outskirts seven weeks ago. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group told the AP that nine-tenths of al-Bab remains under IS control.

On-the-whistle report: Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 Burton Albion

Burton Albion remain out of the bottom three as they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to new Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium. Michael Kightly’s stunning free kick was the pick of the goals but a double from Tomer Hemed, a powerful header from Glenn Murray and a near-post finish from Sam Baldock ensured Chris Hughton’s side took all three points and go top of the league for a few hours at least, before Newcastle United play this evening.

Norwich City 5 Nottingham Forest 1

Norwich City turned on the style to hammer 10-man Nottingham Forest and keep up the heat on the Championship top six at Carrow Road. Alex Neil’s side were rampant with a three-goal spell inside eight first-half minutes over-powering the Reds.

Armenia to Continue Allied Relations With Russia, Dialogue With US, EU

Armenia will continue allied relations with Russia in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization as well as a dialogue with the United States and the European Union, Parliament Deputy Speaker and spokesperson of Armenia’s ruling Republican Party Eduard Sharmazanov said Saturday. YEREVAN  - On Saturday, the country’s ruling party discussed the election program, which also covers the issues of international relations.

Turkey sets constitution referendum date for April 16

News selected on topics and regions – oil and gas, business, politics, IT, the South Caucasus, the Caspian Sea region, Central Asia Ranking of the Azerbaijani banking sector The Turkish Supreme Board of Election has announced that a constitutional referendum will be held on April 16, Reuters reported. The referendum will propose an 18-article amendment to the Turkish Constitution that has been long sought by the ruling Justice and Development Party and its founder, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

SEBI growing according to needs of Indian economy: Jaitley

New Delhi , Feb. 11 : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in a meeting with the Securities and Exchange Board of India today, revealed that the growth of the Board is in accordance with the need of the hour. Addressing the meeting here, Jaitley said that a number of initiatives have been discussed, with reference to the Budget announcement.

Shakib, Rahim, Hasan lead Bangladesh fightback

Hyderabad, Feb 11 – Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan Miraz shone with the bat as Bangladesh recovered from early setbacks to post 322/6 in their first innings at the end of the third day of their one-off cricket Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Saturday. Bangladesh now trail India’s mammoth first innings total of 687/6 declared by 365 runs.

50.4% voting in Ghaziabad till

Ghaziabad, Feb 11 – Ghaziabad district witnessed 50.4 per cent voter turnout in five assembly constituencies till 3.00 p.m. on Friday in the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls. In Loni assembly constituency, 51.6 per cent votes were cast while Muradnagar constituency witnessed 51.29 per cent voter turnout.

India tests nuclear interceptor missile

New Delhi, Feb 11 – The Defence Research and Development Organisation on Saturday successfully test fired a Prithvi Defence Vehicle interceptor missile designed to intercept and destroy hostile ballistic missiles in space even before they enter the Earth’s atmosphere. This further enhances India’s capability of dealing with a nuclear attack threat.

650 transgenders in Nepal apply for civil services

Kathmandu, Feb 11 – For the first time in the history of Nepal, 651 transgenders applied for civil service exams conducted by the Public Service Commission last year, a media report said. The forms for civil service jobs exams had three gender options, one for male examinees, the other for females, and the third for the ‘Other’ sex, Kathmandu Post reported.

Turkmenistan’s leader set to win re-election

FILE In this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015 file photo, Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov smiles as he attends an international conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The authoritarian president of Turkmenistan is set to sail to victory in Sunday’s election where eight other candidates are on the ballot, but all praise his polices.

Enlist as voters to determine your future, President to young people

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the youth to enlist as voters in large numbers, saying their vote will shape the country’s future. President Kenyatta said young people who constitute the largest percentage of the Kenyan population have the ability to determine the quality of leaders the country will have if they register as voters and participate in the coming general election.

Ukrainian author seized in Belarus, ordered to leave

A noted Ukrainian poet and novelist says he was seized by security agents in the middle of the night while visiting the capital of Belarus and ordered to leave the country. In a posting on a social media website, Serhiy Zhadan said Saturday that police confronted him in his hotel room in Minsk about 2 a.m. “Nothing was explained … I had to spend the night in a cell,” he wrote.

Former cup hero takes charge of Rangers

Former York City midfielder Graeme Murty has taken temporary charge at Scottish Premiership club Rangers. It follows the Glasgow outfit stating they have accepted the resignations of manager Mark Warburton, his assistant David Weir and head of recruitment Frank McParland.

Afghan official: 7 killed in a suicide attack

An Afghan official says at least seven people were killed when a suicide bomber attacked Afghan soldiers in southern Helmand province. Omer Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor in Helmand, said Saturday that 22 others were wounded in the attack, which took place in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

Cambodian opposition chief resigns from party

In this Aug. 16, 2015 file photo, Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party , waves from a car upon his arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia as hundreds of cheering supporters greeted him on his return from a trip abroad. The head of Cambodia’s opposition party has announced his resignation from the group after the country’s long-serving prime minister announced plans for a law that could lead to the party’s dissolution.

Eraman ‘Shop & Drive’ Contest Offers Lucrative Prizes

By Hazirah Husin KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 — Eraman, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airports, which is renowned for a wide range of duty-free products, has launched the final part of the year-long ‘Shop & Drive’ contest. “With many passengers travelling through our airports in this period, it is the best time for them to shop at our stores and have a chance to win fabulous prizes we have to offer,” said Malaysia Airports Niaga Sdn Bhd General Manager Zulhikam Ahmad.

Rudy Maxa’s World

Building on five successful seasons of travel shows featuring Europe and the Pacific Rim, award-winning travel journalist Rudy Maxa broadens his horizons – and those of his audience – with the launch of RUDY MAXA’S WORLD. In this new 13-part series, Rudy offers his sophisticated take on a destination’s history, culture, architecture, politics and cuisine, while also turning a journalistic eye to the people and lifestyles of Russia, Estonia, Turkey, India, Argentina, Japan and Thailand.