News Headlines - 13 January 2014

▽Bangkok shutdown affects two million people - DNA

The "Bangkok shutdown" led by anti-government protestors has affected more than two million people in the Thailand capital.
As many as 680,000 residents living in and around the rally sites were affected, besides 440,000 students and 1.2 million people working in the area, Xinhua cited media reports as saying. The shutdown has also affected 4.8 million transport trips.

▽Ariel Sharon's memorial service begins in Jerusalem - Telegraph

A state memorial for the late Israeli premier Ariel Sharon has begun at the parliament in Jerusalem, in the presence of Israeli and foreign dignitaries.
The ceremony, which was being held in the plaza outside the Knesset, began with the singing of a traditional Jewish memorial prayer, with a funeral to take place later in the day at Sharon's ranch in southern Israel.

▽Hollande Partner in Hospital After Disclosure of Alleged Affair - Bloomberg

French First Lady Valerie Trierweiler remained in the hospital where she was admitted two days ago after a magazine said President Francois Hollande was allegedly having an affair with actress Julie Gayet.
Trierweiler was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 10 for “rest and for some tests,” and was due to be released today, Le Parisien reported. Her office declined to say when she may be discharged.

▽UPDATE 2-Brent falls below $107 on Iran nuclear deal | Reuters

Brent crude fell below $107 a barrel on Monday after six nations struck a fresh six-month deal with Iran to curb its nuclear programme and U.S. President Barack Obama urged Congress not to impose additional sanctions on the country.
Crude oil prices trended lower following gains on Friday after weaker-than-forecast U.S. non farm payrolls suggested the Federal Reserve may slow tapering its bond-buying stimulus.

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Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government rose to more than 60 percent in opinion polls, although voters were divided on his December visit to a Tokyo shrine seen by critics as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism.
The support rose 7 percentage points from last month to 62 percent in a poll by the Yomiuri newspaper, while backing for the main opposition Democratic Party fell 2 points to 4 percent and was dwarfed by the 40 percent who backed Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.