Curfew imposed in parts of Thailand

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Authorities in Thailand have put around a third of the country, including the capital of Bangkok, under a curfew after leaders of the street protesters known as Red Shirts surrendered.

The curfew is the first in Bangkok in fifteen years, and is to run from 20.00 to 06.00 local time (13.00 to 23.00 UTC). As part of the curfew, only government-sanctioned media is to be allowed on television stations. The crackdown by the Thai government comes after army troops entered an area held by protesters and arrested six prominent rebel leaders.

At least six people are confirmed dead after Wednesday’s violence, and military operations are expected to continue for at least another night. The government has also authorized security forces to shoot protesters. Around 40 people in total have been killed since the beginning of military operations against protesters last week.

Protesters have set fire to numerous buildings in Bangkok, and the violence has spread to other areas of the country. The second largest shopping center in Southeast Asia was destroyed by fire; Bangkok’s stock exchange has been set ablaze. Several other buildings have been evacuated, including those of a state-run television company, Channel 3, which was later set on fire and destroyed, and two other English media companies.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said in an appearance on television that he was “confident and determined to end the problems and return the country to peace and order once again.”

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who most protesters support, warned that the military crackdown could lead to open warfare in Thailand, saying that “[t]here is a theory saying a military crackdown can spread resentment and these resentful people will become guerrillas.”

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Egypt protests: Army say they will not use force on demonstrators as Mubarak announces cabinet

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The president of Egypt has suffered a “devastating blow” after the country’s army announced they would not use force against their own people, who continue to protest against the government tonight. The news came hours after six journalists who reported on the protests were released from custody.

Hosni Mubarak yesterday announced a new cabinet, which does not include several figures who protesters largely do not approve of. Analysts have, however, suggested little had changed within the government; many positions, they say, are filled with military figures.

To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people … have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people.

In a statement broadcast on state media in Egypt, the army said: “To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people … have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people.” A BBC correspondent in Cairo said the announcement meant it “now seems increasingly likely that the 30-year rule of Mr Mubarak is drawing to a close.”

“The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people,” the statement added. “Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody.”

Earlier today, six journalists from the independent news network Al-Jazeera were released from custody after being detained by police. The U.S. State Department criticized the arrests; equipment was reportedly confiscated from the journalists.

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Egyptian officials yesterday ordered the satellite channel to stop broadcasting in the country. Al-Jazeera said they were “appalled” by the government’s decision to close its Egyptian offices, which they described as the “latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt.”

In a statement, the news agency added: “Al-Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists. In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard; the closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.”

On Friday, Wikinews reported the government had shut off practically all Internet traffic both out of and into the nation, as well as disrupting cellphone usage. A spokesperson for the social networking website Facebook said “limiting Internet access for millions of people is a matter of concern for the global community.”

A reported 50,000 campaigners, who are demanding the long-time leader step down and complaining of poverty, corruption, and oppression, filled Tahrir Square in Cairo today, chanting “We will stay until the coward leaves.” It is thought 100 people have so far died in the demonstrations. Today there have been protests in Suez, Mansoura, Damanhour, and Alexandria.

Speaking to news media in the area, many protesters said the new cabinet did little to quell their anger. “We want a complete change of government, with a civilian authority,” one said. Another added: “This is not a new government. This is the same regime—this is the same bluff. [Mubarak] has been bluffing us for 30 years.”

In Tahrir Square today, protesters played music as strings of barbed wire and army tanks stood nearby. Demonstrators scaled light poles, hanging Egyptian flags and calling for an end to Mubarak’s rule. “One poster featured Mubarak’s face plastered with a Hitler mustache, a sign of the deep resentment toward the 82-year-old leader they blame for widespread poverty, inflation and official indifference and brutality during his 30 years in power,” one journalist in the square reported this evening.

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Collyer brothers to bid for Everton F.C.?

Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Rumours in London and Merseyside have linked Paul and Oliver Collyer, creators of the football management series Championship Manager, with a possible bid for Premiership football team Everton.

The Goodison Park club, under the chairmanship of former Coronation Street actor Bill Kenwright, were subjects of a failed takeover bid in August 2004. After suffering the blow of failing to get beyond the qualifying stage of the Champions League, Kenwright is known to have recently sought additional investments in the club.

While a move is not thought to be imminent, the recent takeover of the brothers’ games development company Sports Interactive by game giant SEGA could well prove the catalyst for action by the lifelong Evertonians. The company’s PR guru Miles Jacobson was forced into an official denial of the story soon after the takeover news broke on Tuesday morning. The Collyers themselves have as yet been unavailable for comment.

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The Versatility Of Chocolate Wedding Favors: Choose The Way You Like Them!}

Submitted by: Leah Lee

For many hundreds of years, using chocolate as a wedding favor has been considered a privileged custom. This tradition of giving wedding favors was started by the rich Europeans who had the money to offer sophisticated presents to the guests at the wedding. Initially, wedding favors started out in the form of little artistic boxes which were made up of porcelain, gold or crystal. These little boxes were acknowledged by people as bonboniere and usually they were covered with precious gems. At that time, sugar was quite costly and also had health advantages and so these boxes were used to keep bonbons or any other sweet treats.

The most preferred wedding favor that has been in use even now are Bonbons, chocolates in particular. Of course there have been changes in the traditional bonboniere all through the past centuries. Nowadays, the stylish bonboniere are made from crystal, porcelain, pewter or stainless steel. Moreover, there are different designs to suit the wedding theme or the preferences. White chipboard boxes are the most reasonable ones which can be printed to reveal the conventional wedding themes or they can also have a solid color. For a more sophisticated bonboniere, the exterior can have a foil lamination and also an embossed appearance. Regardless of the design of the box, the main purpose is to conceal an undisclosed present that is inside the box.

Chocolate truffles are enjoyed by most of the people because of their rich flavor and smooth texture. Therefore, a single chocolate truffle or a collection of three will make a very stylish wedding favor or gift. Chocolate truffles are reasonably priced and they can be easily bought from local confectionaries or even online.

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It is because of the use of chocolates as wedding favors that regular chocolate bars now have brand names. Using chocolate of a particular brand is considered as declaration of sophistication. Most of the small chocolate firms that provide specially-made chocolates can make a mold that will be carved with the personal message from the bride and the groom. These firms have stock molds to make chocolates coins and bars of a particular theme. They can create three-dimensional chocolate delicacies that are similar to conventional wedding themes, the cake topper of the couple and chocolate pops. These delicacies are made from chocolate that can be of milk, white or dark. The bride and the groom can also have the molded chocolates painted with gold and silver that are suitable for eating.

By filling exclusive and clear containers with candy-coated chocolates, you will get a simple, reasonable and yet a very sophisticated wedding favor. These chocolates can be bought in large quantities and they are available in different varieties of color so as to suit the wedding color plan. The clear containers for the wedding favor consist of clear boxes, organza bags, plastic tubes and glass jars.

By selecting and arranging for a particular chocolate and container, we are still carrying on the tradition of using chocolate as a wedding favor or gift. The couple displays their gratitude by gifting chocolates to their wedding guests. They can make their guests happy at a reasonable cost.

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Dozens of children killed in childcare center fire in Mexico

Saturday, June 6, 2009

35 children were killed and more than 40 were injured in a fire which roared through the ABC child care center in Hermosillo, Mexico on Friday afternoon. Among the injured were six adults, most who have yet to be identified. Over twenty other children have been hospitalized with burns. They have been transported to local hospitals and other medical facilities in the United States.

Neighbors, employees and firefighters broke walls to rescue unconscious children and babies from the fire in the converted warehouse building which was equipped with only one exit.

Three air ambulances, medical equipment and fifteen burn specialists were dispatched to the scene where children between the ages of six months and five years old perished from smoke inhalation. The majority of the injured and killed were under three years of age, said government officials.

Red Cross rescue workers say that 100 children were being cared for when the fire broke out. Sonora state Gov. Eduardo Bours confirmed that 142 children were in the child care center. Already, 27 of the 31 child fatalities have been identified, as parents continue to await news on their children.

Preliminary reports state that the fire may have started in the neighboring tire and car warehouse and spread to the childcare center. President of Mexico Felipe Calderón has placed the attorney general, Eduardo Medina-Mora in charge of the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Mexico’s Social Security Institute also sent out resources to their privately run facility.

Hermosillo, population of over 700,000, is the capital of the Mexican state of Sonora 167 miles (269 km) from the American border.

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