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'Queen of Pop' Whitney Houston dies, publicist says
2012-02-12 08:21:48 GMT+7 (ICT)
LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- Singing superstar Whitney Houston, often referred to as the 'Queen of Pop', died on Saturday, her publicist said. She was 48.
Publicist Kristen Foster confirmed Houston's death but gave no other details about the time, place or cause of death.

-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-12

Indonesian girl swept away by 2004 tsunami found alive
2011-12-22 19:07:16 GMT+7 (ICT)
MEULABOH, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- An Indonesian girl who was thought to have died when a huge tsunami devastated the island of Sumatra in December 2004, has been found alive and reunited with her parents, local media reported on Thursday.
Wati, who is now 15, went missing in December 2004 when a tsunami hit Ujong Baroh village in West Aceh Regency, which is located in Aceh province and was among the hardest-hit areas. The girl, 8 at the time, was being taken by her mother Yusniar to higher grounds along with her two siblings, but the girl was swept away by the rushing waters.
After searching for her missing child, Yusniar eventually gave up and accepted that her daughter had been killed by the tsunami. Both Yusniar and her other two children escaped the tsunami unharmed after they reached higher grounds.
But on Wednesday, Wati arrived at a coffee shop in Meulaboh, the capital of West Aceh, where she sat in silence. According to the Antara news agency, people initially thought the girl was a beggar but later explained that she had arrived from Banda Aceh in search of her home. However, she did not know how as she could not remember the names of her parents, although she knew her grandfather's name is Ibrahim.
A person at the coffee shop, who is an acquaintance of Ibrahim, heard her story and made an immediate connection to Wati. He went on to take her to Ibrahim, and her family was able to identify her by a small mole and scar above her eyebrow, which she got when she was six years old.
It was not immediately known what happened to Wati after she was washed away by the tsunami, Antara reported, but she reportedly wandered to different districts in the province of Aceh throughout the years. Her mental and physical condition were not immediately known.
On December 26, 2004, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The 9.1-magnitude earthquake unleashed a deadly tsunami, striking scores of countries in the region. In all, at least 227,898 people were killed.
Indonesia was the worst affected area with an estimated death toll of at least 170,000, although some estimates have put the death toll in Indonesia alone at as high as 220,000. Aceh was the hardest-hit region, and some areas are still struggling to recover.

-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-22

Genocide trial opens for 3 senior Khmer Rouge leaders

2011-11-22 17:05:29 GMT+7 (ICT)

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (BNO NEWS) -- A United Nations-backed tribunal on Monday began the genocide trial of the last three senior surviving leaders of the notorious Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

The trial marks the second case brought to trial by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), a mixed court set up under a 2003 agreement signed by the United Nations (UN) and the Cambodian government to try those deemed most responsible for crimes committed between 1975 and 1979 during which nearly two million people are thought to have died.

Opening statements from the prosecution and defense in the trial of former foreign minister Ieng Sary, former so-called Brother Number Two Nuon Chea, and former head of State Khieu Samphan on charges including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture are expected on Tuesday.

Case 002, as the trial is being referred to, is considered one of the most significant in international criminal justice due to the magnitude of the crimes and its complexity, according to a news release issued by the UN Assistance to the Khmer Rouge trials.

The trial includes the April 17, 1975 mass evacuation of the capital Phnom Penh, the torture and executions at security prisons around the country and genocide against the Cham Muslims and the ethnic Vietnamese. Local media have underlined that the abuse and violations suffered by many victims under the Khmer Rouge regime may never be heard in court.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said it was a 'historic day' for the people of Cambodia, many of whom have waited for years for the start of the trial. "The survivors' testimony will undoubtedly help a new generation of Cambodians to understand their history and add impetus to the international community's efforts to prevent future mass crimes," Pillay said.

Nearly 1,000 visitors came to the court to watch Monday's proceedings, during which National Co-Prosecutor Chea Leang depicted what types of crimes took place and how millions of Cambodians endured forced labor, torture and inhumane conditions before being murdered.

"Democratic Kampuchea was one of the most brutal and horrific regimes in modern history," Pillay underlined, while International Co-Prosecutor Andrew Cayley said the trial is embarking on "an unprecedented journey."

"One in four Cambodians perished during the four-year reign of Democratic Kampuchea," Cayley stated. "The scope of human catastrophe during the regime was incompatible."

However, in a series of recent decisions, the minority judges of the pre-trial chamber have found "serious deficiencies" in the application of international standards in the cases still before the court's investigating judges. Pillay underlined the importance that those concerns are addressed as the court moves forward, adding that allegations of interference "mar the credibility of any court in the eyes of the public."

Last week the ECCC's trial chamber ruled the unconditional release of Ieng Sary's wife, 79-year-old Ieng Thirith. She is the former Social Affairs Minister for the Democratic Kampuchea who was on trial for genocide and other crimes against humanity along with the other three men. She was released because she was deemed to be unfit to stand trial.

It is estimated that at least 1.7 million Cambodians died during the Khmer Rouge's reign. The regime came to an end in 1979 when a civil war erupted.

  
-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-11-22

  

Thai flood death toll reaches 244

2011-10-07 19:30:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- Heavy monsoon rains across the Asian country of Thailand have left at least 244 people killed in recent months, according to the latest reports released on Friday.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director Wibul Sanguanpong said the ongoing flooding has hit 201 districts in 28 provinces, affecting 2.6 million people and damaging more than 7.5 million rai (1.2 million hectares) of farmland. As of Thursday, 244 people are confirmed dead while three others remain missing, the Bangkok Post reported.



Wibul also said the amount of water in major dam reservoirs is still at a critical level and warned of flash flooding in several low-lying areas. In Ayutthaya province, authorities alerted residents to evacuate their belongings to safe ground immediately as more flooding was expected to hit the area in the coming days.

Ayutthaya governor Witthaya Piewpong said that flooding in the province is expected to reach a critical point in the next days as overflow from the Lop Buri, Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers would add to existing flood woes in the province. At least one hospital has been temporarily closed because of flooding, according to the Bangkok Post.

In addition, inmates at the Ayutthaya Central Prison were also being evacuated after the prison compound was flooded. Corrections Department deputy director-general Somsak Rangsiyopas said about 600 of the total 1,766 inmates had been moved to nearby prisons.

  
-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-07

  

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has died

2011-10-06 06:42:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA (BNO NEWS) -- Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died on Wednesday, the company confirmed.

In a statement, Apple's Board of Directors announced the passing of Jobs. "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives," the statement said. "The world is immeasurably better because of Steve."

It added: "His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

  
-- thaivisa.com © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-10-06