elephant god's birthday

In photos: Ganesh Chaturthim celebrations for Hindu elephant god's birthday

The Hindu elephant god Ganesh, known to be remover of obstacles, celebrated his birthday in style on September 17.

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival was marked by massive processions in the Indian state of Maharashtra, where he is regarded as the patron saint, with similar celebrations held around India and all over the world.

On the last day of the festival, India's financial capital Mumbai comes to a standstill as devotees carry the Ganesh idols for immersion into the Arabian Sea.

Work on Ganesh idols usually begins two to three months beforehand

During the festival, idols are taken through the streets in a procession accompanied by dancing and singing crowds.

promise to cooperate closely

Europe migrant crisis: EU leaders pledge $1.6 billion for Syrian refugees; promise to cooperate closely

The closure of Hungary's border led thousands of migrants and refugees to head towards Croatia and Serbia.

EU leaders have pledged at least 1 billion euros ($1.6 billion) for Syrian asylum seekers in the Middle East and agreed to cooperate to deal with the flood of people into Europe at a summit described as less tense than feared after weeks of feuding.

He heard "very substantial and energetic" exchanges between the Austrian and Hungarian leaders, whose common border was among those disrupted by chaotic crowds of asylum seekers this summer, but not the mutual recrimination that has threatened to tear apart the bloc's cherished passport-free Schengen zone.

"Today's meeting and this atmosphere are a very positive sign," said Mr Tusk, a former prime minister of Poland.

"It's quite a symbolic moment for me as it's clear we have stopped this risky blame game."

German chancellor Angela Merkel, criticised by some eastern neighbours for what they saw as actions that have fuelled the influx of people trying to reach Germany,

EU to process asylum seekers at 'hot spots' in Greece, Italy

The EU said it would offer at least 1 billion euros more to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, its World Food Program and other agencies and increase funding for Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other countries — part of a broad push to ease factors driving Syrians to risk sailing to Europe.






















origina post found her

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-20/migrants-wait-at-fence-on-border/6790438

Tiger kills woman

Killer tiger Oz will not be put down after fatal New Zealand attack; victim named as senior staff member Samantha Kudewah

Sumatran tiger Oz will not be euthanased 

Male Sumatran tiger Oz will not be euthanased following a fatal attack on a zookeeper over the weekend, New Zealand's Hamilton Zoo says.

New Zealand police have identified the woman fatally mauled in the Sunday morning attack as Samantha Kudewah, 43, a senior staff member at the animal park south of Auckland.


Hamilton City Council general manager Lance Vervoort said although the death was a tragedy, senior zoo staff had ruled out euthanasing Oz.

"We're aware there is a lot of interest and speculation around how we manage Oz now, and I want to assure the public and zoo supporters that he will not be put down," Mr Vervoort said.

"Although there is an inherent risk for zoo professionals who manage big cats like Oz, there is no wider ongoing risk. There is no reason for us to put Oz down.

"Oz is a significant animal for his species. He is the father of our two cubs, and he is vital to the ongoing breeding program to conserve this rare species."

Mr Vervoort said the widely held view among zoo professionals was that Oz's attack was in line with his natural instincts.
























origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-21/new-zealand-killer-tiger-oz-will-not-be-put-down/6792040

'Deadly air raids' IS

Syria crisis: 'Deadly air raids' against IS in Palmyra

The Syrian government has stepped up attacks on rebel positions

Syrian government war planes have launched one of the heaviest bombardments yet on the city of Palmyra, which is held by Islamic State (IS) militants, activists say.

About 25 air strikes left at least 26 people dead, including 12 militants, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
IS captured Palmyra, which includes a Unesco World Heritage site, in May.
Elsewhere, air strikes on Idlib killed 17 people, the Observatory said.
The city of Idlib is a stronghold of an alliance of jihadist and Islamist groups calling itself the Army of Conquest.
Syrian military sources quoted by Reuters have said Syria is using new types of very accurate weapons supplied by its ally, Russia.
























origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34300223

bombing of tourists in Egypt

Aerial bombing of tourists in Egypt lasted three hours, Mexican survivor says

A Mexican tourist who survived an air strike in Egypt says their convoy was bombed five times over a period of three hours, even after security forces on the ground had cleared their passage.

Eight Mexicans were killed and six more wounded in the attack.

Susan Calderon's husband was among eight Mexicans killed in what has been described as an accident. Four Egyptian guides were also killed.
"You could see the viciousness with which they came and went," she told Mexican newspaper El Universal from her hospital bed in Cairo.

"We were bombed about five times, always from the air. It all lasted some three hours."
Ms Calderon was wounded in the arm and her right leg is paralysed, though doctors believe she will regain movement.

Her husband, Luis Barajas, was found alive when rescue workers arrived, but later died.

"I saw my husband when they put me on a stretcher to take me to the hospital," Ms Calderon said.

"I heard him tell me he loved me, and I told him I do too. And then I heard nothing from him again.

"It was supposed to be the trip of our lives."

The couple had been married for 20 years  and ran a hospital equipment business in the western city of Guadalajara. They did not have children.

Mexico demands compensation for victims

Mexico's president Enrique Pena Nieto has demanded Egypt investigate the deadly attack and assign blame.

























origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-18/mexican-survivor-recounts-aerial-bombing-ordeal-in-egypt/6787084

weapons from Russia: military source

Syrian army starts using new weapons from Russia: military source

air base at Latakia, Syria

The Syrian military has recently started using new types of air and ground weapons supplied by Russia, a Syrian military source told Reuters on Thursday, underlining growing Russian support for Damascus that is alarming the United States.

"The weapons are highly effective and very accurate, and hit targets precisely," the source said in response to a question about Russian support. "We can say they are all types of weapons, be it air or ground."

The source said the army had been trained in the use of the weapons in recent months and was now deploying them, declining to give further details other than saying they were "new types."

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said on Thursday Russia had provided new weapons and trained Syrian troops how to use them, without saying when or naming any specific systems.

He told state television the government would be prepared to go further and ask Russian forces to fight alongside its troops if needed - though he said there were no such soldiers there now.

The Russian government said on Thursday its military support for Damascus was aimed at fighting terrorism, safeguarding Syria's statehood and preventing a "total catastrophe" in the region.
























origina post found herhttp://uk.reuters.com/news/picture/exclusive-syrian-army-starts-using-new-w?articleId=UKKCN0RH16N20150917&slideId=1080190046

Fifa: Eugenio Figueredo

Fifa suspect Eugenio Figueredo faces extradition to US

Eugenio Figueredo is also accused of fraudulently obtaining US citizenship

Switzerland says it has approved the extradition of a Uruguayan football official accused of taking bribes.

Eugenio Figueredo was one of seven officials with Fifa, world football's governing body, who were arrested in Zurich on 27 May.
He is accused of receiving bribes worth millions of dollars relating to Copa America tournaments, Switzerland's Federal Office of Justice said.
He has 30 days to appeal against his extradition to the US.
Mr Figueredo is a former vice-president of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) and was a vice-president of Fifa.
The Swiss statement said he is accused of:

Taking bribes from a Uruguayan sports marketing company over the sale of marketing rights to the Copa America tournaments in 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2023
Gaining US citizenship "fraudulently by submitting forged medical reports in 2005 and 2006"
Mr Figueredo had earlier contested attempts to extradite him.

So far, only one arrested official - former Fifa Vice-President Jeffrey Webb, from the Cayman Islands - has agreed to be moved from Switzerland.
At a hearing in June, Mr Webb pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights.
He was placed under house arrest on $10m (£6.4m) bail by a New York judge.
Eugenio Figueredo was born in Uruguay in 1932.
He played for the Uruguayan club Huracan Buceo and served as its president between 1971 and 1972.
In 1997 he was named president of the Uruguayan Football Association.



























origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34282632

earthquake sets off tsunami

Strong Chile earthquake sets off tsunami waves

A powerful earthquake has hit central Chile, causing buildings to sway in the capital Santiago, officials say.

The 8.3-magnitude tremor was centred off the coast, about 144 miles (232km) north-west of the capital.

Five people are now known to have died, and one million residents have been evacuated from coastal areas. There were reports of panic in some cities.

The BBC's Wyre Davies said the ''massive'' earthquake prompted a tsunami warning beyond Chile to other countries

The earthquake produced waves of up to 4.5m (15ft) along the coast in the region of Coquimbo.

The tremor struck at 19:54 local time (22:54 GMT), about 55km west of the city of Illapel, the US Geological Survey said.

Officials said it was at the depth of about 10km (six miles).

Several strong aftershocks were reported just minutes later.

Addressing the nation live on TV, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet confirmed that two women were killed after rubble fell down on them and a man died of a heart attack.

Ms Bachelet said she would travel to the affected areas later on Thursday.

The authorities later raised the confirmed death toll to five, saying that one person was missing.

Some homes were reportedly damaged in the city of Illapel.

The earthquake struck as thousands of Chileans were travelling to the coast ahead of a week of celebrations of the national holidays, or Fiestas Patrias.

Tsunami alerts were also issued for Peru, Hawaii, parts of California and as far away as New Zealand.

New Zealand authorities warned of unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows, reported local media. At least one school has evacuated.

The quake was also strongly felt in some Argentine provinces like Mendoza and in the capital Buenos Aires several buildings were evacuated, the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes reports.

Chile is one of the most seismically active locations on the globe.

It runs along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. These are vast slabs of the Earth's surface that grind past each other at a rate of up to 80mm per year.

In February 2010, a 8.8-magnitude struck off central Chile, killing more than 500 people.

origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34275783

US warns North Korea over nuclear plant 'provocation'

The US has warned North Korea to refrain from "irresponsible provocation" after the communist state said its main nuclear facility had resumed normal operations.

The North said in 2013 it would reactivate the Yongbyon reactor

The reactor at Yongbyon has been the source of plutonium for North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
The White House said North Korea should "focus instead on fulfilling its international obligations".
The reactor was shut down in 2007 as part of a disarmament-for-aid deal.
But Pyongyang vowed to restart it in 2013, following its third nuclear test and amid high regional tensions.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the international community would not accept North Korea as a nuclear state.




"We will work with our partners in the context of the six-party talks to try to return North Korea to a posture of fulfilling those commitments that they have made," he said.
"We will repeat our call that North Korea should refrain from the irresponsible provocations that aggravate regional tension and should focus instead on fulfilling its international obligations and commitments."
Six-nation talks involving South Korea, the US, China, Japan and Russia aimed at ending the North's nuclear programme have been stalled since 2009.
Experts believe that, when fully operational, the Yongbyon reactor can make one nuclear bomb's worth of plutonium per year.

A US think-tank said this year that satellite images suggested work had started at the Yongbyon complex.
But Tuesday's announcement was the first official confirmation from North Korea that it had restarted operations there.
The state-run news agency KCNA said North Korea was improving its nuclear weapons "in quality and quantity".
It said that the North was ready to face US hostility with "nuclear weapons any time".
However, experts say North Korea's nuclear capabilities are unclear.
Pyongyang claims it has made a device small enough to fit a nuclear warhead on to a missile, which it could launch at its enemies. But US officials have cast doubt on the claim.
North Korea has made bellicose threats against its neighbours and the US before, often to coincide with annual joint military exercises held by South Korea and US forces.
The two Koreas remain technically at war, because the 1950-1953 war ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

































ORINANAL FOUND HERhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34263953

UK:Diesel pumps

UK:Diesel pumps could run dry says RAC Foundation

There is a danger Britain's diesel pumps could "run dry" because of a growing dependence on foreign fuel, according to the RAC Foundation.

The motoring research group says diesel demand has been rising for decades, but UK refineries are struggling to cope.
There were 11 million diesel cars on the road last year, compared to just 1.6 million in 1994.
The RACF says that, at this rate, diesel will be four times more popular than petrol by 2030.
Yet we consume twice as much diesel as we produce, and that growing reliance on countries including Russia and India to supply the fuel could leave motorists "at the mercy of the global market" in future, the foundation says.
"Even if we are not in conflict with those countries that control the taps, they might simply decide they need more of what they produce for their own markets," RACF director Steve Gooding told the BBC.
"If supply is interrupted, then at best we'll see sharp rises in forecourt prices and, at worst, there is the unlikely but real possibility of pumps running dry."























ORINANAL FOUND HERhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34262990

support for Assad in Syria

Vladimir Putin vows to continue support for Assad government in Syria

Russian president Vladimir Putin has promised to continue military support of the Assad government in Syria and urged other countries to follow suit.

In recent days the US and several European nations have voiced concerns over reports Russia has been escalating its military support for the Syrian government.

Mr Putin said other countries should supply military and technical assistance for the Assad government in Syria.

But Mr Putin said other countries should supply military and technical assistance to Syria, as only its government's forces can defeat Islamic State militants.

He also said the influx of Syrian refugees into Europe would have been much worse if it was not for Russian support for the Assad regime.

Russia already has a naval base in Syria and US officials say there are signs it is planning an airbase as well.

According to the Pentagon, there has been a steady flow of people and equipment at the airfield near the port city of Latakia, on the country's coast, over the past week.

Earlier this month, the New York Times reported Russia sent a military advance team to Syria and transported a number of prefabricated housing units and a portable air traffic control station to a Syrian airfield.

But a spokesman for the Pentagon said there was no sign of any fighter planes or helicopters being moved in.

State department spokesman John Kirby said the Russian move would not help solve the conflict in Syria.

"It certainly appears as though they are continuing to support the Assad regime," he said.

"What we would like to see is movement towards a political transition in Syria, and we still believe there's an opportunity to pursue that kind of transition in concert with Russian authorities."

A recent statement from the Kremlin said Mr Putin was, however, "open to dialogue" and a meeting with his US counterpart Barack Obama when he visits the United Nations headquarters later this month.

"President Putin is always open to dialogue, especially with his colleague President Obama," Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said, adding that no such meeting had yet been agreed.

"There is a will [for dialogue] on Russia's part and this will remain."

The US and its western allies vigorously oppose the government of Bashar al-Assad and say that backing him risks prolonging the conflict.





















origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-16/putin-to-continue-support-for-assad-regime-in-syria/6779080

Star Wars plane

Star Wars plane unveiled in Washington

Star Wars characters R2D2 and C3PO with the new R2D2 plane. 

NOW this is one Boeing 787-8 “Dreamliner” plane that’s living up to its name.

The R2D2 jet delighted diehard fans as it rolled out of the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington, on the weekend, fully decorated in a Star Wars theme.

Stormtroopers also accompanied the jet out of the hangar.

It was greeted with much excitement. 

The plane was created for All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline, and is the first of three aircraft to be adorned with the livery.

The R2D2 motif has been imprinted onto the cockpit and front half of the jet’s exterior, while the Star Wars logo spans the length behind the wings.

Inside, passengers will find themed in-flight decorations including headrest covers, serviettes and cups.

And those flying on the 215-seat plane will be able to watch all six of the recently released Star Wars films.

“At ANA we’re always looking for ways to improve the flying experience for our passengers, and what better way to start your trip to Asia than on a one-of-a-kind Star Wars plane?” ANA spokeswoman Hideki Kunugi said.

You could hop on board

The jet is scheduled to begin commercial flights from Haneda to Vancouver (flight number NH116) from October 18. And great news for Aussie fans — the plane will later fly between Japan and Sydney, as well as cities in the US, Europe, China and Indonesia.

May the force be with them!



























origina post found herhttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/travel-advice/star-wars-plane-unveiled-in-washington/story-fni0bfok-1227528783950

'tortured by their own side'

Argentine Falklands War troops 'tortured by their own side'

Argentine soldiers were subjected to abuse and torture by their own superiors during the 1982 Falklands War against Britain, files released by Argentina's armed forces reveal.

Argentine soldiers occupied the islands within a few days from the invasion, but the conflict would be over in 74 days

They are the first official documents from the conflict to be made public and contain testimonies from soldiers who say they were poorly equipped and cold.
They say they were severely beaten for leaving the trenches to look for food.
The conflict over the islands cost the lives of more than 900 soldiers.
For years, war veterans have complained about the terrible conditions during the conflict, including lack of proper boots and coats, says the BBC's Ignacio de los Reyes in Buenos Aires.
The previously secret files describe mock executions and soldiers being tied up inside empty graves.
A lieutenant describes how another officer tied his hands and legs to this back and left him face down on the wet sand of a cold Falklands beach for eight hours.
A sergeant says he had to be operated on after being kicked in the testicles.
"These documents lift the veil on facts that were hidden for so many years by the armed forces," said Ernesto Alonso, from a veterans group in La Plata.

'Exercise of colonialism'

The Falklands War began in April 1982, when Argentine troops invaded the British overseas territory which Argentina calls the Malvinas.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner ordered in April the release of all secret files from the armed forces during the conflict

A British task force was sent to the area and regained control of the islands in June. Three Falklands civilians and 255 British servicemen died during the conflict.
The number of Argentine dead is estimated at about 650.
Argentine defeat precipitated the end of the country's brutal military government, which was already facing serious economic problems and lack of popular support.
Despite widespread criticism in Argentina of the 1982 invasion, most Argentines continue to claim the islands as theirs.
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has previously described British presence as "a blatant exercise of 19th-Century colonialism".
The British government says it will defend the self-determination of the islanders.
An overwhelming majority of Falkland residents voted in March 2013 to remain a British territory. About 2,900 people live on the islands.





























origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34252025

satellite advances "North Korea"

North Korea touts satellite advances, raising prospect of rocket launch

"final phase" of developing a new satellite,

North Korea says it is in the "final phase" of developing a new satellite, raising the prospect of a
long-range rocket launch that would provoke international condemnation.

The world should expect to see a series of North Korean satellites "soaring into the sky," the country's state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Monday, citing a senior aerospace official.

Although nuclear-armed North Korea insists its satellite launches are for peaceful purposes, they are widely viewed as tests of ballistic missile technology that aid its weapons program.

"There are multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that require North Korea to suspend all activities related to their ballistic missile program and re-establish a moratorium on missile launches, stop conducting any launches using ballistic missile technology, and abandon its ballistic missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner," U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in response to a question about the North Korean announcement.

"Any satellite launch using ballistic missile technology would be a clear violation of those resolutions," Kirby said at a regular news briefing Monday in Washington.

Timing of any launch unclear

The director of North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration, the official cited in the state media report, didn't specify when any launches might take place.
North Korea last conducted a long-range rocket launch in December 2012, prompting the U.N. Security Council to expand sanctions on Kim Jong Un's regime.

Launch station upgraded

Experts say that since the 2012 launch, Kim's regime has upgraded its Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

The North Korean aerospace official said Monday that "successful progress made in reconstructing and expanding satellite launching grounds for higher-level satellite liftoff has laid a firm foundation for dynamically pushing ahead with the nation's development of space science."

South Korea's Defense Ministry said it was closely watching "the latest report regarding North Korea's plan to launch a rocket" but declined to provide further comment on the matter.




























origina post found her

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/14/asia/north-korea-satellite-launch/index.html

Strictly Come Dancing 2015: When does Strictly Come Dancing 2015 start?

The show will be back on our screens on BBC One on Friday, September 25.

The celebrities confirmed to be taking part include singer and reality TV star Peter Andre, Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, chef Ainsley Harriott, broadcaster Katie Derham, R&B singer Jamelia, former olympic 440m runner Iwan Thomas and middleweight boxer Anthony Ogogo.


Three new dancers joined the ranks last week – handsome Russian-born Gleb Savchenko, Italian champion Giovanni Pernice and South African Otile Mabuse.




























orginal found herhttp://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2015-does-Strictly-Come/story-27785013-detail/story.html

Japanese volcano Mount Aso erupts unexpectedly

Mount Aso, a volcano on Japan's main southern island of Kyushu

A volcano on Japan's main southern island of Kyushu has erupted, sending clouds of black smoke and ash into the air.

Mount Aso, which is a popular tourist spot, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country.
Officials said that there were no reports of any injuries.

The 1,592-metre (5,222 feet) Mount Aso is one of the most active peaks in Japan but is also a popular hiking spot. There were a handful of people at a parking lot near the peak but they were being evacuated safely, officials said.






























orginal found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34241863

Corbyn gives top jobs

Jeremy Corbyn gives top jobs to John McDonnell and Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham, left, and John McDonnell, centre, were both given high-profile jobs by new leader Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn has announced most of the key jobs in his first shadow cabinet, with defeated leadership rival Andy Burnham becoming shadow home secretary.

The new Labour leader named his campaign manager John McDonnell as shadow chancellor, while Hilary Benn remains shadow foreign secretary.

It means the top roles on the Labour front bench are all taken by men.

However, Angela Eagle, the new shadow business secretary, was also named shadow first secretary of state.

It means she will stand in for Mr Corbyn at Prime Minister's Questions when Prime Minister David Cameron is away.

'Hard to stomach'

Lewisham MP Heidi Alexander will take over from Mr Burnham as shadow health secretary while Lord Falconer, a former flat mate of ex-PM Tony Blair, will continue as shadow justice secretary.

Chuka Umunna said he was leaving the front bench by "mutual agreement" and Mary Creagh also joined a number of MPs from the previous shadow cabinet who opted to return to the backbenches.

Other confirmed appointments are:

• Seema Malhotra shadow chief secretary to the Treasury
• Diane Abbott shadow minister for international development
• Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker
• Rosie Winterton to continue as chief whip
• Ian Murray to continue as shadow Scottish secretary.
• 

origina post found her

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34240869

police arrests three suspects

Malaysian police arrests three suspects over deadly Bangkok blast

Experts investigate the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok, Thailand, 

Malaysian police have arrested three suspects in connection with last month's deadly bomb blast in central Bangkok which killed 20 people.

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said two Malaysians and a Pakistani national were arrested and were assisting with the investigation.

The Royal Thai Police have issued an arrest warrant for a Chinese man, identified as Abudusataer Abudureheman.

No group has claimed responsibility for the August 17 attack at a Hindu shrine in the Thai capital which killed 20 people, including 14 foreign tourists.

The arrests in Malaysia were made after a tip-off by Thai authorities, Mr Khalid said.

Thai police have been heavily criticised over the investigation and statements from top officials about possible perpetrators and motives.

Information extracted from suspects have been contradictory, speculative and often cryptic.

Mr Khalid said the Pakistani suspect is male, while one of the local suspects is female and the other is male.

He said there were no plans to move the suspects to Thailand yet.

On Saturday, Thai police said an arrest warrant had been issued for a Chinese suspect, identified as Abudusataer Abudureheman. His whereabouts could not be confirmed.

Police believe the man who organised the plot and fled the eve of the blast had spent two weeks in Bangladesh before flying out of Dhaka on August 30.

"He recorded on his departure card that he would transit in Delhi to go to China," Thai police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said.





















origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-14/malaysia-arrests-three-bangkok-blast-suspects/6773832

'Stolen' diamond

'Stolen' diamond surgically removed in Bangkok

The woman was stopped at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport

A Chinese woman suspected of stealing a $300,000 (£195,000) diamond in the Thai capital, Bangkok, has had the jewel surgically removed from her intestines.

She is thought to have swallowed it in order to smuggle it out of the country.
The woman is believed to have stolen the six-carat diamond from a jewellery fair on Thursday by swapping it for a fake gemstone.
However, she was caught on security cameras at the fair and later arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

A man travelling with her was also arrested.
Police said the woman initially denied involvement, but an X-ray revealed the diamond lodged inside her.
She was initially given laxatives, but when nature failed to take its course, a colonoscope was used to extract the gem.
Pol Maj Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, quoted by the Bangkok Post, said the operation had taken about 12 minutes and the woman was recovering in hospital.













origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34239036

Russia raises stakes on Syria ahead of U.N. meeting in New York

President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad 

Russia is refusing to clarify the scale of its military presence in Syria, Russia keeps the West fearing a considerable build-up to win stronger bargaining position when world powers sit down to talks on the conflict, Western diplomats in Moscow said.

Those discussions could take place as soon as this month, when Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to the United States for the first time in some eight years, to speak at the annual United Nations General Assembly.

Russia's central demand now is that its long-time ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, should be included in international efforts to contain the militants who have called themselves Islamic State and control large tracts of Syria.

U.S. officials said on Wednesday Russia had sent two tank landing ships and additional aircraft to Syria and deployed a small number of forces there.

In Lebanon, sources said Russian forces are taking part in combat in Syria, where Assad has come under increasing pressure.

"It's all about the General Assembly," said one of the diplomats, who like other sources spoke on condition of anonymity.

"If there is a real new start in dialogue between Russia and the United States - we have a whole new situation, new quality."

Moscow has signalled several times in recent weeks it is interested in a meeting between Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama in New York. The White House says it is not aware of any meeting planned at the moment.

Moscow would play up any such meeting for its domestic audiences to cast Putin as a peacemaker and an indispensable partner for Washington in tackling international crises, even at a time of high tensions over Ukraine.

"Russia is piling pressure, playing a blackmail game," said defence analyst Pavel Felgenhauer, noting how a Moscow proposal for an anti-IS coalition involving Assad has lost impetus.

"They want to push others to consider it more seriously," said the expert, who is often critical of the Kremlin. "Or else fear that Moscow could use its forces there for other purposes."

Washington expressed concern over the Russian military build-up in Syria and put pressure on countries nearby to deny their air space to Russian flights to the country.

Russia has decried the U.S. pressure over the flights as "international boorishness" and dismissed reports of a build-up in Syria in general terms.

But Russian officials have repeatedly dodged questions over whether there has been a recent increase in military assistance to Assad and Moscow has not unequivocally denied any build-up of its forces in Syria.

"First we were accused of providing arms to the so-called 'bloody regime that was persecuting democratic activists'," said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry.

"Now it's a new edition - we are supposedly harming the fight against terrorism. That is complete rubbish."

The Russian Emergencies Ministry has been sending flights to Syria several times a month throughout the conflict, saying they deliver humanitarian aid and help evacuate people.

The West fears Russia is using the flights to bring arms to Syria.

The fine line distinguishing "military experts" from trainers or troops capable of taking direct part in combat has added to Western worries.

The Russian navy has also been going back and forth to Syria recently. Russian bloggers have collated what they say are social media accounts of Russian soldiers, including marines, going to the Russian naval facility at Tartous on Syria's Mediterranean coast.

Ivan Konovalov, a defence expert in Moscow, said problems with securing air routes for the Russian flights to Syria may be driving the increased navy activity.

Moscow has said in the past, including when the Syria conflict was already in full swing, that Tartous has long been manned by a minimal number of troops. Any build-up there would mark a major change in Russia's strategy on the conflict.

It could both help Assad hold his power-base region and allow Russia to safeguard its interests if he were toppled.

Putin said last week it was "premature" to say Russia was ready to take part in combat operations in Syria and there was little feeling among sources in Moscow the Kremlin would go as far as sending meaningful ground forces there.

But the growing concerns have zeroed in on the Russian air force getting involved in Syria, where a U.S.-led coalition is already conducting air strikes against Islamic State.

Back in Moscow, some diplomats speculated that should Russia be able to improve its bargaining position with its moves on Syria, it could try to cut a geo-political deal in exchange for Western concessions on another conflict - Ukraine.

Others ruled out any such possibility. But the idea did not escape Russians, who shared a joke on Twitter about a Russian soldier's worried mother who asked her son how he was doing on the front lines of Ukraine.




















origina post found herhttp://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/09/10/uk-syria-crisis-russia-strategy-idUKKCN0RA0QF20150910

military build-up reportedly continues

NATO concerned by Russian presence in Syria as military build-up

Reports of growing Russian military activity in Syria are a cause for concern, NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has said.

Lebanese sources said on Wednesday that Russian forces had begun participating in military operations in Syria in support of government troops.

Moscow insists it is bringing humanitarian aid to its long-time ally Syria.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Lebanese sources said the Russians were establishing two bases in Syria, one near the coast and one further inland which would be an operations base.

US officials, who also spoke on condition they not be identified, said Russia sent two tank landing ships and additional cargo aircraft to Syria in the past day or so.

One official said dozens of Russian naval infantry had arrived in Syria, but their role was likely to protect incoming military hardware rather than a boots-on-the-ground deployment.

The NATO chief joined other western leaders in calling for a political rather than military solution to the civil war in Syria, which has killed 250,000 people and driven millions of people from their homes.

"I am concerned about reports about increased Russian military presence in Syria," Mr Stoltenberg told reporters during a visit to Prague.

Syria has been embroiled in a vicious civil war since a popular uprising against dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2011.

"That will not contribute to solving the conflict."
The United States, which is fighting an air war against the Islamic State group in Syria but also opposes the Syrian government, have said in recent days that they suspect Russia is reinforcing aid to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Moscow confirmed it had "experts" on the ground in Syria, its long-time ally in the Middle East.



























origina post found herhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-10/russian-military-buildup-continues-in-syria/6764670

Queen Elizabeth II 'never aspired' to be Britain's longest-reigning monarch, cheering crowds mark historic milestone

Queen Elizabeth II has sealed a special place in Britain's history by becoming its longest-reigning monarch but, amid warm tributes from the public and politicians, says she never aspired to the landmark.

Queen Elizabeth II does a walk about while visiting Townsville in north Queensland in 1970

Around 5:30pm uk time. Elizabeth, who is also the nation's oldest ever monarch, will officially surpass the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne
The occasion is being marked by cheering, flag-waving crowds on the street, bells RINGING out in Westminster Abbey and solemn messages in parliament but Elizabeth wanted little fuss

She made only a brief reference to it in a speech as she opened a new railway line in Scotland, saying she never aspired to overtake Victoria.

"[People] have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired," the 89-year-old monarch said.

"Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception. But I thank you all and the many others at home and overseas for your touching messages."

Royal officials have stressed that the queen wanted to keep the date low-key as the CALCULATION of the length of her reign is based on the moment it began with the death of her father George VI in 1952.

However, in London, political leaders heaped praise on a head of state who became monarch aged just 25 at a time when Britain was emerging from the ravages of World War Two and has witnessed massive political change, social upheaval and the end of the British empire during her long reign.
"The Queen is our Queen and we could not be more proud of her," prime minister David Cameron told parliament, calling her a "rock of stability".

"She has served this country with unfailing grace, dignity and decency and long may she CONTINUE to do so."






















origina post found her http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/crowds-cheer-queen-elizabeth-as-uk-longest-reigning-monarch/6763522