8 Provinces in Thailand floods, 21 dead

Flash floods hit eight major provinces in Thailand. Reportedly, 21 people were killed and hundreds of thousands affected by flooding.

According to the Ministry of Interior of Thailand, was launched from the pages of CNN, Thursday, March 31, 2011, flash floods hit southern Thailand, killing 21 people. As many as 716,000 people in eight provinces were affected.

The eight provinces are Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Trang, Chumphon, Songkhla, Krabi and Phang Nga.

Surat Thani, the area worst hit by floods, 311 roads were reported damaged. The loss is estimated at 1.5 billion baht, or about Rp430 billion.

Most had been evacuated to temples or other shelters. Local officials, Sombat Morakot, said the flash floods caused by heavy rain that fell for days.

"Heavy rains occurred over several days. I've never experienced this before in Thailand. The rain drags the ground and wood into some villages," said Sombat.

Heavy rains and flooding that still occurs also make river transportation services, such as boats and ferries, can not be executed. According to the Bangkok Post, airports in several provinces are also not functioning due to a puddle of water on the runway.

Thousands of tourists from various countries were stranded on an island vacation. Bad weather and ferry boat owners do not dare to sail. A total of 33 national and international flights at the airport in Samui canceled. According to the report of Bangkok Airways, as many as 2100 tourists not to go home since last Monday

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State of Malaysia forbade Poco-poco

Poco-poco dance association is famous in Indonesia in the early 2000s, was also popular in Malaysia. In any event in the neighboring country, especially if there are Indonesian men present, almost certainly Poco-poco danced together.
However, now the Muslims in the State of Perak, Malaysia banned dancing. Because, since January 2011 and then, Poco-poco declared unlawful.
As appeared in The Malaysian Insider, 30 March 2011, the Mufti of Perak, Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, who said it, Jawatankuasa Fatwa Silver State, has issued a fatwa that Poco-poco dance haram.
The reason, Harussani said, dance has a Christian element. The point? Poco-poco step to the right, left, front and back is considered representing the shape of the cross.
In addition, poco-poco is also considered an element of the cult of the spirit that is often done in Jamaica.
In response to the fatwa, Perak Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the kingdom will comply with the edict.
Poco-poco haram fatwa so polemical in Malaysia. Responding to the decision of the scholars Silver, the former Mufti of Perlis, Prof Madya Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin actually considers, Poco-poco haram fatwa unnatural.
"If considered as a good dance for health, without the element of trust and do not contain elements of greetings such as liquor and sex, the Shari'a is allowed," he said, as appeared in The Malaysian Insider, Thursday, March 31, 2011.
"If indeed there is an element that is wrong, should imitate the Prophet Muhammad, remove the bad elements, keep the good."
Previously, scholars neighboring country also had issued a fatwa haram yoga.
Chairman of the National Fatwa Council, Abdul Shukor Husin, said yoga has been practiced by the Hindu community for thousands of years. This activity is considered to unify the physical movement and Hindu religious elements in the form of singing and praise, with the goal of "union with God."
"Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga. The Board has stated that the practice of yoga, along with the third element is haram, "Shukor said in a press statement, as reported by the Star website, Sunday, November 23, 2008.

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Arrested: Umar Patek, Dangerous Terrorist Asia

A shocking news came from Pakistan. Terrorist leader Umar Patek alias Abdul Ghoni alias Umar alias Sheikh Abu Arab arrested the country's security forces since March 2, 2011 last. As soon as intelligence sources disclosed Indonesia and the Philippines.
This news is surprising, because Pakistan is a region that has been unexpectedly apparatus was used as terrorist hideouts. So far, officials suspect Patek hiding somewhere in Indonesia or the southern Philippines. Patek arrest raises a big question mark: how fugitive terrorist bully it can escape across the border a number of countries?
Moreover, in Pakistan, a mixture of Java-Arab man was allegedly were planning a big terrorist. Fronted with a number of worldwide terrorist network, Al Qaeda, Patek are believed was planning an act of terror to commemorate 10 years of the tragedy of the World Trade Centre twin towers on 11 September.
In the world of terrorism intelligence, Patek is not a name at random. Track record in the world of terror is quite long stretches, from 1980 to 1990. During that time, he was with a group of people from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines to travel to Afghanistan and Pakistan to participate in combat training.
On returning to Southeast Asia, they form an accused Jemaah Islamiyah was behind a series of suicide bombings that attack nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, and embassies in Indonesia - which killed at least 260 people.
Jamestown Foundation, a national security policy institute based in Washington, DC Patek mention even one of the "last senior commander of Jemaah Islamiyah", which has long experience in the camps of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
So far, at least four states have set it as a fugitive: Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and the United States. In fact, Uncle Sam offered to pay U.S. $ 1 million to anyone who could capture Patek - although the amount of the gift is still cheaper than the head of Dulmatin is priced U.S. $ 10 million.
Maluku War
In Indonesia, 1970 lunge kick-born man was initiated from the Maluku conflict in 2000. Patek name became so famous after he was mentioned as one of the largest brain of terrorist acts in the history of Indonesia, the Bali bombing in 2002. At that time, he is believed to be deputy commander of the field. His job, mix and assemble the bomb, to monitor the situation in the field, drawing a site plan, and precisely match the time and place.
Surefire blood spilled on the Bali night, October 12, 2002. As many as 202 people were killed. Survivor was seriously injured, even a lifelong disability.
Having staged laknatnya, Patek fled to Jakarta, then to the Philippines. In this country, in 2005 he formed a new network that is separate from his group in Indonesia. He was known to hide in southern Philippines, a terrorist coach, joined the Moro Liberation Front, then enter the Abu Sayyaf. In March 2010, Patek believed to be in Sulu province in southern Philippines.
Had drowned, Patek name back to being the news lately. He was allegedly involved in the establishment of terrorist camps in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. "According to the facts, he was the coach there, too," said Chief of Criminal Division of Police, Commissioner-General Ito Sumardi some time ago.
Where trial
Though some media mentions that the arrest information derived from intelligence Patek Indonesia, as confirmed, the Police Headquarters said the arrests were only learned the news from the media.
Police need certainty. For that reason, said the Head of Information Bureau Masyarakadst Police Headquarters, Brigadier General Ketut Untung Yoga Ana, a team will soon be dispatched to Pakistan. To prove it true that people arrested are Umar Patek, the team will conduct a physical check. "The most know him (Umar Patek) us," said Untung Yoga Ana in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
When is a physical check will be done, not yet ascertained. According to Yoga, it will be conducted after coordination with the State Intelligence Agency (NIA), National Agency for Combating Terrorism (BNPT), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Coordination will be done by the government of Pakistan.
Problem where Patek will be judged, Police Headquarters handed to the government of Pakistan. "Even if it is relevant is that he [Umar Patek], we see first whether he committed the crime in the country," said Police Chief Inspector General of Police Public Relations Division. Anton Bahrul Alam at Police Headquarters, Jakarta. "The most competent is not the relevant country [Pakistan] where the crime took place. They can also make the legal process there."
According to Anton, police can only coordinate in the framework of the investigation. However, the Indonesian government hopes Patek could be dragged to court in Indonesia to account for his actions. However, it depends on "what it does in other countries, if he [Patek] committed crimes in other countries, they have rights."
Earlier, another Bali bombing terrorists who are also citizens of Indonesia, Hambali alias Riduan Isamuddin arrested in Ayutthaya, Thailand on August 13, 2003, then picked up the U.S. government. He was detained at the U.S. special prison at Guantanamo, Cuba, and tried in the U.S.. Guantanamo currently living history. President Barack Obama has closed.
About Patek escape route to Pakistan, Chief of Criminal Division, Commissioner-General Ito Sumardi said there were strong indications that departed from Jakarta on the run using a false passport. She had a layover in Bangkok, Thailand, then to Pakistan.
Key figures
News welcomed the arrest of Umar Patek Philippine officials. Philippine military spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos admitted it had won this important information directly from the Pakistan authorities.
Philippine military spokesman the other, Jose Miguel, said the detention Patek is a serious blow to Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf. The two organizations are believed to establish a tactical alliance. "Many people sigh of relief to hear he had been arrested," said Jose as rumored AP, March 30, 2011.
One of the leaders of the Philippine armed forces, Maj. Gen. Francisco Cruz, saw the arrest of Patek "making the threat of Jemaah Islamiyah in Mindanao is reduced".
Patek Philippine officials have long hunted. He had reportedly been shot dead on September 14, 2006 in Sulu, Philippines. However, the information was never successfully confirmed.
On January 31, 2008, he returned reportedly injured in a clash between the rebels and weapons Filipino soldiers in Tawi-Tawi. At that time, Dulmatin and the leader of Abu Sayyaf, Wahab Opao, was reported shot dead.
However, it later confirmed dead at the hands of Dulmatin Antiteror Detachment 88 in a raid on a cafe in Pamulang, Tangerang, on March 9, 2011.
Also of Orchid with arrest Patek is Director of International Crisis Group (ICG) South East Asia, Sidney Jones. He sees this is an important arrest because Patek is the main character in an important and widespread terror network.
"If true, then that arrest is incredibly important. Umar Patek could explain the relevance Indonesian terror network and the network in Southeast Asia and South Asia," said Jones to VIVAnews.
Patek, still says Jones, is also someone who can explain the strategy of terrorist networks in Indonesia and Southeast Asia in conjunction with an international network. Including about funding and sophisticated as what network it is working. He can also give information on whether there are other Indonesian terrorists in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
"Although we do not yet know exactly what group he was with when arrested in Pakistan, we must get additional info is what he is in Pakistan," said Jones.
Patek relationships with terrorist training camps in Aceh, Jones claimed not to know. Including, the presence or absence of red yarn lunge kick him with Abu Bakar Ba'asyir who is currently on trial.
Before this, Jones claimed to have admitted receiving information from reliable sources that Umar Patek seen in Yemen. "This is very dangerous," said Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald, 2 March. "Patek is in the Middle East. It would be very dangerous because he had a wider access to the people of Indonesia. "
Jones was referring to about 2,000 Indonesian students studying in Yemen.

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This severity of Life The Samurai Japanese Nuclear

Fight to the end, the determination of the workers Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Fukushima Dai-Ichi who now risk his life to overcome the nuclear crisis.
The lives of the 'nuclear samurai' - so they are known factory, far from comfortable. They sleep wherever they find an empty place - in a conference room, corridor, even on the stairs - on the mat leaded antiradiasi, with a blanket, no pillow.
Every day they only eat two times - 30 biscuits and vegetable juice for breakfast, and canned food for dinner. There is no enough water to bathe, workers must use wet wipes to clean yourself.
This is the living conditions of workers in the Fukushima nuclear power plant is crippled. Those who are willing to live in the midst of high levels of radiation in order to save Japan, is recognized as a hero. Not only by the people of Japan, also by the world. However, until now, little information is known about the routine of the workers.
Last Tuesday, the safety inspector, Kazuma Yokota, who had stayed five days in the NPP, told CNN, describing the suffering 400 workers who live in a building which is about 1 kilometer from the reactor number 1. In fact, the Japanese government has ordered the evacuation of anyone who lived within a radius of 20 kilometers from the reactors.
"The workers look tired," said Yokota, such as loaded CNN, March 29, 2011. They are trying hard connecting electrical wires, fix the instrument panel, and pumping out the water radioactive.
The workers worked alternately, three days in the NPP. Work started at 08.00 and ends 12 hours later.
They work with each tragedy burden caused by the earthquake and tsunami last March 11, 2011. "My parents tsunami waves swept away, until now I do not know their whereabouts," said one worker in an electronic mail that is verified authentic by Tokyo Electric Power Co., which manages the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
But, he added, there's no point crying. "Even if they go to hell, what we can do is try to enter into heaven," he said.
Despite working in tough conditions, the workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plants are the ones that meet the requirements demanded for high-risk jobs such as this. No one fell spirits, they do not show signs of surrender.
Praising the workers previously disclosed Cabinet Secretary, Yukio Edano. "The workers risked their lives under dangerous and harsh conditions. For me, they are very respectable."
Until then, they will continue to act the hero whose name is unknown. Their identity is deliberately obscured. However, they are Japan's only hope to prevent a more devastating nuclear disaster.

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Birth City Terrorist Attack Saddam, 56 Killed

 A group of terrorists attacked Saddam Hussein's hometown, Tikrit, killing 56 people and wounding dozens more. Presumably this is another act of the militant group al-Qaeda to disrupt Iraq's security.
Reporting from the page the Associated Press, the attack occurred on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 13:00 local time. The attack in Salahuddin province, 130 km from the capital Baghdad, began blasting a car mess up the attention of the Iraqi army and coalition patrol.
According to eyewitness reports, some of the terrorists wearing military clothing. They claimed to be Iraqi army officer at a checkpoint at a government office. When about to be checked, the terrorists gun down officers with bullet directly.
These terrorists are a direct shot at random to some people they see. Some pedestrians also become victims. Some of the terrorist suicide bombers, making the victim more and more.
"The terrorists armed with grenades and opened fire randomly in the reception room," said Salahuddin provincial governor spokesman, Ali Abdul-Rihman. He added one of his victims even burned by terrorists.
According to the health chief Salahuddin, Raied Ibrahim, this event killed 56 people and wounding 98 others. A total of 15 of them are hostages of the terrorists who executed the shot right on the head.
One of those killed were Iraqi journalists, Sabah al-Bazi, a contributor to Reuters, Al-Arabiya and CNN.
No militant group claimed any such attack. But the Iraqi government said the pattern of attacks and bombings are the hallmark of al-Qaeda group. A similar pattern has also been carried out al-Qaeda at a church in Baghdad, in November last year, killing 68 people.
Baghdad University political analyst, Hassan Kamil, said this attack is yet another indication of the militant rebels will not surrender, and stop their terror in Iraq.
"This attack is to show the public, although progress occurs, the rebellion was still alive. Security is still very fragile,"

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High-Level Nuclear Radiation Found

Impact damage caused by leakage of electric power plant (NPP) Fukushima Daiichi, Japan, still not finished. After the threat of radiation levels continue to haunt, is now found in very high radiation levels in the reactor unit 2. The amount of radiation levels reach 10 million times more than the normal threshold.
As reported by NHK, Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco) explains the level of this radiation reaches 2.9 billion becquerels in one cubic centimeter (cm) of water in the basement of the turbine building that is attached to the reactor number 2.
Contamination level is about 1000 times higher than the radiation leak in the basement of reactor number 1 and 3. Tepco adding radioactive material was detected, including 2.9 billion becquerels of iodine 134, iodine 131 becquerels 13 million, and 2.3 million becquerels, of each of cesium 134 and 137.
This material emitted during the process of nuclear fission in the reactor core. The company estimates that contaminated water was coming from the reactor core is damaged, and they were figuring out how the leaks can occur.
Graduated from the University of Tokyo Naoto Sekimura said the leak may arise from retaining space (suppression chamber) reactor number 2. This space is designed to accommodate the reactor radioactive.
Asociate Press news agency reported the presence of the incident, workers are struggling to pump contaminated water from a nuclear complex in Japan. Radiation levels that reach 10 million times higher than normal this makes workers measure the level of previous radiation. Although it is unclear how long the worker has been exposed to high radioactive in Fukushima Daiichi plant.
Takashi Kurita Tepco spokesman admitted the existence of water contamination in all four reactors, and radiation in a single reactor unit measured 1000 millisieverts per hour, four times the safe limit set by the government.
The discovery during the past three days has been a major setback in the mission to overcome the cooling damage after the earthquake and tsunami. Protracted nuclear crisis has prompted concerns about the safety of food and water in Japan, which is the main source of seafood for some countries. Radiation has been found in food, sea water and even tap water supply in Tokyo.
According to NHK, the high radiation levels were detected up to 30 kilo meters from the Fukushima plant. Radiation levels increased 40 per cent higher than the annual limit for the general public.
The Japanese government said the data showed 1.4 millisieverts taken on Wednesday morning in the Namie Town, northwest of the plant. Even so, the government has not made an appeal to residents who live outside a radius of 30 kilo meters from the plant to evacuate or stay home.
Results were obtained Ministry of Science after reading the report of monitoring at 10 locations outside a radius of 30 kilo meters from the plant, following a report relatively high levels of radiation found outside the area.
The amount of radiation that was detected did not pose a health risk. But they suggested that residents in the area to remain vigilant against the possibility of rate hikes radais. Because electricity generation is not possible to stop releasing raadiasi within depat.
While the high radiation that killed two workers who suffered burns on his leg after stepping on radioactive contaminated water. Government spokesman Yukio Edano Tepco urged to be more transparent. Government to reveal a series of mistakes made by operators Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Tepco. "We urge Tepco provide information to the government more quickly," said Edano as quoted from page Associated Press.
A spokesman for Industrial and Nuclear Safety Agency (NISA) Hidehiko Nishiyama said Tepco already know the risks of high radiation in the factory air six days before the accident the two workers. Both these workers only use the shoes that are only covered to ankle. "Not high enough to protect their feet," he said.
"Regardless of whether there is awareness about the high level of radiation in stagnant water, but there are problems in the way of work performed."
NISA also gives warning to Tepco to enhance and ensure the safety of its workers.
The push comes amid government efforts to halt the company's workers to move the gas leak contaminated water from the reactor units. Officers had tried to use sea water to cool the reactors. However, there are fears that the corrosion of salt will aggravate the damage to the machine in the reactor unit. Currently Tepco berjibaku middle inject fresh water into the reactor unit, and remove radioactive contaminated water.

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"Odyssey Dawn", European Showcase

 

There is a "fresh" on impressions coverage Odyssey Operation Dawn, which was held to escort the no-fly zone in Libya since last week. News shows on the television screen is no longer dominated by the drawings made in the United States of sophisticated weaponry.

In the last two major wars involving coalition forces, ie, Operation Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan, 2001, and Operation Iraqi Freedom to Iraq, 2003, almost all media featuring the U.S. military valor.

Image of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft taking off from aircraft carrier deck super, Tomahawk missiles shot from the destroyers, and M1 Abrams tanks milling about in the deserts of Iraq, repeatedly aired either on screen or page newspaper.

However, since the French led the attack on Libya on Saturday (19/03/2011) night, the weapons that the U.S. pledge as "disappeared" from the glass screen. Except for the classic show that Tomahawk missiles shot from the ship, not many major tool of weapons systems (defense equipment), US-made visible.

Instead, CNN is now more frequent displays of the French Rafale aircraft take off from air bases on land and from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. On the other hand, looks sophisticated European-made fighter aircraft today, Eurofighter Typhoon, owned by Royal Air Force (RAF) United Kingdom was getting ready to take off at an airbase in Italy.

Name Tomahawk also got a new rival, the missile StormShadow. Air-to-ground missiles made in England, Italy, and France is carried by the planes of the RAF Tornado GR4.

With a variety of justifications, this time appearing on the European front, leading the largest allied forces military operation since the invasion of Iraq 2003. France, in particular, looks very aggressive by appearing as an opening attack and send the weapons in the capacity and a significant quantity.

GlobalSecurity.org defense news portal called, in the operation of France held a single aircraft carrier, four frigates and Mirage 2000D aircraft fleet and the Rafale F3.

Some observers said France wanted to improve the image in the Arab world after it is considered not active enough during the crisis in Tunisia, which triggered a wave of revolutions throughout the Middle East and North Africa, including in Libya today.

Effective Promotion

However, beyond all reason, it is no secret that every major military operation into a kind of "window dressing" a very effective way to market the capability of various types of sophisticated weapons to the world.

U.S. weaponry, ranging from F/A-18 aircraft, Abrams tanks, Blackhawk transport helicopter, Apache helicopter gunships, heavy transport aircraft to C-17 Globemaster III, sold well since they look often appeared on television, both in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In fact, the Humvee military jeep into a kind of new lifestyle icon for lovers kemachoan, after a versatile vehicle that appeared in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq in 1991.

Mark Edward Schwan, a U.S. Marine Corps officer, wrote in the thesis of his S-2-1995, that the Gulf War in 1991 became extraordinary promotional event for a variety of U.S. weaponry. "Increased demand for U.S. weapons, especially thanks to the superiority of the weapons (artificial) used Soviet Iraq," he wrote in a thesis published Schwan at GlobalSecurity.org.

Schwan's estimate, the value of arms sales thanks to "showcase" the Gulf War when it reached 40 billion U.S. dollars. "The effectiveness of weapons systems that have been tested in war (combat proven) is one aspect of global demand from the U.S. arsenal," he writes.

No wonder the alleged Operation Dawn Odyssey into the European opportunity display their military products. At the time of European countries is still low in an endless recession, buying high-priced weapons it would be very helpful to economic recovery.

Dr Paul Holtom, Director of the Arms Trade Program at the research institute Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said European countries compete to fight arms market in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.

Last year, for example, the five leaders of the UN Security Council permanent members, namely the UK, U.S., France, China, and Russia, after another visit to India, to persuade the country to buy their homemade weapons (Kompas, 24/12/2010).

SIPRI said, France, Germany, Italy, and England, competing for naval equipment orders from Algeria. While Britain, France, Italy, and Sweden, fighting over contracts to buy the aircraft from Brazil.

Potential Market

In particular, the Middle East and North Africa is seen as a potential market for products of this defense equipment. Windfall from high world oil prices in recent years, and relations between countries in the region as well as internal tensions within the country, a key driver of the heat of defense equipment market in the region.

One example of how great market potential in this area are signing contracts to buy weapons from Saudi Arabia to U.S. $ 60 billion U.S. dollars, October 2010. The contract includes, among others, the purchase of 86 F-15 Eagle aircraft and 70 combat helicopters AH-64 Apache, Saudi Arabia required to deal with an increasingly aggressive Iran.

However, as extensive as any campaign that made the European arms manufacturers, they almost always lose with U.S. products. The aircraft manufacturer Dassault Rafale made from France, for example, has been promoted since 2000, but has never even won a contract for the purchase.

In Morocco, Rafale lost with the F-16 Block 52 made by Lockheed Martin, USA. While South Korea and Singapore Air Force prefers the F-15 Eagle Boeing production than the Rafale.

Likewise, the Typhoon, a fighter aircraft developed jointly by Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain in the Eurofighter consortium, it just got two customers outside the manufacturer states, namely Austria and Saudi Arabia.

One factor is that European weaponry was "losing campaigns" than the U.S. in terms of proof on the battlefield. Typhoon is not never used in actual warfare.

Rafale is already involved in missions in Afghanistan since 2002, but barely known to people because rarely appear on the TV screen like its rivals from the U.S..

That is why, chance featuring real combat capability in Libya, this time a golden opportunity for them. Bloomberg business news portal called, operating in Libya would encourage the sale of Typhoon aircraft, worth 106 million U.S. dollars per unit.

Eurofighter own party openly called the operation in Libya has become an important test for the Typhoon. "Interoperability is essential for combat aircraft, because the planes in the air data exchange, especially in operations like this," said Marco Valerio Bonelli, a spokesman for Eurofighter.

Amid the wave of change that swept North Africa and the Middle East today, the U.S. may never again be a dominant force in the region. It is time for Europe to show o

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