News Info - Police in the northern French city of Calais are removing about 800 migrants from Asia, the Middle East and Africa who are occupying camps near the port.
premenstrual syndrome - The authorities say the evictions are needed to deal with an outbreak of scabies in the camps, where numbers have swelled in recent months.
The migrants have been trying to get to Britain, and say they have nowhere else to go after the camps are destroyed.
Police moved into the site after a deadline for people to leave expired.
Several busloads of police in riot gear arrived at the camps early on Wednesday.
After a stand-off with local activists, the officers moved in and told migrants to pack their bags. Many seem resigned to moving on, the BBC's Paul Adams at the site says.
An Eritrean man said he had tried to cross the English Channel by boarding lorries but was stopped by police several times. "I will try again and again," he told the BBC.
Most people at the camps believe the UK will be a more welcoming place if only they can get there, our correspondent says.
In 2002 the French government closed the main Red Cross centre at Sangatte near Calais, but insanitary illegal camps have sprung up in its place.
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Thailand coup
News Info - Thailand's army says it has now released 124 people, including politicians and activists, who were taken into custody after the coup.
An army spokesman said a total of 253 people had been summoned. Fifty-three did not report and 76 were in custody.
animal fact - Conditions for the release appear to include agreeing to avoid political activity and informing the army of travel, a BBC correspondent said.
Coup leaders, who took power last week, received royal endorsement on Monday.
Thailand's former prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has been released but remains under some restrictions.
Aside from politicians and activists, academics have also been detained.
The military seized power in Thailand on 22 May, saying it wanted to return stability to the country after months of unrest.
How is Thailand's curfew being imposed?
The move followed six months of political deadlock as protesters rallied against Ms Yingluck's government. At least 28 people were killed and hundreds injured over the course of the protests.
But the coup, which removed an elected government, has drawn widespread international criticism.
Leaders of the anti-government movement have been released from custody but representatives of those who support the government remain in detention.
Correspondents say there is also a degree of scepticism about the total number of people in custody, with reports of more widespread detentions.
Rights groups have expressed alarm over the detentions, as well as the tight restrictions on media.
Television stations on Wednesday aired footage from the military showing five detainees, including pro-government "red-shirt" leader Jatuporn Prompan, at an unidentified location, in an apparent move to show they were being treated well.
Experts have said that the coup is unlikely to heal highly polarised political divisions in the country.
The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup.
Both have strong support in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins.
However, many in the middle class and urban elite, who comprise the heart of the anti-government movement that began in November 2013, oppose them bitterly.
An army spokesman said a total of 253 people had been summoned. Fifty-three did not report and 76 were in custody.
animal fact - Conditions for the release appear to include agreeing to avoid political activity and informing the army of travel, a BBC correspondent said.
Coup leaders, who took power last week, received royal endorsement on Monday.
Thailand's former prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has been released but remains under some restrictions.
Aside from politicians and activists, academics have also been detained.
The military seized power in Thailand on 22 May, saying it wanted to return stability to the country after months of unrest.
How is Thailand's curfew being imposed?
The move followed six months of political deadlock as protesters rallied against Ms Yingluck's government. At least 28 people were killed and hundreds injured over the course of the protests.
But the coup, which removed an elected government, has drawn widespread international criticism.
Leaders of the anti-government movement have been released from custody but representatives of those who support the government remain in detention.
Correspondents say there is also a degree of scepticism about the total number of people in custody, with reports of more widespread detentions.
Rights groups have expressed alarm over the detentions, as well as the tight restrictions on media.
Television stations on Wednesday aired footage from the military showing five detainees, including pro-government "red-shirt" leader Jatuporn Prompan, at an unidentified location, in an apparent move to show they were being treated well.
Experts have said that the coup is unlikely to heal highly polarised political divisions in the country.
The current deadlock dates from 2006, when the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, in a coup.
Both have strong support in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins.
However, many in the middle class and urban elite, who comprise the heart of the anti-government movement that began in November 2013, oppose them bitterly.
Leaders agree to review EU agenda at Brussels summit
News Info - EU leaders have agreed to re-evaluate the bloc's agenda after voters "sent a strong message", European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has said.
horn of africa - Mr Van Rompuy said leaders of the 28 member states had asked him to launch consultations on future policies.
He was speaking after a meeting in Brussels to discuss big election gains by populist and far-right parties.
The results of the European Parliament election led to calls for an EU rethink by those leaders who suffered defeats.
But despite gains by anti-EU groups, pro-European parties still won most votes overall.
Tuesday's summit was the first opportunity for leaders of all member states to discuss the way forward after last week's polls.
Matthew Price, BBC News, Brussels
The European Union faces perhaps one of the defining moments in its history - how to deal in the coming years with the growing number of voters who want to reduce the power of Brussels, or even get rid of it all together. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said all leaders had agreed on the outline of a way forward.
There needed to be a focus on economic growth, and jobs to reconnect with those struggling in the economic crisis, he said. He referred to a desire to maintain even develop freedom of movement for the blocs 500m citizens.
But at the same time the EU must combat irregular migration, crime and fraud. Leaders also said a balance needed to be found on what is best done at a European level and what at a national level.
The BBC's Chris Morris says reforms could include less regulation and less focus on economic austerity policies, while measures to boost growth and create jobs could address voter discontent.
Mr Van Rompuy said the results of the European elections had shown "a mix of continuity and change" and that the Eurosceptic message from voters was "at the heart" of discussions between leaders.
He said the meeting in Brussels had been a "useful first discussion" and that EU leaders had agreed on putting the economy at the heart of the group's agenda.
"As the union emerges from the financial crisis it needs a positive agenda of growth," he said, repeating a common refrain of what is needed to reverse growing anti-EU sentiment.
'France cannot live isolated'
President Francois Hollande asked Europe to "pay attention" to France after describing his Socialist party's defeat to the far-right National Front as "painful."
The National Front - which Germany's finance minister described as "fascist" - stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, pushing Mr Hollande's Socialists into third place.
National Front President Marine Le Pen said she would use her electoral mandate to "defend France" and fight "crazy measures like votes for immigrants."
Speaking after EU leaders met in Brussels, Mr Hollande said the National Front victory was "traumatic for France and Europe."
"France cannot live isolated and frightened. Its destiny is in Europe," he added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country had the "utmost interest in France being successful", adding that she would do all she could to help growth and competitiveness in the French economy.
Mr Van Rompuy also told reporters that he would hold talks with the political groups to be formed in the European Parliament on who will be named to head the next Commission, the EU's executive arm.
On the latest projections, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) will be the biggest political group and its candidate is former Luxembourg premier Jean-Claude Juncker.
The German chancellor, whose Christian Democrat party is part of the EPP, indicated Mr Juncker may not end up leading the Commission, after some member states expressed reservations about him.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who sees Mr Juncker as too much of an EU federalist, is among those opposed to his nomination.
EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but under new rules they now have "to take account" of the European election results.
Our correspondent says the process for choosing the president of the Commission could produce fireworks amid rumblings over interpretations of the Lisbon Treaty.
But Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said that while there would be no time limit on Mr Van Rompuy, he would be expected to report back within two or three weeks.
"It should not be dragged out too long," Mr Kenny said.
horn of africa - Mr Van Rompuy said leaders of the 28 member states had asked him to launch consultations on future policies.
He was speaking after a meeting in Brussels to discuss big election gains by populist and far-right parties.
The results of the European Parliament election led to calls for an EU rethink by those leaders who suffered defeats.
But despite gains by anti-EU groups, pro-European parties still won most votes overall.
Tuesday's summit was the first opportunity for leaders of all member states to discuss the way forward after last week's polls.
Matthew Price, BBC News, Brussels
The European Union faces perhaps one of the defining moments in its history - how to deal in the coming years with the growing number of voters who want to reduce the power of Brussels, or even get rid of it all together. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said all leaders had agreed on the outline of a way forward.
There needed to be a focus on economic growth, and jobs to reconnect with those struggling in the economic crisis, he said. He referred to a desire to maintain even develop freedom of movement for the blocs 500m citizens.
But at the same time the EU must combat irregular migration, crime and fraud. Leaders also said a balance needed to be found on what is best done at a European level and what at a national level.
The BBC's Chris Morris says reforms could include less regulation and less focus on economic austerity policies, while measures to boost growth and create jobs could address voter discontent.
Mr Van Rompuy said the results of the European elections had shown "a mix of continuity and change" and that the Eurosceptic message from voters was "at the heart" of discussions between leaders.
He said the meeting in Brussels had been a "useful first discussion" and that EU leaders had agreed on putting the economy at the heart of the group's agenda.
"As the union emerges from the financial crisis it needs a positive agenda of growth," he said, repeating a common refrain of what is needed to reverse growing anti-EU sentiment.
'France cannot live isolated'
President Francois Hollande asked Europe to "pay attention" to France after describing his Socialist party's defeat to the far-right National Front as "painful."
The National Front - which Germany's finance minister described as "fascist" - stormed to victory with a preliminary 25% of the vote, pushing Mr Hollande's Socialists into third place.
National Front President Marine Le Pen said she would use her electoral mandate to "defend France" and fight "crazy measures like votes for immigrants."
Speaking after EU leaders met in Brussels, Mr Hollande said the National Front victory was "traumatic for France and Europe."
"France cannot live isolated and frightened. Its destiny is in Europe," he added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her country had the "utmost interest in France being successful", adding that she would do all she could to help growth and competitiveness in the French economy.
Mr Van Rompuy also told reporters that he would hold talks with the political groups to be formed in the European Parliament on who will be named to head the next Commission, the EU's executive arm.
On the latest projections, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) will be the biggest political group and its candidate is former Luxembourg premier Jean-Claude Juncker.
The German chancellor, whose Christian Democrat party is part of the EPP, indicated Mr Juncker may not end up leading the Commission, after some member states expressed reservations about him.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who sees Mr Juncker as too much of an EU federalist, is among those opposed to his nomination.
EU leaders have traditionally named the Commission head on their own, but under new rules they now have "to take account" of the European election results.
Our correspondent says the process for choosing the president of the Commission could produce fireworks amid rumblings over interpretations of the Lisbon Treaty.
But Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said that while there would be no time limit on Mr Van Rompuy, he would be expected to report back within two or three weeks.
"It should not be dragged out too long," Mr Kenny said.
South Korea hospice fire kills 21
News Info - At least 20 patients and a nurse have been killed in a fire at a hospice in Janseong county, South Korea.
premenstrual syndrome - Six others are in critical condition after the fire at Hyosarang Hospital, about 300km south of Seoul.
Most of those who died are thought to have been in their 70s and 80s, and confined to their beds.
Officials said most of the people who died suffocated because of toxic fumes. The fire was put out within half an hour.
Police said they had detained an 81-year-old patient suffering from dementia after security video footage showed him entering an area where the fire began, reports said.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at a three-storey annex.
Agencies report that many patients on an upper floor of the building were unable to evacuate as their rooms were filled with smoke from the fire.
The nurse who died had been trying to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, according to Agence-France Presse.
Police said the building had recently undergone safety checks, reported Yonhap news agency.
A director of the hospice, Lee Hyung-seok, apologised and told reporters: "I've committed a grave sin... There is no excuse when valuable lives were sacrificed."
The incident comes at a time of mourning for South Korea after more than 300 people died in a ferry sinking last month.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has formally apologised to the nation for the ferry disaster, promising to improve safety standards.
The prime minister at the time, Chung Hong-won, resigned over the government's handling of the disaster.
The hospital incident also comes a day after seven people were killed and 20 others injured in a fire at a bus terminal in Goyang city.
premenstrual syndrome - Six others are in critical condition after the fire at Hyosarang Hospital, about 300km south of Seoul.
Most of those who died are thought to have been in their 70s and 80s, and confined to their beds.
Officials said most of the people who died suffocated because of toxic fumes. The fire was put out within half an hour.
Police said they had detained an 81-year-old patient suffering from dementia after security video footage showed him entering an area where the fire began, reports said.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at a three-storey annex.
Agencies report that many patients on an upper floor of the building were unable to evacuate as their rooms were filled with smoke from the fire.
The nurse who died had been trying to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, according to Agence-France Presse.
Police said the building had recently undergone safety checks, reported Yonhap news agency.
A director of the hospice, Lee Hyung-seok, apologised and told reporters: "I've committed a grave sin... There is no excuse when valuable lives were sacrificed."
The incident comes at a time of mourning for South Korea after more than 300 people died in a ferry sinking last month.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has formally apologised to the nation for the ferry disaster, promising to improve safety standards.
The prime minister at the time, Chung Hong-won, resigned over the government's handling of the disaster.
The hospital incident also comes a day after seven people were killed and 20 others injured in a fire at a bus terminal in Goyang city.
Pakistan woman
News Info - A Pakistani woman has been killed by her relatives outside Lahore High Court for marrying against their wishes.
menstrual cramps - Police said 30-year old Farzana Bibi died on the spot after being attacked with bricks and sticks.
Her father handed himself in, but police say her brothers and former fiance, who also took part in the attack, were still free.
Correspondents say hundreds of girls and women in Pakistan are killed every year by family members.
However, many more killings are believed to go unreported.
Farzana Bibi's parents accused her husband, Muhammad Iqbal, of kidnapping her, and had filed a case against him at the High Court.
However, she testified to police that she had married him of her own accord. Police said the couple had been engaged for a number of years.
As she arrived at the court building for a hearing, police said about a dozen family members pulled her aside and began to attack her and her husband, who managed to escape.
Police official Umer Cheema told Reuters that all the family members escaped after the killing, apart from her father, who has admitted his role in her death.
The BBC's Shumaila Jaffery says marriage against the wishes of relatives is culturally unacceptable in some parts of Pakistan.
Under Pakistani law, the victim's family is allowed to forgive the killer. However, in many cases family members are themselves responsible for the killing.
menstrual cramps - Police said 30-year old Farzana Bibi died on the spot after being attacked with bricks and sticks.
Her father handed himself in, but police say her brothers and former fiance, who also took part in the attack, were still free.
Correspondents say hundreds of girls and women in Pakistan are killed every year by family members.
However, many more killings are believed to go unreported.
Farzana Bibi's parents accused her husband, Muhammad Iqbal, of kidnapping her, and had filed a case against him at the High Court.
However, she testified to police that she had married him of her own accord. Police said the couple had been engaged for a number of years.
As she arrived at the court building for a hearing, police said about a dozen family members pulled her aside and began to attack her and her husband, who managed to escape.
Police official Umer Cheema told Reuters that all the family members escaped after the killing, apart from her father, who has admitted his role in her death.
The BBC's Shumaila Jaffery says marriage against the wishes of relatives is culturally unacceptable in some parts of Pakistan.
Under Pakistani law, the victim's family is allowed to forgive the killer. However, in many cases family members are themselves responsible for the killing.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Manchester United's brand 'devalued' by weak season
News Info - The value of the Manchester United brand has been damaged by a disappointing season according to a study by consultancy Brand Finance.
They say United's brand is worth $739m (£439m), down $98m on last year.
That makes it the third most valuable football brand after Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
menstrual cramps - Real Madrid's victory in the Champions League final on Saturday helped boost its brand value. The club already has the biggest sales of any football club.
'Solid footing'
The authors say an improvement in the Spanish economy could help the club retain the top brand spot.
And they add that "with arguably the finest player in the world in the shape of Ronaldo" and now a first Champions League title since 2002, "Real's brand is back on a solid footing".
Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid win their 10th European Cup as they finally overcame neighbours Atletico Madrid in a compelling Champions League final in Lisbon.
But despite Real's strong season, Bayern Munich has the most valuable brand in football for the second year running according to the report.
The authors point to the Bavarian club's record points haul in winning the Bundesliga title in the 2013-14 season.
English clubs Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are placed from fifth to eighth most valuable.
United revival?
Manchester United will be hoping the appointment of Louis van Gaal will reverse its fortunes both on and off the pitch next season.
Speaking on Dutch TV station RTL last week, Mr Van Gaal said his immediate objectives were to return United to "number one spot" as soon as possible, and that fans "will think they are champions of England again within a year".
The Brand Finance report said that "shrewd commercial management" has shielded Manchester United's brand from more serious damage.
"However, another season in the wilderness, outside the Champions League, will see brand value truly plunge, and leave few sponsors willing to do a deal with the [Red] Devils," the report said.
For the three months to the end of March, Manchester United reported profits of £11m, up from £3.6m a year ago. The club also posted record revenues of £115.5m for the period.
Brand Finance defines brand value as the cost another party would have to pay to license the use of a brand.
To calculate that cost the consultancy looked at a range of factors, including the mix of revenue, value of squad, and club heritage.
They say United's brand is worth $739m (£439m), down $98m on last year.
That makes it the third most valuable football brand after Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
menstrual cramps - Real Madrid's victory in the Champions League final on Saturday helped boost its brand value. The club already has the biggest sales of any football club.
'Solid footing'
The authors say an improvement in the Spanish economy could help the club retain the top brand spot.
And they add that "with arguably the finest player in the world in the shape of Ronaldo" and now a first Champions League title since 2002, "Real's brand is back on a solid footing".
Gareth Bale helped Real Madrid win their 10th European Cup as they finally overcame neighbours Atletico Madrid in a compelling Champions League final in Lisbon.
But despite Real's strong season, Bayern Munich has the most valuable brand in football for the second year running according to the report.
The authors point to the Bavarian club's record points haul in winning the Bundesliga title in the 2013-14 season.
English clubs Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are placed from fifth to eighth most valuable.
United revival?
Manchester United will be hoping the appointment of Louis van Gaal will reverse its fortunes both on and off the pitch next season.
Speaking on Dutch TV station RTL last week, Mr Van Gaal said his immediate objectives were to return United to "number one spot" as soon as possible, and that fans "will think they are champions of England again within a year".
The Brand Finance report said that "shrewd commercial management" has shielded Manchester United's brand from more serious damage.
"However, another season in the wilderness, outside the Champions League, will see brand value truly plunge, and leave few sponsors willing to do a deal with the [Red] Devils," the report said.
For the three months to the end of March, Manchester United reported profits of £11m, up from £3.6m a year ago. The club also posted record revenues of £115.5m for the period.
Brand Finance defines brand value as the cost another party would have to pay to license the use of a brand.
To calculate that cost the consultancy looked at a range of factors, including the mix of revenue, value of squad, and club heritage.
Egypt to elect new president
News Info - Polls are due to open across Egypt for two days of voting to choose a new president.
A huge security operation is under way for the vote, which will elect a successor to Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected leader who was ousted by the military last year.
animal fact - Analysts predict an easy victory for Abdul Fattah al-Sisi the former army leader who led the removal of Mr Morsi.
The only other candidate is veteran left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo says the huge security operation drums home a familiar message from Egypt's military-backed interim authorities - that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present.
Mr Sisi, 59, appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, he adds.
President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Egypt's military authorities have since clamped down hard on Mr Morsi's party, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a "terrorist organisation" and arresting its senior leaders and thousands of its members.
In his election campaign, Mr Sisi has set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment.
He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left.
Hamdeen Sabahi, a previous presidential contender, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one.
He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights.
Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood.
A huge security operation is under way for the vote, which will elect a successor to Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected leader who was ousted by the military last year.
animal fact - Analysts predict an easy victory for Abdul Fattah al-Sisi the former army leader who led the removal of Mr Morsi.
The only other candidate is veteran left-winger Hamdeen Sabahi.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Cairo says the huge security operation drums home a familiar message from Egypt's military-backed interim authorities - that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present.
Mr Sisi, 59, appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, he adds.
President Morsi was deposed last July following mass protests and he is standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.
Egypt's military authorities have since clamped down hard on Mr Morsi's party, the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a "terrorist organisation" and arresting its senior leaders and thousands of its members.
In his election campaign, Mr Sisi has set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment.
He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left.
Hamdeen Sabahi, a previous presidential contender, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one.
He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights.
Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)