CP-Uoriki established to bring premium fresh fish and seafood from Japan to discerning consumers in Thailand

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18 April 2023, 15:05

CPFGS kicks off with the establishment of a joint venture, namely CP-Uoriki Co., Ltd., with Uoriki Co., Ltd., a fish wholesaler in Japan. The joint venture will import various types of fish from fresh markets across Japan for Thai consumers. The first outlet will be opened at Lotus Sukhumvit 50 in August 2023.

CPF Global Food Solution Public Company Limited or CPFGS, a business unit of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) responsible for domestic distribution of fresh and processed food products, has reached a deal with Uoriki Co., Ltd., the No.1 fresh fish retailer in Japan, to establish a joint venture namely CP-Uoriki Co., Ltd. The joint venture will import fresh fish from Japanese markets to entice Thai consumers with typical Japanese-styled freshness. Joining the the joint venture agreement signing ceremony at CP Tower Silom in Bangkok, Thailand are Mr. Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CPF; Mr. Masayuki Yamada, President of Uroriki; Mr. Sujarijt Mayalarp, President of CPFGS; and executives of both parties.

Mr. Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CPF and a director of CPFGS, said that under CPF’s aspiration to deliver the best food for the good health of all Thais, fish is the first choice of protein and the world’s best fish is from Japan, a land of raw fish and the largest numbers of fish species in the world. He thanked Uoriki and Mr. Masayuki Yamada for their trust in CPFGS and let the company introduce the Japanese food culture and Japanese-standard sushi and other products to Thai consumers, so that they can enjoy the authentic Japanese taste.

“CP-Uoriki synergizes CPFGS’s strength in distribution with almost 100 years of Uoriki’s mastery in fresh fish and seafood. Through the combined strengths, Thai consumers can experience premium fish and seafood without flying to Japan, in line with our sustainability goal. And we will work together in further expanding this business in Thiland and other countries,” said Mr. Prasit.

Aspiring to achieve sustainable operations, CP-Uoriki follows the Japanese tradition. It will import seasonally available fish and the different types of fish will introduce new experiences. The tradition supports farmers by buying fish directly from them for price stability. It also promotes seasonal fish and stabilizes the balance of nature as each fish has ample time to grow.

Mr. Masayuki Yamada, President of Uoriki Co., Ltd.Uoriki Co., Ltd. – a leading supplier and wholesaler of premium fresh fish and seafood in Japan for more than 100 years with generations’ matery in the selection for the freshest and highest quality fish, said that the joint venture marks the mutual trust between Uoriki and CPFGS. The joint venture will bring fresh seafood from Japan to Thai consumers, giving them an access to fresh, clean and delicious fish from Sea of Japan. They will learn about the traditional way to eat sushi, particularly maguro or Japanese tuna. The sushi, frozen or chilled, is maintained under temperature control from the point of production to transportation, to assure Thai consumers of the freshness.

CP-Uoriki will distribute chilled and frozen seafood, sushi, sashimi, maki and seasonings as well as processed seafood products. The first outlet will be opened at Lotus Supercenter Sukhumvit 50 in August 2023. Four outlets are planned for 2023 and the number will be raised to 20 in 2024.

Putin Visits Russian Troops in Occupied Ukraine

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Associated Press

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18 April 2023, 13:19

Russia Ukraine Putin — Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives at an undisclosed location. The Kremlin says Putin has visited headquarters of the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. (Pool Photo via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited headquarters of the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine early Tuesday, his second trip to the Russian-held territories there since March.

A video released by the Kremlin and broadcast by Russian state television showed Putin visiting the command post for Russian forces in the southern Kherson region. It showed Putin arriving by helicopter to receive reports from the top military brass about the combat situation.

The Russian leader then moved by helicopter to the headquarters of the Russian National Guard of the eastern Luhansk region to hear report from commanders.

In both locations, Putin congratulated the military on the Orthodox Easter that was celebrated Sunday and presented them with icons.

AP23108245979569 — Russian President Vladimir Putin shows an icon prior to present at one of headquarters of the Russian troops at an undisclosed location. (Pool Photo via AP)

Russia annexed the Kherson and Luhansk regions along with the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions in September in a move that was rejected by much of the world as illegal.

It was impossible to independently verify the footage of Putin’s visits to the two regions that was released by the Kremlin. The trip marked a second visit by the Russian leader to the areas that Russia occupied in Ukraine in as many months.

Last month, Putin visited the Russian-held Sea of Azov port city of Mariupol, which was captured by Russian troops in May after two months of fierce fighting.

Putin’s trips to the military headquarters come as Ukraine is preparing for a new counteroffensive to reclaim the occupied territories.

Russia’s war in Ukraine has turned into a stalemate amid heavy fighting in the country’s east, particularly around the town of Bakhmut, which for 8 1/2 months has been the stage for the war’s longest and bloodiest fight.

AP23107497333539 — Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, April 17, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Ukrainian officials have said they’re buying time by depleting Russian forces in the battle while Kyiv prepares a counteroffensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has argued that if Russia wins the Bakhmut battle, it could allow Putin to begin building international support for a deal that would require Ukraine to make unacceptable compromises to end the war.

Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, told The Associated Press in an interview in Kyiv that Ukraine’s allies are helping the government to achieve the level of technical equipment necessary to launch the attack, delivering heavy armored vehicles and ammunition.

He expressed confidence that Ukraine will be able to return all its occupied territories.

“We will defeat Russia,” he said. “If you have a strong inner spirit, you will definitely win. And we always had it strong. This is something that always annoyed the Russians.”

Discover your Dream Vacation at a Phuket Beach Resort

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Contributor

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18 April 2023, 10:25

Go on Your Dream Vacation at a Phuket Beach Resort

Are you planning a tropical escape? Why not make Thavorn Palm Beach Resort your next dream vacation destination? The magnificent Phuket beach resort is nestled on the pristine shores of Karon Beach. Offering a wide array of luxurious facilities, world-class accommodations, and an unparalleled beachfront location, Thavorn Palm Beach Resort offers a truly unforgettable experience that caters to all your vacation needs.

Situated on the Idyllic Karon Beach

You will be amazed by the sight of the incredible beachfront of Karon Beach when you step into our luxurious beach resort. Our hotel enjoys spectacular views of the beach that is hard to beat. Karon Beach is loved for its soft, golden white sand and crystal clear waters, where you will have front-row seats to one of Phuket’s most incredible sunsets. Make our resort the dream getaway for your entire family! Our convenient location gives you easy access to nearby attractions at Patong Beach, Kata Beach, and the Big Buddha. There are several large shopping malls nearby that are less than 10 minutes drive away where your family can enjoy a shopping spree and pick up some souvenirs for friends and relatives.

Luxury Accomodations

We offer a total of nine accommodation types to suit every guest. We ensure that guests enjoy absolute comfort and a unique beach vacation experience. Each of our rooms and suites showcases Phuket’s rich heritage through its Sino-Portuguese architectural influences, creating a harmonious blend of modern luxury and traditional charm. Our guests can choose from various options, including spacious deluxe rooms, elegant family suites, and three-bedroom family suites for larger families, all designed to make your stay with us unforgettable.

Fun Activities for All Ages

Our beach resort takes pride in providing various fun activities for our guests of all ages. If you’re looking for thrills, you’ll love the exhilarating water park slides and the resort’s three large swimming pools. Are you looking for a more laid-back experience? You will find plenty of it on our sun-drenched beach in front of our resort. Why not go for a soothing massage at our on-site spa? Thavorn Palm Beach Resort’s family-friendly concept even has a dedicated kid’s room where children can spend the day bouncing to their heart’s content. We also have Animal Village, where your little ones can interact with our friendly resident sheep, tortoises, birds, and fluffy bunnies.

A Slew of Dining Options

No dream beach vacation is complete without a fulfilling gastronomic adventure. Our resort has no less than seven dining options for you to choose from. There are bars, cafes, and restaurants, each offering a unique culinary experience. Guests can sample delicious local Thai cuisine at our signature restaurant, Windsong Restaurant, or enjoy international favorites at our all-day dining outlet.

Take a dream vacation at our tropical sanctuary here at Thavorn Palm Beach Resort and be amazed by our 12-acre tropical, botanical, and rainforest garden. Our enviable location will give you an experience like no other. Book a romantic getaway or a solo escape with us and live that vacation you’ve always dreamed about!

Secret Chinese police outpost revealed in NY; 2 men arrested

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Associated Press

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18 April 2023, 01:54

Chinese-Police-New-York — A six story glass facade building, center, is believed to be the site of a foreign police outpost for China in New York's Chinatown, Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

NEW YORK (AP) — Two men have been arrested on charges that they helped establish a secret police outpost in New York City on behalf of the Chinese government, and more than three dozen officers with China’s national police force have been charged with using social media to harass dissidents inside the United States, the Justice Department said Monday.

The cases, taken together, are part of a series of Justice Department prosecutions in recent years aimed at disrupting Chinese government efforts to locate in America pro-democracy activists and others who are openly critical of Beijing’s policies.

One of the cases concerns a local branch of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, which operated inside an office building in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood before closing last fall amid an FBI investigation. The two men charged with establishing the outpost were acting under the direction and control of a Chinese government official, and deleted communication with that official from their phones after becoming aware of the investigation, according to the Justice Department.

AP23107658578231 — A six story glass facade building, second from left, is believed to be the site of a foreign police outpost for China in New York’s Chinatown, Monday April 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

The men, identified as “Harry” Lu Jianwang, 61, of the Bronx, and Chen Jinping, 59, of Manhattan, were arrested at their homes on Monday morning. It was not immediately clear if they had lawyers who could comment on their behalf.

At no point did the men register with the Justice Department as agents of a foreign government, U.S. law enforcement officials said. And though the police outpost did perform some basic services, such as helping Chinese citizens renew their Chinese driver’s licenses, it also performed a more “sinister” function, including helping the Chinese government locate a pro-democracy activist of Chinese descent living in California, according to the officials.

“New York City is home to New York’s finest: the NYPD,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace, the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, said at a news conference announcing the arrests. “We don’t need or want a secret police station in our great city.”

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LARRY NEUMEISTER reported from New York and ERIC TUCKER Tucker reported from Washington.

American Tourist Case Against Thai Security Guard Ended Well

By

Khaosod English

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18 April 2023, 01:20

american phuket1 — To wrap up the case, they shake hands and smile.

A day after Mr.Bryce Alan Terzian, 33, an American tourist, pleaded with reporters in Phuket on April 16 to help him publicise his story of being attacked by one guard in a pub in Rawai Subdistrict, Muang District, the case ended with shakehands and smiles.

Mr.Bryce reported the incident which occurred on April 8, 2023, around 4:00 a.m. to Chalong Police Station, Muang District, on April 9. Later, he was concerned that the matter would not be pursued because it had been ongoing for 7 days.

However, on April 17, Colonel Ekarat Plaidung, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, invited Mr. Bryce to the police station to meet with Mr. Prasert Madsatun, 45, the guard at the pub who had assaulted Mr. Bryce.

american phuket — At the Chalong Police Station, April 17, 2023.

The discussions proceeded well, and both sides understood what happened. Mr. Prasert admitted that Mr. Bryce was wrongfully dissuaded, causing him harm. Mr. Prasert apologised to Mr. Bryce for his error.

Mr. Bryce then dropped the case since he didn’t want to return to the police station and instead wanted to enjoy his vacation in Phuket Province before returning to America.

Finally, the two parties shook hands. The police fined Mr. Prasert, who was charged with assault, 1,000 baht, and the pub owner assisted the American tourist with medical expenses.

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Previous report:

An American Tourist Asks the Media to Help His Case in Phuket

Myanmar Army Rulers Free 3,000 Prisoners In Holiday Gesture

By

Associated Press

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17 April 2023, 23:53

Myanmar Prisoners Release — Prisoners released from Insein Prison are welcomed by their colleagues and family members in Yangon, Myanmar Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP Photo)

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government on Monday granted amnesty to more than 3,000 prisoners to mark the traditional lunar New Year holiday, but it wasn’t immediately clear if those released included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule.

State-run MRTV television reported that the State Administration Council, the ruling body created by the military after it seized power in 2021, had pardoned 3,113 prisoners, including 98 foreigners who will be deported. Mass prisoner releases are common on major holidays.

An official from Yangon’s Insein Prison, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to release information, said the number and names of people to be freed from the country’s largest penitentiary was not yet known. The releases began Monday, but sometimes can take a few days to be completed.

AP23107259393930 — A bus carrying released prisoners leaves Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP Photo)

Some 17,460 political detainees, including Myanmar’s former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, were in detention as of last Wednesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation’s political conflicts.

Myanmar has been under military rule since Feb. 1, 2021, when its army ousted Suu Kyi’s elected government. The takeover was met with massive nonviolent resistance, which has since become a widespread armed struggle.

Urban guerrillas are active in major cities, and the loosely organized People’s Defense Forces, along with their allies in ethnic minority guerrilla groups, regularly strike military columns and outposts.

Civilians have borne the brunt of brutal military offensives in the countryside, including the use of artillery and airstrikes, which have displaced more than a million people, causing a humanitarian crisis.

At least 3,240 civilians have been killed by the security forces since the military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Its tally does not include all casualties from combat.

Tun Kyi, a senior member of the Former Political Prisoners Society, said it is not known how many of the political prisoners would be among those released, if any, but any such action would be taken to burnish the image of the military government.

AP23107259511427 — Myanmar’s military government on Monday granted amnesty to more than 3,000 prisoners to mark the traditional lunar New Year holiday, but it wasn’t immediately clear if those released included the thousands of political detainees locked up for opposing army rule. (AP Photo)

He said his group viewed such releases as trying to score political points, ease international pressure and seek to demonstrate the military’s legitimacy.

This year’s celebrations of Thingyan, the New Year’s holiday, drew smaller crowds than had gathered before the coronavirus pandemic and the 2021 takeover. In big cities, the merrymaking involving the playful splashing of water took place at designated high-security pavilions. Celebrations in most rural areas were muted, with many people heeding the call of opponents of military rule not to take part in the military-planned activities.

During the holiday, which officially extends for nine days but has state-sponsored gatherings for just four, the violent struggle between the army and pro-democracy forces continued. There were armed clashes in the countryside and small bombings of the official military-sponsored pavilions in several towns and cities. The number of casualties was unclear.

The country’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, did not touch on the country’s extended political crisis in a New Year’s speech broadcast Monday. He said that the economy, which faced difficulties in 2021, had rebounded last year from contraction to nearly 3% growth. The manufacturing sector had showed improvement and border trade was reopened in 2022, and businesses were able to resume operations, he said.

“I fully believe that if the people work hard to export more products, this year the economic growth will be better than previous years,” he said.

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Grant Peck reported from Bangkok.

Thai Gang Kidnapped a “Grey” Chinese Man in a Box for Ransom

By

Khaosod English

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17 April 2023, 21:39

thai abduct chinese14 — Mr. Kob confessed that Mr. Guy had hired him and Mr. Joe to put Mr. Wang down in a plastic box.

In another case, a Chinese visitor was kidnapped in Thailand for ransom. A Thai group was implicated in this recent case. The victim’s ex-girlfriend was one of them. The perpetrators in previous incidents were mostly Chinese.

In this case, Chinese man Yu Jie reported to the Lumpini Police Station on April 15 that he could not contact his Chinese friend named Wang Nanfeng for several days. But then, on April 16, Mr. Wang video-called Mr. Yu, saying, “You don’t have to file a report. The kidnappers will release me if you transfer the money.”

However, Mr. Yu feared for his friend’s life because Mr. Wang’s face was bruised. So he informed police about this.

Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, then commanded an investigating team. He announced on April 17 that several of the suspects had been apprehended. After using CCTV footages in front of the lift on the 17th floor of the condominium in Lumpini area as evidence, it is shown that the victim is being shoved into a large plastic box.

The inquiry discovered that the kidnapped Mr. Wang had been in a relationship with his Thai girlfriend, Ms. Nampetch, 24, for more than a year, but they had broken up for around 3 months before getting back together.

Ms. Namphet knew that Mr. Wang had a lot of money and property. He has done “grey business,” and the Chinese government had a warrant out for his arrest. So she thought Mr. Wang would not dare to tell the cops anything. Then she made plans with her Thai boyfriend, Mr. Guy, aged 24.

On April 14th, around 7:00 p.m., Mr. Guy and two other men, Mr. Kob, 27 and Mr. Joe, 30, arrived at Mr. Wang’s Sathorn condominium and then used the key card that Ms. Nampetch had given them to go up to the room on top of the condo before locking Mr. Wang, tying hands and feet, and putting him in a plastic box, moving it in a car before driving out of the condo to lock the victim in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

CCTV video showed that Kob who was wearing a white-and-black T-shirt and a cap, and Joe, who had long hair, were using a cart to move a big plastic box inside the lift. As soon as he pushed the elevator button, the box’s lid went up, so Kob had to use his hands to press and close the plastic cover. He then pushed the elevator button to go to the parking lot on the ground floor.

They helped each other lift the box onto the back of a Mercedes-Benz, which was waiting in a parking lot. Guy then drove to Hua Hin and took Wang to a resort for detention. Later, June, who was also being charged, drove to the resort to join the others.

The perpetrators then threatened and physically beat Wang, forcing him to video call Yu and ask him not to report it to the police. Then, the perpetrators made Wang transfer money to Kob’s account twice: the first time, he sent 2 million baht; the second time, he sent an extra 900,000 baht; and the third time, he sent 1.03 million baht to the account of another woman named Ms. Ta, 28; bringing the total ransom to 3.93 million baht (114,000 U.S. dollars).

When the perpetrators got the money they wanted, they brought Wang to release him at a restaurant. The police followed up until they found him, helping and arresting one suspect, Kob. Later, the police applied to the court to approve the issuance of four arrest warrants, consisting of Guy, Joe, June and Miss Ta. The police were later able to arrest one more June and seized the ransom amount of $2.3 million.

Kob confessed that Guy had hired him and Joe to put Wang in a plastic box, lying on one side with legs bent, feet tied, and hands tied behind the back. They closed the lid of the box and brought it down to the parking lot.

thai abduct chinese5 — Several of the suspects had been arrested.

Kob claimed that when they took the victim to Hua Hin, they opened the box’s lid so Mr. Wang could breathe and pull out the rope. Wang had some resistance, but he didn’t fight. He was always aware of what was going on. And when they got to the resort, Kob said he did not physically assault the victim.

Kob declined to answer questions about how much he was paid for participating in this crime and why he decided to join it.

Ms. Nampetch was the last person arrested in a gang of six on the evening of April 17 at the accommodation in ThongLor area. It turned out that she was a contestant for a well-known stage beauty queen, Miss Grand Suphan Buri 2020.

All the 6 suspects arrested are as follows:

Ms. Phetlada Saengsakul (Namphet), 24 years old
Mr. Supaphon Halman (Boss or Guy) 24 years old
Mr. Nattapat Sawasdee (Kob), 27 years old,
Mr. Nuttaphong Khongkhamyu (June), 24 years old
Ms. Sarita Donmuang (Ta) 28 years old
Mr. Thanayut Ponnaku (Joe), 30 years old

thai kidnap chinese7 — Ms. Phetlada Saengsakul

For Wang, the Chinese man who had been kidnapped, he is accused of fraud worth 12 million yuan, or about 60 million baht, for which the Chinese authorities have already issued an arrest warrant. But he has not received a red notice in Interpol, So he could travel to Thailand without a history of such arrest warrant. He is being held at the customs office so that he can be forced to leave the country.

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Sega Sammy To Buy “Angry Birds” Developer Rovio for $775 million

By

Kyodo News

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17 April 2023, 20:04

Japanese game and entertainment company Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. said Monday it will acquire Finland-based Rovio Entertainment Oyj, developer of the “Angry Birds” mobile game, in a deal worth about 706 million euros ($775 million) to expand in the fast-growing mobile gaming market.

Sega Sammy said it will launch a tender offer around May 8, paying 9.25 euros per share of the Finnish company that is most famous for the smash-hit title in which players put a bird in a slingshot to hit targets.

Rovio is a leading player in mobile games with a track record of over 5 billion downloads, according to Sega Sammy. “Angry Birds,” its best-known title, was released in 2009 and has since spawned various entertainment, anime and consumer products.

“In the rapidly growing global gaming market, the mobile gaming market has especially high potential, and it has been Sega’s long-term goal to accelerate its expansion in this field,” Sega Sammy President and CEO Haruki Satomi said in a statement.

Satomi also said he is confident that combining their companies’ “brands, characters, fanbase, as well as corporate culture and functionality” will create synergy effects.

The Japanese firm said the deal has the support of Rovio’s board of directors and some of its shareholders, whose holdings amount to a total of about 49.1 percent. The tender offer is expected to close around July 3.

Sega Sammy, known for its Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, also said it will launch new titles utilizing Rovio’s know-how in mobile game operations.

“I grew up playing Sonic the Hedgehog,” Rovio CEO Alexandre Pelletier-Normand said in a statement. “Combining the strengths of Rovio and SEGA presents an incredibly exciting future.”

Sudan Battles Intensify on 3rd Day; Civilian Deaths Reach 97

By

Associated Press

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17 April 2023, 14:56

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s embattled capital awoke Monday to a third day of heavy fighting between the army and a powerful rival force for control of the country, as the weekend’s civilian death toll rose to 97.

Airstrikes and shelling intensified in parts of Khartoum and the adjoining city of Omdurman. Rapid, sustained firing was heard near the military headquarters, with white smoke rising from the area. Residents hunkering down in their homes reported power outages and incidents of looting.

AP23106598974115 — This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows fires and smoke at Khartoum railway, Sudan, Sunday April 16, 2023. (Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies via AP)

The clashes are part of a power struggle between Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, the commander of the armed forces, and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group. The two generals are former allies who jointly orchestrated an October 2021 military coup that derailed Sudan’s short-lived transition to democracy.

Both men have dug in, saying they would not negotiate a truce, instead engaging in verbal attacks and demanding the other’s surrender. Still, both have powerful foreign backers, making them potentially susceptible to mounting diplomatic pressure.

Since fighting erupted on Saturday, 97 civilians have been killed and hundreds have been wounded, said the Sudan Doctors’ Syndicate, a pro-democracy group monitoring casualties.

AP23106438998422 — Smoke rises from a central neighborhood of Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, April 16, 2023, after dozens have been killed in two days of intense fighting..(AP Photo/Marwan Ali)

There has been no official word on the number of fighters killed.

Footage posted online Monday purported to show RSF barracks in Omdurman. The bodies of dozens of men in camouflage uniforms were seen sprawled on beds and the floor of a medical ward and in a sandy outdoor area. Another video showed civilians inside the base, apparently looting food.

The authenticity of the videos could not be confirmed independently, but they surfaced after the military said it has targeted RSF bases with airstrikes. Mohmed al-Mokhtar al-Nour, an RSF adviser, told the Al Jazeera satellite network Sunday that RSF forces have withdrawn from the camp.

The doctors’ group said a stray shell struck a hospital south of Khartoum on Monday morning, without causing causalities.

The chaotic scenes of fighting with tanks, truck-mounted machine guns, artillery and warplanes in densely populated areas of the capital are unprecedented. Sudan has a long history of civil strife, but much of that has taken place in remote tribal areas, far from Khartoum.

AP23105459336254 — Smoke is seen rising in Khartoum, Sudan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. Fierce clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s powerful paramilitary erupted in the capital and elsewhere in the African nation after weeks of escalating tensions between the two forces. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali)

The violence erupted during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan which ends later this week and is capped by the three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday.

On Sunday, the warring sides agreed to a three-hour pause in fighting to allow civilians to stock up on necessities. Compliance was spotty, and there were reports of casualties during the humanitarian pause.

Top diplomats urged the sides to stop fighting, including the U.S. secretary of state, the U.N. secretary-general, the EU foreign policy chief, the head of the Arab League and the head of the African Union Commission. The U.N. Security Council was to discuss the developments in Sudan later on Monday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed his call for a truce and a return to negotiations during a meeting of the Group of Seven wealthy nations in Japan on Monday.

“People in Sudan want the military back in the barracks,” he said. “They want democracy. They want the civilian-led government, Sudan needs to return to that path.”

The fighting also spread to the war-wrecked western Darfur region, and areas of northern and eastern Sudan, near the borders with Egypt and Ethiopia. Over the weekend, the World Food Program suspended its operations in Sudan after three of its employees were killed in fighting in Darfur.

In recent months, negotiations had been under way to get back on a path to democracy. Under international pressure, Burhan and Dagalo agreed to a framework agreement with political parties and pro-democracy groups.

However, the deal was vague on key points of dispute, including how the RSF would be integrated into the armed force and who would have final control. The signing of the deal was put off repeatedly, amid rising tensions between Burhan and Dagalo.

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Jack Jeffery reported from Khartoum and Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.

A Japanese Tourist Is Saved From Heatstroke in Sukhothai

By

Khaosod English

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17 April 2023, 14:20

Local people in Sukhothai Province saved the life of a 70-year-old Japanese male tourist who suffered from heatstroke while falling on the footpath at the entrance of Soi Sangkhalok Road Ban Mai Traphang Thong Community, Old Town Subdistrict, Mueang District, Sukhothai Province, at 2 p.m. in the afternoon on April 15.

A Japanese man lied motionless and unable to move. He appeared exhausted, panting, short of breath, and unable to speak, with his right hand’s fingers gushing and a large laceration on his leg. The reporters then called the police and requested an ambulance, as well as phoning the resort where the Japanese man was staying.

People in the neighbourhood came to help the Japanese man while he waited for rescue, providing him with inhalers, balm, a damp cloth, and towels. They also used salt water to clean his wound, let him drink sweet water, and poured water on the chilly cement floor. The symptoms of the Japanese man began to improve.

When the police came, they rushed him into the car and switched places with the ambulance on the way. At that time, a lot of people came to play Songkran water, causing a traffic jam of more than 3 kilometres.

As of April 17, it is learnt that this Japanese tourist had been hospitalised for one night at Sukhothai Hospital, with the resort’s owner handling additional help before boarding an aircraft to Chiang Mai. Getting ready to return to Osaka, Japan.

“He was very fortunate that some people arrived on the scene and assisted him in a timely manner.” “If you encounter 20-30 minutes later, it could turn into a sad story,” said Mr. Phubet Faithes, a Sukhothai province reporter.

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