Latest news with #Yellow
LeMonde
4 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Thousands of protestors demand Thai prime minister's resignation
Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday, June 28, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign after a leaked diplomatic phone call stirred public anger. A Cambodian elder statesman leaked a call meant to soothe a border spat between the two nations in which Paetongtarn called him "uncle" and referred to a Thai military commander as her "opponent." A key party abandoned Paetongtarn's coalition, accusing the 38-year-old dynastic premier of kowtowing to Cambodia and undermining Thailand's military, leaving her teetering with a slim parliamentary majority. Approximately 10,000 demonstrators jammed roads ringing the capital's Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and placards reading "Evil PM, get out." One speaker took to the stage and shouted: "PM, you committed treason!" The crowd was mostly senior-aged and led by veteran activists of the "Yellow Shirt" movement, which helped oust Paetongtarn's father Thaksin in the 2000s. One of Thaksin's former allies, now among his harshest critics, was also a key organizer. "I'm here to protect Thailand's sovereignty and to say the PM is unfit," said 70-year-old protester Seri Sawangmue, who travelled overnight by bus from the country's north to attend. "After I heard the leaked call I knew I couldn't trust her," he told Agence France-Presse. "I've lived through many political crises and I know where this is going. She's willing to give up our sovereignty." Thailand has seen decades of clashes between the bitterly opposed "Yellow Shirts" who defend the monarchy and military, and the Thaksin-backing "Red Shirts," considered by their opponents a threat to the traditional social order. Jamnong Kalana, 64, said she was once a "Red Shirt" but had changed her colours and was demanding the resignation of Paetongtarn, leader of the Pheu Thai party. "I feel full of pain when I see a fellow Thai who doesn't love the country like I do," she said. Make-or-break court cases The prime minister has been battered by controversy and abandoned by her largest backer, the Bhumjaithai Party, after her phone call with Cambodia's ex-leader Hun Sen was leaked earlier this month. Tensions between the countries have soared after a border dispute boiled over into violence last month, which killed one Cambodian soldier. Thailand's military has staged a dozen coups since the end of the absolute monarchy in 1932 and politicians are usually careful not to antagonize the generals. After calling a border region military commander her "opponent," Paetongtarn gave a contrite press conference, issuing a public apology flanked by military officials in a show of unity. Her remaining coalition partners have not yet backed out of their pact. But next week both Paetongtarn and her father face legal battles that could reshape Thailand's political landscape. On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to take up a petition by senators seeking her removal over alleged unprofessionalism. That same day, her father is set to stand trial on royal defamation charges linked to decade-old remarks to South Korean media. Paetongtarn took office less than a year ago after her predecessor was disqualified by a court order and her father returned from exile after 15 years. She is the fourth Shinawatra-linked figure to become prime minister following her father, aunt and uncle-in-law.
France 24
7 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Thousands protest calling for Thai PM's resignation
A Cambodian elder statesman leaked a call meant to sooth a border spat between the two nations in which Paetongtarn called him "uncle" and referred to a Thai military commander as her "opponent". A key party abandoned Paetongtarn's coalition, accusing the 38-year-old dynastic premier of cow-towing to Cambodia and undermining Thailand's military, leaving her teetering with a slim parliamentary majority. Around 4,000 demonstrators filled roads ringing the capital's Victory Monument, waving Thai flags and cheering for speeches interspersed with live music. The crowd was mostly senior-aged and led by veteran activists of the "Yellow Shirt" movement -- which helped oust Paetongtarn's father Thaksin in the 2000s -- as well as one of his former allies now among his harshest critics. "I'm here to protect Thailand's sovereignty and to say the PM is unfit," said 70-year-old protester Seri Sawangmue, who travelled overnight by bus from the country's north to attend. "After I heard the leaked call, I knew I couldn't trust her," he told AFP. "I've lived through many political crises and I know where this is going. She's willing to give up our sovereignty." Thailand has seen decades of clashes between the bitterly-opposed "Yellow Shirts" who defend the monarchy and military and the "Red Shirts" backing Thaksin, who they consider a threat to Thailand's traditional social order. Jamnong Kalana, 64, said she was once a "Red Shirt" but had now changed her colours and was demanding Paetongtarn's resignation. "I feel full of pain when I see a fellow Thai who doesn't love the country like I do," she said. Make-or-break court cases Authorities said more than 1,000 police and 100 city officials had been deployed for the event which remained peaceful early on Saturday afternoon. Paetongtarn was visiting Thailand's flood-hit north but before departing Bangkok she told reporters: "It's their right to protest, as long as it's peaceful". The prime minister has been battered by controversy and abandoned by her largest backer the Bhumjaithai Party after her phone call with Cambodia's ex-leader Hun Sen leaked earlier this month. Tensions between the countries have soared after a border dispute boiled over into violence last month which killed one Cambodia soldier. Next week, both Paetongtarn and her father face legal battles that could reshape Thailand's political landscape. On Tuesday, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to take up a petition by senators seeking her removal over alleged unprofessionalism. That same day, her father is set to stand trial on royal defamation charges linked to decade-old remarks to South Korean media. Paetongtarn took office less than a year ago after her predecessor was disqualified by a court order and her father returned from exile after 15 years. She is the fourth Shinawatra-linked figure to become prime minister following her father, aunt and uncle-in-law.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Danielle Armstrong's stunning holiday co-ord is still available for under £50
Former TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong has found the perfect floral co-ord to take on your next getaway, and you can still shop her exact look for under £50 If you're looking for something easy and breezy to take on holiday, a co-ord is always a great choice. Not only do you have an instant outfit ready to go, but you can easily mix and match each piece with other things, giving you plenty of different looks without taking up too much room in your suitcase. One we spotted recently was worn by Danielle Armstrong whilst she was on holiday, with the former TOWIE star showing off the outfit on her newly-launched LTK page. Her exact look – H&M's floral co-ord – has already been her best-selling look from her outfits so far, making it a definite must have. The H&M co-ord includes the £19.99 Tie-Strap Smocked Top and the £27.99 Frill-Trimmed Maxi Skirt, meaning you only need to spend £47.98 to copy Danielle's look. Despite its affordable price tag, the full set is still in stock in all sizes, except the XS size in the skirt. Although Danielle opted for the black floral print version, you can also get the set in a white and pink floral print too, which is perfect if you want a softer, more romantic look. The top has a shirred stretchy design that's comfortable and supportive without being too tight (because who wants tight, clingy fits in the heat?) and has a flattering slim fit. Meanwhile the skirt has a covered elasticated waistband that keeps it streamlined and sleek whilst still giving you plenty of stretch. It has a maxi length with an A-line silhouette that flows nicely, giving you plenty of movement and keeping it breezy and comfortable. Whilst there's no denying that the co-ord looks great together, you can so easily pair it with plenty of other pieces in your wardrobe (or your suitcase). The Tie-Strap Smocked Top for example would work with denim shorts, some wide leg linen trousers or even a pair of jeans on cooler days, whilst the Frill-Trimmed Maxi Skirt works beautifully with everything from an oversized T-shirt to a crisp white shirt, or simply thrown on over a bikini for around the pool. The H&M co-ord is made from Enzing Ecovero viscose which keeps it lightweight, but if you want something more natural River Island's Yellow Sleeveless Floral Cami Top (£29) and the matching Yellow Floral Maxi Skirt (£36) are both made from 100% cotton. This means it's breathable and sweat-wicking, keeping you cool and comfortable in the heat. If you want something bolder, New Look's Red Shell Print Poplin Tiered Midi Skirt (£32.99) and the co-ordinating Red Abstract Print Tie Strap Cropped Top (£23.99) are ideal. The bold red colour makes a statement, and they can dress it up and down depending on the occasion. However if you want to take a leaf out of Daniell's style book, you can shop the Tie-Strap Smocked Top and the Frill-Trimmed Maxi Skirt at H&M now.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Durban to welcome African mayors for crime prevention dialogue
Durban will host the upcoming Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) dialogue in August Image: File eThekwini councillors gave the go-ahead for Durban to host the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) dialogue in collaboration with the African Forum on Urban Safety in August. The CPTED event is expected to be attended by mayors from other African countries when it is hosted at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban. According to the municipality, the CPTED became internationally popular as a field of study and practice in the 1990s, introducing concepts such as "target hardening" and preventing crime through the implementation of physical, architectural, and infrastructural measures. eThekwini Safer Cities stated that CPTED has benefited from advances in urban design and from the movement towards integrated urban safety approaches. The report stated that Safer Cities require an integrated approach to transform an unsafe place into a haven for all. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The objectives of the dialogue are to: Share case studies that reflect the opportunities of using these approaches. Investigate the financial burden that is carried by the city when public infrastructure is vandalised and stolen, and when safety is not factored in early on. Promote the use of transversal design and communications to break the cycle of infrastructure vandalism. Explore innovative ideas for safe sanitation for women as a safety metric. Mobilise stakeholders for the revival of the African Forum on Urban Safety. And capacitation of city practitioners to embed safety in their processes, procedures, and functions. The municipality believes that the dialogue is a catalyst for sustained safety programmes and city safety strategies to be implemented both locally and across Africa. It anticipates that participants will gain a profound understanding of the benefits of building safe and inclusive cities for all. At a council meeting on Thursday, IFP councillor Petros Mbonambi encouraged people to support the initiative that he said would contribute to making eThekwini the number one city in fighting crime. He added that there was a need for a new approach to crime and violence to make the metro crime-free. 'This initiative could lead to a reduction in crime in our city,' Mbonambi said. EFF councillor Ncami Khawula hoped that Community Policing Forums (CPF) would receive support, equipment, and also get protection from law enforcement because they were volunteers on the front line and vulnerable to criminals. Zandile Myeni, National Freedom Party (NFP) councillor and deputy mayor of eThekwini, said the municipality was recently appointed to organise the dialogue that will play a critical role in the African diaspora. 'We will be rolling out the red carpet to all the mayors from Africa, and we see this as another economic boost to the municipality,' she said. The estimated cost includes: Accommodation for the 10 mayors and speakers for three nights - R70,000. Ground transport over four days at R6,000 per day - R24,000. Two-day venue booking with Technical Support Interpreter (ICC) - R280,000. Printing of branding, banners, and booklets - R63,000. Aidan David, the chairperson of the eThekwini District policing board and Provincial Board treasurer for KwaZulu-Natal, said engagements of this nature had taken place many times, and they yielded fruitless results. He said these funds can be better utilised towards the fight against crime.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venetian wedding takes a twist: venue change amid protests
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have changed the venue of their upcoming wedding due to protesters in Venice. Image: Instagram. The fourth-richest person in the world, Jeff Bezos, and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, have reportedly changed the venue for their upcoming wedding celebration in Venice after protesters threatened to disrupt the festivities. The nuptials, originally set to be held in the historic Scuola Grande della Misericordia, a stunning 16th-century building in the heart of the city, are now scheduled to take place in Arsenale, an elaborate complex of shipyards encircled by fortified walls. The "No Space for Bezos" protest group has claimed partial victory after expressing concerns that the extravagant wedding would reinforce the perception of Venice as a playground for the wealthy. Activists had made plans to disrupt the festivities by flooding the nearby waters with inflatable crocodiles, blocking high-profile guests from entering the venue. "We feel as if we scored a victory ... The crocodile initiative would have given a bad impression of the city; this is why the venue was changed, even if the authorities might try to claim it was because of the war," one activist reported. The change of venue also arises from heightened security risks following recent geopolitical tensions, particularly after the US escalated its involvement in conflicts between Iran and Israel. The arrival of Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, further intensified concern, prompting local authorities to bolster security measures. As the city braces for an influx of 200 guests, including celebrities such as Elon Musk, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Mick Jagger and Leonardo DiCaprio, air traffic has surged, with an estimated 95 private planes flying into the city's Marco Polo airport for the wedding festivities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, reality stars Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner and fashion guru Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller have already arrived. Unlike typical weddings, guests have been instructed not to bring gifts. Instead, Bezos and Sánchez have pledged to make donations to several local institutions, including the UNESCO Venice Office, CORILA and Venice International University. While the exact dates of the exchange vows remain under wraps, the couple is believed to seal their commitment on Friday, June 27, at the San Giorgio Maggiore basilica, with the main celebration slated for Saturday, June 28. Meanwhile, the "No Space for Bezos" campaign now focuses its efforts on a planned 'no Bezos, no war' march. The campaign against Bezos gained traction since Venice's millionaire mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, announced in March that the Bezos' wedding would take place in the iconic city. Protesters argue that such lavish events overlook ongoing issues like overtourism and the displacement of locals grappling with high housing costs and climate change impacts. Defending the decision to host the wedding, Brugnaro said the wedding aligned with Venice's longstanding tradition of hospitality to both nobility and ordinary visitors. "We will always respect the right to speak out, but we reject every form of intolerance and prejudice. No one in Venice can claim the right of deciding who can enter, who can love, who can celebrate," reported Italian newspaper "Il Foglio Quotidiano".
