AP The New Zealand capital Wellington was rattled by a strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday that broke water mains, smashed windows and downed power lines. There have been no reports of injuries or a tsunami.

news.sky.com Two American fighter jets dropped four bombs on the Great Barrier Reef after a training exercise went wrong, it has emerged. US officials said the pilots of two AV-8B Harrier jets were forced to jettison the unarmed devices on Tuesday because both aircraft were running low on fuel and could not land with the bombs on board.


PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Beware of inconsistent imitations.

Phuket Update Phuket FC held the Bangkok FC Bulls to a 1-1 draw in an away match yesterday. Phuket FC in fifth spot were underdogs as the Bulls are third in Division One and recently celebrated an FA Cup win over Premier League side Army United. The draw will revive Phuket's hopes for promotion.

Phuket Update Tomorrow is Asalaha Bucha Day and Tuesday is the First Day of Buddhist Lent. Both days are special days on the calendar and sales of alcohol are prohibited on Phuket and in Thailand by law.

usatoday.com Thousands gathered at rallies in more than 100 cities across the US to remember Trayvon Martin, to press for federal civil rights charges against the man who shot him, and to attack stand-your-ground self-defense laws. The Justice Department is investigating whether George Zimmerman, 29, violated Martin's civil rights when he shot the 17-year-old during a February 2012 confrontation.

wasj.com A Chinese man in a wheelchair detonated an improvised explosive device in Beijing's international airport, injuring himself and filling part of the building with smoke and dust, but without causing other casualties, according to state media and witnesses.

bloomberg.com Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy arrived in Phnom Penh nine days before a national election, ending a four-year exile after receiving a royal pardon for charges he says were politically motivated. He is seen as the main challenger to strongman PM Hun Sen.

bangkokpost.com Police said Samui nursing assistant Natnaree Melgul was depressed and hanged herself, but after her mother saw the bruises and broken neck, she started a crusade that fought uncaring authorities and found the suspected murderer. A boyfriend is already being investigated over the alleged assault.

afp Six men accused in the gang-rape and robbery of a 39-year-old Swiss tourist were sentenced to life terms Saturday by a court in central India.

cnn.com A woman died while falling from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, witnesses said. The theme park confirmed that a woman died while riding the Texas Giant roller coaster, but did not provide details on the circumstances surrounding her death.

bbc.co.uk High levels of agricultural insecticide have been found in samples taken from tainted food blamed for the deaths of 23 schoolchildren in north-eastern India.

watoday.com.au Central Australia's Pine Gap spy base played a key role in controversial US drone strikes involving the ''targeted killing'' of al-Qaeda and Taliban chiefs, Fairfax Media can reveal. Former personnel have described the facility's success in locating and tracking al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders - and other insurgent activity in Afghanistan and Pakistan - as ''outstanding''.

huffingtonpost.com Jose Ramos-Horta writes: Today, far away from home, I plead with President Taur Matan Ruak and Prime Minister Xanana to let these unwanted, persecuted Rohingya stay in Timor-Leste (East Timor). And I am ready to welcome these unwanted children of God into my relatively comfortable home.

straight.com Big Media lobbyists and unelected bureaucrats are holding closed-door meetings in Malaysia as they continue secret talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a highly secretive and extreme trade deal being negotiated by Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the US, Singapore, and Vietnam. TPP documents are top secret - unless you're one of just 600 big industry lobbyists invited to take part.

nationmultimedia.com Boutique dive resort Zeavola is now focusing on conservation and environmental education above the waterline with its Birdwalk, offering holidaymakers and budding ornithologists a glimpse at Phi Phi's tropical bird population. The resort is Soon to be accredited as a Green Fin resort by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre.

bangkokpost.com A short-term stimulus package is not essential, as the country's economy is expected to turn around in the second half, says the Bank of Thailand.

gulf-times.com After successful growth over the past years, the recovery from the 2011 floods, with a thriving capital market and a favorable investment incentive scheme, one could think that Thailand shouldn't worry about its economic future and the attraction it emanates to global investors. Wrong. Under the surface of the country's smiling attitude are seething troubles, and many economists advise investors to watch the short and even mid-term development in the country from a distance.

bbc.co.uk Comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack, aged 60, his agent has confirmed.

bbc.co.uk Helen Thomas, a trailblazing journalist who covered the White House for nearly five decades, has died aged 92. Ms Thomas covered the administrations of 10 presidents and was known for asking difficult questions.



bbc.co.uk Lee Westwood held off Tiger Woods to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield. The pair duelled on an absorbing afternoon in the Scottish sun. Woods, who is chasing a 15th major and a first since 2008, has never won a major when trailing going into the final day.

cbssports.com Adam Scott sat four back of leader Miguel Angel Jimenez to start the third round, but the Masters champion will tee off Sunday just three off the pace after a 1-under 70 Saturday at Muirfield to get him back to even par. Only three players are under par after three rounds, as opposed to nine players who started the weekend in red numbers.

dailymail.co.uk Chris Froome survived a brutal final climb, a late attack by his closest challenger, and the too-close attention of spectators - punching one in response - to finish third on the penultimate stage of the Tour de France and stand on the brink of becoming Britain's second successive winner.

smh.com.au Peter Siddle, the bowler who never gives up, believes Australia can still force a draw in the Lord's Test. With England's lead at 566 - almost 150 clear of the world record runchase - that seems like extremely wishful thinking.

sbs.com.au Danny Welbeck and Jesse Lingard both scored twice as English champions Manchester United got their first win of the David Moyes era with a 5-1 victory over an Australian A-League All Stars team.




July 21 Toyota Motorsport Festival Phuket City

July 22-23 Arsarnha Bucha Day, First Day of Buddhist Lent (Public Holidays, alcohol free)

July 22-24 Fifth annual Kathu Street festival. Opening night parade, 5.30pm

August 12 HM The Queen's Birthday

October 5-13 Phuket Vegetarian Festival

October 23 Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

October 29-November 3 Womens' volleyball, Karon beach

November 17 Loy Kratong Day

November 24-December 1 Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest. Laguna Phuket

December 5 HM The King's birthday



January 9-12 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina

November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket