bbc.co.uk Israeli air strikes have targeted the headquarters of Gaza's Hamas leaders, as the bombardment of the coastal enclave moved into a fourth day.Israel's military said it had targeted 180 sites since midnight.

PRESIDENT Obama must press Burma (Myanmar) to give citizenship to hundreds of thousands of stateless Rohingya in the west of the country where ethnic bloodshed has caused massive displacement, Refugees International says.

A SMALL young spinner dolphin was rescued off Phuket's Karon beach today and taken to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre for care. Biologists checked the creature's health then later freed it to catch up with its pod. .


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

sky.com A rocket has been fired at Jerusalem by Hamas - the first time the city is thought to have been targeted by Gaza militants using such a weapon. Located about 55 miles from the Gaza border, Jerusalem had been beyond the range of rocket squads.

bbc.co.uk Israel has ordered up to 75,000 reservists on stand-by and vowed to intensify its raids on the Gaza Strip after militants targeted Jerusalem with a rocket for the first time in decades. Twenty-eight Palestinians and three Israelis have died since Wednesday when Israel killed Hamas's military chief.

phayul.com A British national Tibetan Buddhist monk, Tonden, 38, has self-immolated within his monastery premises in France. In the month of November alone, 12 Tibetans, including a 15-year-old monk and a young mother of a seven year old boy, have set themselves on fire protesting China's continued occupation of Tibet.

pattayamail.com The first Pattaya Ladyboy Water Volleyball Competition was a smashing success, raising over 280,000 baht for the Pattaya Orphanage/Children's Home Foundation Pattaya (125,000) and the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya's Water4Life project (100,000). ''The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways,'' said Father Michael of the Pattaya orphanage.

radioaustralia.net.au A UK human rights group says Barack Obama has "thrown away the sticks" and "given away almost all the carrots" in lifting sanctions against Burma. Barack Obama will become the first US president to visit the former pariah state when he touches down on Monday.

washingtonpost.com During his six hours in Burma, Obama is scheduled to meet separately with President Thein Sein and democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose release in 2010 following 15 years under house arrest launched her nation's opening to the West.

independent.co.uk ''Please treat us like human beings'' the sign reads. It is one of several placards held up by the emaciated inhabitants of a refugee camp in Rakhine state.

AP Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will take part in a Southeast Asian meeting in Cambodia from Sunday that will include President Obama and regional leaders, which comes as China is locked in territorial disputes with its neighbors.

guardian.co.uk Doctors have hailed the development of the first vaccine against the commonest strain of meningitis as a major breakthrough in the fight to reduce the deaths and disability the disease causes.

cnn.com Hong Kong authorities said that they had confiscated $1.4 million worth of ivory that arrived smuggled in a shipping container from Africa, the second large seizure of tusks at the busy port in the past month.

property-report.com On the back of the success of Nikki Beach's Koh Samui beach club, Castlewood and Nikki Beach has ambitious plans to launch a Phuket development, the Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa in Bang Tao. Set within a five-star hotel, it will house 151 luxury suites, sky villas and uber-exclusive private villas with private pools and gardens. The all-encompassing master plan includes a 45 metre swimming pool, a rooftop infinity pool with bar and lounge. And of course, Nikki Beach Club.



scmp.com Phillip Yau Wing-choi became the second racer in two days to die at the Macau Grand Prix, but organisers denied there was a safety issue and insisted the event would continue.

fifa.com Familiar foes Spain and Brazil will meet in the final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, the fourth time the two countries will have battled for the title. The South Americans came out on top four years ago after a penalty shootout on home soil. Results: Italy 1-4 Spain; Brazil 3-1 Colombia.

dailymail.co.uk David Beckham's management today refuted claims he could be heading Down Under to play football. The 37-year-old and his family currently live in LA, where he plays for Los Angeles Galaxy, but Australia's Football Federation said it has been approached by his representatives.

bbc.co.uk A Cheteshwar Pujara double hundred and three late wickets put India in complete control of the first Test against England. After India declared on 521-8, England lost debutant Nick Compton, night-watchman James Anderson and Jonathan Trott to close on 41-3. Pujara earlier made an unbeaten on 206.



November 18 Futsal World Cup Final, Bangkok

November 25 Laguna Phuket Triathlon

November 28 Loy Kratong Day

November 30 AustCham Phuket sundowners social and business networking

December 1 World AIDs Day

December 1-8 King's Cup Regatta

December 5 HM The King's Birthday

December 10 Constitution Day

December 15-20 Patong Carnival

December 16-18 Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, Bang Tao beach

December 25 Christmas Day



October 5-13 Phuket Vegetarian Festival



November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket