Briefs, January 3, 2013
More than 70 refugees from Myanmar's Rohingya minority found adrift off a Thai resort island will be repatriated to their homeland. Phuket provincial governor Maitri Inthusut said they were unable to continue their journey to Malaysia due to exhaustion and fear of mishaps at sea. Maitri said 12 children were among the 73 refugees, all of whom would be sent back to Myanmar by land on transport provided by immigration police.
PHUKET - More than 70 refugees from Myanmar's Rohingya minority found adrift off a Thai resort island will be repatriated to their homeland. Phuket provincial governor Maitri Inthusut said they were unable to continue their journey to Malaysia due to exhaustion and fear of mishaps at sea. Maitri said 12 children were among the 73 refugees, all of whom would be sent back to Myanmar by land on transport provided by immigration police. Sectarian violence last year involving the Rohingya left hundreds dead and many more homeless. AP
MANILA - Insurgents in the Philippines called off a truce with the government, almost two weeks ahead of schedule, raising concerns over peace talks. The Communist Party of the Philippines blamed the government, but a spokesman for President Benigno Aquino said the CPP just wanted an excuse to cut short the ceasefire. A spokesman said the government would observe the ceasefire until January 15. AFP
