Lamps pleased by poppy outcome
01.01.70
Frank Lampard says the England team would have had a discussion about what to do had FIFA refused to let them wear poppies against Spain.
Lampard believes England would have been "letting down" the military if they did not display the poppy in Saturday's friendly international at Wembley ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
A compromise was eventually reached, with the England players now able to wear the emblem on their black armbands.
Lampard said: "It is a huge thing for us, the Football Association and everyone. You've got to give a lot of credit to the people who have pushed to make it happen.
"As players we do a lot of work with the military boys and, if we were to be running out and not showing our respects, we would be letting them down
"It is something the players felt very strongly about. Fortunately enough we reported yesterday and the decision was made.
"I think we would have sat down and had a good think about it because I know how proud we are to play and what an important day Remembrance Day is. We are very pleased it has got to where it has got."
Source: Teamtalk.com
UN returns favour by donating cash, solar-powered lamps
01.01.70
The United Nations' refugee agency is donating cash and solar lamps to flood victims as a gesture of gratitude for the country's hospitality in hosting refugees for nearly four decades.
"Even though the Thai government has not asked UNHCR for assistance, we wanted to offer our help as an acknowledgement of all Thailand has done to shelter and protect more than a million refugees over the years," said James Lynch, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' representative in Thailand.
UNHCR donated 5,000 solarpowered lamps worth a total of US$250,000 (Bt7.5 million) to the Interior Ministry's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to distribute in remote areas where electricity has been cut. UNHCR distributed similar lanterns to the area of Japan hit by an earthquake and tsunami in March. UNHCR will also donate $50,000 cash.
The agency said it had mobilised its team of fundraisers, who normally meet Thai people in shopping malls and offices, to raise money for disaster relief. In addition to raising money for UNHCR's operations in nine refugee camps in Thailand, they now are informing the Thai public that their first twomonth donation will go to floodrelief operations.
Source: The Nation