Bangkok - A cold front sweeping in from China that has dropped temperatures to as low as 7 degrees celsius in parts of sunny Thailand has been blamed for three deaths, although alcohol may have contributed, media reports said Tuesday.

The high pressure system that moved into Thailand over the weekend was blamed for the death of a 71-year-old Buddhist monk in Ayutthaya province on Sunday and two men in northern Thailand on Monday, the Bangkok Post reported.

Police said Thanya Saeng-aroon, 37, who was found dead in his bed wearing only his underwear in Chiang Rai, 660 kilometres north of Bangkok, may have fallen asleep under the influence of alcohol, exposing his body to the harsh elements too long.

It seems that the recent terror attacks in country’s financial capital, Mumbai, have awakened the West Bengal government. The state government has decided to brace up the security arrangements in the city-based medical college and hospitals.

After visiting the SSKM Hospital recently, state Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen held a meeting with senior police officers and health department officials to sketch the security needs. The government has decided to have armed guards to man the wards of some premier city hospitals.

London, Jan 12: An avid Rubik''s Cube fan has finally solved the puzzle after 26 years' attempt.

Graham Parker from Portchester, Hants, was endlessly trying to solve the puzzle ever since he bought the Rubik''s Cube in 1983.

After spending over 27,400 hours on it, he finally managed to complete the puzzle.

"I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it.

In an important move, the district authorities on Sunday declined permission to the proposed congregation of the Dera Sacha Sauda, which was to be held in Jalalana here on Monday. It may be here recalled that Dera Sacha Sauda organises a congregation in Jalalana on January 12 every year. The village is considered as the birth place of the former sect head.

With this move, all the Dera followers who had gathered from far-off areas of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and other neighbouring states to participate in the congregation were disappointed.
 

Singapore - A 70-year-old man faced a court Monday, charged with grievously harming a Singapore legislator by pouring paint thinner over him and setting it alight during a Sunday afternoon community club event.

Ong Kah Chua, a former taxi driver, was remanded in the custody of the Institute of Mental Health and is to reappear in court on January 23, Channel News Asia reported. He is accused of attacking Member of Parliament Seng Han Thong at the club, causing burns to 10 to 15 per cent of his body.

Also injured during the incident was the 69-year-old chairman of a Chinese temple, Aw Chui Seng.

News reports said Seng, 59, had undergone skin grafts at a local hospital after suffering severe burns to his face, arms and upper body.