yesterday was...

a good day for:

Thais, 160 of whom availed themselves of the chance of a free vasectomy to celebrate the 68th birthday of King Bhumibol. The special offer happens twice a year - on the royal birthday and May Day. Bangkok holds the one- day world record for vasectomies: 1,190 on the king's birthday in 1993.

a bad day for:

Muscovites, 160 of whom have frozen to death in the Russian capital since the winter set in. Temperatures are currently as low as minus 20C. According to Moscow health department officials: "Absolutely all the victims froze to death while they were drunk."