Two dead, hundreds hurt in Thai protests

Two people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests against Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Somchai is the brother-in-law and considered an extension of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in September 2006 military coup. Thaksin lives in exile in London.

The pro-royal alliance leading the protests says it wants to change the electoral system to disempower the rural poor who have supported the Somchai's ruling People Power Party.

The Age

Hundreds Injured in Thai Protests New York Times - 28 minutes ago By SETH MYDANS and THOMAS FULLER BANGKOK - Thailand’s political crisis worsened Tuesday when antigovernment protesters trapped lawmakers inside the Parliament building and fought running battles with the police that left one person dead and nearly 400 ... Video: Raw Video: Tear Gas Fired at Thai Protestors AssociatedPress 2 dead, 380 injured in Bangkok PRESS TV

British commander says can't defeat Taliban

British commander in Afghanistan, Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith said the war against the Taliban cannot be won.

Noting the daily battles with insurgents, Carleton-Smith suggested negotiations with the Taliban offered the best solution for Afghanistan. He said that controlling the insurgency rather than eradicating it should be the goal.

In addition to the rising death and casualty toll, aide workers report that areas under the control of the Taliban have been growing rapidly.

Reuters

British commander says war in Afghanistan cannot be won Reuters - 4 hours ago LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's commander in Afghanistan has said the war against the Taliban cannot be won, the Sunday Times reported. 'Managing' the Afghan insurgency BBC News We can't defeat Taleban, says Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith Times Online

Kim Jong-Il appears at soccer game

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il appeared in public for the first time after a reported stroke.

Media had reported variously that Kim was either dead or seriously ill in recent months. He attended a soccer game held to celebrate the anniversary of a North Korean university named after his father.

American negotiators are currently trying to lure North Korea back to talks on its nuclear program, which Pyongyang is in the process of restarting. Israel accused North Korea on Saturday of exporting weapons of mass destruction to the Middle East at a UN meeting on nuclear proliferation.

There is also concern that the recent warming of ties between Myanmar and North Korea might involve Pyongyang helping the former country rebuild its own nuclear program. Many analysts believe that Myanmar would like to join the nuke club for both military and prestige purposes.

National Post

Kim Jong-Il's Public Appearance
Sky News, UK - 1 hour ago
The game was held to mark the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the university named after his late father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung. ...
Kim Jong Il Makes First Public Appearance Since Reported Stroke Bloomberg
Kim Jong-il Said to Appear in Public New York Times
North Korea’s Kim Jong-il Reportedly Makes Public Appearance