Headlines for Monday, March 15, 2010

Rural poor “Red Shirts” in Thailand demand PM Vejjajiva step down – he refuses
In Bangkok today, Thailand’s Prime Minister dismissed demands that he step down.  Claudia Cragg has more.

Addressing the people of Thailand on national television today in the face of mass protests, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dismissed calls by the tens of thousands of 'Red Shirts' as a personality cult for ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin supporters tend to be from low income rural areas who favor his populist politics.  Supporters of the current government criticize the demonstrators with the "United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship," citing the travel expenses allegedly paid to each protester. Fears that violence may lead to a coup have increased after 4 explosions early this afternoon at the government's peacekeeping command. 2 soldiers were injured.  Organizers say they will now further cripple the capital and plan to pour blood from 100,000 followers over the government's main administrative office tomorrow. Claudia Cragg, FSRN.

Vietnamese human Rrghts activist freed from prison
Authorities released a prominent human rights advocate from prison today. Father Nguyen Van Ly served 3 of an 8 year sentence for distributing anti-communist materials. All told, Father Ly has spent nearly 15 years in prison over more than three decades on various charges related to pro-democracy activities. He suffered two strokes during his most recent incarceration.  US officials said they believe he was released on medical grounds.

MEND claims responsibility for bombs at Niger Delta peace talks
Militants in the Niger Delta set off two bombs at the venue of a post disarmament conference.  Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.

The car bombs exploded at the government house in Warri the second largest city in the Niger Delta. Dignitaries at talks, including state governors and federal ministers, ran for safety as glass doors and windows were shattered. The conference was supposed to find ways of finally ending insurgency in the Niger Delta following a disarmament program.  Even though some militants accepted the disarmament, many others refused.  The main militant group in the region, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta which claimed responsible for the car bombs did disarm during the program. The bombs appear to be a message from the group that the insurgency is far from over. The militants who are fighting for a share of the region’s oil revenue have in the past blown up oil installations and kidnapped oil workers. Sam Olukoya, FSRN, Lagos.

Israel extends West Banks closure and continues clamp down on protests
Israel extended closures of the West Bank and within Jerusalem today. Government officials say they're attempting to quell clashes between the IDF and Palestinians. This follows Israel’s announcement last week that it will build 50,000 new settlers homes in East Jerusalem.   Israel’s Prime Minister said today that the settlements will go forward. Ghassan Bannourra reports from Bethleham.

Tension remains high in East Jerusalem as settlers’ right wing groups opened a controversial Jewish synagogue. Clashes were reported early Monday when Israeli troops did not allow men under the age of 50 to enter Jerusalem’s old city and the Al Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site for Muslims worldwide. In Ramallah, ten students were injured when Israeli troops used tear gas and rubber-coated-steel bullets to suppress protests against the settlement construction.. Also near Ramallah Israeli forces declared the villages of Bil’in and Nil’in will be considered closed military zones every Friday for the next six months. The order forbids Israelis and international supporters from entering the villages on Fridays or face arrests and deportation.  The two villages are the location of weekly protests against both the Barrier- wall and West Bank settlements. Ghassan Bannoura, FSRN, Bethlehem.

Narco-violence claims dozens in Mexico – 3 connected to US consulate
Drug violence swept through Mexico's Pacific Coast state of Guerrero this weekend, killing at least 45 people - more than 30 in the beach resort town of Acapulco. Shannon Young reports.

Most of the 45 people killed in Guerrero over the weekend died from gunfire. Five people were beheaded. Among the dead are policemen killed in drive-by shootings, suspected members of the drug trade targeted by assassins or killed in a gun battle with soldiers, and at least one civilian hit by a stray bullet. While there's no official explanation for the surge in violence in Guerrero, widely circulated rumors tell of a new alliance among 3 powerful cartels to eliminate another.  Weekends with double digit death tolls are usually only seen in Ciudad Juarez. The northern border city located across from El Paso, Texas itself witnessed violence this weekend. Among the dead are 3 people connected to the US consulate in Juarez. They were gunned down in two separate attacks after leaving a child's birthday party with their own children. The State Department has since authorized consular employees in 6 border cities to move their families to the US. Shannon Young, FSRN, Mexico.

Fiji slammed by category 4 cyclone
A massive storm system is battering the south Pacific Island nation of Fiji. Cyclone Tomas is a category 4 storm and is expected to intensify. Thousands of people have left their homes and widespread crop damage is  reported. One death has been attributed to the storm thus far.

Mozambique – flooding forces evacuations
And in Mozambique, rising flood waters threaten thousands of people. Some 6,000 people have been forced to evacuate – some against their will. Six people have drowned as a result of weeks of flooding and dozens are dead from cholera.