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Thaksin rally issues ultimatum to Thai govt
03/14 | 13:10 GMT

©AFP / Pornchai Kittiwongsakul
Red-clad protesters loyal to deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed to march on military barracks housing the government as they stepped up their campaign amid tight security.

©AFP / Pornchai Kittiwongsakul
The Reds are calling for the government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down and hold fresh elections
BANGKOK (AFP) - Red-clad protesters loyal to deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Sunday to march on military barracks housing the government as they stepped up their campaign amid tight security.
At least 80,000 so-called "Red Shirts" converged on rally grounds near the government's offices in Bangkok, giving Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva an ultimatum to dissolve parliament or face further demonstrations.
"We will leave here to listen to the government's answer at the 11th Infantry Unit where the government is," Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar told reporters behind the rally stage.
"If they fail to answer our demands we will announce our next step," he said.
The Red Shirts, who stem largely from the country's poor and support the populist Thaksin, had predicted a "million man march" but said more than 100,000 protesters turned up Sunday, while police said there were 80,000.
Related article: Thaksin's rural Red Shirts swarm Bangkok.
©AFP
Thai anti-government protesters rally in Bangkok. Duration: 00:48.
Nattawut said most of the rally crowd would travel by bus, car and on foot at 9am (0200 GMT) Monday, to the barracks on Bangkok's northern outskirts, where the government has mounted a security operation with soldiers and police.
An army spokesman said security had been beefed up with hundreds of extra troops at the barracks, where Abhisit and other key ministers along with the country's top brass were staying during the protests.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in charge of the country's security, said the protesters would be permitted to approach the barracks.
"Protesters can circle the barracks but they must not obstruct traffic or intrude into the barracks or they will be arrested," Suthep told reporters.
He said it was too early to say if emergency rule would be invoked to crackdown on the rally.
"We have to see how the situation develops but I reaffirm that we will act reasonably and appropriately," he added.

©AFP/Graphic
Thaksin remains popular with the poor for his populist policies but he is loathed by Bangkok's establishment
Authorities have deployed a 50,000-strong security force across Bangkok and surrounds to oversee the rallies, and invoked a strict security law that allows them to call out troops, ban gatherings and impose curfews.
The rallies come two weeks after Thailand's top court confiscated 1.4 billion dollars of Thaksin's assets, and are the latest chapter in political turmoil that began when he was toppled in a 2006 coup.
Facts: Key dates in saga of Thailand's Thaksin
Twice-elected Thaksin, who has been living mostly in Dubai to escape a two-year jail term for corruption at home, is now in Europe and was due to address the rally crowd by video link late Sunday.
He has been egging on his supporters for months via text message and on his Twitter page.
Protesters arrived by road and river throughout the day at Bangkok's historic quarter, where the crowd remained in jubilant spirits, waving red flags and foot-shaped clappers.

©AFP / Pornchai Kittiwongsakul
Thaksin has been living mostly in Dubai to escape a two-year jail term for corruption at home
Some, wearing red cowboy hats as a sign of their rural roots, had travelled for up to two days by pick-up truck and bus to reach the venue.
"This government says it will help but the money never reaches the people," said food vendor Soon Boonpha, 47, who came from Maha Sarakham province in Thailand's northeast.
Abhisit has rejected the calls for his resignation, saying on his weekly television show: "I have my right to complete my term." He has until December 2011 to call elections.
He said he had "no plans to crack down" on the rally, which had so far been "peaceful and orderly", though he had cancelled a weekend trip to Australia as it approached.

©AFP / Christophe Archambault
A 50,000-strong security force has been deployed across the capital and surrounding areas
The rally is the latest in a string of protests to rock the politically tumultuous nation, which is divided between Thaksin's supporters and opponents.
It is at least the largest in Bangkok since the Reds rioted in April last year, leaving two dead and scores injured.
Thaksin remains popular with the poor for his populist policies after coming to power in 2001, but he is loathed by Bangkok's establishment, which accuses him of corruption and disloyalty to the revered royal family.
The Red Shirts have held a number of rallies since Abhisit came to power in December 2008, after a court decision removed Thaksin's allies from government following an airport blockade by the rival royalist "Yellow Shirts."
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Alonso wins Bahrain Grand Prix
03/14 | 14:45 GMT

©AFP / Karim Sahib
Ferrari's Spanish driver Fernando Alonso drives at the Bahrain international circuit on March 14, 2010 in Manama during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. Alonso led home a Ferrari 1-2 at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

©AFP / Karim Sahib
Fernando Alonso delivered the 22nd win of his career - and his third in Bahrain
MANAMA (AFP) - Two-times champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso dedicated his debut triumph with Ferrari on Sunday to the Italian nation, the team's workforce and president Luca di Montezemolo.
After leading Brazilian Felipe Massa home in an emphatic one-two for Ferrari that wiped away memories of their desultory opening spell in 2009, Alonso said it was a very "special day for me."
The 28-year-old former Renault star said: "For anyone to come to Ferrari, a team with so much history, it is a special thing to win and to be first and second is fantastic for everyone in the team.
"They gave me this fantastic car and that is why I dedicate this result to all the people in Italy, the guys here and to the President Montezemolo."
Alonso's delight was shared by Massa, who bounced back in triumphant style in his first race since suffering serious head and eye injuries after a horror accident in Hungary last August.
"For me to be back here, it is just fantastic and I thank God for this," said Massa.

©AFP / Fred Dufour
Fernando Alonso celebrates on the podium of the Bahrain international circuit in Manama
"Thanks to Him, I am fine, I am here and I can thank all the people who sent me their good wishes when I was at home recovering."
In a keenly-anticipated race featuring four champions, three new teams, five rookie drivers and new rules that banned mid-race refuelling, the Ferrari duo outshone returning 41-year-old 'red baron' Michael Schumacher who was left among the chasing pack and finished sixth.
It was his first Formula One race after three years in retirement, having won a record seven drivers world titles, and he was beaten by his Mercedes team-mate and fellow-German Nico Rosberg, who came home fifth.
"That was as good as it could have been for me," said Schumacher afterwards. "But I enjoyed it."
Briton Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion, was third for McLaren, but his new team-mate, defending champion and compatriot Jenson Button battled to take seventh.
"I have to congratulate first the two Ferrari guys for such a great job," he said.
"And I thought I had quite a good race! Actually, it is better than I think we expected - a strong result for me and the team and I am quite happy."
Alonso, who won the title twice with his former team Renault, delivered the 22nd win of his career - and his third in Bahrain -- with a brilliantly-judged performance by preserving both his tyres and his engine on a sizzling hot day at the Sakhir circuit.
Driving with meticulous care, Alonso took full advantage of bad luck that hit German Sebastian Vettel when his Red Bull car suffered an exhaust failure and lost power dramatically after leading for the first 34 laps of the 49-laps contest.
"It is a real pity, but what can you do? We were fast and had the race under control until then."

©AFP / Khaled Desouki
Lewis Hamilton was third for McLaren
Vettel, starting from his sixth pole, had led easily, but fell away and finished fourth.
His Red Bull team-mate Australian Mark Webber came home eighth ahead of Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi for Force India and 10th placed final points-scorer Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello in a Williams.
For Ferrari, it was an emotional way to start the 60th anniversary season for the world championship - last year they were in disarray in the opening races. For Alonso, it was a first win since he triumphed in Japan in 2008 for Renault.
And for the rookie teams, led by Lotus, it was a day to remember, too, as they joined in the first race without refuelling since 1993 - with both Lotus cars finishing the demanding race in high temperatures.

Sports
Alonso wins Bahrain Grand ...Sharks on the menu at CITES meeting
03/14 | 10:34 GMT

©AFP/Elasmo Films/Greenpeace
Known as rock salmon in fish and chip shops it has been a staple of the British take away for decades, but the spiny dogfish has been fished almost to extinction in European waters. Now, at a major international trade meeting on wildlife, campaigners hope restrictions will finally be put in place to guarantee its survival. Duration: 02:23.
©AFP/Elasmo Films/Greenpeace
Known as rock salmon in fish and chip shops it has been a staple of the British take away for decades, but the spiny dogfish has been fished almost to extinction in European waters. Now, at a major international trade meeting on wildlife, campaigners hope restrictions will finally be put in place to guarantee its survival. Duration: 02:23.

Video Gallery
Sharks on the menu at CITES ..."South Park" takes aim at Tiger Woods
03/13 | 11:22 GMT

©afp.com
Screen grab of the official South Park homepage, showing a trailer of the Tiger Woods episode. Tiger Woods, whose marital infidelity led to a firestorm of criticism, will be featured in next week's season-opening episode of the "South Park".

©afp.com
"South Park" is about to start its 14th season
LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Tiger Woods, whose marital infidelity led to a firestorm of criticism, will be featured in next week's season-opening episode of the Comedy Central animated television show "South Park".
A teaser clip with the label "All The Temptations" promoting next Wednesday's first show of South Park's 14th season has already been viewed by more than 62,000 people according to a counter on the network's web site.
In the selection, an animated Woods stands at a podium much as the real one did last month in Florida when he made a public apology, speaking about how he felt he could get away with anything and deserved to enjoy "all the temptations around me."
Only at the end of the clip does the scene expand to show Eric Cartman, one of South Park's main characters, standing behind the cartoon Woods and looking up at him as he speaks.
The real Woods has taken an indefinite break from golf to work on his personal life in the wake of a scandal that saw more than a dozen women claim to have had affairs with the world's number one golfer.
There had been speculation Woods might return later this month but several reports, including one late on Friday by the New York Times, say he will not make a comeback before next month's Masters.
If Woods did return for the year's first major championship at Augusta, Georgia, it would mean playing competitively for the first time in nearly five months in one of the game's most difficult tournaments.

People
"South Park" takes aim at Tiger ...Central African government says coup plot foiled
03/14 | 02:14 GMT

©AFP/File / Georges Gobet
President of the Central African Republic, Francois Bozize, pictured in 2008. The Central African Republic's government has said it had foiled a plan to launch a coup d'etat on March 15, according to a recorded radio statement obtained by AFP.

©AFP/File / Georges Gobet
President of the Central African Republic Francois Bozize
LIBREVILLE (AFP) - The Central African Republic's government has said it had foiled a plan to launch a coup d'etat next week, with intelligence implicating former president Ange Felix Patasse who strongly denied any involvement.
National Security Minister Jules Bernard Ouande said in a recorded radio statement obtained by AFP that the government obtained detailed information on Friday about a plan by unnamed soldiers and politicians to overthrow President Francois Bozize.
"It was marked 'Plan of Attack'," Ouande said, reading the document over Radio Centrafrica.
"I can tell you that when it obtained this information, the Central African government took all necessary action," Ouande said in the statement.
The coup was to have been launched Monday with meetings of those involved, including "commandos, mercenaries, kamikazes and militiamen."
The next stages, including "distribution of weapons, munitions, uniforms," naming of heads of operations, handing out of money, reconnaissance and cutting of all telephone lines were to have taken place from March 16 to 19.
These actions were to have culminated in a spokesman for the movement making a statement on March 20, hours before "the opening of the borders and a statement by the head of state whose name I don't wish to divulge," Ouande said.
While stating several times that he did not want to give the name, the minister mentioned a passage in the document that spoke of "reinforcements in the home of AFP," the initials of Patasse who was president from 1993 to 2003.
Patasse, reached on the phone from Libreville, denied any involvement in an attempted coup saying he had always "fought for the vote."
Patasse, widely known in the Central African Republic as AFP, said he suspected the authorities were trying to eliminate him as a threat in presidential elections due April 25 along with general elections.
The former president, who was overthrown in March 2003 by Bozize, declared: "I have been elected twice, this time I'll go (to the polls) and I'll win!"
Under a presidential decree the electoral campaign will run April 12-23. The landlocked country located squarely in the centre of the African continent has been trying to complete a peace process after years of rebellions, coups d'etat and various kinds of violence by rebels, soldiers and brigands setting up roadblocks.



