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Thai protesters vent ire
on govt-owned oil firm
N-deal: Time running out for US Congress
Now, writ against oath in Hindi
Paparazzi clash with Jolie’s bodyguards
Pak Bar Council set to dismiss SC panel
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Thai protesters vent ire
on govt-owned oil firm
Bangkok, July 25 Members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) blocked the main gates outside the headquarters of PTT PCL, the oil and gas firm, which was semi-privatised in 2001 by PAD's sworn enemy, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. PAD, a coalition of businessmen, royalists and activists whose protests led to Thaksin’s ousting in a 2006 coup, is waging a similar street campaign against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, whom they accuse of being a Thaksin proxy. PAD leaders said Thaksin and his allies were the main beneficiaries of the public listing of PTT PCL, which reduced the government’s stake to 66 per cent, arguing that consumers had paid higher fuel prices as a result. “They are more concerned with the benefits of shareholders than the public interest,” PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the cheering crowd, referring to PTT managers. By diluting its stake, the government is unable to influence fuel price policies at PTT, the PAD said, accusing PTT of profiteering from soaring global oil prices. “Give us back our PTT,” one of the placards read, as protesters with yellow headbands waved Thai national flags or photos of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. PTT officials argue the government is still its biggest shareholder and the company supports state policies aimed at easing the burden on consumers. These include not immediately putting up pump prices when global oil prices rise. About 300 policemen were deployed at the rally to prevent a repeat of recent violence between pro-and anti-government groups outside Bangkok, Metropolitan Police chief Aswin Kwanmuang said. Yesterday, about 700 government supporters armed with planks, axes and slingshots broke through a police blockade and clashed with 150 unarmed anti-government demonstrators in the city of Udon Thani, 650 km northeast of Bangkok. Most of the 13 wounded were from the anti-government group and two were in a critical condition, the police said. Thai media said one man had died but hospital staff told Reuters that this was not the case. No arrests have been made. “It’s time for Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda to take action now. If he sits idly, we will have bloodshed all over the country,” Sondhi said, urging the army to provide public security. Thaksin, who is fighting a series of graft charges and swears his political days are over, said on Friday it was time for reconciliation. — Reuters
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N-deal: Time running out for US Congress
US President George W. Bush telephoned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday and the two leaders reiterated their commitment to moving ahead with the civilian nuclear deal.
National security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said, “Both leaders expressed their desire to see the US-India civil nuclear issue move forward as expeditiously as possible.” Johndroe said Bush told Singh “he looks forward to continuing to work with his government to strengthen the United States-India strategic relationship.” With time running out for both this Congress and the Bush administration, some US lawmakers have questioned whether the Congress has enough time to vote on the bill in this session. Lawmakers are set to leave on their month-long summer recess in August. Congressman Jim McDermott, a Washington Democrat and leader of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said, “My perspective regarding the likelihood of the US Congress taking up the nuclear issue again before the end of the year is that as a practical matter it will be very difficult.” Agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group must be obtained before the issue can reach Congress. An IAEA meeting is set for August 1. McDermott noted the primary focus in America over the next few months would be on politics leading up to the November election in which the American people will elect a new President, vote on all 435 House members and one-third of the US Senate. Congress will recess in early August for the political party conventions, return in September for only a few weeks prior to adjournment for the November election, and, the congressman said, then return again for a few weeks after the election. However, leadership in Congress has expressed a reluctance to return for what is known as a lame-duck session.
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Now, writ against oath in Hindi
Kathmandu, July 25 Advocate Bal Krishna Neupane filed a writ in the apex court claiming that Vice-Presidennt Jha swore against the lega provisions of the interim constitution, officials said. The writ demanded that the previous oath taken by Jha be nullified and the Vice-President be sworn-in again in Nepali. Meanwhile, various student unions and political groups continued to protest against 61-year-old Jha for the third straight day today after he took the oath in Hindi wearing ‘kurta pajama' instead of the traditional Nepali dress ‘Daura Surwal’. Jha’s action has hurt the sentiments of all Nepali people and made them question his loyalty, the protesters said and sought a public apology from him for using a foreign language, and also demanded his immediate resignation. —
PTI
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Paparazzi clash with Jolie’s bodyguards
Paris, July 25 Tony Webb, head of the team, guarding the Chateau Miraval estate where the couple are staying following the birth of their twins, said the incident took place last afternoon. “We caught the two and tried to escort them off the property and the guy’s just went beserk, thrashing out, kicking and actually biting one of the security people, breaking his finger, drawing blood and screaming that he had Hepatitis C,” he told Reuters. An officer at the police station in nearby Brignoles village confirmed that an incident involving paparazzi had taken place at the 500-hectare property but gave no details. Jolie and Pitt have reportedly sold exclusive picture rights of the first photographs of their newborn twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon to a US publication for $11 million. The money would go to charity. Pitt’s lawyers have threatened legal action against magazines or websites publishing recent pictures they say were taken by paparazzi of the actor and his family at the estate. Webb said they would also take action against photographers. — Reuters
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Pak Bar Council set to dismiss SC panel
At a crucial meeting, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) is set to dismiss the office-bearers of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) led by Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, according to sources in the council.
Pro-Musharraf and pro-PPP members of the council were determined to exercise their authority to regulate the affairs of the SCBA and wrap up its present executive. An administrator will be appointed to run the association till fresh elections are ordered. Attorney-general Qayyum Malik is ex-officio chairman of the council. The move against Aitzaz and his colleagues is spearheaded by PPP Senator Latif Khosa, who has been instrumental in formulating the PPP’s stance for retention of incumbent Supreme Court led by Justice Dogar and against restoration of deposed judges through a resolution of Parliament. Khosa told a TV channel that the SCBA was a subsidiary institution of the council. The council can “supersede and overtake” the SCBA.
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US students get their first Hindi textbook Varsity’s new chancellor New UN human rights chief UN tribunal convicts scribe 
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