The ESL Free Press

Thai Court Dissolves One Party, Lets Other Stay

Thailand's Constitutional Tribunal (court) has ordered the Thai Rak Thai political party to dissolve. It found the party guilty of election fraud. Party leaders, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are not allowed to take part in politics for five years.

The Democrat Party had also been charged with election fraud. But it was found not guilty, and allowed to keep running.

Thailand held elections in April 2006. Many said the elections were not run honestly. In September, the military took over the country.

There were no large protests over the court's decision.

Adapted from www.wikinews.org . You are free to reprint this post.  (Click Permalink for a print-ready version.) To learn more, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Sources:

"The Constitutional Tribunal disbands Thai Rak Thai". The Nation (Thailand), May 30, 2007

"Thaksin, 110 party executives banned from politics for 5 years". Agence France-Presse, May 30, 2007

"Thai ex-PM banned from politics". BBC, May 30, 2007

"Thaksin says ruling against party "too harsh"". Reuters, May 30, 2007

Beth Jinks and Anuchit Nguyen "Thai ex-ruling party dissolved, Thaksin is banned". Bloomberg, May 30, 2007

"Historical rulings unfold". The Nation (Thailand), May 30, 2007

"Democrat wins Constitutional Tribunal's unanimous decision". The Nation (Thailand), May 30, 2007

"Tribunal acquits Democrats on all charges". Bangkok Post, May 30, 2007

"Thailand's Democrat Party escapes dissolution". Agence France-Presse, May 30, 2007

Ambika Ahuja "Thai court clears Democrat Party". Associated Press, May 30, 2007

Beth Jinks and Anuchit Ngyuen "Thai Court Clears Democrat Party of Election Offences". Bloomberg, May 30, 2007

"Thailand's Democrat Party escapes dissolution". Thomson Financial, May 30, 2007

"Key Thai party cleared of fraud". BBC, May 30, 2007

Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Thai_Rak_Thai_dissolved%2C_ex-premier_Thaksin_banned_from_politics"

Accused Killer Says Litvinenko Was British Spy

Andrei Lugovoi, the man charged with killing Alexander Litvinenko, says the dead man was a British spy. He also says the British government tried to get him (Lugovoi) to spy for them.

Lugovoi and Litvinenko were both former Russian government agents. Litvinenko died in 2006, while living in Britain. Lugovoi is charged with poisoning him with polonium-210, a radioactive substance. Britain has asked Russia to send him to Britain for trial.

But Lugovoi says the British government is connected to Litvinenko's death. He says he has evidence of this. He also says, "Sacha [Litvinenko] was not my enemy. I didn't feel cold or hot from whatever he was doing, from the books that he was writing."

Litvinenko's writings criticized Vladimir Putin, President of Russia.

Adapted from www.wikinews.org . You are free to reprint this post.  (Click Permalink for a print-ready version.) To learn more, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Sources:

"UK govt declines comment on Lugovoi claims, says 'criminal matter'". Forbes, May 31, 2007

Associated Press "Lugovoi: British Involved in Spy Killing". Forbes, May 31, 2007

"Lugovoy links Litvinenko to MI6". Scotsman, May 31, 2007

"Murdered Russian spy worked for Britain: suspect". Reuters, May 31, 2007

"UK tried to recruit me - Lugovoi". BBC News, May 31, 2007

"Litvinenko 'was a British spy'". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 31, 2007

Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Alexander_Litvinenko_was_British_spy%2C_claims_alleged_killer"

Australian Police Confront Indonesian Official

The governor of Jakarta, Indonesia, has complained about how police treated him while he visited Australia recently.

Governor Sutiyoso was invited to visit by the State of New South Wales. He says, while he was resting in his hotel room, Australian police came in. They didn't knock, but used a key the hotel gave them. The police said Sutiyoso had to testify (speak as a witness) about the death of an Australian in East Timor in 1975.

Sutiyoso was in the army at the time. His country was about to invade East Timor. Four Australian journalists were killed in crossfire. Some of their families say the truth about the killings was covered up by governments.

Sutiyoso refused to testify and left Australia early. He says he had nothing to do with the case. He also says the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia has apologized to him.

The Premier of New South Wales plans to meet with Indonesian officials next week to talk about this.

Adapted from www.wikinews.org . You are free to reprint this post.  (Click Permalink for a print-ready version.) To learn more, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Sources:Australian police spark row with Indonesian governor". Antara, May 30, 2007

Xinhua "Indonesia protests to Australia over summon on governor". People's Daily Online, May 30, 2007

Rennie, Reko "Police 'ordered hotel room entry'". The Sydney Morning Herald, May 31, 2007

"Downer urges understanding for Indonesian Governor". Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 31, 2007

"Iemma seeks to ease Indonesian tensions". Australian Broadcasting Corporation, May 31, 2007

"Indonesia slighted". Sky News Australia, May 31, 2007

"Australia coy on apology to Indonesian governor". Reuters, May 31, 2007

AFP "Australian police spark row with Indonesian governor". Khaleej Times, May 31, 2007

AAP "Australian envoy says sorry". Sydney Morning Herald, May 31, 2007

Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Treatment_of_Indonesian_governor_in_Sydney_causes_diplomatic_stir"

You Are an Okay Student

You know how to get by school, but your heart isn't always in it. Motivation is a problem for you. Maybe you need to study something more exciting!

Are You a Good Student?

Soldiers Free Prisoners from Al-Qaeda

U.S. soldiers freed 41 men who were being held by al-Qaeda in Iraq on Sunday.

An Iraqi man in a town south of Baqubah told soldiers about a "prison" at an al-Qaeda hideout. U.S. soldiers went to the place and fought with al-Qaeda members, killing seven and capturing 30. They freed the 41 prisoners.

Some of the prisoners had been there four months. Most were business owners and government workers. One was a 13-year-old boy. Most were Sunni Muslims.

Some of the men had been whipped, says Captain Paul Carlock, who commanded the U.S. soldiers on the mission. He says they were fed mostly just figs and water.

The soldiers gave the men food and water, and took them to see doctors.

Source:

"Officers Describe al Qaeda Prison Rescue Mission", by Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

Dawn Over the Tambopata Rainforest, T... Alfredo Maiquez Buy From Art.com

Plane Crashes in Storm

A military plane crashed in the jungle in Peru last Thursday. At least 13 people were killed.

The plane was flying to villages where airlines don't land. It took off in a thunderstorm. Survivors say they asked the pilot not to fly in the storm. He said they would be safe. But soon, he lost control of the plane.

One of the dead was a 93-year-old woman, Maria Luisa Armas. Survivors say she lived through the crash, then told the others to leave her and go find help. She died soon after.

Adapted from www.wikinews.org . You are free to reprint this post.  (Click Permalink for a print-ready version.) To learn more, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Sources:

"Passengers of plane crashing in Peru try to persuade pilot not to take off in thunderstorm". Pravda, May 29, 2007

"Passengers aboard crashed Peru plane urged pilot not to take off". Canada.com, May 28, 2007

"Remains of 13 Found in Peru Plane Crash". Guardian Unlimited, May 27, 2007

Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/13_people_killed_in_Peru_plane_crash%3B_passengers_expressed_fears_prior_to_flying"

Woman Dies After Power is Cut Off

A woman on a life support machine died Tuesday morning after a power company cut off service to her home. The company's bills had not been paid.

The woman, Folole Muliaga, lived in Mangere, New Zealand. She had a heart and lung condition. After the power was turned off, she had trouble breathing and died two hours later. She was 44.

The company says it did not know the power was needed for life support. Mrs. Muliaga's family says they did tell a company worker.

Mrs. Muliaga was a teacher and mother of four.

Adapted from www.wikinews.org . You are free to reprint this post.  (Click Permalink for a print-ready version.) To learn more, go to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/

Sources:

"Life Support Mum Dies After Power Cut Off". Sky News UK, May 30, 2007

"NZ police probe power cut death". BBC News, May 30, 2007

"Woman dies after electricity cut off". Radio New Zealand, May 30, 2007

Retrieved from "http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/New_Zealander_on_oxygen_machine_dies_after_power_cut"

Wedding Hands Donald Schmit Buy From Art.com

Video Wedding

This video screen shows the bride, the priest, and guests at a wedding at Vandenburg Air Force Base in the U.S. The groom is in Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Carlos Moreno and his wife, Carolina, were married by video teleconference on Saturday.

They will go on their honeymoon after Moreno gets back.

Source: "Airman in Afghanistan weds over video teleconference", by Staff Sgt. Craig Seals, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

U.S. Air Force photo also by Staff Sergeant Seals.