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PTT, Bangchak slash gasohol pump prices

Concern mounts over Oil Fund changes
State-controlled PTT Plc and Bangchak Petroleum are cutting gasohol prices to help draw motorists back to alternative fuels after sales dropped sharply over the weekend following government-mandated price cuts on normal petrol.
Sales of ethanol-based gasohol fell 18% over the weekend at Bangchak stations even as regular petrol sales jumped 200%, [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 30, 2011

Nepal elects Maoist prime minister, 4th leader in 4 years

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) — Nepal’s parliament on Sunday elected a leader of the former Maoist rebels as the new prime minister with a simple majority.
Baburam Bhattarai, 57, vice-chairman of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) will become the fourth prime minister since Nepal became a republic in 2008.
After his election Bhattarai said he would [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

Typhoon reaches Taiwan after killing 7 in Philippines

Typhoon Nanmadol reached the southern coast of Taiwan early Sunday, according to the Central Weather Bureau there, after killing at least seven people in the Philippines.
The slow-moving storm is projected to head directly over Taiwan before turning toward mainland China.
Nanmadol, known locally as Mina, triggered a landslide in northern Philippines on Saturday, killing at least [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

India bids to be Africa’s ‘new best friend’

While China has been able to use its considerable economic clout to forge strong ties with Africa, experts say India is hoping that a mix of soft power and business expertise can win it friends and customers on the continent.
Over the last few years, Beijing has struck deal after deal with African countries, often building [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

China’s Apple fans lament cult figure Jobs’ resignation

Liu Jinhua says she almost choked when she heard the news that Steve Jobs has resigned. “I couldn’t believe what I heard,” says the private entrepreneur. “Then I chose to not to believe it.”
Liu is a confirmed Apple fan. At home and in her office, she and her husband own four iPhones, two iPads, three [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

More red shirts to get govt jobs

Cronyism will hurt Pheu Thai, critics say
Ignoring warnings of the consequences, the Pheu Thai government is expected to appoint more red shirt leaders and guards to political positions.
Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday said the cabinet is tipped to consider the appointments tomorrow.
The red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders in the [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

Police say it existed, but publicity drove it away

The Royal Thai Police’s panel probing an alleged illegal gambling den in the Sutthisan area said yesterday it believed the casino had existed but had been stealthily dismantled since it was identified by MP Chuvit Kamolvisit.
Pol Gen Sathaphon Laothong, who is leading the panel, said information gathered through questioning witnesses, combined with the video clip [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

Yingluck defends petrol price cut policy

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has defended the sharp cut in petrol and diesel prices amid worries over the effect on gasohol sales and production.
The measure, which has slashed the diesel price by three baht a litre and 91 and 95 octane petrol by between seven and eight baht, is an initial step to relieve people’s [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 29, 2011

Signs of a thaw as India corruption fast enters 9th day

Anti-corruption activists and federal ministers have begun negotiations to end their deadlock over an anti-corruption bill as a 74-year-old campaigner’s hunger strike entered its ninth day Wednesday.
Anna Hazare looked weak as he spoke to tens of thousands of his supporters. He credited them with giving him the “energy” he needs to carry on with his [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 25, 2011

Pentagon warns of potential problems with militarily strong China

The Pentagon issued fresh warnings Wednesday that China’s military expansion could stir up new tensions and provoke dangerous misunderstandings
“The pace and scope of China’s sustained military investment have allowed China to pursue capabilities we believe are potentially destabilizing to regional military balances, increase the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation and may contribute to regional tensions [...]

Read More » No commentAugust 25, 2011