
Red Shirt leader to run for Parliament
A leader of Thailand's anti-government Red Shirt protest movement was briefly released from detainment on terrorism charges so he could register Monday for a parliamentary by-election. Kokaew Pikulthong was among 11 leaders and security guards arrested and charged with terrorism for allegedly fomenting violence during the Red Shirts' 10-week occupation of central Bangkok in a bid to bring down the government. Nearly 90 people were killed and more than 1,400 injured before and during the army crackdown that drove them out on May 19.
A court ruled that Kokaew, who has not been convicted, was allowed to leave Bangkok Remand Prison to register for the July 25 by-election under the banner of the Pheu Thai party. The party is allied with deposed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who is widely believed to have funded the Red Shirt rallies from his self-imposed exile abroad.
The upcoming special election will pick a replacement for a lawmaker who died earlier this month and was from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrat Party.
Hundreds of supporters greeted Kokaew, 45, who wore a red jacket after the Department of Corrections rejected his request to wear his prison uniform to the election registration.
"I plan to send the thoughts in my heart from behind bars to my team on the outside, so they can forward my message to voters," he told reporters. It remains unclear if Kokaew will be allowed out of prison to campaign.
Four other candidates are vying for the seat, one of 36 that represent Bangkok, including the Democrat Party's Panich Vikitsreth, who last week resigned his post as Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs to contest the election.

Threats to lawmakers spur request for more National Guard help

Capitol riot: Trump can return to YouTube after 'risk of violence' falls
- YouTube in late January suspended Trump's channel, joining other social media platforms in banning his accounts following the deadly January 6 Capitol riot.

Dallas police officer charged with arranging 2 killings

WHO investigators plan to scrap interim report of Covid-19 origin probe: Report

Florida governor under scrutiny after Covid-19 vaccine favoritism charges grow

House OKs George Floyd Act as Democrats avoid 'defund' clash

Mass evacuations as large quakes spark Pacific-wide tsunami alert

Ready to sit in Oppn: Pak PM before key vote
- The opposition currently has 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, while Khan’s ruling alliance has 47 seats.

US Capitol: Law enforcement on alert after warning of likely breach
- The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory, mainly promoted by supporters of QAnon, that former president Trump will rise again to power on March 4 and that thousands will come to Washington, DC, to try to remove Democrats from office.

UN tells military: Stop murdering protesters
- At least 700 people were detained on Wednesday alone, with many of them reportedly swept up as forces conducted door-to-door searches.

Joe Biden pledges deeper ties in Indo-Pacific in national security plan
- It has been taken to a different level by the Biden administration, accorded the same significance as Europe, which has dominated US diplomatic and military thinking and spending for more than a century now, starting with World War I.

EU reviews Russia’s jab amid fresh spike
- The regulator said the review is based on results from research in adults, which suggests the vaccine may help protect against the coronavirus.

Italy blocks Astra Covid vaccine export, risks backlash against EU

UK police won't probe journalist over 1995 Princess Diana interview

World’s first space hotel with artificial gravity expected to open in 2027
- With over 11,600 square metres of habitable space, the commercial station will have many features expected in a cruise ship.