Thailand: Agreement?
BANGKOK — Anti-government demonstrators remained entrenched on Bangkok's streets today after agreeing in principle with the prime minister's plan to end Thailand's deadly political crisis but saying they would await details before dismantling barricades.
Pressure has been growing from both sides to end the eight-week-old stalemate, which has paralyzed an upscale shopping-and-hotel district in the heart of Bangkok, decimated the lucrative tourism industry and drained the energies of the central government.
While an immediate end to the crisis was not expected, many called on all sides to use today's celebration of Coronation Day to further national reconciliation.
Thousands of Thais flocked to the Grand Palace to pay tribute to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the highly revered monarch and world's longest reigning monarch who was crowned 60 years ago.
Cuba: Seeking tourists
HAVANA — Cuba has approved construction of residential projects linked to resorts, the tourism minister said Tuesday, possibly opening the door for villas that could one day ring oceanfront golf courses and other vacation getaways.
Manuel Marrero said the communist-governed island is on pace for its third straight record year of foreign visitors, and it hopes to continue expanding into the little-tapped golf market.
He said the government has green-lighted "real estate for tourist purposes," without giving details.
The island has only one 18-hole golf course and hopes to build 10 more, but has yet to break ground on any projects financed by foreigners.
Venezuela: Prison riot
CARACAS — A riot at one of Venezuela's most violent prisons has left eight inmates dead and three injured.
Venezuela's top prison authority says the violence at the Santa Ana Prison in the western state of Tachira began after rival gangs fought for control of cell blocks.
Consuelo Cerrada told Venezuelan state television that National Guard troops had retaken control of the prison after the Tuesday riot.
Grenada: Severed heads
ST. GEORGE'S — A Grenada man with two severed human heads in a bucket walked into a precinct station and presented his haul to horrified police, authorities said Tuesday.
The 32-year-old, whose name wasn't released, was detained when he entered the Grenville station late Monday. He has yet to be charged, said police spokesman Troy Garvey.
Investigators released few details about the grisly slayings in St. Andrew parish, but said the man is a suspect.
Nigeria: Crude oil spilled
LAGOS — Royal Dutch Shell PLC spilled nearly 14,000 tons of crude oil into the creeks of the Niger Delta last year, the company has announced, blaming thieves and militants for the environmental damage.
The amount of oil spilled by Shell's Nigerian subsidiary was more than double what poured into the delta in 2008 and quadruple what was spilled in 2007 — highlighting the worsening situation the oil major faces in Nigeria.
The oil giant faces regular attacks by militants who have targeted pipelines, kidnapped petroleum company workers and fought government troops since 2006. Its chief executive officer has even hinted that the company can no longer depend on Nigeria as a profit-maker.