Trading in travel shares tumbled in markets around the world Monday, amid fears that the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico could turn into a global pandemic. But shares in pharmaceutical businesses and medical companies have shown strong play. At 1100 GMT the FTSE in London was down by 0.6 percent, with the CAC in Paris down by 1.3 percent and the Dax in Frankfurt lower by 1.3 percent. At the same time shares in airlines Lufthansa and British Airways ...

Thailand's prime minister told CNN Friday he will not lift a state of emergency until he is convinced anti-government protests that flared into deadly clashes this week would not return to the capital. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who imposed the state of emergency on Bangkok and nearby areas last weekend, made his comment shortly after a key political ally was shot in the head. Sondhi Limthongkul, a political leader who helped topple former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- who supports ...

Thousands of protesters who had amassed for days outside the government headquarters in Bangkok dispersed Tuesday after a top leader called on them to suspend their rallies until after the Thai New Year celebrations. Soon after the leader, Veera Muksikapong, made his announcement, protesters left by foot or on motorcycles from the area around the Government House. A woman, with a picture of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra around her neck, cried on a phone that the demonstrators were losing ...

The declaration of a state of emergency in Thailand following violent clashes between anti-government and security forces marks the latest escalation in a long-running political crisis which has plunged the southeast Asian country into frequent bouts of disorder and instability. This weekend's protests, which included forcing the postponement of a summit of Asian leaders in the southern coastal city of Pattaya and demonstrations on the streets of Bangkok, were orchestrated by red-shirted supporters of the controversial and corruption-tainted former prime ...

Political demonstrations in Thailand on Saturday disrupted the Association of South East Asian Nations summit, according to Thai and Japanese officials. Thousands of "red shirt" protesters -- named for their clothing -- have rallied for days to demand that Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down. Their protests are not directly related to the Asian summit, but the demonstrations created so much chaos that summit members could not reach at least two of their meetings. The disruptions included traffic ...

Hundreds of anti-government protesters amassed outside a hotel hosting a major Asian summit as they continued their demand Friday for Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down. Some of the protesters and police engaged in shoving and shouting matches outside the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel in the beach resort city of Pattaya. But the demonstrations have been without incident otherwise. The hotel is the site of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The demonstrators have said ...

At least 22 civilians were killed and 38 other people were wounded Thursday in a Baghdad car bombing, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said. The number of protesters outside Government House had grown sharply since the afternoon, said Worapong Tuepreecha, the chief of the Metropolitan Police. He said they set up a stage and tents in front of the building. The red-shirted protesters are with the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). They have been protesting since December to oust ...

An Australian author imprisoned last month for insulting the king and crown prince of Thailand was on his way home Saturday after receiving a pardon from the king. Harry Nicolaides, 41, was arrested last August over his 2005 book titled "Verisimilitude." The book includes a paragraph about the king and crown prince that authorities deemed a violation of a law that makes it illegal to defame, insult or threaten the crown. CNN has chosen not to repeat the language because ...