AFP - Showered with red roses and deafened by cheers, Thaksin Shinawatra's triumphant countryside rallies are highlighting a divide between Thailand's urban elite and its rural masses.

A man is beaten to death after he destroys a popular Hindu shrine in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

AFP - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party and his leading rivals have failed to agree on talks between the embattled premier and his opponents, amid rising concerns whether snap polls can go ahead.

AFP - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party and his leading rivals have agreed to meet to dicuss organizing talks between the embattled premier and his opponents, officials said.

AFP - Protesters seeking to oust Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra reject proposals for talks amid mounting calls for the king to intervene to break the political deadlock.

AFP - While protesters in Bangkok burn his effigy, in this northern town where Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was born they light incense sticks and pray he will continue to run the country.

Danielle George - AHN Staff Reporter Indian Wells, California (AHN) - Top Seed Roger Federer moves on to the semi-finals of the Masters Series with a 6-2 6-3 win over Ivan Ljubicic. The Swiss star will now face Thai Paradorn Srichaphan, who beat Finn Jarkko Nieminen 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 7-5....

Reuters - If the stars are anything to go by, things are going to get tougher for Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

AP - A 30,000-strong "Caravan of the Poor" gathered outside Bangkok Friday to demonstrate their backing of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is vowing to stay in his job despite mass protests against him in the Thai capital.

AP - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Thursday to hold onto his job in the face of mass street protests, saying he would not bow to mob rule but that he might retire from politics at a later date.

AFP - The chief adviser to Thailand's highly influential king has made a powerful plea for an end to the nation's deepening political crisis, as the premier hinted he might temporarily step aside.

AP - Mixing business and politics was a winning strategy for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra back in 2001.

AFP - Next month's Thailand election has been thrown into doubt after hundreds of candidates were banned from standing, as the country's embattled premier said he would consider stepping aside temporarily.

Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra admits he is considering taking a break from politics to ease the mounting crisis.

AFP - Thai election officials have disqualified more than one-third of the candidates in Thailand's April 2 snap elections, casting doubt on whether the polls could proceed.

AFP - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told reporters he is willing to consider stepping aside for a period of time, but said he has not yet made a decision.

AP - Demonstrators demanding Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation lambasted the Thai leader with fiery speeches Tuesday, but remained peaceful as they vowed to camp in the street outside his office until he steps down.

AP - Thousands of demonstrators seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra marched in Bangkok on Tuesday, vowing to continue peaceful protests until he steps down.

AFP - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has threatened to impose a state of emergency in Bangkok if a mass street protest against him turns violent.

AFP - Tens of thousands of Thai protesters began marching at dawn toward Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's office to press their demands for him to step down, after an all-night rally drew record crowds.