10 killed as bus plunges:

MUMBAI: Ten people were killed and at least 15 injured when a bus plunged into a gorge in western India on Tuesday, police said. The bus carrying 30 people was travelling from the Mandhradevi temple to Bhor. “One of the bus wheels came off, which caused it to lose control and fall about 300 feet into the gorge,” police said. — AFP

Kabul may delay polls:

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman admitted on Tuesday that parliamentary elections which are scheduled to be held before the end of May could be delayed. “I can’t rule out, either way, whether it is postponed or if they will stick to the original date — I’m not sure,” presidential spokesman Jawed Ludin said. — AFP

Eight killed in Thailand:

BANGKOK: At least eight people were killed when a 10-wheel truck slammed head-on into the bus they had chartered to take them to the funeral of a Buddhist monk in northern Thailand, officials said on Tuesday. The accident happened on a sharp curve, when the truck tried to overtake another car, but it did not return to its lane fast enough, so it crashed into the bus,” police said. — AFP

PETA activists held:

SINGAPORE: Police on Tuesday were holding two foreign animal rights activists after they disrupted a speech by Australian PM John Howard to protest against Australia’s alleged mistreatment of sheep. Allison Ezell, 28, of the United States, and Hong Kong citizen Rochelle Regodon, 28, said they were being held at the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel nearly four hours after staging a brief protest during Howard’s speech to a business lunch there. The pair, members of a group called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said they were protesting against alleged “barbaric” practices in Australia’s wool industry. — AFP

Thai vote canvasser killed:

BANGKOK: A provincial councilor canvassing for votes in Thailand’s general elections was shot dead in the south, officials said. The killing of Mayeng Doe, 43, an elected member of the Yala provincial council, appeared to be related to the election campaign, said the candidate for whom he was working, Niran Waya of the Mahachon party. “The killing in broad daylight is 100 per cent politically motivated,” said Niran. — AP

Subway resumes service:

BANGKOK: Bangkok’s still-fledgling subway service resumed service on Tuesday, two weeks after a crash injured more than 200 passengers. “I am in the train, it is crowded as usual, and the passengers are confident in our service,” said Praphat Jongsanguan, head of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority. He said about 700 passengers were packed into each of the three-carriage trains during the morning rush hour. — AP