KATMANDU, Nepal – Baton-wielding police beat protesting Nepali journalists Saturday as thousands of people marched peacefully in the capital to demand the restoration of democracy. Shops and businesses closed across much of the country as the opposition pressed a general strike. Tensions had eased the previous two days due to the Nepali New Year’s holiday. Thousands of people marched for miles Saturday afternoon along the ring road encircling Katmandu, shouting “Down with the monarchy! Salute the republic!” About 200 journalists tried to march through Katmandu Saturday morning to demand more press freedom, but were clubbed.
Vatican: Pope celebrates Easter
Pope Benedict XVI ushered in Easter services late Saturday with a dramatic candlelit vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica, saying Christ’s resurrection was “the most crucial leap” in the history of mankind. The bells of St. Peter’s tolled across Rome as midnight approached to herald Easter, when the faithful celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion on Good Friday. Today also happens to be Benedict’s 79th birthday.
China: Taiwan gets tariff cuts
China announced tariff cuts on imports of fruit and fish from Taiwan, offering the self-ruled island new trade concessions Saturday in an effort to boost sentiment for uniting with the communist mainland. The announcement came during a visit to Beijing by Taiwan’s former opposition leader, who is calling for increased trade ties between the island and the mainland. Beijing is trying to isolate Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian by forging ties with his political opposition and offering trade concessions to appeal to Taiwan’s farmers.
Aruba: Arrest in Holloway case
Authorities have made an arrest in the case of Natalee Holloway, a young Alabama woman who disappeared while vacationing in Aruba, an official said Saturday. The prosecutor’s spokeswoman said authorities would not disclose why the person was arrested. She would only say that the person who was arrested is 19 and has the initials “G.V.C.” In Aruba, when an arrest is announced, officials usually release only a suspect’s initials, and not a full name. In recent weeks, Aruban police working on the case have searched sand dunes on the northern coast of the island.
Britain: Drug test subject to sue
A 20-year-old man who suffered severe reactions during testing of a drug intended to treat autoimmune diseases and leukemia said he will lose parts of his fingers and toes. Ryan Wilson was among six healthy volunteers who took part in the clinical trial and suffered convulsions and organ failure minutes after being administered the test drug TGN1412. Wilson plans to sue the drug maker TeGenero AG of Wuerzburg, Germany, and Waltham, Mass.-based Parexel International, which conducted the trials.
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