In Brief

* SADDAM ENDS STRIKE – Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein (above) has ended his hunger strike for “health reasons”, his chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi said.Saddam staged a hunger strike to protest against his court proceedings.

* SECTARIAN VIOLENCE – At least 23 Iraqis were killed despite tough security measures imposed in the capital in the wake of sectarian violence that sparked warnings of civil war. * THAI PROTESTS – Tens of thousands rallied in Bangkok to demand Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resign, as opposition parties said they were mulling a boycott of elections called to settle the standoff.* AFGHAN UNREST – About 1 300 prisoners, including al Qaeda and Taliban fighters, ran riot in a block at Afghanistan’s main jail with scores believed wounded and unconfirmed reports of fatalities, officials said.* BIRD FLU MENACE – More wild birds found dead in eastern France were victims of the lethal strain of H5N1 bird flu, Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau said, as Hong Kong joined Japan in banning poultry imports from France.- Nampa-Reuters-AFP* THAI PROTESTS – Tens of thousands rallied in Bangkok to demand Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resign, as opposition parties said they were mulling a boycott of elections called to settle the standoff.* AFGHAN UNREST – About 1 300 prisoners, including al Qaeda and Taliban fighters, ran riot in a block at Afghanistan’s main jail with scores believed wounded and unconfirmed reports of fatalities, officials said.* BIRD FLU MENACE – More wild birds found dead in eastern France were victims of the lethal strain of H5N1 bird flu, Agriculture Minister Dominique Bussereau said, as Hong Kong joined Japan in banning poultry imports from France.- Nampa-Reuters-AFP