Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers?

Front Page

English newspapers

Both New Straits Times and the Star featured the political turmoil in Bangkok where anti -government protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy forced the international airport to be closed to force Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia headlined Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement calling all everyone to understand the gist of the fatwa ruling to ban yoga. He also urged everyone not to twist the facts on the yoga issue.

Berita Harian also focused on the anti-government protests in Bangkok.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban led with Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar's assurance that Malaysian Indians who have problems relating to their birth certificates and identification cards would be aided.

Tamil Nesan headlined Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement that it was alright to practice yoga without incorporating religious elements.

Makkal Osai headlined Nesa Cooperative Society's willingness to withdraw an injunction against Maika Holdings in the interest of the public. This was revealed former MIC deputy president and Nesa head S Subramaniam.

Chinese newspapers

Sin Chew Daily, China Press and Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted political disturbance in Thailand in which the army chief has asked Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down.

Oriental Daily News front-paged national electricity supplier Tenaga Nasional's refusal to reduce electricity rate and urged businessmen not to blame Tenaga while they themselves refused to reduce prices of goods.

Editorial

New Straits Times disagreed with deputy inspector general of police's suggestion to invoke section 309 of the Penal Code that made suicide attempts punishable by law.

Utusan Malaysia praised Bank Negara's decision to reduce the overnight policy rate and base lending rate as it allowed a fresh impetus for the local economy.

Berita Harian urged locally based institutes of higher learning to focus on producing graduates who would uphold good values and are prepared to compete in a globalised market.

Malaysia Nanban stated that additional skills-based education implemented in lower secondary classes from the year 2010 would assist the students.

Makkal Osai raised the issue of ‘stateless' Malaysian Indians without proper documentation.

Sin Chew Daily and Nanyang Siang Pau commented on the Thailand political situation which was getting worse.