ISLAMABAD - PAKISTAN has redeployed some troops from its restive northwestern tribal areas near Afghanistan to the Indian border amid simmering tensions with New Delhi, senior officials said on Friday.

Relations between the South Asian neighbours have been badly strained since the Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday urged exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra not to incite unrest in the kingdom, ahead of mass protests planned by the opposition.

Thaksin loyalists plan to protest in Bangkok on Sunday, when they say the ousted PM may address supporters by telephone, and have vowed further rallies when Mr Abhisit delivers his first policy statement over the two following days.

STOCK markets around the world have plummeted with investors spooked by the credit crunch, a swelling rate of unemployment, and a slumping economy - and if the smart money is any indication, do not bet on a quick recovery.

The consensus from a survey of 16 fund managers by OCBC Wealth Management is that equity markets have not bottomed out yet.

WASHINGTON - PRESIDENT-ELECT Barack Obama will inherit two wars and the worst economic conditions in three generations when he takes the oath of office on Jan 20. Ironically, that challenge might be a blessing for Mr Obama - unemployment is so high and consumer confidence so low that even modest improvements will let him claim progress.

Mr Obama also brings extraordinary assets to the task.