BANDA ACEH - A HERD of wild elephants damaged houses and devoured crops as they rampaged through an Indonesian village, terrifying residents, officials said on Wednesday.

KUALA LUMPUR - A MALAYSIAN state parliament descended into chaos on Wednesday as the government and opposition escalated a tussle for control, with legislators holding duelling sessions and issuing rival motions.

Perak state has been in political limbo since February, when the Barisan Nasional coalition, which rules nationally, tried to oust the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance which won the state in general elections last year.

BANGKOK - THAILAND said on Wednesday that it would strip fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of his royal awards and his police rank as the government presses on with a campaign against its arch-foe.

The announcement came amid tensions over an offer of shelter from neighbouring Cambodia for Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup in 2006 and is living in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail term for corruption.