thaksin's return would likely see turmoil at a time when the economy is weakening. thais on both sides are watching whether prime minister yingluck chooses stablts or her brother's return. nhk world,>> and that's it from. >>> top officials from the 12 nations ended their first day of talks at the transpacific partnership ministerial meeting in brunei. japan's economic revitalization minister says political dialogue is needed to see a conclusion to the free trade pact by the end of this year. amari was among the 12 nations chaired by u.s. trade representative michael froman. the focus of this round is whether the governments involved can agree to speed up negotiations so that the pact can be concluded by the end of this year. that would require accelerated negotiations in areas which participating nations interests are likely to clash, such as tariff elimination on agricultural products. after thursday's meeting amari said all delegates share the goal of making -- despite their domestic efforts and proceeding with accordance with this schedu schedule. >> translator:

protesters say this could lead to a pardon for thaksin. he was expelled in a military coup in 2006 and now lives abroad effectively in exile. standoffs between supporters and opponents of the former prime minister have fueled long-term political turmoil. the country could face an intense political battle as the governing party is planning an early enactment of the bill. >>> a u.s. drone attack in southern yemen has killed at least seven suspected al qaeda militants. it was the fifth drone strike by the u.s. in two weeks in the country. local media said the attack targeted militants in a mountainous district of shabwa province. the u.s. government has been increasing its efforts to contain al qaeda had been-affil militants. they've shut their embassy and consulates in yemen since august 4th due to potential attacks by al qaeda. yemeni government officials say they prevented a terror attack on one of the country's oil exporting terminals. >>> chinese researchers say they found evidence that a new strain of bird flu can jump between people, b