RED Shirts are on the street again

Thai anti-government demonstrators gather near Democracy Monument Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, all in red shirts, rallied to demand the government step down and call fresh elections. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Supporters of exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hold candles during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS/Kerek Wongsa

Supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra gather during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS/Kerek Wongsa

A woman sells masks bearing the likeness of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra carry his posters and banners during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS

Supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra gather during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS

A Thai anti-government demonstrator shouts to the crowd as he and others gather near Democracy Monument Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand. Thousands of supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, all in red shirts, rallied to demand the government step down and call fresh elections. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Exiled former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gives a live address via tele-conference to supporters during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. REUTERS/Kerek Wongsa

Khmer Rouge case judge 'biased'

Ieng Sary's lawyers say the judge has trampled over his rights

Lawyers for Cambodia's former foreign minister have called for the removal of the judge investigating his role in the Khmer Rouge era.

Ieng Sary is charged with crimes against humanity for his part in the deaths of as many as two million people in the late 1970s.

His defence team claims the judge at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal, Marcel Lemonde, is biased.

The controversy is the latest in a series of problems to hit the tribunal.

'One-sided investigation'

The defence team's claims are based on a sworn statement by a former member of the investigating judge's staff.

Wayne Bastin accused his boss, Mr Lemonde, of instructing his team to concentrate on finding only incriminating evidence.

Under the rules of the tribunal, the investigating judges are supposed to be impartial - and should also seek out evidence which might exonerate defendants.

Mr Bastin admitted that Ieng Sary's defence team had encouraged him to make the statement.

But he insisted that he had enjoyed a good working relationship with Judge Lemonde - and only came forward because he felt "morally and ethically" obliged.

Ieng Sary's lawyers said the investigating judge had "trampled over" the rights of their client.

The tribunal's pre-trial chamber will now rule on whether Mr Lemonde should be disqualified.

It has already rejected two attempts to disqualify court officials on the grounds of bias.

Progress in the case against Ieng Sary and his three co-defendants has been slow.

But closing statements in the trial of a former Khmer Rouge prison chief are expected next month.

Mudslides kill 100 in northern Philippines

The northern Philippines has been pounded by heavy rain since Typhoon Parma hit the country on Saturday Photo: EPA

Parma hit the Philippines exactly one week after tropical storm Ketsana pounded Manila to the south on Luzon, killing at least 337 people Photo: EPA

More than 100 people have been killed in a series of landslides brought about by heavy rain in mountainous provinces of the northern Philippines.

Seventy-five people were confirmed dead with 36 still missing in Benguet province as landslides struck in five towns, said provincial police chief, Superintendent Loreto Espinili.

Officials said the death toll would likely rise.

"Our estimate is that more than 100 people were buried," warned provincial civil defence chief Olive Luces.

"The damage in the region is massive. We have several reports of landslides across the region, especially in Benguet. Bodies are being recovered," she said.

In the mountain resort city of Baguio, 17 people were killed as landslides buried whole houses in different parts of the city, said city administrator and civil defence official Peter Fianza.

A landslide also left five dead and 32 missing in Mountain Province, said provincial governor Maximo Dalog.

The northern Philippines has been pounded by heavy rain since Typhoon Parma hit the country on Saturday.

Parma weakened into a tropical depression but has lingered over the north of the Philippines' main island of Luzon.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council's death toll from Parma on Friday morning was 25, however council administrator Glen Rabonza said the latest fatalities from landslides in the north were not yet included in that tally.

Parma hit the Philippines exactly one week after tropical storm Ketsana pounded Manila to the south on Luzon, killing at least 337 people.