Protesters Injured in Thailand

At least 49 protesters have been injured in Bangkok in skirmishes between anti-government rioters and police. Reports say the protesters threw petrol bombs at the police and officers had fired back after being shot at first. Earlier today the government issued a state of emergency for the country, Sky News. Update: BNO now says at least 83 protesters have been injured.

Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama has been rescued by Navy SEALs and 3 of the 4 pirates that attacked the American ship have been killed. The fourth, who is reported to be as young as 16-years-old, is in custody. The Justice Department will review the case to see if they can prosecute the pirate. President Obama issued the order for the Navy to use force if necessary, CNN.

Argentine Angel Cabrera won the 2009 Masters tournament today in Augusta, Georgia in dramatic fashion. Cabrera, along with Americans Chad Campbell and Kenny Perry, played in a 3-way playoff for the green jacket, with Cabrera winning on the 10th hole, NBC Sports.

Check out our coverage of the Amazon/LGBT controversy here.

Captain Attempts Escape from Pirates; US Warships en route

Drama continues on the Gulf of Aden. Captain Richard Phillips tried to escape by jumping from the lifeboat where he has been held captive by Somali pirates. He was recaptured. Additional pirates with hostages are heading toward the area in hope of having more negotiating power when the U.S. military forces action. The USS Bainbridge has been in the area since yesterday and additional US warships are en route, USA Today. CNN Video.

Vice President Joe Biden will take the lead in the drive to persuade the US Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Washington Post.

A suicide bombing at a police headquarters in Mosul killed 5 American soldiers and 2 Iraqi police, New York Times.

State funeral for more than 200 victims of Italian earthquake, Telegraph.

Breaking News: Obama in Iraq and Gay Marriage in Vermont

We have two breaking news stories this morning.

1. President Obama has made an unannounced visit to Iraq. He will meet with the Iraqi Prime Minister and President, as well as U.S. troops, CNN.

2. The Vermont legislature has legalized gay marriage, the second state do so in the last week. The House and Senate vetoed Governor Jim Douglas’s ban of sams-sex marragie, effectively legalizing it, WCAX.

Workers Continue to Search for Survivors in L’Aquila

The death toll from last night’s earthquake in central Italy has risen to over 150 people and workers are still searching through the rubble for survivors. 60 people have been rescued so far, BBC News.

U.S. officials say a serious plot to assassinate President Obama in Turkey has been foiled. Details are scarce, but a Syrian man was arrested last week in connection with the plot, CNN.

Somalian pirates have hijacked 3 ships in the last 2 days, including a Taiwanese war ship. The other two ships were from Yemen and Great Britain. According to analysts, these hijacks further suggest that the pirates are now targeting war ships farther out from the African coast, MSNBC.

On Monday, senior administration officials told the New York Times that the United States will engage in more drone attacks in Pakistan. These attacks have caused much uproar in the Asian country and the Taliban has retailated against them. A Taliban leader claimed that last month’s attack on a Lahore police academy was in response to the drone attacks. Leaders have also threatened two suicide bombings a week if the attacks continue, NY Times.

Obama’s Auto Industry Speech

BNO has posted the prepared remarks of President Obama’s speech here. Video and reactions will be posted here as soon as they are available. Downloads of the White House’s viability statements on GM and Chrysler under the cut.

CNN: Obama announces plans for GM, Chrysler.