President Iajuddin Ahmed was sworn in as head of a caretaker government that will oversee Bangladesh until general elections next year, moving to resolve a political crisis that had paralyzed the South Asian country and left at least 18 people dead. Ahmed takes over from outgoing Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, whose government completed its five-year term on Friday. Chief Justice J.R. Mudassir swore in Ahmed, who will continue to act as the country's titular president, at a ceremony at the presidential office. Bangladesh's opposition, which launched the protests that left 18 people dead and hundreds injured, had demanded a nonpartisan leader and had said previously that Ahmed - who was elected as a candidate of Zia's party - was an unacceptable choice. ... http://www.cbsnews.com censor News |
Editor - 07:43:00 10-29-06 |
Reforms roiling Eastern Europe |
Anti-government rallies rock Budapest, the Hungarian capital. Political intrigue in Poland holds up new roads and housing. Populists take power in Slovakia, vowing to undo economic reforms. And the Czech Republic goes without a functioning government for months. Political life has fallen into disarray in Eastern Europe, and many are asking what has gone wrong in the 2? years since these former communist countries joined the European Union, expecting to reap the fruits of democracy and open markets. Many specialists on the region say people are simply exhausted after years of economic sacrifices made to join the EU and NATO. They now lack the clear goals that drove them toward the West after the fall of communism in 1989. And their discontent is mounting as the instant riches many thought would come from EU membership have failed to materialize. "The common phenomenon in all these countries is transition fatigue," said Gergely Hudecz, a political analyst with ... http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061029-122348-3379r.htm
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Editor - 07:41:00 10-29-06 |
Burma group hold prisoner protest |
A group of activists have begun what they hope will be a week-long prayer vigil in Burma to call for the release of the country's political prisoners. About 1,000 people, wearing white and carrying candles, gathered at the Buddhist Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon. The detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is among those whose release they are seeking. Public protests and campaigns are rare in Burma, which is ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes. The activists and their supporters were prevented from actually entering the pagoda by security officials. Instead, a brief prayer service was held in a public area just outside. The student group organising the prayer campaign is known as the 1988 Generation. It takes its name from the mass national student uprising that year, when the Burmese army intervened to end calls for a return to civilian rule. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6096666.stm
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Editor - 07:38:00 10-29-06 |
Bush rallies base to 'just say no'. No, he didn’t say NO more lies |
Bush yesterday yelled himself hoarse in his first public political rally of the 2006 election campaign, whipping thousands of supporters into chants of "USA!" as he criticized Democrats for being weak on national security and anxious to increase taxes. Swooping into a Republican stronghold that on Election Day will be an early harbinger of whether Republicans hold control of Congress, Bush led the crowd in a chant that gave new meaning to an old Reagan-era slogan. "The Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no," the president said. "When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what's the Democratic answer? Just say no. When it comes to detaining terrorists, what's the Democrat answer?" Bush asked. "Just say no!" the crowd shouted. "So when the Democrats ask for your vote on Nov. 7, what are you going to say?" If you cant find a third party to vote for, write in Mickey Mouse. Anyone will be better than any asshole from both these Traitorous parties ... http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061029-122347-1315r.htm
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Editor - 07:36:00 10-29-06 |
Iraqi leader critical of U.S. envoy |
A festering grievance between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the United States escalated yesterday with Mr. al-Maliki telling President Bush that America's ambassador in Baghdad acts like a viceroy instead of a diplomat. Hassan al-Suneid, a member of Mr. al-Maliki's inner circle, said a hastily arranged videoconference with the president was needed because issues needed airing at a higher level than with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad. Mr. al-Suneid also said the prime minister complained to Mr. Bush that Mr. Khalilzad, an Afghan-born Sunni Muslim, was treating the Shi'ite Mr. al-Maliki imperiously. "The U.S. ambassador is not [L. Paul] Bremer. He does not have a free rein to do what he likes. Khalilzad must not behave like Bremer, but rather like an ambassador," Mr. al-Suneid quoted Mr. al-Maliki as telling the president. Mr. Bremer had the power to make laws by decree, many of which are still in force today. ... http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20061029-122347-8716r.htm
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Editor - 07:27:00 10-29-06 |
GOP hopes fade for taking district Bush calls home |
Texas Republicans spent much of this year thinking they had a good chance to defeat an eight-term Democrat in this central Texas congressional district. Today, Republican Van Taylor's campaign in the 17th District, though well-funded, seems bogged down. Several polls indicate that incumbent Chet Edwards, 54, will easily retain the seat he has held for 16 years. The Republican Party promised to campaign heavily for Mr. Taylor when he won the primary in March. He was told he could expect money, rallies featuring party stalwarts and national press exposure. For the Republicans, Mr. Taylor seemed like the perfect fit. The 10-year Marine veteran who served in Iraq seemed likely to blend in perfectly with the pro-military constituency that permeates this area near Fort Hood. Some local conservatives also saw an excellent opportunity to rid themselves of an embarrassing situation -- a Democrat representing President Bush, whose Crawford ranch is in the district... http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20061028-114747-8844r.htm
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Editor - 07:25:00 10-29-06 |
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