W O R L D

Mubarak supporters attack Cairo protesters, hundreds injured
International pressure growing for speedy transition
Cairo, February 2
Opponents and supporters of President Hosni Mubarak fought with fists, stones and clubs in Cairo today in what appeared to be a move by forces loyal to the Egyptian leader to end protests calling for him to quit.

Yemen, Jordan feel the heat
Yemeni Prez says he won’t seek another term
Sanaa, February 2
The Yemeni president told parliament today he will not seek another term in office or hand power to his son, an apparent reaction to protests in this impoverished nation that have been inspired by Tunisia’s revolt and the turmoil in Egypt.

King Abdullah seeks to shore up tribal support
Amman, February 2
King Abdullah is seeking to appease Jordan’s powerful tribes by naming a conservative former army general as prime minister but he will need to appeal to a wider base to maintain stability and deflect regional turmoil.

Paromita scared to return to India
Says diplomat husband hit her more than once
London, February 2 
Paromita Verma, the estranged wife of recalled Indian diplomat Anil Verma, has claimed that her husband hit her more than once and she was “extremely fearful” of her fate if she was forced to return to India. In a statement contained in her complaint to the Family Division of the Royal Courts of Justice here, she said: “I am extremely fearful of what might happen to me and my son if we are forced to return to India.”  Referring to the December 11 attack which resulted in India recalling Verma, who was Minister (Economic) in the High Commission here, back to Delhi, Paromita said: “He hit me hard, resulting in profuse bleeding.” She claimed that Verma had also used physical force against her in Delhi in October 2008 before coming to London and again in October and November 2009 in London.

Mubarak supporters attack Cairo protesters, hundreds injured
International pressure growing for speedy transition

Yemen, Jordan feel the heat 
Yemeni Prez says he won’t seek another term

Sanaa, February 2
The Yemeni president told parliament today he will not seek another term in office or hand power to his son, an apparent reaction to protests in this impoverished nation that have been inspired by Tunisia’s revolt and the turmoil in Egypt.

The US-allied Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been in power for nearly 32 years, spoke to lawmakers in both houses of the assembly on the eve of mass rallies that the opposition has called for tomorrow in all Yemeni provinces.

“I won’t seek to extend my presidency for another term or have my son inherit it,” Saleh told the parliament.

Saleh has earlier tried to defuse simmering tensions in Yemen by raising salaries for the army and by denying opponents’ claims he plans to install his son as his successor.

But that hasn’t stopped critics of his rule from taking to the streets of the capital, Sanaa. In January, tens of thousands gathered in days of protests boldly calling for Saleh to step down.

Saleh’s current term in office expires in 2013 but proposed amendments to the constitution could let him remain in power for two additional terms of ten years. — AP 

King Abdullah seeks to shore up tribal support

Amman, February 2
King Abdullah is seeking to appease Jordan’s powerful tribes by naming a conservative former army general as prime minister but he will need to appeal to a wider base to maintain stability and deflect regional turmoil.

Facing widespread protests inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, Abdullah sacked his government and appointed Marouf Bakhit as prime minister on Tuesday, angering the main Islamist opposition who said Bakhit oversaw flawed 2007 elections.

Analysts said the decision reflected a traditional priority of the Hashemite royal family to placate “East Bank” Jordanians, the country’s original inhabitants who dominate the political establishment, over the interests of Palestinian communities.

The stability of Jordan is vital for Israel, which has a peace treaty and close security cooperation with its eastern neighbour. British-educated King Abdullah is a key political and military partner of the West. Palestinians and Jordanians of Palestinian origin make up a majority of the 7 million population. — Reuters 

Paromita scared to return to India
Says diplomat husband hit her more than once

London, February 2 
Paromita Verma, the estranged wife of recalled Indian diplomat Anil Verma, has claimed that her husband hit her more than once and she was “extremely fearful” of her fate if she was forced to return to India.

In a statement contained in her complaint to the Family Division of the Royal Courts of Justice here, she said: “I am extremely fearful of what might happen to me and my son if we are forced to return to India.” Referring to the December 11 attack which resulted in India recalling Verma, who was Minister (Economic) in the High Commission here, back to Delhi, Paromita said: “He hit me hard, resulting in profuse bleeding.” She claimed that Verma had also used physical force against her in Delhi in October 2008 before coming to London and again in October and November 2009 in London.

But, according to the Scotland Yard, “she suffered a minor facial injury”. The report said: “We were accompanied by a London ambulance service and she was taken to hospital for precautionary X-Ray.”

Paromita claimed that her father-in-law had also assaulted her during her visit to her in-laws' place in Varanasi. “I was assaulted by my father-in-law and verbally abused”. She alleged that her father-in-law summoned 200 locals, who tried to stone her to death.

This was a traumatic experience for the couple's son, who suffers from “prune belly syndrome” and is presently undergoing treatment for this, she said. Paromita, who wants to stay here for an indefinite period, has secured an ex-parte “non-molestation” order against Verma restraining him from coming near their son. The next hearing is expected in a couple of weeks. — PTI