News In Brief

Thailand braces for key court ruling
Afp, Bangkok

Thai Premier Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday called for calm before a Constitutional Court ruling that could force the dissolution of her party and inflame the country's bitter divisions.
The court is set to rule Wednesday on whether efforts by Yingluck's government to alter the constitution—drawn up under the military junta that deposed Thaksin—are legal.

3 Greenpeace activists released on bail
Afp, Saint Petersburg

A Russian court yesterday released on bail a Brazilian Greenpeace activist, the first non-Russian to be set free from the so-called Arctic 30 detained for a protest against oil drilling, the group said.
On Monday two courts in the former imperial capital freed three Russian activists on bail but ordered an Australian activist to remain in pre-trial jail until February 24.

Gayoom daughter named Maldives FM
Afp, Male

The new leader of the Maldives has appointed the daughter of former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as foreign minister, an official said yesterday, underscoring the family's renewed influence in the country. President Abdulla Yameen, half-brother of Gayoom who ruled for 30 years till 2008, named Dhunya Maumoon, 43, to the post in his first appointments Sunday before forming a full cabinet later, the official said.

Argentina leader back at work
Afp, Buenos Aires

Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner was back at work Monday after a six-week medical leave, and promptly chose a new economy minister. After convalescing following surgery for a blood clot on her brain, Kirchner, 60, was “carrying out her duties at the Olivos (presidential) residence” on Buenos Aires' north end, the government said on its website.