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Blast in Islamabad before R-day function
Iran putting Gulf in danger: S Arabia
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US bans luxury exports to North Korea
Editor resigns over royal phone tapping
Shilpa set to win Big Brother
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Blast in Islamabad before R-day function
Islamabad, January 27 Interior Secretary Sayed Kamal Shah said a special unit of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), headed by a DIG, had been formed to investigate the blast. A suicide bomber yesterday tried to storm into the hotel hours before a reception there by Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal to mark the Republic Day, killing himself and a security guard and injuring seven others. Officials have not ruled out that the blast could be in retaliation to a recent military attack on a madrasa in the Bajore tribal agency after which locals had threatened suicide bomb attacks in Islamabad. The Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal, who went ahead with the plans to hold a Republic Day reception at the same hotel after the blasts, said the Pakistan Government had not spoken to Indian officials about the incident. "Nor do they need to. They are conducting their investigations," he told PTI here. Qazi, who was former ISI chief said, "We ourselves are victims of terrorism that is why we are fighting terrorism and will continue to do so until this scourge is eliminated from our country," he said. "I strongly condemn this incident. However, this incident in the high security zone exposes the writ of the government," Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani, said today. The government has failed to perform its constitutional duties, he said. Rabbani also condemned a baton-charge on journalists who were at the blast site to perform their duties. She said the government was least concerned about the security of the people, as over 75 per cent of security personnel in Islamabad had been deployed to guard VVIPs. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chairman Raja Zafrul Haq said the attack was "the result of government policies". "We demand that the government identify the culprits - whether Pakistani or foreigners," he said. — PTI
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Iran putting Gulf in danger: S Arabia
Riyadh, January 27 In the interview in Kuwait's al-Seyassah on Saturday, King Abdullah also issued a veiled warning to Iran to quit what he said were efforts to spread Shi'ism in the Sunni-dominated Arab world. The USA and its key ally Saudi Arabia accuse Iran of "interference" in Iraq, through backing Shi'ite militias and parties, and suspect Tehran is developing a covert nuclear weapons programme — a charge Iran denies. "Saudi leaders and the Saudi state have always known their limits in dealing with nations, east and west. I explained this to Ali Larijani and advised him to pass it on to his government and its followers, with regard to foreign dealings," he said. Iran is backing Palestinian Sunni Islamist group Hamas, which is conflict with Western countries because it refuses to recognise Israel before entering into peace negotiations. It also backs Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah, which is leading a popular campaign. Arab states have had difficulty persuading the United States to restart peace talks leading to a state for the Palestinians.
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US bans luxury exports to North Korea
Washington, January 26 The related moves occurred amid a flurry of diplomatic activity that U.S. and other officials say could lead to an agreement under which the North halts operations at its Pyongyang nuclear complex in return for energy assistance and President George W. Bush — his popularity plummeting and embattled by crises with Iraq, Iran and North Korea — is desperate for a foreign policy win, many U.S. officials and experts say, and seems willing to make compromises he Meanwhile, U.S. officials announced they would resume talks with North Korea on January 30 in Beijing on Macau's Banco Delta Asia. Responding to North Korea's nuclear test, the U.N. Security Council voted to ban military supplies and weapons shipments -- sanctions already imposed by the United States. It also prohibited sales of luxury goods but left each country to define such items. U.S. officials argue that if the elites directly feel the sting of international outrage, it could loosen Kim's control of the government.
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Editor resigns over royal phone tapping
London, January 27 Andy
Coulson, who has been editor of the News of the World, a Sunday tabloid owned by Rupert
Murdoch, since 2003, said he took responsibility for the “scandal” over phone interception on Friday.
— IANS
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London, January 27 She is now left with five other housemates. The finals will see one contestant win the Celebrity Big Brother show. Former pop singer Jo O’Meara has denied being racist after her eviction yesterday. She, along with Jade Goody, was part of a group accused of racist bullying against Shetty, causing an international outcry. The Indian actress is now odds-on favourite to win when the controversial show comes to an end on Monday. Shilpa set to make millions
Shilpa Shetty faced racist remarks on the Celebrity Big Brother show, but now the actress will reap the benefits of emerging from the race furore with her dignity intact.
The star’s popularity has reached an all time high following the much hullabaloo on the show, giving her otherwise sinking career a much-needed boost. According to sources, in addition to the £ 367,000 fee Shetty was reportedly paid by Endemol, there is a £ 100,000 contract on the table to present Cricket Star. A bidding war for the rights to Shetty’s autobiography is also expected to secure a six-figure advance. “I will have a lot to go through with my client next week regarding book deals. She is wanted as an ambassador for charities and is already actively involved in Aids awareness and (animal welfare campaigners) PETA,” The Daily Mail quoted.
— Agencies
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