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Suicide bombers kill 18 during US defence chief’s Kabul visit
Soldiers keep watch near the site of an attack in Kabul
on Saturday. Reuters
Soccer riot sentence sparks widespread violence in Egypt
Chavez’s political heir Maduro takes over
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Bill for counter-terrorism body passed in Pak
Kenyatta elected Kenyan President
6 killed, 30 hurt in Pak blast
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Suicide bombers kill 18 during US defence chief’s Kabul visit Nine persons were killed in the bombing at the ministry, a fresh reminder that insurgents continue to fight and challenges remain as the US-led NATO force hands over the country's security to the Afghans. About half an hour later, another suicide bomber attacked a police checkpoint in Khost, the capital of Khost province in eastern Afghanistan. An Afghan policeman and eight civilians, who were mostly children, died in that blast, said provincial spokesman Baryalai Wakman. "We are still at war," Hagel said after he arrived yesterday, the same day that three men wearing Afghan army uniforms and driving an Afghan army vehicle forced their way onto a US base in eastern Afghanistan and opened fire, killing one civilian contractor and wounding other US troops. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the morning attack at the ministry, saying it was meant to send a signal to the US defence chief. "This attack was a message to him," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in an email to reporters. Pentagon spokesman George Little said Hagel was in a briefing at a US-led military coalition facility in another part of the city when the explosion occurred. He said the briefing continued without interruption. Afghan Defence Ministry spokesman Gen Mohammad Zahir Azimi said the bomber on a bicycle struck just before 9 am local time about 30 metres from the main gate of the ministry. The ministry said at least nine civilians were killed and others were wounded. Reporters travelling with Hagel were in a briefing when they heard the explosion. They were moved to a lower floor of the same building as US facilities in downtown Kabul were locked down as a security precaution. Meanwhile, a ceremony to mark the complete transfer of a controversial jail from the US to Afghan control was cancelled today, another setback in a long-running dispute over detainees.
— Agencies
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Soccer riot sentence sparks widespread violence in Egypt
Cairo, March 9 The Port Said Criminal Court, headed by Judge Sobhy Abdel Meguid, confirmed the death sentence for 21 of 73 defendants accused of killing 74 fans, mostly of visiting Cairo side Al-Ahly, in the aftermath of a match that turned violent in Port Said in February last year. The court also handed down life sentences to five persons, with 19 receiving lesser jail terms and another 28 exonerated. Hassan Yassin, head of the Public Prosecution's technical office, has said the prosecutor general wouldn't appeal the acquittals of the 28 defendants until reviewing the rationale behind the verdict. He said doing so would be a violation of the law, Egypt Independent reported. The court case, which has been the cause of deadly violence recently, resumed today at the Police Academy in New Cairo amid security concerns, and immediately drew fiery responses from Port Said for the confirmed death sentences.
— PTI
The judgment The Port Said Criminal Court confirmed the death sentence for 21 of 73 defendants accused of killing 74 fans, mostly of visiting Cairo side Al-Ahly, in the aftermath of a match that turned violent in Port Said in February 2012.
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Chavez’s political heir Maduro takes over
Caracas, March 9 More than 30 heads of state paid tribute to Chavez yesterday as his body lay in state in a flag-covered coffin at a military academy, bringing the curtain down on a 14-year reign that divided his oil-rich nation. "There you are, undefeated, pure, transparent, unique, true, alive forever," Maduro said as his voice rose and cracked in eulogy that both praised his mentor and railed against his opponents. "Mission accomplished comandante! The struggle goes on," he exclaimed as the guests, ranging from Cuban leader Raul Castro to Hollywood star Sean Penn, applauded in a raucous ceremony filled with music, cheers and chants for Chavez. Maduro was later sworn in as acting president at the National Assembly and named Chavez's son-in-law Jorge Arreaza Vice-President before urging the election authorities to "immediately" convene elections. The "most likely" date for the election is April 14, a source in the national electoral council said before the panel was due to meet today to make a decision.
— AFP
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Bill for counter-terrorism body passed in Pak Islamabad, March 9 The Bill for establishing the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) was passed by the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament yesterday after incorporating some amendments suggested by lawmakers. The NACTA, to be headed by the Prime Minister, will "unify and orchestrate national counter-terrorism and counter-extremism measures" by several
existing organisations. "Establishing the authority was necessary in view of the nature and magnitude of terrorist threats. It would present strategic policy options to the government to be considered and implemented by stakeholders," the Bill said.
— PTI
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Kenyatta elected Kenyan President
Nairobi, March 9 While supporters of Kenyatta, son of Kenya's founding President and one of Africa's richest men Jomo Kenyatta, danced in the streets, followers of his arch-rival Raila Odinga seethed at the results. The reactions of the rival camps are being closely watched in Kenya, where deadly violence erupted after disputed December 2007 elections, shattering the country's image as a beacon of regional stability. Kenyatta took 50.03 per cent of the vote, according to the election commission figures, to become the African country's new leader 50 years after his independence hero father, Jomo. The 51-year-old outgoing Deputy Prime Minister -- charismatic, able to appeal to all classes and one of Africa's richest and most powerful men -- is the first man to win a presidency whilst facing trial in The Hague-based International Criminal Court.
— AFP
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6 killed, 30 hurt in Pak blast
At least six persons were killed in an explosion inside a mosque in the north-western city of Peshawar on Saturday, Peshawar city SP Khalid Hamdani said.
Over 30 persons were also injured in the blast that took place inside the Chishtia Hanafia Ganj Ali Khan mosque near the city’s Meena Bazaar. Reports said the imam of the mosque was among those killed in the explosion.
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A suicide bomber on a bicycle struck outside the Afghan Defence Ministry today, one of two attacks that killed at least 18 persons as US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel visited the nation, officials said.
Kabul, March 9
