15 killed at Pakistan election rally
Islamabad: At least 15 people were killed and nearly 70 injured when a bomb ripped through a rally of the right-wing Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in Pakistan’s central Kurram tribal region, ahead of the May 11 general elections. Assistant political agent of central Kurram region, Mohammad Fazal said at least 15 people had died in the incident. Reports said at least 70 people were injured. Political agent Riaz Masood said the explosion occurred when a planted device detonated inside the madarsa where the rally was taking place.
Najib sworn-in as Malaysia’s PM, opp cries foul
Kuala lumpur: Najib Razak was on Monday sworn-in as Malaysia’s Prime Minister for a second time, a day after his ruling coalition, one of the world’s longest-serving, swept to power in general elections slammed as “fraudulent” by the opposition. 59-year-old Najib took the oath before King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at Istana Negara palace, urging all Malaysians to accept his coalition’s victory. “We have to show to the world that we are a mature democracy. Despite the extent of the swing against us, we did not fall,” he said in a news conference.
Bangladeshbuilding collapse toll tops 640
Dhaka: Bangladeshi police are investigating possible murder charges against the owner of a shoddily built factory that collapsed nearly two weeks ago after the wife of a garment worker crushed in the accident filed a complaint. The legal development comes as officials today said that the death toll from the country's worst industrial disaster had reached 645.
Russiaseeks to solve ‘ghost plane’ mystery
Moscow: Russian investigators were seeking to determine the cause of a plane crash last June that killed all 13 on board, after the victims’ remains were finally discovered following almost a year of fruitless searching. Two hunters at the weekend stumbled upon the An-2 plane in a marsh eight km (five miles) outside the town of Serov in the Sverdlovsk region in the Ural Mountains in central Russia. Investigators confirmed the wreckage belonged to the An-2 plane that disappeared in June 2012 after taking off on an unsanctioned flight, leaving Russian media to dub it the “ghost plane”.
‘Guptagate’ sparks political row in SA: report
Johannesburg: A controversial lavish Indian wedding in South Africa has created a rift between President Jacob Zuma and the ruling African National Congress, according to a media report on Monday. Zuma and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe have allegedly fallen out over the Gupta plane saga; the Independent Online reported quoting its sources. The Gupta family, which has close ties to Zuma, made global headlines when a plane, chartered by them, carrying around 200 guests from India, landed at Waterkloof Air Force base on Tuesday without proper authorisation.
USbill has high stakes for immigrants, Obama
Washington: Ricardo Campo, a burly and jolly native of El Salvador, and President Barack Obama both have a huge investment in Congress’ attempt to overhaul US immigration laws, to deal with the estimated 11 million people living in the United States illegally. For Campo, a 21-year-old University of Maryland pre-medical student, his future in the country may depend on it. For Obama, a sweeping immigration overhaul is central to his legacy, his best hope for legislative success after Congress turned back his push on gun control and a grand bargain on the nation’s finances.
ItalyEx-Premier Giulio Andreotti dies
Rome: Italian State television says Giulio Andreotti, Italy’s former seven-time premier, has died at age 94. Andreotti was hospitalised last year with heart problems stemming from a respiratory infection. At his prime, Andreotti was one of Italy’s most powerful men. He helped draft the country’s constitution after World War II, sat in Parliament for 60 years and served as premier seven times. He remained a senator-for-life.
Russian helicopter carrying 10 crashes in Siberia
Moscow: A Russian helicopter carrying 10 people, including senior rescue service officials, has crashed in the Irkutsk region of southern Siberia, an emergencies ministry spokeswoman said on Monday. “The Mi-8 helicopter was discovered seven km from the Preobrazhenka settlement with signs of destruction,” the spokeswoman for the emergencies Ministry, Irina Rossius, told the RIA Novosti news agency. The agency added that it was carrying several tonnes of explosives being used to break up ice on rivers.
Indian doctor in Australia escapes deportation
Melbourne: A 36-year-old Indian doctor, convicted of sexually assaulting a patient while working at an Australian hospital, has walked free after winning an appeal against his deportation. Suhail Durani had been held at an immigration detention centre in Perth since his release from Casuarina prison in February, where he served more than 18 months jail for indecently assaulting a patient at Royal Perth Hospital. He was taken to the centre on the day he left Casuarina after federal immigration authorities terminated his visa.