Politics

Eight people, including two members of the Iraqi Council of Representatives were killed in a bomb explosion at a cafe inside the parliamentary building in Baghdad during lunchtime. Approximately 20 people are reported wounded in the attack inside the heavily fortified Green Zone. According to a BBC report, the cafe where the bomb was detonated was frequented by Iraqi MPs. The parliament had closed for lunch only ten minutes earlier and the cafe was at the start of a busy period. In order for the bomber to reach his target, he would have had

Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee has been taken to a Delhi Army Hospital after being injured in a car mishap in West Bengal. His condition is said to be stable. He has received injuries on the head and other body parts. In statement, he said he would be back at work soon: "I am well but doctors have advised me 48 hours rest. I hope to be back to work after that period," the Press Trust of India reported. Mukherjee is one of the senior most politicians in the ruling Congress Party and is close to party supremo Sonia Gandhi.

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned that limiting funding for the United States efforts in Iraq could lead to more bloodshed in the Middle Eastern country. In an interview with radio talk show host Laura Ingraham, he said it might even lead to ethnic cleansing in Bahgdad and elsewhere in Iraq. Gates' comment followed a proposal from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to end most spending on the Iraq war in 2008, limiting it to targeted operations against al Qaeda, training for Iraqi troops and U.S. force protection. Sec. Gates also said

The fifteen British navy personnel detained by Iran landed at just gone 12:00 noon BST at Heathrow International Airport, following their release after thirteen days of captivity. The sailors and marines were captured by Iranian border guards on March 23 in the Persian Gulf near the Shatt al Arab waterway. Iran says they were in Iranian territorial waters while the UK insists they were operating in Iraqi waters under the terms of a UN mandate. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday announced that he would free the fifteen British

Pupils who are given detention at a Christchurch, New Zealand high school are being forced to wear orange overalls with the words 'Work Crew' on the back. The New Zealand Parent Teacher Association (NZPTA) have said that this is unacceptable humiliation and will make each student stand out. The vice-president of the NZPTA, Margaret Mooney described the overalls as radical. The principal of Shirley Boys' High School, John Laurenson, denied these allegations, stating that the only reason for the overalls is to keep uniforms clean. Since each pup

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has announced that the fifteen British captured navy personnel detained by Iran would be released, saying they have been pardoned as a gift to the British people. Ahmadinejad met with the detainees shortly after a press conference where he announced that the release will be immediate, and that they will be taken to the airport. Speaking at a press conference that marked the end of Sizdah Bedar, Ahmadinejad said the British soldiers had violated Iranian territory and praised the southwest coast guards fo

Superior Court Justice Peter Howden has decided to let former Vaughan, Ontario mayor Michael Di Biase bring his case again to court after claims of uncounted votes in last November's mayoral election that he lost to current Mayor Linda Jackson. In 2002, Mr. Di Biase served as interim mayor of the city after former mayor Lorna Jackson died. He was then elected to mayor in the 2003 municipal election. Mr. Di Biase ran against deceased mayor Lorna Jackson's daughter Linda Jackson last November but lost by 94 votes. After the results accounced t

Canadian Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says a new and permanent commissioner for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will be hired in June. Day said he is still not sure if the new chief will come from within the force who has worked up the ranks, or will be appointed from outside the force. "We've said we want the best person," said Day. "That could be somebody who's worked their way up through the ranks, that inspires confidence from within. But we've also said that it can't be limited to that." Bev Busson, the Deputy Commissio

The Red Wings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 today withTomas Holmstroms scoring twice to move into first place in the NHL. Brett Lebda had a goal and an assist while Pavel Datsyuk also scored on the slapshot for Detroit. There were a game-breaking 3 goals in the second period. The Red Wings have a 3-0-3 record for the last three games, for a total of 108 points, surpassing The Buffalo Sabres in the race to be the team with the most regular season points to win the President's Trophy. The Red Wings have won five straight Central Division

Reports from the Israeli website Debka.com, which reports on intelligence matters, say that the United States is planning to launch air strikes on Iran targets on Good Friday, April 6 at 4:00 a.m. local time (UTC+3:30), citing unnamed Russian intelligence officials. The Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the United States State Department, Nicholas Burns, however, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday that diplomacy was the "best and preferred" course of action in dealing with Iran, adding "I do not belie

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that Britain must admit to illegally entering Iranian waters before the 15 sailors and marines detained by Iran on March 23 are to be released. "This [situation] can be solved. But they have to show that it was a mistake, that will help us to end this issue. Admitting the mistake will facilitate a solution to the problem," Mottaki said during a summit in Saudi Arabia. Britain has not yet responded to the comment. According to a UK government report, the Iranian government initially gave t

Iran's National Security Council has announced that it will "suspend" the releasing of 15 British sailors and marines detained by Iranian forces on March 23. "We had decided to release the lady in the group, but with the political ballyhoo by London, this decision will be for the time- being suspended," said Iranian National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani. On Wednesday, Iran had said that at least one soldier, 26 year-old Faye Turney, would "be released very soon." "British leaders have miscalculated this issue. This case may face a