Bomb kills 15 in card-playing club
KARACHI – At least 15 people were killed and several wounded when a bomb ripped through a club for card- players in Pakistan’s biggest city of Karachi yesterday, police said.
“It was most likely a planted bomb, and it took place inside the club,” police official Saqib Sultan told Reuters. “I can confirm that 15 people are dead so far and at least 20 are wounded.”
Hospital officials said at least 35 people were wounded.
No one claimed responsibility for the bombing at the club, which is in an area known for turf wars between criminal gangs.
Officials said the club was also run by criminals and was home to illegal gambling. They suspected the attack might have been the result of a gang war. – (Reuters)
Women denies biting off testicles
NEWCASTLE – A mother of four accused of biting off her boyfriend’s testicles has denied grievous bodily harm.
Maria Topp (43) allegedly savaged Martin Douglas at his Newcastle flat at 4am on February 18th.
He required emergency hospital treatment for his injuries.
Ms Topp, Aycliffe Place, Wrekenton, Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for a brief hearing to deny the charge.
The defendant, with dyed blond hair cut in a bob, was wearing a white jumper.
She was granted bail until her two- or three-day trial, which will be fixed later.
– (PA)
Republican joins race for presidency
BOSTON – Self-made millionaire, triathlete and former two-term New Mexico governor Gary Johnson said yesterday he would seek the Republican nomination for US presidential race in 2012.
Mr Johnson (58) made the announcement on the steps of the New Hampshire State House in Concord. New Hampshire holds an important early contest in the race for the Republican nomination.
“I have the qualifications, the ability and the know-how to do the job. I also have a track record,” he said.
He is considered a long-shot candidate to win the nomination to challenge Democratic president Barack Obama, who has announced he is running for re-election. But Mr Johnson is an intriguing addition to a prospective Republican field that has not yet generated much excitement among voters.
He is a former handyman who built a large construction business and who advocates legalising marijuana as a way to stop drug cartels.
– (Reuters)
26 bodies found in mass grave
MEXICO CITY– Officials have pulled more than two dozen bodies from a mass grave in northern Mexico, a local official said yesterday.
Federal police digging in the outskirts of Durango, capital of a Mexican state of the same name, uncovered severely decomposed bodies and human remains, local media reported.
By early yesterday, 26 bodies had been recovered and digging was set to continue, a government official from Durango said.
– (Reuters)
Reservoir crash kills four in family
CARDIFF – Four family members were killed in mid-Wales when their car plunged into a reservoir.
Last night all four were named by police as Emyr Glyn Griffith (66); Phyllis Iris Hooper (84); Peter Briscome (14); and Liam Govier (14).
Denise Griffith (55), was at the wheel of the car but survived to see her husband, mother, and two teenage foster sons killed.
The accident happened at Bwlch y Gle Dam, Clywedog, Llanidloes, during the family’s early Easter break.
The family, from Pontypridd, near Cardiff, had been holidaying together in the Machynlleth area.
A car, which was carrying the five people, careered off the road after apparently being “clipped” by another car. – (PA)