In short

Today's other stories in brief

Today's other stories in brief

US envoy in Pakistan for Musharraf talks

ISLAMABAD - US deputy secretary of state John Negroponte arrived in Islamabad yesterday for talks with Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf, two days after the government blocked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's return from exile.

The summary way in which Mr Sharif was dispatched back into exile, despite having clearance from Pakistan's Supreme Court to return, reinforced US perceptions that Mr Musharraf's grip on power was becoming more desperate with elections looming.

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"Certainly, I think it's added to the troubles that General Musharraf's regime faces," Benazir Bhutto, another former prime minister living in exile, told Indian news channel Times Now. Bhutto said plans for her own return to Pakistan will be announced on Friday. - (Reuters)

Irish aid worker dies in Sri Lanka

A volunteer aid worker deployed last week under the Government's Rapid Response initiative has died suddenly in Sri Lanka, writes Mary Fitzgerald, Foreign Affairs Correspondent.

Conor Lyons, the first member of the Rapid Response Corps to be deployed overseas, arrived in Colombo on September 3rd to work with the UN World Food Programme for three months.

It is understood Mr Lyons, a logistics expert from Thurles, Co Tipperary, passed away in the Sri Lankan capital yesterday morning. He had previously worked with Irish aid agency Goal in Sri Lanka, in addition to spells with the UN in Liberia, Kosovo and East Timor.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Minister of State Michael Kitt offered their sympathies to Mr Lyons's wife and family.

Kenya to open embassy in Ireland

Kenya is to open an embassy in Ireland, it was announced yesterday, writes Mary Fitzgerald.

The Government said it had approved an application by the Kenyan government to establish a diplomatic presence here. It is understood the embassy will open within the next year.

Four sub-Saharan African countries - Nigeria, Lesotho, Ethiopia and South Africa - have embassies in Ireland.

Kenya is expanding its diplomatic corps in Europe.

Led Zeppelin set for comeback

LONDON - Rock legends Led Zeppelin were set to announce a one-off comeback concert yesterday, nearly three decades after disbanding.

The group split in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham and have performed only a handful of reunion gigs, last taking the stage 12 years ago at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Music Web site NME.com reported the show will be held in November in London.

Bonham's son Jason is expected to wield the drum sticks for the band. - (Reuters)