Briefly World

Michelles racist cartoon re-appears

WASHINGTON: A caricature of US First Lady Michelle Obama as a chimpanzee has re-appeared on the Internet,two months after the morphed racist picture first provoked a controversy. The image has now been re-appearing at the top of the results when the words Michelle Obama are put into Googles picture search engine. Despite complaints that it is racist,the US Internet giant has refused to remove the offensive image from its picture search listings,citing its commitment to free expression,the media reported.

Myanmar chief confirms 2010 polls

YANGON: Myanmars ruling junta chief confirmed on Monday that the countrys first general elections in two decades will be held this year but gave no date for the balloting,which is expected to exclude pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In a message marking the anniversary of Myanmars 1948 independence,Senior Gen Than Shwe said that the regimes seven-step roadmap is the only way forward. Plans are under way to hold elections in a systematic way this year and the entire people have to make correct choices, Than Shwe said in a message in state-run newspapers.