Briefly World

Qaeda-linked group claims Iraq attacks

Baghdad: An al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings in the heart of Baghdad that killed at least 155 people as Iraqs political leadership on Wednesday stepped up efforts to agree on new voting guidelines ahead of January elections. The militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq said in a statement posted on the Internet late on Tuesday that its martyrs 8230;targeted the dens of infidelity. Massive vehicle bombs and suicide attacks have been the hallmark of al-Qaeda.

Tunnel found near Mexico-US border

Tijuana: A cameraman inside a four feet wide tunnel near the US-Mexico border in Tijuana. Mexican soldiers have discovered a secret tunnel with electricity and an air supply that may have been planned for smuggling migrants or drugs under the US border into San Diego.

Afghanistan reports 1st swine flu death

Kabul: Afghanistans Health Ministry said on Wednesday that the country has had its first death from swine flu,while China reported its fourth death from the virus. Health Ministry spokesman Ahmad Farid Raaid said a 35-year-old engineer was infected with the virus last week,along with three family members. It was unclear how he contracted the virus.

Michael Jacksons This Is It premiere a star-studded affair

London: Michael Jacksons concert rehearsal movie This Is It,the first venture to hit the theatres after the singers tragic death,proved to be an unprecedented Thriller with Hollywood A-listers flocking to the premiere of the film. The LA launch of the documentary on Tuesday night,featuring Jacksons final stage performances before his death in June,coincided with the worldwide release of the film,which premiered across 18 cities including London,Seoul,South Korea; Johannesburg,South Africa; Rio De Janeiro,Brazil and Berlin,Germany. The superstars brothers walked the red carpet alongside Hollywood A-listers Will Smith,Jennifer Lopez,Katy Perry and Paris Hilton.

Ashton Kutcher turns math teacher to help step-daughter

London: Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher has turned into a math teacher to helps his step-daughter Tallulah do her homework. The star has been struggling to relearn algebra so he can help his wife actress Demi Moores 15-year-old daughter Tallulah with her homework,Contactmusic reported. Sometimes I think the only reason I took math is so I could help my kids take math, Kutcher wrote on his Twitter page. Assisting on some 10th grade math home work. BTW the absolute value of -4 is indeed 4. Now solving fx=-3lx-4l when x<2. good times sic, the 31-year-old actor wrote in a post.