Briefly World

Turkish warplanes launched air raids at suspected Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq on Saturday after a rebel attack on a military outpost in Turkey touched off clashes in which nine soldiers and 12 rebel fighters died....

Turkish jets raid northern Iraq,clashes kill 23

ANKARA: Turkish warplanes launched air raids at suspected Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq on Saturday after a rebel attack on a military outpost in Turkey touched off clashes in which nine soldiers and 12 rebel fighters died,Turkeys military and reports said. Two other soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion while chasing the rebels,the state-run Anatolia new agency reported,raising the overall death toll in Saturdays violence to 23.

Nepali Congress will lead national unity govt

Kathmandu: A top leader of the Nepali Congress on Saturday put forward his claim to lead a national unity government,as the embattled Prime Minister Madhav Nepal planned to quit amid a standoff over power-sharing in Nepal. Gopal Man Shrestha,the Nepali Congress vice-president,said it is the turn of the Nepali Congress to lead the government as both the Maoists and the CPN-UML have headed governments over the past two years and failed to draft a new constitution.

Kuwaiti prince shot dead by uncle,say reports

Dubai: A Kuwaiti prince has been fatally shot allegedly by his uncle,reports said on Saturday. In a brief statement,the Kuwaiti rulers court said the country was mourning the demise of Shaikh Basel Salem Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah,who passed away at the age of 52, without giving details of what caused his death. The court said Shaikh Basel would be buried on Saturday. However,Arabic media reports said Shaikh Basel was allegedly shot several times by an uncle on Thursday evening at his weekly meeting place while the two had an argument over cars.

Saramagos body taken to Portugal for funeral

LISBON: The body of Nobel-winning Portuguese novelist Jose Saramago arrived in his homeland on Saturday for a funeral to be held in downtown Lisbon. Saramagos remains were flown from his home on the Spanish island of Lanzarote aboard a Portuguese Air Force C130 transport plane accompanied by his widow and relatives,as well as Portugals Culture Minister and the novelists biographer. Saramago,87,died on Friday after a long illness.

As oil spews in Gulf,BP chief at UK yacht race

LONDON: In yet another public relations disaster for BP,CEO Tony Hayward took time off on Saturday to attend a glitzy yacht race around Englands Isle of Wight. As social networking sites lit up with outrage,BP spokespersons rushed to defend Hayward. Spokeswoman Sheila Williams said Hayward took a break from overseeing BP efforts to stem the undersea gusher in Gulf of Mexico so he could watch his boat Bob participate in the race.

Stewart to replace Jolie in Wanted sequel

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LOS ANGELES: Twilight star Kristen Stewart has fuelled rumours that she is replacing Angelina Jolie in the sequel to 2008 assassin drama Wanted. Stewart,who is currently busy promoting Eclipse,the third film in the Twilight series,said she would certainly accept the role as long as the movie is as good as the original. Jolie has already ruled out a return to movie. But Stewart says she will do the movie only if the script meets her expectations,MTV.com reported. I would definitely take the role,as long as it was good and I mean,its really exciting to see that as an opportunity, she said.

Diaz,Redford rally for oil spill telethon

LOS ANGELES: Once again,a huge environmental catastrophe is set to unite artists from various entertainment genres for a noble cause. After the grand success of George Clooneys Hope for Haiti Now telethon that raised a massive 57 million,celebrated talk show personality Larry King will host Hollywood stars Cameron Diaz,Robert Redford,Sting and others for a two hour TV telethon on Monday to raise funds for Louisiana,E! Online reported.