Venezuela breaks ties with US ally Colombia
CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has broken diplomatic relations with neighbouring Colombia,accusing the close US ally of fabricating reports that Colombian rebels find safe haven inside Venezuela. Souring already poor relations even more,Chavez said on Thursday that he was forced to sever ties because Colombian officials insist he has failed to move against leftist rebels who allegedly have taken shelter on Venezuelan territory.
Singer Al Jarreau hospitalised in France
PARIS: Grammy-award winning singer Al Jarreau was in intensive care in a French hospital on Friday after encountering breathing problems in the Alps that forced him to cancel four concerts. However,a note on his official website said the 70-year-old Jarreau was in good spirits and looking forward to getting back out on the road.
Bangladesh unlikely to ban religious parties
Dhaka: Bangladesh is unlikely to ban religious parties or drop the verse Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim from the preamble of the constitution,to be reviewed by a parliamentary panel in a bid to restore the secular spirit of 1971 war. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she was opposed to the idea of banning any political party,sources said.