Briefly World

In an attack in the heart of Baghdads most prominent Sunni neighbourhood,gunmen attacked two police checkpoints on Thursday before a series of roadside bombs detonated on police and Army patrols responding to the mayhem....

Militants in Baghdad plant al-Qaeda flag

BAGHDAD: In an attack in the heart of Baghdads most prominent Sunni neighbourhood,gunmen attacked two police checkpoints on Thursday before a series of roadside bombs detonated on police and Army patrols responding to the mayhem. After the attack in Adhamiya,a section of Baghdad that was the site of some of the most vicious fighting of the sectarian civil war in 2006 and 2007 the gunmen raised the black flag of al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia,according to high-ranking Iraqi Army officer.

Oz to impose new sanctions against Iran

ADELAIDE: Australia will impose new sanctions against Iran,including restrictions for the first time on business dealings with that countrys oil and gas sector,Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said on Thursday. In adopting this package,Australia stands at the forefront of international community efforts to have Iran meet its international obligations in relation to its nuclear programme, he said.

At least 80 killed in Congo boat capsize

KINSHASA: A boat ferrying about 200 passengers to Congos capital capsized after hitting a rock,and a government spokesman said on Thursday at least 80 people were confirmed dead. Rescuers were searching for dozens of missing people after the boating disaster on the Congo River near Maluku district about 130 kms from its destination,Information Minister Lambert Mende said.

Obama yet to get invitation for Chelsea wedding

New York: With just two days to go for Chelsea Clintons wedding,US President Barack Obama is yet to receive an invitation to wedding and may have to learn gatecrashing if he wants to make it to the big event here. In a rare appearance on a ABCs The View,Obama said that he has not been given an invitation to Chelseas wedding. I was not invited to the wedding because I think Hillary and Bill,properly,want to keep this thing for Chelsea and her soon-to-be husband, the President said.

George Clooneys girlfriend caught in cocaine scandal

Los Angeles: George Clooneys model girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis is being investigated on drug charges,after the arrest of a witness who claims to have seen her snorting cocaine in a nightclub. Canalis has become embroiled in the scandal after a fellow-model claimed that she saw Canalis snorting the drug twice at a Milan nightspot in 2007,reported Radar online. The claims were revealed by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera,which obtained copies of the prosecutors documents.

Racy pictures of Jolie all over Internet

Los Angeles: Shocking and racy images of Angelina Jolie are doing the rounds on the Internet. The images published by Star Magazine show the 35-year-old actress in bondage gear,wearing a dog leash around her neck,and a cigarette in her mouth,while donning impeccable make-up and hair,AceShowbiz reported online. The eight images,titled The Photos That Will Tear Them Apart by the magazine have been taken from an unauthorised biography by Andrew Morton,set to come out in August.

Andre being probed for plugging ad in reality show

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London: Singer Peter Andre is being probed by TV watchdog Ofcom for allegedly promoting a hotel and an airline during his UK reality show. The 37-year-old singer is accused of plugging in his vacation with his children in the Atlantis Palm resort in Dubai and his first-class Emirates flights during his reality show ITV2s The Next Chapter,The Sun reported online. Ofcom has taken up the matter while the ITV said the references were not promotional,contactmusic reported.