Briefly World

The collapse of a historic minaret in the Moroccan city of Meknes has killed at least 41 and injured 76,an official said on Saturday.

Morocco minaret collapse kills 41

Meknes: The collapse of a historic minaret in the Moroccan city of Meknes has killed at least 41 and injured 76,an official said on Saturday. Rescuers were searching the rubble for other possible victims after the minaret of the Bab Berdieyinne mosque in Mekness old quarter came crashing down on people gathered for Friday prayers,the official said. The 18-century mosque was packed at the time of the accident and officials have warned the toll could rise. Many locals blamed the disaster on heavy rains that have lashed the north African country in recent days.

FBI formally closes anthrax case

Washington: The FBI has decided with finality that a US government researcher acted alone in the deadly 2001 anthrax mailings and is closing its long-running investigation,a person familiar with the case said on Saturday. The anthrax letters were sent to US lawmakers and news organisations in the aftermath of the September 11,2001,terror attacks. Laced with anthrax,the letters were sent with childish,blocky handwriting and chilling scientific expertise. The spores killed five people and sickened 17.

Former LeT leader shot dead in Pak

Lahore: Former LeT commander Muaz alias Omar Kundi,who allegedly masterminded the May 2009 attack on the ISI headquarters here,has been shot dead by Pakistani law enforcement personnel. Intelligence agencies located Dr Mauz in Faisalabad city of Punjab province on the basis of information provided by one of his close associates who was arrested recently,a police officer said. Mauz and his accomplice Adil were intercepted and killed by commandos hardly a kilometre from the ISI office.

Sunni bloc calls for boycott of Iraq vote

Baghdad: A major Sunni bloc said on Saturday it was boycotting Iraqs March 7 general election because of Iranian interference,in a blow to former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and hopes for reconciliation. The National Dialogue Front led by Saleh al-Mutlak,a leading Sunni MP banned from the election on account of links to the Baath Party of Saddam Hussein,confirmed its candidates would not contest the poll.