News in Brief

Taliban attack US base in Afghanistan
Ap, Kabul, Afghanistan
A group of suicide bombers attacked a US base near the border with Pakistan yesterday morning, leading to multiple explosions, a gunfight and the closure of a key road used by Nato supply trucks, officials said.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the strike in the Torkham area. In a statement, Nato confirmed "a series of explosions"" in the area but said none of its personnel were killed. The military alliance does not release information on any of its troops who may have been wounded.
Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar province, said several suicide bombers staged the attack, and that Afghan and US forces have been exchanging gunfire with the militants. He said Nato helicopters were flying over the base.

Turkish envoy survives attack in Iraq
Reuters, Ankara
A roadside bomb struck the convoy of Turkey's consul general in Iraq yesterday, a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said, but there were no casualties.
The convoy was en route to Arbil from Mosul in the north of the country when the bomb went off.
“The Foreign Minister has spoken to the consul general who is in good health," the spokesman said. "We are still investigating as to who carried out the attack and whether the consul general had been the target.”

Merkel wins in TV campaign debate
Afp, Berlin
Three weeks before German elections, Chancellor Angela Merkel calmly pointed at her record Sunday in steering Europe's top economy safely through the eurozone crisis, in the only TV debate with her centre-left rival.
Social Democrat Peer Steinbrueck meanwhile outlined his vision of a more socially just Germany and for more solidarity within Europe, without however landing rhetorical blows that looked likely to close a yawning poll gap.
Merkel, often voted Germany's most popular politician, pointed to economic growth and low unemployment, and sought to reassure millions of voters that if she wins a third term, Germany will stay in safe hands.

Japan tornado injures dozens  
Afp, Koshigaya

 
Several dozen people were injured when a tornado ripped through parts of eastern Japan yesterday, tearing off roofs and uprooting buildings. Footage aired by public broadcaster NHK showed a number of homes destroyed, upturned cars, schools with shattered windows and a warehouse that had been lifted from its foundations.

Mumbai Gang-rape: 3 accused watched porn regularly
Tnn, Mumbai
The five accused, including a juvenile, arrested in the Shakti Mills gang-rape case, have told the police that they regularly watched pornographic movies at illegal video parlours in Madanpura, Byculla and Agripada and also visited red-light areas. The disclosure has exposed how the illegal parlours in slum areas allow even minors to access mostly pornographic and C-grade movies.
"Vijay Jadhav and Kasim Bengali, and even the juvenile, told us during interrogation that they often went to watch porn. Jadhav was, in fact, caught sleeping inside one of these parlours last week. Such movies are to a large extent responsible for these youngsters indulging in crime,'' said an officer.