BBC News with Jerry Schmitt
The Pakistani opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, has been assassinated. An attacker fired shots at her and then blew himself up as she left an election rally in the city Rawalpindi. At least 20 other people were killed in the attack. From Islamabad, Robert Plett reports.
"Benazir Bhutto was campaigning for forthcoming elections. She had finished addressing a rally in the central city of Rawalpindi, and was leaving the grounds. After years in self-imposed exile, Ms. Bhutto was determined to make a political comeback. As she drove away, she couldn't resist standing up through the sunroof of the car to again wave to supporters. It was a fatal decision. A man waiting in the sidelines fired at her, then blew himself up. Ms. Bhutto was rushed to hospital and fought for her life in emergency surgery. She lost. It was devastating news for her supporters, the party revolved around her, and sobering news for her political opponents. On the streets, emotions are high. Party workers have been rioting in several cities. Security forces are on alert as Pakistanis wait to see what this means for elections and for their country. "
There's been almost universal international condemnation at the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The UN Security Council described the killing at an election rally in Rawalpindi as a reprehensible act of terrorism and stressed the need for those responsible to be brought to justice. President Bush said that the US stood by the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the forces of extremism. "The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy. Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice. "
Nawaz Sherif, a Pakistani opposition leader, followed his condemnation of Ms. Bhutto's assassination with an announcement that he would boycott the polls. "There's no doubt that Musharraf is the root cause of all the problems. In these circumstances, we have decided that after the barbaric killing of Benazir Bhutto, we're going to boycott the elections. "
Ms. Bhutto is survived by her husband Asif Ali Zardari and their teenage son and two daughters. The family lived in Dubai where Ms. Bhutto stayed during her years in exile. Her party officials said Mr. Zardari had arrived in Pakistan for the funeral. Mr. Zardari was imprisoned in 1977 on various charges including corruption and murder. He was released in 2004. Benazir Bhutto was a key figure in the recent history of Pakistan. Twice a prime minister, she returned to the country after eight years of self-imposed exile just two months ago. Beginning negotiations with President Musharraf to try to move Pakistan back towards a civilian-led democracy. Ms. Bhutto was born in 1953 and was part of a political dynasty.
BBC News.
Counting has begun in Kenya after what's thought to be the country's closest ever presidential election with parliamentary seats also being contested. Long queues formed throughout the day as Kenyans turned out to vote. Officials said polling had generally gone smoothly although it was extended by two hours in an area of the capital, Nairobi, but the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, was initially unable to cast his ballot. Adam Mynott reports from Nairobi.
"Counting of ballot papers is underway in thousands of polling stations across Kenya. Results have started dribbling, but it will take some hours for a full picture to emerge of who has won. It is expected to be a very close contest between the incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, and his main rival, Raila Odinga. Both sides have accused each other of trying to rig the election. And immediately the polls closed, both sides claimed victory. There was confusion and delay at some polling stations, but it appears the election was well organized for the most part. There were also a few isolated cases of violence but on a very small scale. "
Talks between the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in Jerusalem have failed to resolve a row over Israel's settlement plans in east Jerusalem. Israeli officials said Mr. Olmert did not agree to Palestinian demands that Israel freeze plans to expand the neighborhood of Har Homa.
A Russian court has sentenced two Russian army officers to 17 and 15 years in a penal colony for the murder of three civilians in Chechnya. These are thought to be among the longest sentences ever handed down to Russian officers serving in Chechnya.
The French Justice Administer has asked Chad to send six French aid workers back to France to serve the eight-year prison sentences they received on Wednesday for attempting to kidnap more than a hundred African children. The government of Chad said any repatriation would have to be approved by the country's judicial authorities.
BBC News.