Suicide bomber kills at least 18 at Pakistani politician’s home

An attacker walked into an open meeting that member of parliament Rashid Akbar Nowani was holding in the courtyard of his home in the central town of Bhakkar, in Punjab province, and blew himself up amid a throng of about 200. Some reports put the death toll as high as 25, with 53 hurt, some critically. Mr. Nowani – from the conservative, mildly Islamist Pakistan Muslim League (N), party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif – got away with minor injuries to his legs. >>>>>

Wali tipped to be next Pak president

ISLAMABAD – Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali is tipped to replace Pervez Musharraf who resigned as president on Monday, sources said. Wali is close to coalition partners Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif and will also be acceptable to Maulana Fazlur Rehman. >>>>>