Gas leak disrupts traffic near Dublin Airport

A gas leak has caused traffic disruption near the new entrance road to Dublin Airport this morning.
Corbalis Road is partially blocked as a result of the leak and people travelling to the airport are being advised to allow extra time for their journey. Gardaí and Bord Gais repair crews are at the scene.

Acid spill prompts evacuation of Cork city premises

An acid spill at a chemical plant in Cork has forced the evacuation of premises on the city's Centre Park Road. Scores of workers have been asked to leave their buildings after the spill about 20 minutes ago at Gouldings Chemicals Ltd, gardaí have confirmed. The evacuation is "for safety reasons", according to a garda spokeswoman.
The emergency services are at the scene, but there are no reports of any injuries. Gardaí say they are trying to establish the cause of the spill and roads will remain closed until further notice. Motorists are being advised of severe traffic delays.

Maoist ministers offer resignation

Kathmandu- Ministers from the CPN (Maoist) have announced their resignation form the Koirala-led government and have forwarded the joint resignation letter to party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
According to forest minister Matrika Yadav, the ministers have offered their resignation to pave the way for formation of a new government. He said Prachanda would forward the resignation to the Prime Minister. The CPN-M has five ministers and two state ministers in the government.
The Maoist ministers' resignation came hours after a meeting between Prachanda and Prime Minister Koirala in Baluwatar.
Though the two leaders are said to have reached an understanding to settle the power-sharing issue within two days they differed on the composition of the government as well as the time when the government will be formed.

Twin blasts in front of BICC

Kathmandu- Two bombs went off Monday afternoon in front of the Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) at Naya Baneshwor, where the Constituent Assembly (CA) is to convene on Wednesday.
The blasts occurred simultaneously at the southern gate of the BICC at around 5:15 pm, but there was no human casualty or any damage of property. Eyewitnesses said two persons on a motorbike hurled the explosives and scurried away. Police said pamphlets found near the blast scene indicated that the blasts were carried out by a little-known Hindu fundamentalist outfit called Ranabir Sena.
Massive numbers of security personnel have been mobilised in the area following the blasts. Newly elected CA members are to be sworn in amid a ceremony at the BICC tomorrow.
The blasts occurred hours after the prohibitory orders issued by the local administration around the BICC and some other strategic locations came into effect.

Nepal becomes a republic

Dublin- ''Nepal becomes a republic'', an Irish online media has published one breaking news about Nepal's latest political development on this afternoon.

The media also publish King Birendra's family photograph in the page. According to the news, Nepal’s parliament has voted in favour of abolishing the centuries-old monarchy and turning the Himalayan nation into a republic. More than two-thirds of parliament voted in favour of amending an interim constitution to end the monarchy after an agreement by the main political parties was reached earlier this week, said speaker Subash Nembwang. The vote ensures the king will be removed immediately after elections in April for a constituent assembly, which is charged with rewriting Nepal’s constitution.

You can read the news in this link as well, read more.

Benazir Bhutto killed in attack

Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack in Rawanpindi on wednesday evning.

News of her death was confirmed by a military spokesman and members of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when gunfire and an explosion occurred. At least 15 other people are reported killed in the attack and several more were injured. Ms Bhutto had twice been the country's prime minister. She had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January. Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, told the BBC her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".

"I can't tell you what the feelings of the people of Pakistan are today," he told BBC News 24 after returning from the hospital where she was brought. The BBC's Barbara Plett says the killing is likely to provoke an agonised response from her followers, especially from her loyal following in Sindh Province.