Briefs, February 2, 2013
A suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a Shiite mosque in northwestern Pakistan as worshippers were leaving Friday prayers, killing at least 21 people and wounding 36. Shiite Muslims in Pakistan have increasingly been targeted by radical Sunnis who consider them heretics, and 2012 was the bloodiest year for the minority sect in the country's history.
PESHAWAR - A suicide bomber detonated his explosives outside a Shiite mosque in northwestern Pakistan as worshippers were leaving Friday prayers, killing at least 21 people and wounding 36. Shiite Muslims in Pakistan have increasingly been targeted by radical Sunnis who consider them heretics, and 2012 was the bloodiest year for the minority sect in the country's history. The attack took place in the town of Hangu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has experienced previous sectarian clashes. AP
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he intended to release a new statement on Japan's attitude to the second world war. The premier has long been known to favour the toning down of a 1995 apology for wartime aggression directed at Asian neighbours. Beijing and Seoul have repeatedly called for Tokyo to face up to its past and make amends for its 20th century aggression. Abe so far has given no insight into any new declaration. AFP