News In Brief

Egypt's Sisi tells outgoing PM to form new govt
Afp, Cairo

Egypt's Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who took charge of office yesterday, had tasked him with forming a new government after the previous cabinet resigned.
The previous cabinet installed by Sisi, who has been the de facto leader since he ousted Morsi, resigned yesterday to allow the new president to "choose an appropriate one to serve the nation," Mahlab said in an earlier statement.

Pakistan deny Afghan claim of attack on Abdullah
Afp, Islamabad

Pakistan yesterday rejected Afghan claims it was linked to an attack on presidential front-runner Abdullah Abdullah last week that left 12 people dead ahead of an election run-off.
The denial came a day after Kabul accused "foreign intelligence services" -- a thinly veiled reference to Islamabad -- of being behind the two blasts, including a suicide bombing.

Afghan President Karzai eyes active 'retirement'
Afp, Kabul

When outgoing Afghan leader Hamid Karzai moves out of the presidential palace post-elections to take up residence next door, he will be relinquishing power but not influence, as he seeks an active public role in his "retirement" years.
Karzai is due to step down in the coming weeks after Saturday's run-off election, paving the way for Afghanistan's first democratic transfer of power.

World's oldest man dies in New York
Afp, New York

The world's oldest man, a 111-year old Polish immigrant to the US, has died at a New York home for the elderly, media reported yesterday.
Alexander Imich passed away early Sunday at a Manhattan senior residence where he had lived since 1986, the New York Times reported. He turned 111 on February 4.