Front Page: Bhutto's Cause of Death, Stimulus, Kenya's Peace

by CitizenSugar 4

• Scotland Yard has confirmed that Benazir Bhutto, the Pakistani opposition leader assassinated in December, was killed by the force of hitting her head as a result of a suicide blast, not the assassin's bullet. These findings support the Pakistani government's theory on the death of Bhutto. The findings were determined without autopsy results or an investigation of the scene, and also point to a lone gunman as opposed to the two seen in news photos of the scene. Scotland Yard relayed these findings to President Musharraf yesterday, and two arrests were made in conjunction with the assassination.
• The US Senate passed a $168 billion dollar version of the stimulus package introduced in the House last week. The package was expanded to include payments for Social Security recipients and disabled veterans who wouldn't have qualified for a check under the original plan. The vote of 81 to 16 passed the bill and sent it to the White House where President Bush has said he will sign it. Not all members were in favor of the plan. During the debate, Senator Bob Corker, R-TN, said the entire concept of the stimulus package was as if Congress had taken $150 billion and "thrown it into a mud puddle." Checks are expected this Spring.
• Peace talks in Kenya mediated by Kofi Annan have reached a breakthrough. Though details aren't yet known, opposition official William Ruto said, "We have agreed to form a joint government. Details of that government, its time, and how to share it are under discussions." The breakthrough comes after 1,000 have died and 300,000 have fled their homes following post-election violence.