Bhutto Widower Elected Pakistani President The widower of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto became Pakistan's new president Saturday after winning a landslide election victory that makes him a critical partner of the West against international terrorism. Unofficial results announced after separate votes in the federal and provincial assemblies showed Asif Ali Zardari winning an overwhelming majority.
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Brave Pakistanis ignored fears of polling place violence, and quelled suspicions of possible election rigging, and turned out to vote yesterday.
Total turn out was low, but as you can see in these pictures, steadfast. In Peshawar, Islamic militants stopped many women from voting. 
A suicide bomber crashed his car into a campaign rally today in the tribal areas of Pakistan, killing 37 and injuring 90. This attack comes just two days before the country is set to hold parliamentary elections, and was evidently conceived to deter voter turnout. Despite this sad event, the country is still in excited preparations for the elections.
Pakistani police arrested two alleged terrorists in connection with the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. The suspects alleged involvement is unknown, but they are being held along with two previously arrested suspects — Aizaz Shah, 15, and Sher Zaman
The government in Pakistan has determined that Baitullah Mehsud orchestrated last December's assassination. Mehsud, the leader of Pakistan's Taliban, also has connections to al-Qaeda. 
The EU has told Pakistan that their future involvement together will hinge on the fairness of Pakistan's elections next month. Elections are set for Feb. 18 following the December assassination of Benazir Bhutto. 
Less than one week after Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto was slain, talks began for the production of a biopic about the woman. The film is considered to be in preproduction, and the script will be written by Pakistani poet-writer Aqeel Ahmad Ruby.
According to Hollywood Reporter:
Aneela Khan, a producer with Skies Unlimited, was quoted as saying that the film's director "will soon be announced." 
As commentary and analysis of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto continues to tumble in, the presidential candidates, in Iowa with less than a week to the first true contest of the campaign, are carefully weighing their reactions. An international tragedy, especially one deeply entrenched in the struggle between democracy and terrorism, at this point in campaign serves as a grave litmus test. A not-so-hypothetical "what would you do?" 
From the terrifying "it's not you, it's us" file.
Al-Qaeda spokesman Mustafa Abu Al-Yazid claimed responsibility for the crime, describing Bhutto as "the most precious American asset." The Pakistani government stated that it had proof that al-Qaeda was behind the assassination.
Just 12 days before the already troubled elections in Pakistan, minority leader Benazir Bhutto, recently returned from exile, has been killed in a combination of gunfire and suicide bombing at a rally.
Bhutto had recently voiced concern over her safety, and this tragic realization of her fears will be felt internationally. The United States' strategic relationship with Pakistan was tested in November, when leader Pervez Musharraf imposed a six-week period of emergency rule that threatened to impede the upcoming election. 
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