TERROR IN ISTANBUL

Independent: Two explosions rock British targets in Istanbul

At least 26 people were killed and more than 400 injured in bombings of the British consulate and offices of the HSBC financial group in Istanbul today. Among those killed was the British Consul-General Roger Short.

Witnesses said suicide bombers used pickup trucks in the blasts that occurred five minutes apart, at about 11am.

In London, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw described the attacks as "clearly appalling acts of terrorism" adding: "I'm afraid it has all the hallmarks of international terrorism practiced by al-Qa'ida."

"Der Irakkrieg zahlt sich fuer Grossbritannien nicht aus. Wovor eigentlich alle ernstzunehmenden Kommentatoren gewarnt hatten trifft ein."