RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has said that `Ashura of Muharram reminds us of the supreme sacrifice made by the Prophet`s [PBUH] grandson and his family and companions for upholding the most cherished values of Islam and human freedom`. In his Ashura Day message, the Prime Minister said: `As we re-enact in our minds the climax of Islam`s battle at Karbala, we must re-dedicate ourselves to that [innermost] spirit of the Islamic life which Hazrat Imam Husain completely embodied in himself. There is no sacrifice that can be spared for the assertion of that spirit and the resurgence of Islam.` News agencies [Meanwhile, according to news agencies in London,] Agatha Christie, author of bestselling thrillers, died here today [Jan 12] at the age of 85. She was the author of more than 80 novels. More than 350 million copies of her novels were sold around the world.

Her novels were translated into 103 languages ranging from Russian to Icelandic.

The elderly lady, born 85 years ago in Torquay, continued to think up disturbing stories. Her 80th novel, Passenger to Frankfurt, was published to coincide [with] her 80th birthday.