World in brief: Multiple attacks kill dozens

More than 60 people died in violence in Pakistan on Thursday, including at least 15 soldiers who were killed by an explosion in a heavily secured dining hall for army commandos.

The blast went off at dinnertime, just as dozens of army officers were sitting down to eat, according to officials, who said the attack was most likely the work of a suicide bomber. It was unclear how the bomber gained access to the tightly controlled base in the northwestern town of Ghazi Tarbela, which is home to the army’s elite Special Services Group.

Elsewhere in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, extremists attacked an army base in the tribal area of South Waziristan, and about 50 were killed in the ensuing clash, military officials said. At least two soldiers also died in the fighting.

In a separate incident in the same area, officials reported that Taliban fighters used a rocket attack to destroy a school where about 90 Pakistani paramilitary troops had been stationed.

Lima, Peru

Blood banks shut after HIV spread

Peruvian officials have closed the country’s 240 blood banks after at least four people were infected with HIV from blood transfusions in a public hospital.

Health Minister Carlos Vallejos said Thursday the blood banks will be inspected by a commission that will include officials from the World Health Organization.

A Health Ministry investigation found that Judith Rivera, a 44-year-old mother of four, was infected with the virus after receiving blood transfusions during an operation for a tumor in her uterus in April at a state hospital in Callao, Lima’s port city.

Vallejos confirmed three other cases, including that of an 11-month-old infant, all at the same hospital.

Moscow

Putin nominee open to presidency

Vladimir Putin’s nominee for prime minister said Thursday he won’t rule out a run for the presidency amid rising speculation his appointment could be part of Putin’s plan to retain control over the government after stepping down next spring.

Viktor Zubkov, a little-known chief of Russia’s financial intelligence, was not seen as a potential candidate to succeed Putin until the president named him in a move that shocked the nation’s political class.

The ascent of Zubkov, who turns 66 this weekend, led to suggestions he might have been chosen as a loyal caretaker who could keep the presidential seat warm and then step down to let Putin return.

Asked whether he would be president, Zubkov said: “If I achieve something in this position, I do not rule out this scenario.”