Attacks force Carter to cancel overseas trip

ATLANTA -- Former President Jimmy Carter has canceled a trip to Bangladesh to monitor elections because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and the Atlanta-based Carter Center had planned to send an international observer delegation to the country's Oct. 1 parliamentary elections.

But the Carter Center said Monday that the trip was called off due to the attacks.

Carter led a five-member delegation in August to assess Bangladesh's preparations for the elections. Afterward he said he was heartened that the country's major political groups endorsed his suggestions for violence-free and credible general elections.

"I have confidence in the commitment of the people of Bangladesh to have an open and democratic election," Carter said in a statement.

Sheikh Hasina stepped down as prime minister July 15 to enable a caretaker administration to oversee the voting.

Hasina was the first prime minister to serve out a full five-year term in the South Asian nation, which has been plagued with political violence in its 30-year history.

Winslet misses opening of latest film, 'Enigma'

LONDON -- Kate Winslet pulled out of the premiere of her latest film just hours before it began, citing "recent personal events."

Monday's premiere of "Enigma," a World War II thriller about British code breakers, was to have been Winslet's first official outing since she separated from her husband earlier this month.

"I feel that, for the sake of myself and my family, a short time out of the spotlight would be beneficial," said the 25-year-old actress, best known for her starring role in 1997's "Titanic."

She apologized for her absence.

"I'm very sorry not to be there to celebrate the premiere of 'Enigma,' of which I'm very proud, and also to pay my respects to those lives lost in the recent tragedy in New York," she said in a statement.

Prince Charles and first-time producer Mick Jagger attended the opening along with most of the film's cast and crew. Director Michael Apted dedicated the event to New Yorkers struggling to recover from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Jagger said Winslet wanted privacy.

--From wire reports