Nigeria’s religious clashes leave 65 dead

RADICAL Islamists torched a police headquarters, a church and a customs office, residents said yesterday, as police put the death toll in weekend religious clashes in northern Nigeria at 65. — Sapa-AFP

African economy on agenda

AFRICAN leaders were meeting in the Ugandan capital Kampala yesterday to discuss the economic problems plaguing the continent.

The presidents of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda and the Swazi king arrived for the three- day meeting that began on Sunday under the auspices of the Smart Partnership Dialogue, which has been held each year around Africa’s capitals since 1995. — Sapa-DPA

Egypt digs in over Nile water

MINISTERS from the 10 African countries on the Nile river have begun crucial discussions over drafting a new water sharing agreement.

Yesterday’s discussions of the Nile Basin Initiative are hampered by Egypt’s explicit rejection of any pact the would reduce the its share. — Sapa-AP

Taiwan, China greet publicly

THE leaders of Taiwan and China exchanged their first public messages in 60 years yesterday, reflecting the warming of ties that observers say could pave the way for an unprecedented summit. — Sapa-AFP

Palin off to other pastures

SARAH Palin stepped down as US Alaska governor on Sunday, saying she was taking her political battles to a larger, unspecified stage . — Sapa-AP

Spat over minister’s stolen car

GERMAN Health Minister Ulla Schmidt defended her use of a chauffeur-driven government car while on holiday in Spain, as friction grew within Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government over the matter, which came to light when the car was stolen. — Sapa-DPA

US sentences hoax caller

A JUDGE has handed a British teen a suspended prison sentence for phoning the White House and claiming there was a bomb in New York. — Sapa- AP

Jet loses nose before takeoff

THE nose wheel fell off a Boeing 737 belonging to budget Australian airline Virgin Blue while it was taxiing for takeoff at Melbourne Airport, news reports said yesterday. — Sapa-DPA