Rogue Muslims raid villages

Manila Muslim rebels in the Philippines attacked several towns, killing at least 26 people and displacing 7,000.

The raids triggered a swift military response and raised doubts over whether the guerrilla movement was in control of its fighters. Up to 500 Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels raided towns in Lanao del Norte province, burning houses and shooting or hacking civilians to death. Troops reacted with tanks and helicopter gunships. A rebel leader said that the attack was carried out without his knowledge. (AP)

Iran satellite

Tehran Iran says it will put a satellite into orbit after a dummy was sent into space on a Safir (Ambassador) rocket. The launch raised fears that the technology might be used by the military. (AFP)

Leader sworn in

Kathmandu Pushpa Kamal Dahal, a former Maoist guerrilla leader who for ten years led an insurgency against the Hindu monarchy, was sworn in as Nepal’s first Prime Minister. (Reuters)

Party reforms

Cape Town The former ruling National Party, which imposed apartheid in South Africa and dissolved three years ago, has reformed as “a modern inclusive party” to contest next year’s election. (AFP)

Wheels of love

Jerusalem A disabled turtle is mating after being fitted with wheels. Arava, a spurred turtle, could not use her hind legs, so staff at Jerusalem Biblical zoo made the wheels and she has attracted a male. (AP)

Muslims ask for UN intervention

Srinagar Tens of thousands of Muslims marched past Srinagar’s UN office in Indian Kashmir, asking the organisation to intervene in the region’s independence dispute. Demonstrators marched to within a few hundred yards of the office of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan to deliver a petition against Indian rule. Police killed at least 22 Muslim demonstrators last week. (Reuters)

Kidnapped aid workers killed

Mogadishu A World Food Programme worker and his driver who were abducted in Somalia last week have been killed, relatives said. Abdulkadir Mohamed and his driver were taken by gunmen in Dinsor, 350km (210 miles) from Mogadishu. (AFP)

Cinema nights at the opera

Brussels Opera lovers in Belgium and France will be able to watch the New York Metropolitan’s entire season live in cinemas. The Kinepolis Group is to show ten productions in digital quality starting from October 12. (AP)

Couple survive power line crash

Berlin A couple escaped with minor injuries after their light aircraft flew into a 380,000-volt power line near Durach, southern Germany. They hung upside down 65ft above ground for three hours before being rescued. (Reuters)

Rebel mediation

Niger Tuareg rebels fighting the Niger and Mali governments have agreed to mediation with Colonel Gaddafi, the Libyan leader. Niger’s rebel leader said his men had stopped fighting yesterday. (Reuters)

Infants die as storm flips bus

Port-au-Prince Two babies died when a river surging with rain from Tropical Storm Fay toppled their overcrowded bus, raising the storm’s Caribbean death toll to at least 14. Storm-related flooding also killed seven other people in Haiti. (AP)

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