In Brief

UNREST – A senior law enforcement official and six other people were killed in a car bomb attack in Russia’s volatile North Caucasus region, officials said, as attention turned quickly to the possible involvement of Chechen rebels.

* SHOOTING – Five judges were wounded, two seriously, when a gunman opened fire during a meeting at the Council of State, Turkey’s highest administrative court, the governor of Ankara said. * EVACUATED – More than 180 000 people were evacuated from coastal areas of southern China as Typhoon Chanchu, the strongest storm to hit the region at this time of year, churned towards the mainland and Hong Kong.* FLU – Indonesia’s human bird flu toll jumped to 30, and the world toll to 120, after the World Health Organisation confirmed five more people had died of the virus in the world’s fourth most populous nation.* VOLCANO – Searing clouds of heat belched out of an Indonesian volcano as scientists anxiously waited for a feared eruption that has forced thousands of villagers from their homes.* TRIAL – Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his key co-defendants were back in court to hear defence lawyers continue to put their case for his conviction on crimes against humanity.* IMMIGRATION – Thousands were set to rally in the US capital to press Congress for immigration reform, just two days after US President George W.Bush ordered National Guard soldiers to help seal the border with Mexico.* VICTORY – Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase claimed victory for his governing United Fiji Party following racially charged general elections in the South Pacific island nation.- Nampa-AFP* EVACUATED – More than 180 000 people were evacuated from coastal areas of southern China as Typhoon Chanchu, the strongest storm to hit the region at this time of year, churned towards the mainland and Hong Kong.* FLU – Indonesia’s human bird flu toll jumped to 30, and the world toll to 120, after the World Health Organisation confirmed five more people had died of the virus in the world’s fourth most populous nation.* VOLCANO – Searing clouds of heat belched out of an Indonesian volcano as scientists anxiously waited for a feared eruption that has forced thousands of villagers from their homes.* TRIAL – Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his key co-defendants were back in court to hear defence lawyers continue to put their case for his conviction on crimes against humanity.* IMMIGRATION – Thousands were set to rally in the US capital to press Congress for immigration reform, just two days after US President George W.Bush ordered National Guard soldiers to help seal the border with Mexico.* VICTORY – Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase claimed victory for his governing United Fiji Party following racially charged general elections in the South Pacific island nation. – Nampa-AFP