Twenty rebels killed in Afghan battles

KABUL – More than 20 Taliban-linked rebels were killed in separate clashes, one of them in an area of northeastern Afghanistan where nine US soldiers were killed at the weekend, the defence ministry said yesterday.

Rice urges Africa to act on Zimbabwe * WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told African nations yesterday they must do more to make Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe accountable for his actions, saying the political and economic crisis there was “Africa’s challenge.” Blair postpones Gaza visit * BEIT LAHIYA – Mideast envoy Tony Blair yesterday called off what would have been the first visit of a top Western diplomat to Hamas-ruled Gaza, after Israel’s Shin Bet security service said he might come under attack there.Missing pilgrims ‘scammed’ * WELLINGTON – The number of Indian Catholics who disappeared in New Zealand on a pilgrimage to see Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney rose to 39, news reports said yesterday.Mudslide fears in fire-hit areas * CALIFORNIA – Officials urged residents in low-lying areas near a lakeside community to leave on Monday because of danger from mudslides and flash floods near wildfire-scarred land.Storm knocks out power * BERMUDA – Tropical Storm Bertha headed back out over open ocean yesterday after it battered Bermuda, knocking out electricity to thousands on the Atlantic tourist island.Blair postpones Gaza visit * BEIT LAHIYA – Mideast envoy Tony Blair yesterday called off what would have been the first visit of a top Western diplomat to Hamas-ruled Gaza, after Israel’s Shin Bet security service said he might come under attack there.Missing pilgrims ‘scammed’ * WELLINGTON – The number of Indian Catholics who disappeared in New Zealand on a pilgrimage to see Pope Benedict XVI in Sydney rose to 39, news reports said yesterday. Mudslide fears in fire-hit areas * CALIFORNIA – Officials urged residents in low-lying areas near a lakeside community to leave on Monday because of danger from mudslides and flash floods near wildfire-scarred land. Storm knocks out power * BERMUDA – Tropical Storm Bertha headed back out over open ocean yesterday after it battered Bermuda, knocking out electricity to thousands on the Atlantic tourist island.