World in Brief

Minister called in over rights group

Malaysia: The German ambassador was summoned today to explain why his country provided funds for a project linked to Kuala Lumpur-based human rights group Suaram, which it considers politcally biased.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the funding could be "seen as interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state."

Suaram often criticises government policies on issues such as detention without trial.

'Militants' kill rubber worker

Philippines: The military said today that suspected Muslim militants have attacked rubber plantation workers in the south, killing one and wounding 35.

The workers were on two lorries heading home for lunch in Sumisip township on Basilan Island when they were ambushed by suspected Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

It was the second attack in two months against plantation workers who say they have faced extortion demands from gunmen.

Government lifts fracking ban

South Africa: The government said today that it will allow fracking shale gas in the semi-desert Karoo region.

Cabinet ministers agreed to lift a year-old moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, based on a report by a technical task team.

Activists fear fracking could contaminate the water table and pollute the air with methane gas.

Earthquakes kill 43

China: A series of earthquakes collapsed houses and triggered landslides in the mountainous south-west today, killing at least 43 people.

Yunnan and Guizhou provinces where the quakes hit are rural and agricultural, and buildings in such areas are often lightly constructed.

Most of the deaths were in Yunnan where another 150 people were hurt and more than 100,000 were evacuated.

The quakes destroyed or damaged 20,000 homes.

Airline strike suspended

Egypt: National airline EgyptAir flights resumed today after flight attendants suspended their 12-hour strike pending fresh negotiations.

International flights from Cairo were grounded this morning as workers demanded better pay and conditions.

A presidential adviser met with unions, promising concessions on working patterns and staffing.

Carter's Cuba call

US: Former president Jimmy Carter said today that anti-Castro leaders in Florida have an exaggerated influence on the US presidential election out of step with the US people.