Briefly world

Muslim militants disguised as policemen and soldiers detonated bombs and opened fire Tuesday in a series of coordinated attacks...

12 dead as militants attack Philippine city

MANILA: Muslim militants disguised as policemen and soldiers detonated bombs and opened fire Tuesday in a series of coordinated attacks in a southern Philippine city,triggering clashes that killed at least 12 people. About 25 Abu Sayyaf militants were involved in the attacks in Isabela city on the island province of Basilan,regional military commander Lt Gen Benjamin Dolorfino said. The dead included three marines and three militants,including an Abu Sayyaf commander Bensar Indama.

Gita Sahgal quits Amnesty job

LONDON: Gita Sahgal,a senior Indian-origin official at Amnesty International,under suspension for complaining that the human rights body was too closely linked to a pro-jihadi group,has quit her job,saying her seven years campaigning for womens rights had been a waste of time. Sahgal claimed the Amnestys links with Moazzam Begg,former inmate at Guantanamo Bay,was undermining its campaigns.

Michelle makes first solo visit abroad

MEXICO CITY: In her first solo visit abroad as US First Lady,Michelle Obama made an unannounced visit to Haiti on Tuesday morning to inspect the earthquake-battered country and reinforce the American government8217;s commitment to help with the long recovery effort. Accompanied by Jill Biden,the wife of Vice-President Joseph R Biden Jr,Michelle Obama took a helicopter tour of the capital.

Red Cross: 8 staff kidnapped in Congo

GENEVA: Eight Red Cross staff have been kidnapped by an armed group in eastern Congo,the international aid agency said Tuesday. The seven Congolese and one Swiss national were seized Friday afternoon near the town of Fizi in South Kivu province by the Mai Mai Yakutumba rebels,the International Committee of the Red Cross said in Geneva.

Japan: Chinese subs were near Okinawa

TOKYO: Two Chinese submarines and several warships were spotted in international waters off Japans southern island of Okinawa at the weekend,and Tokyo is investigating what the military vessels were doing there,the defence minister said Tuesday. We will decide on our response after a thorough investigation,including whether there was any intent toward this country or not, Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa said.