World In Brief

Lib Dems trashed in UK's local elections

British voters punished the Liberal Democrats and their leader, Nick Clegg, for their role in a deficit-cutting government on Friday, rejecting the party's efforts to reform the electoral system and deserting it in local elections.

The outcome points to a rockier future for the UK's Conservative-led coalition government, with analysts predicting a more combative stance by the Lib Dems.

The Scottish National Party scored a bumper haul, winning an outright majority in Scotland's assembly - which has limited powers devolved from London - and opening the door for a referendum on secession from the rest of Britain. - Reuters

Now Syria sends in tanks against protesters

SYRIAN tanks stormed flashpoint Banias city yesterday, rights activists said, as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ignored growing world outrage to continue a violent crackdown on anti-regime protesters.

The military assault came after Syrian security forces shot dead at least 26 protesters on Friday during a huge "Day of Defiance" against the regime.

Syrian security forces have shot dead at least 800 civilians since pro-democracy protests erupted seven weeks ago, Syrian rights group Sawasiah said. - Sapa-AFP

Sectarian attacks claim 16 lives in Nigeria

ATTACKERS have killed at least 16 people and set fire to more than a dozen houses in a town in northern Nigeria that has been beset by years of sectarian violence, police said yesterday.

Residents said the attack on the town of Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi state appeared to have been an act of retaliation for earlier killings in the area, although police said the perpetrators had yet to be identified. - Reuters

Gaddafi fallout rains down on Tunisians

ARTILLERY rounds fired by forces loyal to Libya's Muammar Gaddafi fell in Tunisia yesterday as fighting broke out near the border between Libyan soldiers and anti-Gaddafi rebels.

Schools were evacuated and residents scurried for safety in the Tunisian frontier town of Dehiba, which has been hit repeatedly by stray shells in recent weeks as the Libyan rivals fight for control of a nearby border crossing.

Fighting has intensified in the region as Gaddafi loyalists and rebels, backed by Nato bombing, reach stalemate on other fronts. - Reuters