WORLD BRIEFS

AFGHANISTAN: Gunmen kill judge and niece

Gunmen killed a provincial judge and his 8-year-old niece in the latest assassination of a government official, authorities said Sunday. Mohammad Nasir, the head of the appeals court for Kunar province, was visiting family in Nangarhar province Saturday when gunmen stormed into his sister-in-law's house and opened fire. Nasir's wife and five other children were wounded. Taliban insurgents have killed hundreds of officials and supporters in recent years, seeking to sap confidence in President Hamid Karzai's administration.

CHINA: Nun, 18, in self-immolation

An 18-year-old Tibetan nun set herself on fire and died in western China in the latest such protest against Beijing's handling of the vast ethnic Tibetan regions it rules, an overseas activist group said Sunday. Free Tibet said Tenzin Choedon, a nun at the Mamae Nunnery in Sichuan province's Aba prefecture, died Saturday. It said Choedon shouted slogans of protest against the government before setting herself on fire. As many as 18 monks, nuns and ordinary Tibetans have set themselves on fire in the past year. Free Tibet says at least 12 of them died.

CONGO: Crash kills president's aide

A senior adviser to President Joseph Kabila and a pilot were killed in the crash of a private jet while landing in Bukavu. Provincial Transport Minister Laban Kyalangalilwa said Sunday the private jet was carrying 10 passengers and 2 pilots. Augustin Katumba Mwanke, was the adviser. South Kivu Gov. Marcellin Cishambo was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment.

PERU: Rebel leader captured

Troops captured the leader of a remnant of the once-powerful Shining Path rebel group Sunday, effectively dismantling an outlaw band that lived off the cocaine trade. Comrade Artemio, 50, was caught with two confederates. Artemio, whose given name is Florindo "Juan" Flores, was flown to Lima for removal of two bullets from his stomach.