WORLD NEWS BRIEFS

SOMALIA / At least 8 killed in fighting

A medical official says at least eight people have died in fighting in Somalia's capital. Ali Muse, the head of the city's ambulance service, said at least another 18 people were wounded. The fighting took place Sunday between pro-government forces and Islamist militants. Militants led by the al-Qaida-aligned group al-Shabab are trying to overrun the country's weak, UN-backed government.

NIGERIA / Car-bomb suspects named

Police in Nigeria have named two suspects in the dual car bombings that struck the nation's capital during its independence celebrations. Nigeria's federal police force last night identified the suspects as Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu. The dual car bombings Friday killed at least 12 people in Nigeria's capital of Abuja. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, a militant group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

EGYPT / Settlement impasse backed

Egypt is backing the Palestinians' refusal to negotiate with Israel as long as it builds West Bank settlements, while urging continued diplomacy to try to salvage U.S.-mediated talks that started only a month ago. Washington's Mideast envoy met Sunday with President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the impasse ahead of an Arab League meeting this week at which the Palestinians are expected to deliver a final decision on the fate of the talks. Egypt's foreign minister said Sunday the "current conditions are not favorable" for talks to continue.

IRAN / Egyptian flights to resume

Egypt and Iran have signed an agreement to resume direct flights between their capitals for the first time since the nations' diplomatic relations broke in 1979. The head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority says 28 flights will carry travelers between Cairo and Tehran every week. There was no explanation of what led to the deal.