Hamas, Fatah call off talks

Rivals Hamas and Fatah called off top-level talks Monday on forming a Palestinian unity government that might ease crippling international sanctions, the latest indication of difficulties in bridging their ideological differences.

Meanhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had a secret meeting with a senior official from Saudi Arabia. Both sides predictably denied the reports, as they have no official relations.

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Demonstrations flare into violence

Fears of regional conflict soared as angry demonstrations against Somalia’s radical Islamic militia grew Monday into deadly violence in a southern port city, and the militia for the first time acknowledged getting help from foreign Muslims.

Ethiopian forces, meanwhile, arrived to support the internationally recognized government in its face-off with the radicals

BEIJING

Communist boss ousted in Shanghai

The Communist Party boss of China’s wealthiest city, Shanghai, has been charged with corruption and ousted from his job, state media reported Monday.

Chen Liangyu, who served not only as party secretary of Shanghai but also as a member of Beijing’s ruling politburo, is the highest ranking official in more than a decade to be targeted in a campaign against corruption.

The investigation into Chen centered on the misuse of Shanghai’s social security funds for illicit investments in real estate and other infrastructure projects, according to the New China News Agency. Chen is accused of shielding corrupt colleagues, and abusing his position to benefit family members.

Compiled from news wires