Kidnapped worker from U.S.

Gunmen seized an American U.N. worker as he rode to work, shooting and killing his driver, U.N. and Pakistani authorities said. His Land Cruiser was found rammed against a wall, punctured by at least one bullet hole.

The government called the abduction of John Solecki, head of the U.N. refugee office in the southwestern city of Quetta, a “dastardly terrorist act.” But police said it was not clear whether Islamist militants, criminals seeking a ransom payment or members of a regional separatist group were responsible.

Islamabad, Pakistan

Bomber attacks police station

At least 21 Afghan police officers were killed Monday in southern Afghanistan when a Taliban suicide bomber disguised as a policeman attacked a local police station, according to Afghan government officials.

The bombing occurred about 11:30 a.m. in the town of Tarin Kot in the southern province of Uruzgan. The bomber walked into a district police station and detonated a vest full of explosives, apparently concealed beneath a stolen police uniform, said Hashim Watanwal, an Afghan parliament member in Uruzgan.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Gadhafi to lead African Union

Moammar Gadhafi of Libya was elected Monday as leader of the African Union, a position long sought by the eccentric dictator.

Gadhafi, once ostracized by the West for sponsoring terrorism, has been trying to increase both Libya’s global stature and its regional influence – mediating African conflicts, sponsoring efforts to spread Islam on the continent and pushing for the creation of a single African government.