Leader makes first Darfur visit in years

KHARTOUM -- President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan , implicated by many in the international community in Darfur's genocide, visited the region yesterday for the first time in the four-year conflict there. The hard-line leader, who has been trying to recast himself in the role of unifier, is scheduled to visit Darfur's three provincial capitals in as many days. In South Darfur's capital of Nyala, Bashir criticized those who are promoting division between Arabs and Africans.

(AP)

BRAZIL

BRASILIA -- Two strong earthquakes struck deep below ground in remote areas of South America yesterday. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. A magnitude-6.1 quake hit Brazil in Acre at about 9:30 a.m., 105 miles southeast of Cruzeiro do Sul, according to the US Geological Survey. A 6.2 quake struck the far-northern Argentine province of Jujuy near the Bolivian border at about 12:30 p.m. (AP)

UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations said yesterday that it had suspended the Moroccan contingent from its peacekeeping mission in Ivory Coast during an investigation of sex abuse charges. Moroccan peacekeepers are alleged to have sexually abused girls as young as 13 over three years as units rotated through the West African country, UN officials said. The entire battalion of 734 soldiers had already been confined to barracks. (Reuters)

ENGLAND

LONDON -- Helicopter and boat crews rescued hundreds of trapped people yesterday after storms whipped through Britain, flooding towns and villages and sending thousands to emergency shelters. Many areas of Britain had more than a month's worth of rain in just a few hours Friday, meteorologists said, predicting more downpours over the weekend. Some motorists slept overnight in cars on rain-lashed highways. (AP)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

DUBAI -- Burj Dubai, a tower under construction in the United Arab Emirates' trade hub, became the tallest building in the world yesterday, reaching 141 stories and 1,680 feet, its developer said. Taipei 101 in Taiwan has held the title of the tallest building in the world since it opened in 2004. Emaar Properties, which is developing the Dubai tower, did not say how tall the finished building will be. (Reuters)