Crisis calls for UN reform

* NEW DELHI – The leaders of India, Brazil and South Africa said yesterday the global credit crisis showed the need for reforming institutions such as the United Nations to reflect their growing economic clout.

Up to 70 Taliban killed in Afghan strike * KANDAHAR – An Afghan government official said yesterday that international war planes had bombed a gathering of Taliban and other militants on the southern border with Pakistan and killed up to 70. Nigerian court orders Shell to hand over land * LAGOS – A Nigerian court has ordered Shell to hand over land around its giant Bonny oil terminal to the local population, a key demand of armed rebels in the volatile region, the Anglo-Dutch group said yesterday.US troops kill al Queda’s No2 in Iraq * BAGHDAD – American troops acting on a tip killed the No 2 leader of al Qaeda in Iraq – a Moroccan known for his ability to recruit and motivate foreign fighters – in a raid in the northern city of Mosul, the US military said yesterday.Syria, Lebanon formalise diplomatic ties * DAMASCUS, Syria – The foreign ministers of Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement Wednesday formalising diplomatic ties between the two countries for the first time in their turbulent history.UN inspectors back inside North Korea * WASHINGTON – Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog are back in North Korea, resealing nuclear facilities after Washington took Pyongyang off its terrorism blacklist, the US State Department said on Tuesday.Hijacker overpowered on Turkey-Russia flight * ISTANBUL – A man attempted to hijack a Turkish Airlines plane on a flight to Russia yesterday but was disarmed by fellow passengers, an airport spokeswoman told Reuters.Nigerian court orders Shell to hand over land * LAGOS – A Nigerian court has ordered Shell to hand over land around its giant Bonny oil terminal to the local population, a key demand of armed rebels in the volatile region, the Anglo-Dutch group said yesterday.US troops kill al Queda’s No2 in Iraq * BAGHDAD – American troops acting on a tip killed the No 2 leader of al Qaeda in Iraq – a Moroccan known for his ability to recruit and motivate foreign fighters – in a raid in the northern city of Mosul, the US military said yesterday.Syria, Lebanon formalise diplomatic ties * DAMASCUS, Syria – The foreign ministers of Syria and Lebanon signed an agreement Wednesday formalising diplomatic ties between the two countries for the first time in their turbulent history.UN inspectors back inside North Korea * WASHINGTON – Inspectors from the UN nuclear watchdog are back in North Korea, resealing nuclear facilities after Washington took Pyongyang off its terrorism blacklist, the US State Department said on Tuesday.Hijacker overpowered on Turkey-Russia flight * ISTANBUL – A man attempted to hijack a Turkish Airlines plane on a flight to Russia yesterday but was disarmed by fellow passengers, an airport spokeswoman told Reuters.