US forces in Iraq have killed 25 suspected insurgents in heavy fighting near Baquba, the US military has said. The target of the operation had been a Shia militia commander linked to the elite Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

An Iraqi police spokesman said several civilians had been killed or wounded in a US raid carried out in the same area.

Sudanese leader may boycott talks

A KEY rebel leader in the Sudanese region of Darfur has threatened to boycott upcoming peace talks if more than two rebel groups are invited.

Khalil Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) said only his group, a united Sudan Liberation Army and the government should participate and if splinter groups were present the talks would be chaotic.

Darfur rebels have split into as many as 12 factions in the past year.

Lohan leaves Utah rehab clinic

ACTRESS Lindsay Lohan has checked out of rehab after two months of treatment, according to reports in the US media.

Celebrity magazine People says the 21-year-old has left the exclusive clinic in Utah where she has been staying since August.

"I'm proud of her, " said the star's mother, Dina.

"Things were getting out of control. She took action."

Chinese president to exhibit his art

CHINA'S President Hu Jintao's prowess in decorative paper-cutting will soon go on display at an exhibition of the traditional art.

Hu is known to the outside world as the stern chief of China's ruling Communist Party who spurns the public singing and theatrics that were a hallmark of his predecessor, Jiang Zemin.