A round-up of today's world news in brief
Non-white governor in Louisiana
US - Louisiana has elected the son of an Indian immigrant as governor as the fallout from Hurricane Katrina continues to dominate the state.
Bobby Jindal (36) becomes the youngest state governor in the US and the first non-white governor of Louisiana since the 1870s.
The Republican replaces Kathleen Blanco, who was criticised for her performance during the 2005 hurricane and its aftermath.
Ms Blanco, a Democrat, did not run for re-election. - (Guardian service)
Seven killed in illegal mine
MOSCOW- At least seven people have died and one person is missing after going below ground to illegally work in a derelict Siberian tungsten mine, Interfax news agency has reported.
A group of local residents went missing after going down the mine in the Buriyatiya region for tungsten ore last week, prompting a major search operation. - (Reuters)
Big turnout in Cuban vote
HAVANA- Cubans have voted to elect 15,236 municipal council members in the first elections since ailing leader Fidel Castro handed over power to his brother last year.
Cuban officials said the turnout was massive and showed support for Cuba's communist state and rejection of US pressure to open up to multiparty democracy as Castro fades from the political stage. - (Reuters)
Far-right 'guard' in public display
BUDAPEST- Six hundred people, wearing black uniforms and insignia which critics say are reminiscent of the Nazi era, took an oath of loyalty yesterday to defend Hungary as members of a far-right "guard".
The Hungarian Guard was launched in August with 56 members and drew widespread criticism because of its uniform and use of a red-and-white striped flag linked to the fascist Arrow Cross regime which sent hundreds of thousands of Jews to death camps. - (Reuters)
Malibu fire destroys homes
LOS ANGELES- Powerful winds have fanned a wildfire burning through the canyons of the seaside celebrity enclave of Malibu, forcing hundreds of people to flee and destroying a handful of multimillion- dollar homes.
The fire had burned nearly 1,000 acres (400 hectares) by yesterday evening and destroyed seven buildings. - (Reuters)