World Briefs

Suicide car bomb kills 3 in capital

MOGADISHU — A suicide car bomb exploded near Somalia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, killing at least three people as Somali and Kenyan leaders met and agreed to cooperate on military action against Islamist insurgents.

The blast rattled central Mogadishu and killed three passers-by and the suicide bomber, said police official Ali Hassan. Six people were wounded and taken to the hospital.

The explosion did not damage the ministry building but did knock down a stone wall in front of it. Hundreds of on-lookers gathered to see the demolished car. Body parts littered the street.

African Union and Somali troops battling al-Shabab militants have mostly pushed the insurgents out of Mogadishu, but al-Shabab has vowed to carry out attacks in the capital.

Earlier this month, al-Shabab detonated a suicide blast that killed more than 100 people, many of them students. It was the deadliest bombing to date in Somalia by al-Shabab.

ITALY

Milan court throws out Berlusconi fraud case

MILAN — A Milan court on Tuesday refused to indict Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in a tax fraud case involving his Mediaset company.

However, the court indicted Mr. Berlusconi’s eldest son, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, Mediaset Chairman Fedele Confalonieri and nine other defendants. Trial is set for Dec. 22.

The so-called “Mediatrade” case charges fraud in the purchase of film rights by Mediaset.

Mr. Berlusconi has denied wrongdoing. Magistrate Maria Vicidomini, in throwing out the case, ruled that the prime minister had not committed the offense.

PHILIPPINES

Filipino soldiers clash with rebels; 15 are killed

MANILA — A government-troops clash with Muslim guerrillas in a volatile southern province Tuesday left at least 15 combatants dead and 10 soldiers missing, officials and rebels said.

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