More killed in Rajasthan violence

JAIPUR, June 2 (BBC): At least five more people have died in violent clashes between two tribal groups in India's Rajasthan state.

Police say 17 people have also been injured as members of the nomadic Gujjar tribe fought pitched battles with Meena tribals in Dausa district.

So far, 23 people have died in the last four days of violence in the state.

Meenas are opposed to the Gujjar's demand to be included in an affirmative action plan which will give them access to government jobs and other benefits.

Police in Jaipur said Meenas attacked Gujjar protesters who were blocking a road in Dausa.

Both sides, numbering in thousands, fought with bamboo sticks and pelted each other with stones.

Officials said five people died, but eyewitnesses from the area said at least nine people were killed.

Boat sinks crossing Afghan river; 60 die

KABUL, June 2(AP): A boat crossing a river in Afghanistan's most dangerous province sank Saturday, and at least 60 people were killed, including Taliban militants, the Defense Ministry said.

The boat sank while crossing the Helmand River, which snakes through Helmand province, the world's leading opium poppy region and site of fierce battles the last several months. Hundreds of Taliban insurgents are believed to be in Helmand.

The Afghan army was investigating to see how many Taliban insurgents and how many civilians were on board, the ministry said. The brief statement did not say what caused the boat to sink or why officials believed militants were on board.

US hits militants' Somalian base

MOGADISHU, June 2 (AP): At least one US warship bombarded on suspected Islamists in a Somalian village, officials in the northern region of Puntland said Saturday.

The attack from a US destroyer took place late Friday, said Muse Gelle, the regional governor. The Somalian fighters had arrived Wednesday by speedboat at the port town of Bargal.