German sentenced to death in Iran: An Islamic court in Iran has sentenced a German businessman to die for having sex with a Muslim woman, AP reports from Tehran.

Sources close to the case identified the man as Helmut Hofer. 54. The sources said Saturday that the court sentenced Hofer Monday for an illicit relationship with a 26-year-old Iranian woman he met during a business trip last year to Mashhad in northeastern Iran. Hofer was charged with "Zenaye Mohsene," which under Iran's Islamic laws is defined as adultery with a married woman or sex between a Muslim woman and a nonMuslim man.

US sailor killed in Australia: A crew member from a United States naval vessel was stabbed to death during a nightclub brawl early Saturday morning police said. AFP reports from Brisbane.

The 34-year-old man was one of a group of 20 to 30 sailors on shore leave from the USS Blue Ridge, five were involved in the fight at the Gig nightclub. The man was stabbed in the chest and died almost instantly a police spokesman said.

4 poets arrested in China: Chinese authorities in southwestern Guizhou province have arrested four poets known for their liberal views a human rights group said Sunday. AP reports from Beijing.

Wu Ruohai, Xiong Jinren. Ma Zhe and Ma Qing were taken away by the police on Monday and have been detained since. Die Information Centre of Human Rights and Democratic Movement in China reported, citing anonymous sources.

8 die as van overturns in Malaysia: Eight people died and two were rushed to hospital when '.’..?lr van overturned and burst into flames in southern Malaysia, c fire department official said yesterday. AFP reports from Kuala Lumpur.

'"Then van skidded and overturned. When we arrived the van was already engulfed in flames. I think the eight died because of the fire. But we are not sure," a fire denartment official in Seremban. Negeri Sembllan south of here told AFP. In one of the worst road accidents leading up to major holidays in Malaysia, the van carrying 10 people was heading towards Johor Baharu. in southern peninsula Malaysia, when It rolled and caught fire, rep": is said.

Croatian priest killed in Rwanda: A Croatian priest who had been living in Rwanda for 17 years was shot dead late Saturday in the centre of the capital Kigali, a hospital official said. AFP reports from Kigali.

Father VJeko Curie was found dead in his car after being shot eight times in the chest and back, apparently at point blank range by an individual who managed to flee, according to doctor Aloyse Rwaka from the Kigali hospital centre.