World news in brief: Celebrations as South Sudan made world's newest nation

SOUTH Sudan became the world's newest nation today, after two civil wars over five decades that cost the lives of millions.

In the new country's capital Juba, streets pulsed with excitement. Residents danced, banged on jerry cans and chanted the name of new president Salva Kiir.

One man kneeled and kissed the ground as a group ran through the streets singing: "We will never, never, never surrender."

"Ah, I'm free," said a grinning Daniel Deng, a 27-year-old police officer and former soldier.

The Republic of South Sudan earned independence at 12.01am, breaking Africa's largest country in two.

It marked the culmination of an independence vote in January, which was guaranteed in a 2005 peace deal that ended the most recent north-south war.

But after the celebrations die down, residents of South Sudan face an uphill climb. While the new country is oil-rich, it is one of the poorest and least-developed places on Earth.

Unresolved problems between the south and its former foe to the north could mean new conflict along the new international border, advocates and diplomats say.

Ex-First Lady Ford dies at 93

FORMER US First Lady Betty Ford has died at 93.

Mrs Ford won acclaim for her candour, wit and courage as she fought breast cancer, severe arthritis and the twin addictions of drugs and alcohol.

Her efforts inspired millions of others to seek treatment.

'Espionage' snappers held

THREE photo journalists in Georgia have been charged with espionage, the lawyer for one of them said today.

Ramaz Chinchaladze said the snappers and a photographer's wife were charged this morning. They included the Georgian president's personal photographer.

Greece gains 2.6bn boost

THE International Monetary Fund has approved 2.6 billion to Greece in the latest instalment of a rescue package aimed at helping the country pull back from an impending debt default.

The IMF action, with new managing director Christine Lagarde in the chair, came as European banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions were trying to get the private sector involved in helping save Greece from default.

Protesters detained over rally

POLICE detained at least 338 activists trying to assemble at a stadium and sealed off parts of Kuala Lumpur today in an attempt to prevent a banned rally seeking electoral reforms.

The protest is the culmination of weeks of pressure on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to make election laws fairer.Shooting 'kills 20 clubbers' at strip joint

Mexico: Mexican media are reporting a major mass shooting in a strip club in the northern city of Monterrey.

The Reforma newspaper reported that gunmen opened fire on the red-light district club's clientele last night and killed 20 people.

United States: A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Frankfurt was diverted to Cleveland, Ohio, and a passenger arrested after an on-board disturbance.