World briefs 4/17/06

Explosion in Istanbul suburb injures about 30

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- An explosion near a sidewalk cafe in an Istanbul suburb injured about 30 people Sunday, and police said they suspected it was caused by a percussion grenade. The Anatolia news agency reported that the explosion occurred in a trash container in the Bakirkoy district. Kurdish militants have left bombs in Istanbul and threatened more attacks after widespread rioting recently in Turkey's Kurdish-populated southeast.

Hamas renews calls for unity government

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The Hamas-led Palestinian government renewed its call for a "national unity" coalition Sunday in a bid to stave off rising tensions that have weakened the new Islamic leadership and widened the rift with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party. Sanctions by Israel and the West have dried up the Palestinian treasury, and salaries for 140,000 public sector workers are more than two weeks overdue, triggering demonstrations. Iran pledged $50 million to the Palestinian government Sunday, but it was not known when those funds would arrive, and more is needed. Fatah officials have rejected similar offers since Hamas defeated them in January legislative elections.

President commutes 1,200 death sentences

MANILA, Philippines -- The president of the Philippines said in an Easter announcement that she would commute the death sentences of some 1,200 convicts, including about a dozen al-Qaida-linked militants. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the death sentence would be commuted to life in prison for everyone on death row. Her justice minister said the government would commute all future death sentences as well. At least 11 Islamic militant members of Abu Sayyaf, a small al-Qaida-linked group blamed for deadly bombings and kidnappings, are on death row. It was unclear how many inmates actually would be affected by the new policy.

Pitt, Jolie considering Namibian name for baby

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- A local governor in Namibia said Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt told him they will have their baby in his country and are considering giving the child a Namibian name, a newspaper reported Sunday. Samuel Sheefeni Nuuyoma, the governor of the Namibian province where the couple is staying, said he had breakfast Friday with the two stars, according to The Sunday Times of South Africa. He said Jolie had made those choices because "she loves Namibia." Namibian officials confirmed earlier that the couple and five other people arrived in Walvis Bay on a chartered jet, prompting speculation their baby will be born in Africa.

-- From wire reports