World Highlights

o A white farmer convicted of murder for feeding a black worker to lions was jailed for life by a South African judge yesterday, ending a racially charged case which highlighted abuse of rural black labourers. The South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that Mark Scott-Crossley - who got married in court just before being sentenced - was given life and black labourer Simon Mathebula was sentenced to 15 years, partly suspended, for his role in a murder which shocked the crime-hardened nation.

o After weeks of heated debate, Catalonia's Parliament approved a new statute for the northeastern region of Spain yesterday, controversially declaring it a nation within the nation of Spain. Legal experts have questioned whether the declaration is constitutional, while conservatives warn it will push Spain towards a US- or German-style federal system.

o Indonesian riot police fired tear gas and warning shots into the air yesterday as they clashed with students in Jakarta protesting over an impending sharp hike in fuel prices. The protest was the only sign of real violence among a series of demonstrations that hit at least 15 cities across Indonesia ahead of the price increases, a policy the President said was "bitter" but vital to rescue the economy.

o Thousands of people began returning to storm-ravaged New Orleans yesterday, but local officials said they feared that fragile levees could give way once again if another hurricane strikes. Roadblocks and checkpoints restricting access into the city were removed, allowing people who have not seen their homes in a month to get their first look at the damage caused when Hurricane Katrina battered the Gulf Coast and flooded 80 per cent of the city.