HOUSTON

Separated twins meet with Egyptian president

Formerly conjoined Egyptian twins traveled to Houston and received a warm greeting from the visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, including a hug and a kiss for each of them.

“The meeting primarily focused around the twins and the fact that the president was repeatedly so appreciative of the work our team had done,” Dr. Kenneth Salyer, the craniofacial surgeon who helped bring the boys to the United States for surgery, told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim, who will turn 3 years old on June 2, were separated in October during a 34-hour surgery at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. They were born joined at the tops of their heads.

UNITED NATIONS

Iraq nuclear facilities remain unguarded

Some Iraqi nuclear facilities appear to be unguarded, and radioactive materials are being taken out of the country, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency reported after reviewing satellite images and equipment that has turned up in European scrapyards.

The International Atomic Energy Agency sent a letter to U.S. officials three weeks ago informing them of the findings. The information was also sent to the U.N. Security Council in a letter from its director, Mohamed ElBaradei, that was circulated Thursday.

The IAEA is waiting for a reply from the United States, which is leading the coalition administering Iraq, officials said.

Bangladesh

Tornadoes kill dozens, injure hundreds

Tornadoes swept through northern Bangladesh, killing at least 55 people, injuring hundreds and blowing away thousands of flimsy huts, officials said Thursday.

The twisters hit nearly two dozen farming villages in the neighboring districts of Netrokona and Mymensingh on Wednesday night.

Most people were home after celebrating Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year’s Day, which features colorful parades and fairs.

Thousands were left homeless and spent the night in open fields, witnesses said.

“I’ve lost everything,” said Parfullah Burman of the hardest-hit village of Gazaria.

Kenya

Anglican leaders refuse funding over gay issue

Anglican archbishops from Africa resolved Thursday to reject donations from any diocese that recognizes gay clergy and recommended giving the Episcopal Church in the United States three months to repent for ordaining an openly gay bishop.

The archbishops also said they would refuse cooperation with any missionary who supports ordaining gay priests. They said the Episcopalians — the American branch of Anglicanism — should be disciplined for the election last year of V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. Robinson has lived openly with his male partner for years.

South Korean

Voters elect liberals in historic election

South Korean voters broke the conservatives’ four-decade grip on parliament Thursday, bringing to power a liberal party that opposed the president’s impeachment and may seek closer ties to North Korea.

The election completes a momentous shift in South Korean politics, where conservative-dominated legislatures have checked its few progressive presidents, including President Roh Moo-hyun.

The Uri Party, which had only 49 seats in the outgoing assembly, seized 152 of 299 seats with 99 percent of the vote counted early this morning, KBS news reported, citing official tallies.