News In Brief

Two South African churches suspended from world body

The Lutheran World Federation has suspended the membership of two churches - the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Africa and the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia - for refusing to admit blacks.

Meanwhile in South Africa, 18 people were arrested and several injured in clashes between South African police and black rioters in Thabong, 125 miles southwest of Johannesburg, a police spokesman said Thursday. Unrest started two weeks ago when some high school pupils boycotted classes, demanding better teachers, an end to corporal punishment, and more student representation.