Zambia’s ruling party mends rift to make Lungu its presidential candidate
LUSAKA (Reuters) – Zambia’s ruling party has settled on Defence Minister Edgar Lungu as its presidential candidate, it emerged on Saturday, ending months of in-fighting that had threatened its chances at a Jan. 20 election.
Libya’s official government aims to set up new payment system for oil buyers
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libya’s internationally recognized government aims to set up a new payment system to receive oil revenues, bypassing the central bank based in Tripoli, the capital city that is no longer under its control, its top oil official said …
Exclusive: Iran’s support for Syria tested by oil price drop
AMMAN (Reuters) – Syrian businessmen and trade officials say they are worried the economic lifeline provided by Iran is under strain from plunging oil prices, despite public messages of support from Syria’s strongest regional ally.
Turkey’s Erdogan ‘closely following’ legal case against rival cleric
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he is closely following an inquiry into a U.S.-based Islamic preacher and media outlets close to him and dismissed criticism that the case is politically motivated.
Ebola death toll in three African countries hits 7,373: WHO
GENEVA (Reuters) – The death toll from Ebola in the three worst-affected countries in West Africa has risen to 7,373 among 19,031 cases known to date there, the World Health Organization said on Saturday.
Russia calls new sanctions on Crimea ‘collective punishment’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday new Western sanctions against Ukraine’s Crimea region were a “collective punishment” on residents who voted last March to join Russia, adding it was preparing to retaliate.
India PM Modi’s party distances itself from religious conversions
NEW DELHI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party said on Saturday it does not support forceful religious conversions, distancing itself from a sensitive issue that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and hurt the governme…
Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hits Japan’s Honshu island: USGS
TOKYO (Reuters) – A 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s Honshu island on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, shaking Fukushima where crippled nuclear power plants are located, but local media said there was no tsunami warning.
North Korea proposes joint probe with U.S. into Sony cyber attack: KCNA
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea proposed a joint investigation with the United States on the cyber attack against Sony Pictures, calling the charge by the FBI that it was behind the attack “slander”, state media said on Saturday.
China offers $3 billion in aid and loans to neighbors: Xinhua
BANGKOK/SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has offered more than $3 billion in loans and aid to neighbors Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos to improve infrastructure and production, and to fight poverty, state media reported on Saturday.
