China launches sweeping probe as Sinopec blast toll rises
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – China has launched a broad investigation into safety at oil and gas pipelines, state media reported on Monday, as the death toll from an explosion at a Sinopec pipeline last week rose to 52.
Insight: Road builder Sata enthuses Zambians but unnerves foreign investors
KATOBA, Zambia (Reuters) – John Moyo is at the end of the road. At least now it’s paved.
Breakthrough deal curbs Iran’s nuclear activity
GENEVA (Reuters) – Iran and six world powers clinched a deal on Sunday to curb the Iranian nuclear programme in exchange for initial sanctions relief, signalling the start of a game-changing rapprochement that would reduce the risk of a wider Middle Ea…
Congo arrests senior opposition member on ICC warrant
KINSHASA (Reuters) – The Democratic Republic of Congo arrested a senior opposition politician on Sunday after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant accusing him of trying to influence the war crimes trial of former presidential candidate Je…
Tight Honduras vote offers swing to left or militarized drug fight
TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Hondurans voted for a new president on Sunday, choosing between a tough militarized response to drug gang violence fueling the world’s highest murder rate, and a shift to the left that could revive the political career of depose…
Mali election marred by low turnout and voting abuses
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Low turnout and vote abuses marred Sunday elections meant to complete democratic transition in Mali, after a coup last year led to an Islamist takeover of the north that was crushed by French military intervention.
Afghanistan’s Karzai rejects elders’ advice to back U.S. deal quickly
KABUL (Reuters) – An assembly of Afghan elders endorsed a crucial security deal on Sunday to enable U.S. troops to operate in the country beyond next year, but President Hamid Karzai left the matter up in the air by refusing to say whether he would sig…
Scores killed as rebels battle to break siege of Damascus suburbs
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Fierce fighting to the east of Damascus has killed more than 160 people in the past two days as Syrian rebels struggle to break a months-long blockade by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, activists said on Sunday.
Italy president says Berlusconi must obey law, can’t pardon him
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s president on Sunday rejected Silvio Berlusconi’s call for a pardon over his conviction for tax fraud and told the center-right leader he must stay within the law in his protests if he is expelled from parliament this week.
Egypt’s government bans protests without police approval
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s president passed a law on Sunday making it illegal to hold demonstrations without the approval of the police and banning protests in places of worship, a move rights groups condemned as a blow to political freedom.
