China says it will boost the police presence in northwestern Xinjiang province, in a push to manage the area’s huge migrant population and crack down on what Beijing calls illegal religious activities. The official Xinnhua news agency says an additional 8,000 police officers will begin patrolling villages in the northwestern region. It quotes a regional […]
China To Boost Police Presence in Restive Xinjiang Region
Suicide Bomber Kills Militant Commander in Pakistan
Police say a suicide bomber has killed a militant commander in northwest Pakistan. Monday’s attack on the outskirts of the city of Peshawar killed Haji Akhunzada, his son-in-law and at least one other person. Akhunzada was a senior leader in the Ansar ul-Islam militant group, which operates in the Khyber tribal agency near the Afghan […]
Pakistan Lifts Travel Ban on Former Diplomat
Pakistan has lifted a travel ban on its former ambassador to the United States who had been under investigation for his connection to a controversial memo urging U.S. help in reining in the military. Husain Haqqani, who resigned his diplomatic post, said Monday he intends to travel to the U.S. to join his family there […]
AU Leaders Fail to Choose Top Official
African Union leaders failed to elect a new chairman of the AU Commission Monday at the African summit in Addis Ababa. The election in the Ethiopian capital set the incumbent chairman, Jean Ping of Gabon, against South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. There was a deadlock after three rounds of voting, with neither candidate […]
Attacks on Nigerian Police Stations Leave 2 Dead
Police in northern Nigeria say gunmen have attacked two police stations in Kano, leaving two civilians dead. Authorities say the civilians were killed late Sunday during a shootout between police and the gunmen. The attackers also threw bombs at the police station, damaging the building. Gunmen launched a second attack early Monday on a station […]
EU Leaders to Discuss Bailout Fund, Deficit Controls
European leaders are set to discuss new rules for controlling deficits and a proposed bailout fund, as they work to find a solution to the continent’s sovereign debt crisis. The European Union says it expects leaders at its summit Monday in Brussels to sign off on a new permanent rescue fund for countries that use […]
AU Leaders Fail to Choose Top Official
African Union leaders have failed to agree on a new head for the bloc’s main decision-making body, after neither of the two candidates earned enough votes on the final day of a two-day summit. The election Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia set incumbent AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping of Gabon against South African Home Affairs […]
Syria Blames ‘Terrorists’ for Monday’s Gas Pipeline Explosion
Syrian officials are blaming what they call a “terrorist group” for blowing up a gas pipeline early Monday, as activists report clashes elsewhere in the country. Syria’s state news agency said the blast occurred near Telkalakh, close to the Lebanese border. There have been several pipeline attacks since a popular uprising began last March against […]
China Says Sudanese Rebels Hold 29 Workers
China’s official news agency says 29 Chinese workers abducted by rebels Saturday in southern Sudan remain in custody, while Sudanese state media say the military has freed 14 workers. The conflicting reports Monday do not make clear the total number or status of the workers involved. China’s Xinhua news agency said 17 workers have been […]
Singapore to Help Burma Modernize Economy
Burma signed an agreement Monday with Singapore, seeking help from the city-state to open up and modernize the Burmese economy. President Thein Sein arrived in Singapore Sunday for a four-day visit, accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and economic ministers. Under the agreement, Singapore will offer technical and vocational education to help Burma train […]