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
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 5:45 am (UTC-5)
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
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 5:40 am (UTC-5)
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 […]
Tight Race as AU Leaders Choose Top Official
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 5:15 am (UTC-5)
African Union leaders are trying to choose the head of the bloc’s main decision-making body during a vote on the final day of a two-day summit. The contest in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia pits incumbent AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping of Gabon against South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. There was a deadlock after three […]
EU Leaders to Discuss Bailout Fund, Deficit Controls
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 4:20 am (UTC-5)
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 […]
Pakistan Lifts Travel Ban on Former Diplomat
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 3:20 am (UTC-5)
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 sent to Washington asking for U.S. help in preventing a purported army coup. Husain Haqqani, who resigned his diplomatic post, said Monday he intends to travel to the U.S. […]
Top Senegalese Court Confirms Wade’s Eligibility for Third Term
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 2:30 am (UTC-5)
Senegal’s top court has confirmed its ruling that President Abdoulaye Wade can run for a third term. The Constitutional Council said late Sunday Mr. Wade’s candidacy is valid, following an initial ruling Friday that sparked opposition protests. An amendment to Senegal’s constitution limits presidents to serving two terms, but Mr. Wade has argued it does […]
South Korean President to Visit Gulf Oil States, Turkey
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 2:25 am (UTC-5)
South Korea announced Monday that President Lee Myung-bak will visit several oil-producing countries in the Middle East in February in an effort to diversify Seoul’s oil sources. Officials say Mr. Lee will visit Turkey and then Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in a week-long tour that begins Saturday. The president’s office said […]
Sudan Says Military Frees 14 Chinese Workers
Posted January 30th, 2012 at 2:05 am (UTC-5)
Sudanese state media say the military has freed 14 Chinese workers who were abducted by rebels Saturday in southern Sudan. The report Monday quotes the governor of Sudan’s South Kordofan state saying the workers are in good health. South Kordofan borders newly independent South Sudan, which broke away in July. A spokesman for the rebel […]
