NEW JERSEY – Millions of people awoke on Tuesday to scenes of destruction wrought by monster storm Sandy after it smashed into the eastern United States, cutting power to swathes of the nation’s most densely populated region, swamping New York’s subway system and submerging streets in Manhattan’s financial district. At least 15 people were reported…
BEIJING – China has condemned as a “smear” a New York Times report saying Premier Wen Jiabao’s relatives have accumulated billions of dollars. The article said Mr Wen’s family members “have controlled assets worth at least $2.7bn (£1.7bn)”. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the report had “ulterior motives”. Both the NYT’s Chinese and English sites…
DAMASCUS – The UN’s envoy to Syria says President Bashar al-Assad’s government has agreed to abide by a ceasefire during the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha. Lakhdar Brahimi told reporters in Cairo that most opposition factions had also said they would observe any ceasefire. The government said it would make its final decision on Thursday….
NEW YORK – A forceful President Barack Obama put Republican challenger Mitt Romney on the defensive on foreign policy on Monday night, with analysts and an immediate poll giving him the victory in their final debate just 15 days before the November 6 vote. Obama displayed the experience of a commander-in-chief in explaining U.S. policy…
NEW YORK – A more aggressive Barack Obama buried the memory of a poor first showing as he and Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney clashed in the second presidential debate in New York. Mr Obama, perceived to have lost their first encounter, came out swinging on the economy, tax and foreign policy. Snap polls after…
BENGHAZI – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she takes responsibility for the security failure at the Benghazi consulate that led to the killing of four Americans in Libya last month. Mrs Clinton said ensuring the safety of US diplomatic staff overseas was her job, not that of the White House. US Republicans have…
DAMASCUS – UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has appealed for Iranian help to implement a ceasefire in Syria over the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Following a visit to Tehran, Mr Brahimi said such a ceasefire could “allow a political process to develop”. Meanwhile, Turkey said the number of Syrian refugees in its camps now…
DAMASCUS – Turkish civilian planes are no longer allowed to fly over Syria, Damascus has said, amid growing tensions between the two neighbouring countries. The ban took effect at midnight (2100GMT) on Saturday. This comes just days after Turkey intercepted a Syrian-bound plane, claiming it carried Russian-made munitions for the Syrian army. Syria has described…
HARARE – The African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) says it will increase its lending capacity to Zimbabwe to $800 million as part of efforts to enhance economic growth of the southern African country. Jean-Louis Ekra, Afreximbank president, last week said the continental bank will continue with its mandate of supporting African economies. “We have…
HARARE – Zimbabwe have vowed to go on the offensive from word go in the second leg of the 2013 African Nations Cup final qualifier away to Angola on Sunday despite carrying a seemingly comfortable 3-1 lead. Warriors assistant coach Peter Ndlovu — a firm believer in attacking football — told reporters yesterday that going…
