Syria truce largely holds, aid preparations underway

Libyan commander's seizure of oil ports risks new conflict


TUNIS/BENGHAZI, Libya Libyan forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar said on Monday they had tightened their control over four major oil ports, casting a Western-backed project to unite Libya and revive oil exports into deep uncertainty.




Czech parties gear up to clip wings of billionaire finance minister


PRAGUE He is a vivacious billionaire businessman who has emerged as his country's most popular politician, offering Czechs a break with old parties tainted by graft; but opponents who see in Andrej Babis a threat to democracy are pressing him to choose between his commercial empire and political power.




South African economy destabilized by Gordhan row: deputy finance minister


JOHANNESBURG A police investigation into South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is destabilizing the government and creating uncertainty across Africa's most industrialized economy, deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas said on Tuesday.