At least two people have been burned to death in Zambia in riots targeting Rwandan-owned shops over allegations that foreigners were behind a string of ritual killings in Lusaka, police said today.
	The violence erupted earlier this week in slum areas of the capital after the recent murders of at least seven people, whose body parts such as ears, hearts and penises had been removed.
	Hundreds of residents stoned houses and shops owned by foreign nationals, with some foreigners seeking refuge at police stations as looters took food, drinks, refrigerators and other electrical appliances.
	"The official number of people who have died from the time the looting started is two. These are the ones who were burned to death on 18 April 2016 in Kanyama," police spokeswoman Charity Chanda said in a statement.
	Police were unable to confirm the nationality of Monday's victims.
	Minister of Home Affairs Davies Mwila blamed the riots on false allegations that a suspected ritual killer of foreign ...

Two burned alive in Zambia anti-foreigner riots: police

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A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Ecuador today, just four days after another, more powerful quake sparked devastation and killed nearly 500 people, with 1,700 others reported missing.
	The epicentre of the latest quake, which struck at 8:33 GMT at a depth of 15.7 kilometers was located 25 kilometers west of Muisne and 73 kilometers west-southwest of Propicia, the US Geological Survey said.
	Authorities in Quito called the latest earthquake an aftershock. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
	It came with the South American nation already reeling from Saturday's 7.8-magnitude quake that hit Ecuador's coast in a zone popular with tourists, not too far from the epicenter of today's quake.
	The death toll from that quake, currently at 480, was set to rise sharply after authorities warned that 1,700 people were still missing.
	Sniffer dogs and mechanical diggers were busy at work in the wreckage of coastal towns such ..

Magnitude 6.1 quake hits off coast of reeling Ecuador

The Islamic State group has tightened the noose on a regime-held enclave in eastern Syria, overrunning part of the city of Deir Ezzor and advancing on its vital airbase, a monitor said today.
	"IS seized the Al-Sinaa neighbourhood of Deir Ezzor yesterday evening and fighting is continuing on the edge of the airport," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
	An estimated 200,000 civilians are believed to remain in government-held districts of Deir Ezzor, where they have been living under siege by IS since March 2014.
	The jihadists, who also control nearly all the surrounding province, have made repeated attacks on the government enclave and in January seized the suburb of Al-Bgheliyeh.
	But their efforts to capture the city's airbase have so far been repulsed by elite regime troops.
	There has been growing concern for the besieged civilian population and, in January, Russia announced that it had equipped Syrian military transport aircraft to carry out aid drops to the city.
	On .

IS tightens noose on regime enclave in eastern Syria: monitor

Saudi Arabia will take a USD 10 billion loan from foreign banks to help close the gap in its state finances from collapsed oil revenues, Bloomberg News reported today.
	Citing three people with knowledge of the matter, Bloomberg said it would be the first sovereign loan in at least 15 years to the kingdom, the world's biggest oil exporter.
	The five-year loan is expected to be signed by the end of this month, said Bloomberg's sources, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.
	They said US, European, Japanese and Chinese banks are lending the funds at about 120 basis points above London's interbank offered rate.
	The global collapse in crude prices over the last two years -- from more than USD 100 a barrel in early 2014 to around USD 40 this month -- has put pressure on Riyadh to cut spending and to intensify its efforts to find economic alternatives.
	Riyadh posted a record budget deficit of USD 98 billion in 2015 and projects an USD 87 billion shortfall for this .

Saudi to take USD 10 billion foreign loan: report

A critically endangered Sumatran tiger has died at a notorious Indonesian zoo where hundreds of animals have perished in recent years, an official said today.
	The male tiger, named Rama, died of heart failure at the zoo in the city of Surabaya, on the main island of Java, spokeswoman Veronika Lanu told AFP.
	It has been dubbed the "death zoo" as so many animals have died there prematurely because of neglect -- including several orangutans, a tiger and a giraffe.
	Lanu defended the zoo after Rama's death, insisting proper procedures had been followed.
	"The death was due to natural causes, we provided the best care we could," she said.
	Rama, who was born in the zoo and lived there all his life, died on April 10.
	The 16-year-old animal had serious problems with its teeth, had a bad cough and appeared lethargic in the weeks before his death.
	Campaigners have criticised the zoo -- built a century ago during Dutch colonial rule -- for keeping animals in overcrowded cages and ...

Rare tiger dies at Indonesia's 'death zoo'

The EU slapped Google with anti-trust charges today over its widely-used Android mobile phone operating system, in a fresh salvo by Brussels against the Silicon Valley giant.
	Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said Google had used practices such as making manufacturers pre-install its search engine as the default in order to preserve its market dominance.
	"The preliminary conclusions from our investigations is that these practices breach EU competition law," Vestager told a press conference, adding that Brussels believed that "Google has abused its dominant position"
	She added: "We have found that Google pursues an overall strategy on mobile devices to protect and expand its dominant position in Internet search."
	The charges are a massive blow to one of the Google's most strategic businesses that could alter a global smartphone sector that is fast taking over traditional PC's as the biggest segment in the world of computing.
	The EU in its charge sheet accused Google of ..

EU hits Google with anti-trust charges over Android

Saudi Arabia executed a citizen for murder today, bringing to 85 the number of people the ultra- conservative kingdom has put to death this year.
	Hussain al-Magaafi had been found guilty of fatally stabbing a fellow Saudi following an argument, the interior ministry said in a statement.
	The sentence was carried out in the Mecca region.
	Most people put to death in Saudi Arabia are beheaded with a sword.
	The executions so far this year include 47 for "terrorism" carried out in a single day on January 2.
	Amnesty International said Saudi Arabia had the third highest number of executions last year, at least 158.
	That was far behind Pakistan, which put to death 326 people, and Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran, which executed at least 977, said Amnesty, whose figures do not include secretive China.
	Theb kingdom's latest execution occurred just hours before US President Barack Obama arrives on an official visit.
	The British human rights organisation Reprieve urged Obama to raise the 

Saudi executed for murder taking total for year to 85

US President Barack Obama arrived in Saudi Arabia today hoping to ease tensions with longtime ally Riyadh.
	Dressed in a grey suit, Obama emerged at 1:14 pm (10:14 GMT) and descended the steps of Air Force One at the Saudi capital's King Khalid International Airport.
	During his two-day visit, the fourth of his eight years as president, Obama is to meet Saudi King Salman and attend a Gulf summit, in which he hopes to focus discussions on the fight against jihadist groups and efforts to end wars in Syria and Yemen.
	Unusually, the Saudi state news channel Al-Ekhbaria did not broadcast Obama's arrival even though minutes earlier it had live coverage of Gulf monarchs being greeted at the airport.
	Tensions between Riyadh and Washington have increased due to what Saudi Arabia sees as Obama's disengagement from the region and tilt towards its Shiite rival Iran.

Obama arrives in Saudi on fence-mending visit

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck near the coast of Ecuador, just days after the South American country was devastated by a deadly 7.8-magnitude quake, US experts said today.
	The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 8:33 GMT at a depth of 15.7 kilometers (9.8 miles), was located 25 kilometers west of Muisne and 73 kilometers west-southwest of Propicia, the US Geological Survey said.
	No tsunami warning has been issued.
	The USGS indicated on its website that shaking was weak to light in the country's capital Quito and its biggest city Guayaquil.
	Late Saturday, a 7.8-magnitude quake struck Ecuador's Pacific coast in a zone popular with tourists. The death toll from that quake currently stands at 480 but was set to rise sharply as after authorities warned that 1,700 people were still missing.
	In an attempt to rescue survivors potentially trapped under the rubble, sniffer dogs and mechanical diggers were busy at work in the wreckage of coastal towns such as Pedernales and Manta 

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake strikes off Ecuador coast: USGS

Brazil's Supreme Court was due to rule today on whether former leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva can take up his post as chief advisor to embattled President Dilma Rousseff.
	The top panel's decision is expected just days after lawmakers overwhelmingly authorized impeachment proceedings against Rousseff, plunging Brazil into deep political crisis.
	Rousseff had named Lula -- her predecessor and mentor -- as chief of staff on March 16, sparing him possible arrest for corruption and betting on his political prowess to save her.
	The controversial appointment, which has been temporarily blocked by a Supreme Court judge, would give Lula ministerial immunity from trial in criminal court on charges related to a massive corruption scandal at state oil company Petrobras.
	The full court -- due to meet as of 1900 GMT -- must now rule on whether he can take up the job, the highest post in Rousseff's government.
	Lula, a left-wing icon and founder of the ruling Workers' Party, is accused of ...

Brazil's Supreme Court to rule on Lula appointment

Kuwait's state oil firm said today that it expects to restore full production within three days after staff ended a strike in a surprise about-turn that triggered a renewed slide in world prices.
	The walkout by thousands of staff of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. And its subsidiaries on Sunday in a dispute over planned pay cuts had slashed the emirate's output from 3.0 million barrels per day to 1.5 million and prompted a brief rally in world prices.
	But today the Kuwait Oil Workers Union announced that its members were returning to work after what it called an "extremely successful" strike that had made the government pay attention to their concerns.
	The surprise announcement, which came just hours after union leaders had vowed to continue the strike until all their demands were met, quashed hopes the disruption could help ease a persistent supply glut and saw oil shed nearly a dollar in Asian trade.
	At around 0730 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery was down 99 ...

Kuwait to restore full oil output in 3 days after strike ends

China's economic slowdown will hit growth in developing East Asia and the Pacific from this year until at least 2018, the World Bank said today, warning of volatile global markets and urging caution.
	Regional growth is forecast to slow from 6.5 per cent in 2015 to 6.3 per cent this year and 6.2 per cent in 2017 and 2018, the bank said in its latest outlook.
	However, Southeast Asian economies led by Vietnam and the Philippines are still expected to see healthy expansion, with both forecast to see growth rates of more than 6.0 per cent, it said.
	The bank said the regional outlook reflected China's gradual shift to slower, more sustainable growth, expected at 6.7 per cent this year and 6.5 per cent in 2017 and 2018, from 6.9 per cent in 2015.
	China is in the midst of reforms as it moves to make domestic consumption a key economic growth driver instead of exports and as manufacturing gives way to services taking on a bigger role in the economy.
	"Continued implementation of reforms ...

China to drag down growth in developing Asia: World Bank

Crude prices rose in Asia today, extending last week's gains from data showing a drop in US production, while traders look ahead to an upcoming meeting of oil majors they hope will lead to limits on output.
	Data showing US stockpiles and output had seen a surprise fall provided some much needed impetus to the market last week, with a fall in the number of rigs drilling also provided strong support.
	Dealers are keenly awaiting the next stockpiles report due Wednesday hoping for a further fall, which would indicate a pick-up in demand.
	But the key focus is on the April 17 meeting in Doha, where most of the world's top producers led by Russia and Saudi Arabia will discuss a global glut that helped send prices plunge by three quarters between August 2014 and February this year.
	At around 0420 GMT Monday, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for May delivery was up 13 cents, or 0.33 per cent, at USD 39.85 and Brent crude for June was 15 cents, or 0.36 per cent, higher at USD ...

Oil prices rise in Asia as Doha meeting, US report loom

England's Danny Willett was a shock winner of the 80th Masters, firing a bogey-free, five-under par 67 for a three-shot victory after a back-nine collapse by defending champion Jordan Spieth.
     The 28-year-old Englishman, who shared 38th last year in his Masters debut, yesterday captured the green jacket symbolic of victory at Augusta National as well as a USD 1.8 million top prize from the USD 10 million purse.
     "You can't really describe your emotions and feelings. Someone has got to win and today was my day," Willett said.
	"I played great golf. It has been a fantastic week."
	Willett, five down to Spieth with six holes to play, birdied the par-5 13th, par-4 14th and par-3 16th to charge into the clubhouse while the 22-year-old American endured a nightmare meltdown with bogeys at 10 and 11 and a quadruple bogey at the par-3 12th.
     "I just put a couple of weak swings on it and suddenly I'm not leading anymore," said Spieth. "I'll be disappointed with that one.
	"It was a .

Willett captures Masters after stunning Spieth collapse

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels vowed to respect a UN-brokered truce that began at midnight yesterday, joining other combatants in supporting the ceasefire.
	The Huthis, along with allied troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have sent the United Nations a letter committing to "cease land, sea and air military operations" throughout Yemen, according to a communique carried by the rebel-run Saba news agency.

Yemen rebels vow to respect truce: statement

A UN-brokered truce began in Yemen at midnight yesterday, the loyalist military's chief of staff said ahead of new talks to reach a lasting peace deal for the war-wracked country.
	"The ceasefire has taken effect and we are going to respect it... Unless the Huthi rebels violate it," General Mohamed Ali al-Makdashi told reporters.
	A Saudi-led coalition has for more than a year been supporting the loyalist forces of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi against the Iran-backed Shiite Huthis who seized much of Yemen.

Yemen truce in effect: loyalist chief of staff

Horrified by the suffering of the wave of refugees seeking shelter in Europe, the sitarist Anoushka Shankar has turned their plight into a musical journey.
	Shankar, backed by collaborators including the actress Vanessa Redgrave and the rapper M.I.A., has offered an interpretation of Europe's migrant crisis on her latest album, "Land of Gold."
	Yet the album is as much a personal reflection as a political statement. Shankar recorded the album soon after giving birth to her second child, Mohan, at a time when a historic number of people were entering Europe from violence-wracked Syria and other troubled nations.
	"That incongruence of sitting in the safety of my own home being able to provide for my baby while seeing hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the most horrific situations of war, and so often being denied the basic right to safety after unimaginable journeys, that just felt so utterly heartbreaking," Shankar told AFP in New York as she started her global tour.
	"Music is ..

Anoushka Shankar hears Europe's refugees with sitar

The Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels in Yemen for more than a year said it would honour a UN-brokered ceasefire from 2100 GMT today.
	"The Arab coalition is going to respect a ceasefire in Yemen starting from midnight Sunday at the demand of President (Abedrabbo Mansour) Hadi but reserves the right to respond" to any rebel attacks, it said in a statement.
	On March 23, the UN's special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the conflicting parties "have agreed to a nationwide cessation of hostilities beginning April 10 at midnight in advance of the upcoming round of the peace talks, which will take place on April 18 in Kuwait".
	This will be the fourth ceasefire since March 26 last year when the Saudi-led coalition began air strikes to support the government of Hadi, who fled an advance by Shiite Huthis and their allies, elite troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
	Previous ceasefires failed to take hold and negotiations collapsed. Analysts said a more ...

Arab coalition says will respect Yemen truce: statement

Sierra Leone called today for increased vigilance to prevent a resurgence of the Ebola virus after new cases in neighbouring Liberia and Guinea, but cautioned against shutting off borders between the west African states.
	The alert came after the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed a link between a fatality in Liberia, months after it was declared Ebola-free, and new cases in its neighbour Guinea.
	A woman died of Ebola in the Liberian capital Monrovia on March 31, after arriving from Guinea, where a fresh Ebola outbreak has killed eight of the nine cases registered since mid-March.
	Two of her three children, aged five and two, have since tested positive for the virus.
	Liberian Health Minister Abu Bakarr Fofanah told AFP Sunday that closure of the borders between the three countries "is not the right answer to the existing Ebola threats".
	"Our findings were that everything was in place and we are keeping a constant health watch on both pedestrian and vehicular traffic ...

Sierra Leone on alert after new W.Africa Ebola cases

At least 260 people were hurt today when police fired tear gas at migrants as they tried to break through the Greek-Macedonia border, where over 11,000 people are stranded, a charity said.
	It was the latest violence to erupt at the flashpoint Idomeni crossing, where huge numbers of migrants and refugees have been camped out since mid-February after Balkan states closed their borders, cutting off access to northern Europe.
	Macedonian police accused the crowds of hurling stones and other objects at them in a bid to break down the fence, saying they had used tear gas to protect themselves.
	"Two hundred people were treated by our medical unit for breathing problems, 30 for wounds caused by plastic bullets and 30 for other injuries," Achilleas Tzemos of French medical charity Doctors Without Borders told AFP.
	The incident was sparked by fresh rumours that the Idomeni border crossing into Macedonia, largely closed since mid-February, was about to open.
	According to a Greek police ...

Hundreds hurt as police tear gas migrants on Greek border

Libya's internationally recognised parliament will meet "in the coming weeks" to give its backing to a UN-backed unity government aimed at ending chaos in the country, its speaker said today.
	An agreement for a power-sharing unity government was inked in December by lawmakers from Libya's rival parliaments but neither administration has so far formally backed the UN-brokered accord.
	"The parliament will meet in the coming weeks to consider an amendment to its constitutional declaration to give a vote of confidence to the national unity government," Aguila Saleh said during a visit to Cairo.
	Libya has had two rival administrations since mid-2014 when a militia alliance overran Tripoli, setting up its own authority and forcing the internationally recognised parliament to flee to the country's east.
	The head of a UN-backed administration, prime minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj, arrived earlier this month in Tripoli after weeks of delay to begin garnering support for his ...

AFP

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