Khartoum / AFP Sudan has freed 20 political opponents detained since last month after they called for protests against rising fuel prices, their parties said on Monday. Sudanese Congress Party spokesman Mohamed Arabi said 16 members were freed on Sunday, but added that “dozens of other figures including the head of the party and his deputy are still imprisoned.” Another …

  Beijing / AFP China signed an agreement to restore diplomatic relations with Sao Tome and Principe on Monday, just days after the small African nation announced it had cut ties with Taiwan. The move comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the independence-leaning government of the self-ruled island, which Chinese leaders view as a “renegade province.” Chinese foreign minister Wang …

  Seoul / AFP A handful of South Korean lawmakers on Monday finally got to question the woman at the heart of the impeachment crisis surrounding President Park Geun-Hye, after she snubbed a televised hearing at her detention centre. Choi Soon-Sil, a long-time friend of the president, has repeatedly ignored several summons to appear before a parliamentary committee probing a corruption …