World News from the BBC
The US State Department has imposed sanctions on three international energy companies for dealing with Iran. They include China's state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, which the State Department said was the largest supplier of refined petroleum products to Iran. Two other energy companies based in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates are also affected.
Roman Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have denounced the recent elections which gave President Joseph Kabila another term in office. A statement issued by the bishops complains of cheating, lies and terror. Grant Ferrett reports.
The Congolese bishops are
unstinting
in their criticism of November's presidential election. They point to violence and irregularities, and call on the election commission to correct what they call serious errors or resign. Congo's most senior Roman Catholic clergyman, the Archbishop of Kinshasa Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo, has gone still further. He's urging foreign governments not to recognise Mr Kabila as president, and he's planning what he says will be a non-violent protest next month.
A Moroccan rap singer who made his name criticising the power of the monarchy has been released after serving four months in prison for assault. As he was released, Mouad Belrhouat, better known as al-Haqed, said he would carry on performing in protest at what he called the contempt ordinary Moroccans suffer at the hands of the state. The trial was seen as an early test of the Islamist party now leading the government and its commitment to ensuring the independence of the judiciary.