China's Xi in South Africa for talks

PRETORIA • Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in South Africa yesterday for talks with President Jacob Zuma that are expected to focus on flagging investment and trade worth around US$20 billion (S$28 billion) a year.

One South African Cabinet minister said that bilateral deals were expected to be agreed during yesterday's meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Zuma, and the government issued a statement saying that the trade imbalance was one of the issues to be discussed.

REUTERS

Court annuls Catalan independence bid

MADRID • The Spanish Constitutional Court said yesterday it has revoked Catalonia's motion in Parliament to begin the process to separate from the rest of Spain.

Catalonia's Parliament passed a resolution last month setting out a plan to establish a republic within 18 months in the region which accounts for about a fifth of Spain's economic output.

Catalan leaders elected in September have vowed to ignore the rulings of the Constitutional Court.

REUTERS

Brit terror suspect jailed for forgery

MOMBASA (Kenya) • A Kenyan court yesterday jailed alleged British terrorist Jermaine Grant for nine years for forging documents, after an appeal court overturned his acquittal.

Grant has pleaded guilty to charges of being in the country illegally and lying about his nationality, but has denied all other charges, including allegations he planned a bombing campaign against hotels popular with tourists.

He is accused of having ties to East Africa's Al-Qaeda branch, the Al-Shabab.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE