World datelines

Haiti: Run considered

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Singer Wyclef Jean is considering a run for president of Haiti but has not decided whether to seek a five-year term as leader of the quake-ravaged nation, the musician's family said Monday. There have been rumors for some time the Haitian-born entertainer might enter the 2010 presidential contest, ever since his 2007 appointment as ambassador-at-large for the Caribbean nation by President Rene Preval, who cannot seek re-election.

Nicaragua: 2 detained

MANAGUA — The Nicaraguan army detained two foreigners at the border with Costa Rica on Monday, and Panamanian officials said they are investigating whether the couple is linked to the discovery of a dead American woman. The army said the two foreigners were arrested after they ignored warnings from soldiers posted at the border to stop. The two were traveling by boat on the San Juan River, which separates Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Authorities are investigating whether the couple fled north through Costa Rica from Panama.

Mexico: New gang?

ACAPULCO — Mexican authorities are investigating the possible emergence of a new drug gang that appeared to take credit for six killings through a message left with the bodies Monday, officials said. The six men were found inside a car in the southwestern city of Chilpancingo, Guerrero state police said in a statement. Next to them lay a message reading: "This will happen to all rapists, extortionists and kidnappers. Attentively, the New Cartel of the Sierra." Authorities are investigating the authenticity of the gang.

China: Air quality sags

BEIJING — Air quality in China deteriorated in the first half, the first such decline since 2005, due in part to a recovery in economic growth, the China Daily reported today, citing statistics from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. In the first half, 91 percent of days in 113 Chinese cities had air quality at the Grade II national standard or better, the newspaper reported. That was 0.3 percentage points lower than in the first half of 2009, according to the report. Increased construction and industrial projects, a surge in automobiles and more frequent sandstorms in the spring were the main causes of the deterioration, the newspaper reported.

Algeria: New charges