World datelines

Portugal: Election

LISBON — The center-left Socialist Party is staying in government for four more years after winning elections Sunday but its reduced parliamentary majority may handicap its efforts to lead Portugal out of an economic crisis.

With almost all votes counted, the incumbent Socialists had 36.5 percent compared with 29 percent for the center-right Social Democratic Party, the main opposition party.

That gave the Socialists 94 seats in the 230-seat Parliament, making it vulnerable to opposition efforts to block legislation.

Venezuela: Summit

PORLAMAR — Hugo Chavez made diplomatic inroads in Africa on Sunday at a summit of South American and African leaders where he offered Venezuela's help in oil projects, mining and financial assistance.

The Venezuelan president and Libya's Moammar Gadhafi led about 30 leaders in agreeing to strengthen "South-South" ties at the two-day summit, which was the Libyan ruler's first visit to Latin America.

Britain: Won't quit

BRIGHTON — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown insisted he won't quit his post as his governing Labour Party met Sunday for its annual convention before a national election the party is expected to lose.

Brown's party trails far behind the main opposition Conservative Party in opinion polls, and has suffered heavy defeats in recent local council and European elections.

Thailand: Climate talks

BANGKOK — The fate of a U.S. bill capping carbon emissions was expected to weigh heavily on delegates in U.N. climate talks that begin in the Thai capital Monday, with the Americans saying delays on the domestic front could hamper their efforts to extract concessions from other nations.

Negotiations on a new U.N. climate pact have already been bogged down by a broad unwillingness to commit to firm emissions targets, and a refusal by developing countries to sign a deal until the West guarantees tens of billions of dollars in financial assistance — something rich countries have so far refused to do.

Afghanistan: Attack