SIERRA LEONE

Presidential vote begins after delay

FREETOWN — Voting appeared to be peaceful on Saturday in Sierra Leone’s runoff presidential election, which had been delayed a few days after a court challenge of the first round. Turnout was lower than in the first round on March 7. The West Africa nation is still rebuilding after the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic and a mudslide in August that killed 1,000. The opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party took 43.3 percent to the ruling All Peoples Congress party’s 42.7 in round one. (AP)

TURKEY

Islamic prayer said on secular ground

ISTANBUL — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recited an Islamic prayer Saturday in the Hagia Sophia, an Istanbul landmark that has been a secular museum since 1935. He took the step while opening of an art festival. The Hagia Sophia was the 6th-century seat of the Greek Orthodox Church. It was converted to a mosque before the founding of modern Turkey. There have been discussions by Erdogan’s Islamic-leaning government about turning it back into a mosque. (AP)

SOUTH KOREA

UN forms blacklist to protect sanctions

SEOUL — The United Nations Security Council announced new measures against North Korea, blacklisting 27 ships, 21 shipping companies, and one individual accused of helping the North evade sanctions. The move increases pressure on the regime ahead of planned summit meetings with South Korea and the United States. The oil tankers and cargo ships were banned from ports worldwide, and other entities face asset freezes. (New York Times)

FRANCE

Pippa Middleton in-law investigated

PARIS — The father-in-law of Pippa Middleton, the sister of the wife of Britain’s Prince William, is facing preliminary charges in France in connection with the rape of a minor in the 1990s. David Matthews was charged by an investigative magistrate Friday, three days after being questioned by police. Preliminary charges call for further investigation and can be dropped if sufficient evidence is not found. (AP)

VIETNAM

Mekong nations set development pact

HANOI — The leaders of six countries along the Mekong River on Saturday adopted an ambitious investment plan worth $66 billion over the next five years. At least $7 billion will come from the Asian Development Bank and the rest from governments and the private sector. The agreement was reached by Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. (AP)