Ivory Coast youth leader denies stoking post-vote violence
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – A man accused of leading a youth militia behind a wave of ethnic killings in Ivory Coast denied all charges against him at the International Criminal Court on Thursday, saying he was a “polite person” who campaigned for peace.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram ‘leader’ appears in new video: AFP
ABUJA (Reuters) – A man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a new video, contradicting Nigerian military reports that he was killed, French news agency AFP reported on Thursday.
Libya’s runaway parliament seeks refuge in Tobruk bubble
TOBRUK Libya (Reuters) – Trucks fitted with anti-aircraft cannon, troops and cement roadblocks protect the five-star hotel in Tobruk that is now the surreal last bastion of Libya’s fugitive parliament.
Deficit challenge looms for UK parties before election
LONDON (Reuters) – Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of tax cuts has exhilarated his Conservative Party, but the sobering question of who can be trusted with Britain’s public finances remains the key to next year’s national election.
Bahrain to detain, question activist Nabeel Rajab for one week: associate
DUBAI (Reuters) – Bahrain’s Public Prosecution on Thursday ordered prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab to be held and questioned for one week over remarks published on his Twitter account that were critical of state institutions, an associate of Raj…
Egypt army kills militant commander in Sinai: security sources
ISMALIA Egypt (Reuters) – Egypt’s army killed a field commander in Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, the country’s most dangerous Islamist militant group, during clashes on Thursday in the lawless north of the Sinai Peninsula, security sources said.
Seven killed in Pakistan passenger bus explosion
PESHAWAR Pakistan (Reuters) – Seven people were killed and at least 11 wounded when an explosive device ripped through a passenger bus traveling outside the volatile Pakistani city of Peshawar on Thursday, a hospital spokesman and police said.
Putin says ‘foolish’ sanctions will not hold back Russia
MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin dismissed Western sanctions as “utter foolishness” on Thursday and said they would not stop Russia developing into a stronger economic power.
French forces kill at least five after Central Africa clashes
PARIS (Reuters) – French peacekeeping troops in Central African Republic killed at least five gunmen after coming under attack from Muslims and Christians at two different locations in Bambari, northeast of the capital Bangui, an army spokesman said.
France’s Chirac snubs Sarkozy to back rival for 2017 presidential bid
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President Jacques Chirac has backed his one-time protege Alain Juppe in the center-right’s presidential primary, resuming a feud with Nicolas Sarkozy who is seeking to gather support for a fresh tilt at the presidency in…
