U.N. seeks $2 billion for Sahel, fears donor fatigue
DAKAR, Feb 3 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The United Nations appealed on Monday for more than $2 billion to feed and care for a record 20 million people across Africa’s Sahel belt, but aid workers said they feared donor fatigue and a weak global reco…
Powerful aftershock hits Greek island of Cephalonia
ATHENS (Reuters) – A strong aftershock rattled the island of Cephalonia in western Greece early on Monday, just a week after a slightly more powerful earthquake hit the region, sending panicked residents fleeing from their homes and damaging buildings….
Nelson Mandela leaves $4 million estate to family, staff and ANC
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Former South African President Nelson Mandela has left his $4.1 million estate to family members, the ruling African National Congress, former staff and several local schools, according to a reading of his will on Monday.
Iraq says kills 57 Islamist militants in Sunni province
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi troops and allied tribesmen killed 57 Islamist militants in Anbar province on Monday, the Defence Ministry said, in advance of a possible assault on the Sunni rebel-held city of Falluja.
Lithuania President Grybauskaite to run for second term
VILNIUS (Reuters) – Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaite will seek a second five-year term in an election in May, she said on Monday, with opinion polls showing her a clear favorite to keep the job as her country seeks euro zone entry.
Second Westerner kidnapped, blasts hit Yemeni capital
SANAA (Reuters) – Gunmen abducted a Westerner identified by a police source as a British oil worker in Sanaa on Monday, hours after three explosions shook the Yemeni capital, underscoring the transitional government’s feeble grip on security.
Nigerian former vice president defects to opposition
ABUJA (Reuters) – Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has defected to Nigeria’s main opposition party, adding a heavyweight name to a group that poses an increasing threat to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in elections next year.
Corruption scandal tests Turkey’s cowed media
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Dozens of their colleagues are in prison or on trial, thousands of faceless opponents hound them on Twitter, and phone calls from government officials warn them over their coverage – all hazards of the trade for Turkey’s journalist…
Lithuania President Grybauskaite to run for second term
VILNIUS (Reuters) – Lithuania’s incumbent President Dalia Grybauskaite, 57, said on Monday she would run for a second five-year term in an upcoming election in May.
South African black leader scraps week-old electoral pact
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) – Mamphela Ramphele, former partner of renowned anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko, decided on Monday not to run for the opposition Democratic Alliance in South Africa’s elections this year, only a week after saying she would.
