Security forces dismiss reports Russia’s top militant is dead
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Chechnya’s Moscow-backed leader said on Thursday he believed police had killed Russia’s most wanted man Doku Umarov, who has called for attacks on the Winter Olympics, but security sources suggested Umarov is still alive.
Speed up deployment of peacekeepers to Mali: U.N. official
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. peacekeeping chief in Mali appealed on Thursday for a quicker deployment of troops to boost the force, which is operating at half its mandated strength of 11,200, so it can better tackle extremist groups in the north…
Mexican official pledges swift return to order in troubled state
APATZINGAN, Mexico (Reuters) – Mexico will deliver “immediate change” to a troubled state in the west of the country that has been shaken by conflict between a powerful drug gang and heavily armed vigilantes, a newly named government official said on T…
‘Seeds of genocide’ in Central African Republic, U.N. warns
BANGUI/GENEVA (Reuters) – A senior U.N. official warned on Thursday of the risk of genocide in Central African Republic without a more robust international response to communal bloodshed in which at least eight more people were killed overnight.
Egyptians back constitution, opening way to Sisi presidential run
CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians overwhelmingly approved a new constitution by referendum, state media reported on Thursday, a widely expected outcome that nudges army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ever closer to a bid for the presidency.
From Falluja to Maghreb, a new, diffuse al Qaeda
LONDON, Jan 16 – More than two years after the death of Osama bin Laden, the turbulent aftermath of the “Arab Spring” has helped his group – or more accurately, its offshoots and successors – gain ground.
Spanish ruling party rebels launch new conservative party
MADRID (Reuters) – Rebels from Spain’s ruling conservative People’s Party launched a new political party on Thursday, hoping to tap into public discontent over sky-high unemployment, graft scandals and surging separatism in Catalonia.
Analysis: What next for Algeria after new Bouteflika hospital visit?
ALGIERS/TUNIS (Reuters) – Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s second visit to Paris for hospital treatment has reignited speculation the president who oversaw Algeria’s emergence from almost a decade of civil war may be unable to run for reelection in April.
South Sudan rebels demand Uganda end support for president
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – South Sudan’s rebels have demanded that Uganda stop supporting government forces as a condition for signing a ceasefire to end fighting that has riven Africa’s youngest nation, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Turkish prosecutors removed as judicial purge intensifies
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey’s government removed a series of high-profile prosecutors on Thursday stepping up a purge of a judiciary Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan considers embroiled in a plot to undermine him with specious corruption allegations.
