Ex-Prime Minister Keita holds wide lead in Mali vote
BAMAKO (Reuters) – Former Malian Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keita holds a comfortable lead and could win an outright first-round victory in the West African nation’s high-stakes presidential election, the minister of territorial administration sai…
Nigeria says to begin Mali troop pullout on Wednesday
ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria will begin withdrawing some of its 1,200 troops in Mali on Wednesday and redeploy them in security operations at home, the military said on Tuesday.
Afghan forces will need help after NATO mission ends: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Afghan forces will require significant support from the U.S. military and its allies after the NATO combat mission ends next year, according to a new Pentagon report implicitly warning against a “zero option” of total withdrawal….
Iran seeks key position on U.N. disarmament committee
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Iran is campaigning for a key position on a U.N. General Assembly committee that deals with disarmament and international security amid strong criticism from Israel and others who accuse Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear w…
Rwanda dismisses U.S. charges it backs Congo rebels
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Rwanda dismissed on Tuesday U.S. charges that it was supporting M23 rebels in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo and said leveling accusations would not help pacify the region.
Kuwait’s ruler pardons people convicted of insulting him
KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwait’s ruler said on Tuesday he was pardoning all the people convicted of insulting him, after a year-long crackdown on politically sensitive comments about Gulf Arab state’s leadership.
Italy’s top court hears crucial Berlusconi appeal
ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s supreme court on Tuesday began hearing Silvio Berlusconi’s last appeal against a jail sentence and ban from public office in a case which could endanger the country’s shaky coalition government if the conviction is confirmed.
Spanish train driver was on the phone at time of crash
MADRID (Reuters) – The driver of the train that derailed in northwestern Spain last week, killing 79 people, was talking on the phone with state train operator Renfe at the time of the accident, a court said on Tuesday after analyzing the train’s data …
Gazan in Israeli custody was abducted in Egypt, Palestinians say
GAZA (Reuters) – The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank released a report on Tuesday quoting a Palestinian held by Israel as saying he had been snatched while visiting Egypt’s Sinai region last month.
North African instability a concern for NATO: military chief
MONS, Belgium (Reuters) – Instability in north Africa is a concern for NATO which is keeping a close eye on events in Egypt and its neighbors, NATO’s top military commander said on Tuesday.
