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West African troops arrive in Mali to aid French mission

The first West African regional forces arrived in Mali on Thursday to reinforce French and Malian troops battling to push back al Qaeda-linked rebels after seven days of French air strikes. Full story

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Mali operation another burden for France

The French offensive in Mali will burden a defence budget that was expected to get relief from the withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan, but the fighting might boost arms sales if the Rafale combat jet proves... Full story

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Raging clashes pit Syrian Kurds against jihadists

Fierce clashes raged late on Thursday in the majority Kurdish northern Syrian city of Ras al-Ain, on the Turkish border, pitting jihadists against Kurdish fighters, residents and an activist told the news agency. Full story

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Philippines to seek damages for US navy ship mishap

The Philippines will seek damages from the United States after a navy ship ran aground on a coral reef in a protected marine reserve, an official said Friday. The USS Guardian remained trapped on the Tubbataha Reef... Full story

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3,000 schools closed in UK amid heavy snow fall

More than 3,000 schools have been closed in England and Wales as a band of heavy snow affects most of the UK, reports BBC. Transport is disrupted with flights at Heathrow, Bristol and Southampton airports cancelled... Full story

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China working age population falls

China’s working-age population declined for the first time in recent decades in 2012, the government said Friday, as it detailed the extent of the demographic time bomb the country faces. Full story

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Pakistan investigator on PM case found dead: officials

A case officer investigating a corruption scandal involving Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was found dead on Friday in Islamabad, officials said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday demanded Ashraf’s arrest in the... Full story

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FBI boss goes to Libya for Benghazi probe

FBI director Robert Mueller traveled to Libya, his office said Thursday, as US investigators continue their probe there into last year’s deadly attack on a US diplomatic mission. ‘The director was in Libya to discuss... Full story

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India bars foreign gays, singles from surrogacy

India has issued new rules barring foreign gay couples and single people from using surrogate mothers in order to become parents, according to a notice on the home ministry website. Full story

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French journalist killed in Syria

A Belgian-born French journalist, Yves Debay, has died from sniper fire in north Syria’s Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday. ‘He was killed on one of Aleppo’s fronts’ on Thursday, said the Aleppo Media... Full story

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Austrians to vote on army’s future

Austrians will decide on Sunday whether to maintain compulsory military service or switch to a professional army in a referendum that has split the small, neutral country. The cost of a reformed army, the number of... Full story

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Tiangaye named Central African PM

Central African Republic President Francois Bozize officially appointed opposition figure Nicolas Tiangaye prime minister of the country’s new national unity government Thursday, in line with a peace deal struck with rebels last week. Full story

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Zimbabwe leaders say constitution deal agreed

Zimbabwe’s political leaders say they have reached agreement on a new constitution after more than two years of delays and bickering over changes to reduce the sweeping powers of President Robert Mugabe and his ruling party. Full story

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Karachi shuts down after politician killed

Shops, businesses and schools shut Friday across Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi, braced for further unrest after the killing of a politician and a night of sporadic shootings. Full story

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Myanmar MPs call for end to Kachin conflict

Myanmar’s parliament on Friday demanded a halt to fighting between the military and rebels in the northern state of Kachin which has marred optimism about the country’s political reforms. Full story

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Kosovo govt cars torched as PM talks with Serbia

Three Kosovo government vehicles were torched overnight, police said on Friday, in an attack that appeared to be in protest against European Union-mediated talks between Serbia and its former southern province. Full story

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Without deal, UN team leaves Iran

The chief UN nuclear inspector returned Friday from Iran without a hoped-for deal on investigating its nuclear programme, dampening hopes of progress in renewed talks with world powers. Full story

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Brazil to give $25 culture allowance to workers

Despite the economic crisis, Brazil announced Thursday it planned to give workers here a 50-real ($25) monthly stipend for cultural expenses like movies, books or museums. ‘In all developed countries, culture plays a key... Full story

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