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A reporter on the ground in northern Mali says most Islamist militants have fled the city of Gao since last week, when French warplanes bombed their positions.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman.

A Syrian refugee prepares coffee in housing near the Jordanian town of Ramtha.

Mali, Africa

Algeria's prime minister said 37 foreign workers were killed during the hostage crisis at a remote desert gas complex, with five others still missing.

China says it is "cautiously optimistic" about its relations with the United States as President Barack Obama begins his second term as the American leader.

France attacked Islamists targets in Mali for the third straight day on Sunday, bombing an key northern town held by the extremists.

More than 50 countries, led by Switzerland, will ask the United Nations Security Council Monday to refer Syria to the International Criminal Court, a move that would pave the way for war crimes prosecutions.

In the wake of agreements reached today to end a rebellion in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations envoy for the country today said that the international community now needs to engage more forcefully, both diplomatically and financially, to pull the CAR from the brink.