A coalition patrol fought off an insurgent attack in mountainous eastern Afghanistan Tuesday, on a day when two servicemen were killed in the country's troubled south, bringing the death toll for foreign troops in the country 2010 to 700, according to an AP count. This year is by far the deadliest for the coalition in the nearly decade-long war, as tens of thousands of additional international troops have poured into the country in an effort to suppress a virulent Taliban insurgency. But while NATO and the United States note progress has been made in the militants' traditional strongholds in the south, they acknowledge gains..more info.
Gbagbo defiant as African leaders leave Ivory Coast .They had hoped Mr Gbagbo would agree to cede power to Allasane Ouattara, widely considered to be the true winner of November's elections.But Mr Gbagbo has refused, despite the leaders' threat of military action. The dispute has led to widespread unrest in Ivory Coast, with thousands fleeing and scores of people killed. State-controlled TV has indicated that several million African nationals from other countries living in Ivory Coast might be at risk if threats from African countries of military intervention against Mr Gbagbo continue. Mr Gbagbo has said that his government will cut diplomatic ties with any countries recognising Mr Ouattara. more on.


West African leaders have ended their mission to Ivory Coast, having failed to persuade incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to stand down.

They had hoped Mr Gbagbo would agree to cede power to Allasane Ouattara, widely considered to be the true winner of November's elections.

But Mr Gbagbo has refused, despite the leaders' threat of military action.

The dispute has led to widespread unrest in Ivory Coast, with thousands fleeing and scores of people killed.

State-controlled TV has indicated that several million African nationals from other countries living in Ivory Coast might be at risk if threats from African countries of military intervention against Mr Gbagbo continue.

Mr Gbagbo has said that his government will cut diplomatic ties with any countries recognising Mr Ouattara.

The presidents of Benin, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde had travelled to the main city, Abidjan, as representatives of the Ecowas West African regional grouping.  More More More.