Boko Haram extremists are being blamed for more than 40 deaths, including one lawmaker, as balloting continues in a closely-fought presidential elections.

In an interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, the Afghan president says most of his country wants U.S. troops to remain. He also says he’s determined to make sure ISIS doesn’t gain a foothold.

Suicide bombers strike at two Shiite mosques said to be frequented by supporters of the country’s Houthi rebel movement.

The latest avalanches, in the Panjshir Valley north of the capital, Kabul, have cut off villages in the area for almost a week.

The young man who apparently killed himself as police closed in on him was said to have identified with the 1999 Columbine High School shooters.

The Houthis, who control the capital, Sanaa, are apparently hoping to exploit a power vacuum left by the resignation of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his government.

Many in France marked the deadly assault yesterday on the offices of a satirical magazine by observing a minute of silence for the journalists and police killed by suspected Islamist extremists.

The vessel, carrying about 450 people trying to reach Europe, has been taken under tow after smugglers jumped ship.

The talks that began on Wednesday were expected to be continued today in Minsk. Belarus, which is hosting the dialogue, declined to comment on the reason.

In a year-end news conference, the Russian President said the worst-case scenario for his country’s economy would involve two more years of unease.