BAMAKO/TIMBUKTU, Mali – Human rights groups said on Friday a French-led offensive against Islamists in Mali had led to civilian deaths in airstrikes and ethnic reprisals by Malian troops, a day before President Francois Hollande was due to visit the country.
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CAIRO/PORT SAID, Egypt – Opponents of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi hurled petrol bombs at his palace on Friday as protesters returned to the streets of Egypt demanding his overthrow after the deadliest violence of his seven months in power.
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BRUSSELS – The European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told Iran on Friday to abandon its expressed intention to speed up nuclear work, saying that would violate the Islamic republic’s international obligations.
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MOSCOW – Russia’s top financial diplomat said the Group of 20 should focus on making new commitments to curb borrowing, and not rush to judge Japan’s bid to reflate its economy when policy makers meet this month.
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NEW YORK – Former Mayor Edward Koch, who presided over New York City during the turbulent late 1970s and ‘80s and came to personify the city with his wry and outspoken style, died on Friday at the age of 88, his spokesman said.
