Two little-known news agencies from Nouakchott, the capital, managed to publish regular updates on the attack, citing the attackers themselves.

Tens of thousands of people filled Tahrir Square in Cairo to observe the second anniversary of the revolt against Hosni Mubarak.

About half the reptiles remain on the loose amid heavy rains and flooding along the border with Botswana, a local newspaper reported.

The Malian Army’s frequent defeats and spotty human rights record have rekindled longstanding doubts about whether it can — or perhaps even should — be left to hold on to the gains French troops have made.

Abdullah al-Senussi is expected to be tried by a Libyan military court in the coming days and will face a certain and swift execution, his British lawyer said on Thursday.