UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - European and Arab nations on Friday circulated a new draft resolution on Syria at the UN Security Council calling for backing for an Arab League plan under which President Bashar al-Assad would have to stand down.

KANO, Nigeria (AFP) - Gunmen seriously wounded two police officers in Kano, northern Nigeria, Friday, where attacks claimed by Islamist group Boko Haram killed 185 people last week, residents said.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Rating agency Fitch lowered the debt ratings of five eurozone countries, including Italy and Spain, citing their poor finances and vulnerability to sharp turns in market sentiment.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said Friday it is "disappointed" that Russia has disqualified the sole liberal challenger to Vladimir Putin from the March 4 presidential ballot.

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi said Friday he would pull troops out of Somalia "as soon as feasible," admitting for the first time that forces had crossed into the war-torn neighbouring country.