The strict Islamist Taliban were ousted from power by U.S.-backed Afghan forces nearly a decade ago, but many women are still not able to work outside the home and girls are prevented from attending school in remote parts of the country.

Under the Taliban, women were barred from accessing health care and education and made to wear burqas covering

* Security heightened at Ouattara's hotel headquarters

* Gbagbo aide says presidency "non-negotiable"

(Adds Gbagbo on state TV)

By Tim Cocks

ABIDJAN, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo told his presidential rival on Saturday not to expect foreign troops to install him in power by force, and repeated his call for talks to end the country's violent political stand-off.

Gbagbo has refused to step down as president, even though the country's electoral commission and world leaders have recognised

BAGHDAD - Armed men using silenced weapons opened fire on the car of Ihsan Fadhel, an Iraqi police lieutenant colonel, killing him and his driver in eastern Baghdad, police said.

BAQUBA - A roadside bomb planted inside the house of a local official killed his wife and wounded him seriously when it went off in western Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, police said.

(Compiled by Baghdad newsroom)

BUJUMBURA - The United Nations downsized its presence in troubled Burundi as a smaller office with a weaker mandate officially opened in the central African state Saturday.

In line with UN Security Council resolution 1959, the old UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) was replaced by the UN Office in Burundi (BNUB) on January 1.

Diplomats said the new, leaner structure is the result of growing displeasure from the regime in Bujumbura to the world body.

According to a BINUB statement received by AFP, the scaling down comes after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed

The head of the branch office, Mr. Jabir Ahmed, said in a report he presented that about 63,000 hectares were put under cultivation through traditional and integrated farming methods. Over 300 quintals of different types of select seeds were also distributed to the farmers, and that a number of terraces and embankments were constructed to conserve soil and water.

Below are answers to some questions on the troubles and what they could mean.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?

The latest wave of violence in Nigeria began on Christmas Eve with bombings claimed by the militant Islamist sect Boko Haram in central Nigeria, fire bombings of churches and shootings in the largely Muslim north.

Authorities believe Boko Haram is behind

ABIDJAN - Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo on Saturday accused UN peacekeeping troops in the country of having "fired on civilians" and said they must leave.

The UN operation in Ivory Coast "ONUCI fired on our citizens, two of our citizens whom you have seen on television, who are now at the Abidjan military hospital," Gbagbo said on state RTI television.

He was referring to an incident on Wednesday when UN forces clashed with a hostile crowd. ONUCI formally denied that it fired any shots at the mob.

RTI television, which is under Gbagbo's

I also want to congratulate all Sudanese for the achievements of the peace process in 2010. 2010 has been a remarkable year for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. A year

Selon la société civile du district de la Mongala, tout est parti d'une bagarre entre deux « tolekistes » (ndlr, conducteurs taxis-vélos) aux environs du marché de Lisala.

L'un allé se plaindre à la police du groupe mobile d'intervention contre l'autre.

N'ayant pas trouvé l'autre « tolekiste