A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Jobless protesters take to the streets of Moroccan capital
RABAT – At least 1,000 protesters took to the streets of the Moroccan capital yesterday to demand public-sector jobs after a relative lull following the ousting of neighbour Tunisia’s president by a popular uprising.
The protests resumed as the government’s February 10th deadline expired for recruiting 4,500 highly qualified graduates, Youssef Hdidou, who heads one of several groups of unemployed graduates, said.
In a meeting with authorities on January 24th, they asked us for a truce in the daily protests out of consideration for what they said was happening in the region, Mr Hdidou said.
Authoritarian Arab leaders are watching carefully for signs of unrest spreading through the region after revolts in Tunisia and Egypt. – (Reuters)
Suicide bomber kills 31 in Pakistan
KARACHI – A teenage suicide bomber wearing a school uniform has killed 31 soldiers and wounded at least 40 in an attack on a military base in northwest Pakistan.
The bomber walked into a military base in Mardan, 110km northwest of Islamabad yesterday and detonated explosives as soldiers were lining up for morning parade.
The attack on the headquarters of the Punjab regiment was the deadliest on a military target for months, reviving fears of a renewed Taliban campaign after a period of quiet.
Militants have recently stepped up attacks on police stations around the provincial capital, Peshawar. – (Guardian service)
Soldiers on trial for rape in DRC
CONGO – Eleven government soldiers accused of raping more than 60 women have gone on trial in the most high-profile case yet heard by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s pioneering “mobile gender court”.
The men are alleged to have carried out the attacks on New Year’s Day in the town of Fizi, in the South Kivu province, where sexual violence is rife amid clashes between the army and militias.
The accused – including a commanding officer – have been charged with crimes against humanity, including rape and imprisonment.
Many of Fizi’s residents walked 35km to attend the trial. – (Guardian service)