After weeks of political turmoil, Kosovo's government has lost a parliamentary vote of confidence. It triggers early elections next month, the first since Kosovo self-declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Correspondents say the Prime Minister Hashim Thaci would hope to strengthen his position by blaming the crisis on the government's former allies, who withdrew from the Kosovo cabinet in September. Here is Mark Lowen.
Less than three years since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia, its government has collapsed, and this tiny fragile corner of Europe now faces yet more instability. The no-confidence motion was brought by the opposition and was passed with 66 votes out of 120-strong parliament. All of this comes at a crucial moment for Kosovo. Serbia, which rejects the unilateral secession by its southern province, has recently agreed to the first face-to-face talks with the Kosovan government to resolve one of Europe's most intractable conflicts.
Results from a referendum in Niger show more than 90% of voters have backed a new constitution designed to return the country to civilian rule. It was put forward by the country's military leaders, who came to power in a coup in February. It provides for elections next January and a handover of power in April.
The New York-based campaign group Human Rights Watch has called for the release of a number of Sudanese activists in Darfur who, it says, have been arrested over the past few days. It said at least eight human rights activists had been detained without charge. There has been no word from the Sudanese authorities.