BBC News

with Julie Candler.

联合国法国猛攻科特迪瓦前总统最后据点

French and the United Nations military forces in Ivory Coast have been using helicopters to attack the presidential compound in the main city of Abidjan. The compound is the base of Laurent Gbagbo who's refused to give up power since elections last year. From the UN headquarters in New York, here's Barbara Plett.

A UN official said UN attack helicopters fired missiles at heavy armaments in a pro-Gbagbo military camp. The aim was to destroy weapons which forces loyal to the incumbent president are using against civilians and against UN personnel he said, noting the decision to attack was taken into light of the UN's mandate to protect civilians. French forces have also launched attacks in support of the UN operation. This marks an escalation for the UN mission in Ivory Coast. It’s been guarding Mr Gbagbo's rival Alassane Ouattara after declaring him the winner of disputed presidential elections in December, but it's come under increasing pressure from the Security Council to take more aggressive action to protect civilians.

奥巴马宣布将参加2012年美国总统竞选

President Obama is to run for a second-term as US president in next year's election. A short announcement on his website said the campaign was now getting underway. Analysts predicted Mr Obama could raise an unprecedented 1 billion dollars to fight the election in November, 2012.These New Yorkers gave their reaction to the news.