In short

The other world news stories of the day in brief... 

US believes top al-Qaeda figure killed in strike 

WASHINGTON – A US drone strike in Pakistan last week appears to have killed a senior al-Qaeda planner who Washington believes helped organise December’s suicide bombing at a CIA base in Afghanistan, US officials said yesterday. The CIA has stepped up the intensity of attacks since the December 30th bombing, which killed seven CIA agents. – (Reuters)

Togo president’s poll win confirmed 

LOMÉ – Togo’s constitutional court yesterday confirmed incumbent president Faure Gnassingbé’s victory in a March 4th election that opposition leaders said was rigged. The vote in the tiny west African nation was widely seen as a test for democracy in the region. – (Reuters)

Carter urges Israel policy shift  

ATLANTA – Former US president Jimmy Carter called yesterday for direct talks between Israel and Palestinians towards a two-state Middle East solution, but said this would take a dramatic shift in Israeli policy.