Violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo have left at least four people dead, after protests erupted over the future of President Joseph Kabila.

The demonstrations started over Mr Kabila's presidential tenure, which is coming to an end next year. He is blocked from running for a third term by the country' constitution. Protestors say the government is attempting to delay the elections by holding a census.

Protestors demanded that Mr Kabila steps down with the end of his term next year. The government admits the census could delay the elections but claims it is vital to ensure fair and free elections.

Protests in Niger over the publications of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed have left at least 10 people dead and 45 churches torched.

Hotels, bars and shops were also attacked and looted during the protests over the weekend.

Over 99% of Niger's population is Muslim and many were offended by the depiction of the prophet in the latest issue of Charlie Hebdo magazine, which was attacked by gunmen earlier this month.

Barack Obama and David Cameron, warned US congress that new sanctions on Iran could result in the collapse of nuclear negotiations with Iran.

Outlining his intention to veto any sanctions bills passed by Congress, Mr Obama said that new US sanctions would give Iran an excuse to walk away from negotiations and blame Washington for the failure.

Reiterating the US president's calls, the British premier, David Cameron, speaking at a White House press conference, said,

A United States judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the United Nations (UN), which claimed that the international body bears responsibility for the deadly outbreak of cholera in Haiti.

US district Judge J. Paul Oetken ruled that the UN charter gives the organisation immunity from legal action, stating that the UN had not waived any immunity.

"Where such an express waiver is absent, the UN and [its operation in Haiti] are immune from suit," said Oetken in his judgement.

The lawsuit had alleged that the UN had not screened peacekeepers that arrived in Haiti for cholera and that the peacekeepers were responsible for the poor sanitation and waste disposal practises that led to the outbreak, killing thousands. The claims have been backed by scientific studies, reported Al Jazeera.

"The court's decision implies that the UN can operate with impunity," said lawyer Beatrice Lindstrom. "We don't think that is the law."

"It essentially implies that there is nowhere in the world one can turn when the UN doesn’t comply with its legal obligations and when the UN refuses to provide justice,” added Lindstrom.

The Palestinian militant group controlling the Gaza strip, Hamas, welcomed the International Criminal Court decision to launch in an inquiry into war crimes committed in Palestinian territories.

The spokesperson for Hamas, Fawzi Barhoum, welcoming the decision on Saturday, said,

"What is needed now is to quickly take practical steps in this direction and we are ready to provide the court with thousands of reports and documents that confirm the Zionist enemy has committed horrible crimes against Gaza and against our people."

An attack on a UN camp in Mali has left one Chadian peacekeeper dead and another injured.

Gunmen and suicide bombers ambushed the camp in the north-eastern town of Kidal on Saturday morning, reported the BBC.

A UN official confirmed the attack to Reuters news agency, but did not provide further details.

Houthi militants say they have “arrested” the chief of staff of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, claiming the abduction took place in order to prevent the breakdown of an UN-brokered deal.

Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak was in the centre of Yemen's capital Sanaa with two bodyguards, when his car was intercepted and he was abducted. No information is currently available on his whereabouts. The government say that Mubarak was kidnapped.

The Houthi militants released a statement warning President Hadi of "a series of special measures" that they would undertake in order to prevent an agreement between the presidency and them "from being broken". The Houthis called the abduction an “arrest” and said that they were acting in the “national interest.”

The Pentagon is planning to send 400 troops and hundreds more supporting personnel to train rebels fighting the Islamic State in Syria.

The personnel will be deployed in three countries around Syria in March, as part of US efforts to support rebels against IS.

The announcement comes a few days after senior officials met with Syrian opposition leaders in Istanbul.