Top of the Morning: Obama Re-elected; Mali Islamists Agree to Ceasefire

Top stories from DAWNS Digest.

Barack Obama Re-elected President of the United States

The major news networks called Ohio for the President shortly after 11 PM, paving the road to an electoral college win for President Barack Obama over challenger Governor Mitt Romney. Official election data continues to pour in. “In defeating Mitt Romney, the president carried Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wisconsin, a near sweep of the battleground states, and was holding a narrow advantage in Florida. The path to victory for Mr. Romney narrowed as the night wore along, with Mr. Obama winning at least 303 electoral votes.” (NYT http://nyti.ms/VSRJcm)

Mali Islamists Agree to Ceasefire and Access to Humanitarian Aid Workers

In what could be a breakthrough in the several long months ordeal, the main rebel group in Northern Mali, Ansar Dine, has agreed to enter a political dialogue with the government in Bamako. The other main rebel groups have not yet signed on. “One of the Islamist groups in northern Mali has agreed to allow humanitarian aid groups into its territory. Ansar Dine’s announcement was made after talks with the regional mediator, Burkina Faso’s leader Blaise Compaore. The militants also agreed to commit to peace talks with Mali’s government and observe a ceasefire. Last month, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution paving the way for an African force to end the Islamists’ occupation of northern Mali.” (BBC http://bbc.in/WwHvnW)