Top of the Morning: France Disarming Rebels in CAR

Top stories from DAWNS Digest

France to Start Disarming Militants in CAR, By Force

The death toll from days of fighting in Bangui stands at over 300, and it’s clear that the French forces were able to help restore calm to the city. “French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said fighters had to hand over their weapons. ‘It’s from tomorrow that the disarmament will start. First we’ll ask nicely and if they don’t react, we’ll do it by force,’ he said in an interview on French television station LCI on Sunday.” (Globe and Mail http://bit.ly/J4Dt1d)

One Month Later, Still Rough Going for Typhoon Haiyan Victims

The death toll is nearly 6,000 with nearly 2000 still missing. “A month after one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded hit the Philippines, masses of survivors are living amid rubble in rebuilt shanty homes and experts say reconstructing destroyed communities will take years. The sight of people sleeping and cooking in wasteland towns highlights the overwhelming problems as an initial, frenzied emergency relief effort transforms into one focused on long-term rehabilitation.“  (AFP http://bit.ly/J4Fria)