Top news: South Sudanese leaders say at least 23 people have been killed in clashes between tribespeople and Arab nomads on the north-south border as the region heads to the polls for a second day of voting on a weeklong independence referendum.
A Ugandan and a northern Army soldier were also arrested in the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba in possession of 700 rounds of AK-47 ammunition. The south has accused the north of arming Arab militias in the contested border region of Abyei in the run-up to the vote.
Elsewhere in Sudan, the atmosphere was reportedly peaceful and festive with long lines of south Sudanese coming out to vote. A 60 percent vote is needed for secession, which seems likely given the level of support for independence in Southern Sudan.
In a possibly major conciliatory gesture, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has offered to take on Sudan's full international debt if Southern Sudan secedes. Bashir has promised to respect the results of the referendum.
Final results are expecting on Feb. 15.
U.S. news: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords remains in critical condition after she was shot in Tucson on Sunday. 22-year-old Jared Loughner has been charged with the shooting rampage that also left six dead and and 14 wounded.
Asia
- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie in Beijing to discuss improving military ties.
- Thousands demonstrated in Karachi in support of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
- Thailand's red-shirts held their first demonstration in Bangkok since last May's violence.
Middle East
- The Palestinian Authority says it will seek a vote on recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September.
- Iran sentenced a prominent human rights lawyer to 11 years in prison.
- Israel demolished part of a landmark hotel in East Jerusalem in order to make room for housing units.
Europe
- The Basque separatist group ETA has declared a permanent cease-fire.
- Portugal's prime minister denied that the country will need an EU bailout.
- Several cities in Germany were flooded by melting snow.
Africa
- Former Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo has left the Ivory Coast after failing to convince President Laurent Gbagbo to step down.
- At least 14 people were killed over the weekend in anti-government rioting in Tunisia.
- Two French citizens who were captured by militants in Niger were killed during a rescue attempt.
Americas
- Brazil warned that the world is on track toward a "trade war" as it prepared new measures to prevent the appreciation of its currency.
- 27 people were killed in drug-related violence in the city of Acupulco in less than a day, including 14 decapitations.
- Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez brushed aside criticism of his new presidential powers by the Organization of American States.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
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