In news from Africa, international pressure is mounting for Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo to concede defeat to opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, whose victory has been recognized by the United Nations, the United States, France and the African Union. At least 50 people have been killed in recent days in Ivory Coast. Hundreds of people have also reportedly been abducted from their homes at night by armed assailants in military uniform. Gbagbo, the Ivory Coast president, has been accused of hiring mercenaries from Liberia and Angola to attack his political opponents. Over the weekend, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Laurent Gbagbo to step down.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General: “The results of the election are known. There was a clear winner. There is no other option. The efforts of Laurent Gbagbo and his supporters to retain power and flout the public will cannot be allowed to stand.”