France has circulated a draft United Nations resolution that would authorise a UN peacekeeping force to stabilise key towns in northern Mali and help promote a return to democracy and extend government authority throughout the conflict-wracked country.

The centre-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), Croatia’s main opposition party, has won yesterday’s election to the European Parliament, the country’s first.

The European Commission is set to delay a recommendation on Serbia’s readiness to start talks to join the European Union, due on Tuesday, to allow time for