Lawyers

• Niger Opposition party backs out of presidential run-off due to alleged rigged election results

  Niger's opposition party has withdrawn its candidate to run for presidential election. They claimed that there is a rigged coalition happening with the election process.

• Heavy clashes on Saudi-Yemeni border; Hadi government pleads for troops

  Saudi troops clashed with Yemeni Houthi fighters on Tuesday in the heaviest exchange of cross-border fire since the start of a Saudi-led air offensive last week, while Yemen's foreign minister called for a rapid Arab intervention on the ground.

• Pakistan defense team heads for Saudi to discuss support

  A high-level Pakistani defense delegation was about to leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday as the government in Islamabad considers whether to join a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

• Israel's game of thrones: first the vote, then the kingmaking

  Israelis will vote in a parliamentary election on March 17, choosing among party lists of candidates to serve in the 120-seat Knesset.

• Islamic State posts video apparently of UK hostage criticizing war buildup

  Islamic State militants fighting in Iraq and Syria released a video on Tuesday that appears to show British journalist John Cantlie criticizing preparations for U.S-led attacks on the militant group, the SITE monitoring service reported.

• Arab role may be key to U.S. strikes in Syria: U.S. officials

  President Barack Obama wants some Arab participation in air strikes against the Islamic State in order to expand the campaign to Syria, reflecting U.S. concerns that any long-term campaign must count on regional involvement, U.S. officials say.

• Washington wins diplomatic support for campaign in Iraq; Syria trickier

  World powers backed military measures on Monday to help defeat Islamic State fighters in Iraq, boosting Washington's efforts to set up a coalition, but made no mention of the tougher diplomatic challenge next door in Syria.