Snowden gets to stay in Russia longer ... Immigrant advocacy groups say asylum seekers turned away from US ... British tourists evacuating Gambia

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian authorities have extended a residence permit for U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, who leaked thousands of secret documents from the National Security Agency. The Russian Foreign Ministry says Snowden's residence permit has been extended for "a couple of years." He's been living in Russia since 2013 when he got stuck in the transit area at a Moscow airport after the United States canceled his passport.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama plans tomorrow to grant clemency to more convicted criminals, likely drug offenders. Yesterday, the president commuted the sentences of 273 people, including Chelsea Manning, the transgender Army intelligence officer who leaked more than 700,000 U.S. documents and was given 35 years in federal prison.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Immigrant advocacy groups say that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are allegedly turning away asylum-seekers before their claims can be heard, violating obligations under U.S. and international law. The groups say they began fielding reports in the summer that border crossers entering the country from Mexico were being told that they couldn't seek asylum, that they needed visas, or that that they first had to petition Mexican authorities for relief. Under U.S. law, any foreigner may claim asylum.

BANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Special flights are being organized to evacuate British tourists from Gambia where there's a threat of a military intervention. Incumbent leader Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency Tuesday, just two days before he's supposed to step aside after losing the December presidential election. Jammeh is refusing to quit, citing voting irregularities.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Human Rights Watch says Mali's government is failing to protect civilians in its northern and central regions from Islamic extremists who killed dozens of people last year. The group's new report describes how militants have occupied villages, attacked U.N. peacekeepers and tried to impose a strict interpretation of Sharia law barring celebrations including marriages and baptisms. Mali's security minister says he's well aware of the security challenges in his country and throughout the region.

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