One year on, tough times for fragile Somalia government
Hopes that Somalia may soon turn the page on decades of anarchy have been dealt a string of blows, giving the internationally-backed government little to cheer as it marks its first birthday.
Syria chemical attack would be 'crime against humanity': Ban
The use of chemical weapons in Syria would constitute a "crime against humanity", adding there was "no time to lose" in investigating an alleged attack which the opposition says killed hundreds.
Long-term study backs early HIV drugs for children
A landmark five-year trial has strengthened evidence that early use of antiretroviral drugs helps children combat the AIDS virus.
Syrian rebels do not support US interests: top general
US armed intervention in Syria would not resolve the civil war and rebel forces cannot be relied on to back American interests, the top military chief said in a letter to Congress.
Egypt court orders Mubarak freed as Islamists detained
An Egyptian court ordered ex-president Hosni Mubarak freed while he stands trial accused of corruption and killing protesters.
Africa's oldest ruler, Mugabe says the years 'haven't withered me'
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, who will extend his 33-years in power on Thursday, once quipped he would rule his country until he turned 100.
Obama faces distasteful choice in Egypt
The United States again faces the unpalatable policy dilemma that has shaped decades of relations with Egypt.
Syria opposition says 1,300 dead in chemical attacks by army
Syria's main opposition group accused the government of "massacring" more than 1,300 people in chemical weapons attacks.
Obama, top aides, review Egypt strategy
President Barack Obama and top aides Tuesday scrutinized US strategy on Egypt, while the White House denied it had quietly frozen millions of dollars in aid after Cairo's military crackdown.
Lack of political savvy sends Arab Spring states into turmoil
Bloodbath in Egypt, civil war in Syria, stalemate in Tunisia: the Arab Spring has stoked turmoil because of a lack of maturity among the region's new political class.
Hezbollah turns Beirut bastion into fortress
Streets leading into powerful Hezbollah's stronghold in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital have been cordoned off, as guards in civilian clothes search a long line of cars.
Egypt defiant on aid after arrest of Islamist chief
Egypt's interim prime minister said his country could live without aid from the US as Washington and the EU review ties with Cairo amid a bloody crackdown on supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi.
Obama congratulates Mali's Keita on election win
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated Mali's new leader Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on his election victory and vowed to work with him as the country emerges from months of conflict.
Earliest iron artefacts came from meteorite
The earliest iron artefacts ever found -- funeral beads strung around bodies in a 5,000-year-old Egyptian cemetery -- were made from a meteorite.
Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood chief as death toll mounts
Egyptian authorities said Tuesday they had arrested the supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, as they stepped up a campaign to crush the party of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Eritrea dreams of ending isolation to boost development
Long criticised for backing rebel groups across the Horn of Africa, Eritrea has said that ending its isolation is crucial for economic growth, blaming external threats for its slow development.
US will lift Mugabe sanctions only after reforms
The United States will only lift sanctions on Zimbabwe's newly re-elected President Robert Mugabe if he implements political reforms.
36 Islamists killed in attempted Egypt jailbreak
Thirty-six Islamist prisoners were killed Sunday during an attempted jailbreak, bringing to almost 800 the toll in five days of violence since Egypt moved to crush supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Germany considering halting arms exports to Egypt: Merkel
German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday that stopping arms shipments to Egypt would be an appropriate way to put pressure on the country as it is gripped by deadly violence.
Pistorius due back in court for murder of his lover
Star sprinter Oscar Pistorius returns to court in South Africa on Monday, when prosecutors will indict him for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp and confirm a trial date.
