Israeli air strike kills leader of Palestinian militant group

An Israeli air strike in Gaza killed the leader of a militant Salafist group as he rode on a motorbike, Palestinian security sources said on Sunday. The Israeli army later confirmed they had successfully targeted a "terrorist squad".

France pledges help for Syrian 'Revolutionary Councils'

The French government repeated its commitment to provide humanitarian aid and cash for the provision of basic services in rebel-held areas of Syria, as representatives of elected “Revolutionary Councils” attended a Paris conference.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Wednesday reiterated France’s support for Syria’s opposition movement at a meeting with elected Syrian Revolutionary Councils to which Paris has been providing direct aid for several months

 At the Paris meeting -- attended by representatives of some 20 countries from the EU, the Arab League and the USA -- Fabius repeated the government’s commitment to recognize a provisional Syrian government as soon as one was formed.

“While we are waiting for this to happen, our aid for Syria’s civilians is being channeled through the Revolutionary Councils,” he added, referring to elected bodies that have been springing up in rebel-held towns “liberated” from regime control.

US embassy security chief killed in Yemen

Qassem Aqlani, Yemeni head of security at the US embassy in Sanaa, shot dead on way to work by motorcycle gunman. The assassination resembles other attacks recently that have targeted Yemeni security officials. [EPA] The Yemeni chief of security at the US embassy in Sanaa has been assassinated, security officials have said. Qassem Aqlani, who was reportedly in his fifties, was shot dead while on his way to work early on Thursday. A gunman on a motorcycle reportedly opened fire at him and fled the scene. Aqlani had been working for the US embassy in the Yemeni capital for nearly 20 years. A US diplomat said Aqlani was in charge of coordinating a US

Kenyan inmates find solace in yoga

Female prisoners, many of whom are HIV positive, say practice has brought them peace of mind.

Women in a Kenyan jail are discovering the relaxing effects of Yoga.

The inmates, many of whom are HIV positive, say it has become a rare source of happiness.

This is the story of one of the prisoners, Hellen Nyokabi David.

Mali rebels threaten France over intervention

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters say they will "open the doors of hell" if France keeps pushing for armed intervention in Mali. Mali's President Dioncounda Traore (left) asked African forces to help take back northern Mali from the rebels [AFP] Al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Mali have threatened to "open the doors of hell" for French citizens if France kept pushing for armed intervention to retake the rebel-held north. The renewed threats against French hostages and expatriates came on Saturday as French-speaking nations met in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where French President Francois Hollande was expected to urge the rapid deployment of an African-led force to rout the rebels. Hollande said the threat would not deter France's determination to quash the rebels in Mali. "If he continues to throw oil on the fire, we will send him the pictures of dead French hostages in the coming days," said

Libya renews bid for trial of Gaddafi son

Libya to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court to try Saif al-Islam in The Hague.

Libya is to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Saif al-Islam, one of the sons of Muammar Gaddafi, the country's late leader.

Saif was indicted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity after reportedly organising a campaign of murder and torture in an attempt to quash last year's uprising against his father.

The 40-year-old was captured by armed fighters in southern Libya in November 2011.

Libyan officials object to the trial being held at the ICC, hosted by the Netherlands in The Hague, and want Saif to face justice on Libyan soil. A two-day hearing in The Hague, beginning on Tuesday, will discuss the objection.

Saif's lawyer has said that he would not

UN urges military action plan for Mali

Security Council gives West African nations 45 days to provide details of plan for international military intervention.

The UN Security Council has approved a resolution that gives West African nations 45 days to offer details of a plan for international military intervention in Mali, now split in two.
The text approved by the council on Friday also urges authorities in Bamako and representatives of Tuareg rebels and Islamist fighters controlling the north to "engage, as soon as possible, in a credible negotiation process".
The members warned that the process should be undertaken with a view towards "a sustainable political solution, mindful of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Mali".
Mali descended into chaos in March when soldiers