All Africa
In Somalia, battle looms for militants' last major strongholdAir and sea attacks around the key Somali port city of Kismayo this week point to a long-awaited offensive by the African Union Mission in Somalia against seasoned Al Shabab fighters.
Progress WatchBack to school: From rural Africa to the Ivy LeagueThe United States Achievers Program provides funding and moral support for promising but disadvantaged students from 13 countries on four continents to pursue their educational goals.
In Ethiopia, a nation comes to bury Meles 鈥� and to praise himAhead of the funeral Sunday of Ethiopian strongman Meles Zenawi, many Ethiopians are proudly assessing his abilities and the changes instigated. Less spoken of 鈥� at least publicly 鈥� is the intimidation of his opponents and nervousness about the future.聽 聽
Frustrated by lack of protection, Kenyan churches sue governmentMore than 14 churches have been attacked in Kenya since April, most recently in this week's violence in Mombasa. Church leaders are suing to force the government to defend them.
FocusUsing Chinese star power to fight ivory poaching in AfricaThe biggest demand for ivory is in China, so conservationists are trying to give Chinese consumers a greater understanding of poaching 鈥� with the help of Chinese celebrities like Yao Ming.
Mombasa riots deepen concern about religious tensions in KenyaReligious divides appear to be deepening as riots continued in Mombasa, Kenya, in the wake of a cleric's killing. Extremist group Al Shabab called on Muslims to 'take matters into their own hands.'
Muslim cleric's killing sparks riots in KenyaThe shooting death Monday of Muslim cleric Sheikh Aboud Rogo, who is under US sanctions for ties to the Islamist militant group Al Shabab, has renewed concerns about extrajudicial killings in Kenya.- Arms, drugs, and human trafficking: What does the future hold for northern Mali?A new unity government was formed in Mali this week, though it remains unclear whether it will be successful in restoring constitutional rule in the Tuareg-held north.
Showing at Little League World Series buoys Uganda enthusiasm for baseballA Ugandan team participated for the first time in the Little League World Series last weekend. While it's a boost, critics say much needs to be done to put youth baseball on a solid footing in Uganda.
SEC ruling will spotlight financial dealings of firms in AfricaSEC ruling will require oil and mining companies to disclose payments to foreign governments. It could put those operating in resource-rich Africa at odds with governments that prefer secrecy and at a disadvantage to less-regulated companies.
As Ethiopia looks beyond strongman Meles, fears of instabilityEthiopia was an economic success story under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died Monday. His two-decade authoritarian grip may complicate a peaceful political transition.
Nigerian government enters talks with Boko HaramThe Islamist militant group has killed thousands in its rebellion against the Nigerian government. Nigerians are hopeful that negotiations will bring a respite from the violence.
With death of Ethiopian leader Meles, US loses an anti-terror allyEthiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died yesterday, was one of the US's closest allies on the continent, particularly when it came to efforts to combat Somali Islamists.
Progress WatchIn Somalia, optimism risesOne year after the ouster of the Islamist militia, the capital city prospers. But Al Shabab remains a threat.- China's role in funding Ethiopian dam draws ireEthiopia says construction of a dam along the Omo River will create needed electrical power for itself and Kenya, and channel water for food production. Environmentalists worry it could drain a Kenyan desert lake central to people's livelihoods.
For Somali pirates, July was a very bad monthPrivate guards and international naval patrols 鈥� and some rough seas 鈥� have prevented successful high-seas hijackings by Somali pirates since June 19, the first zero-attack month since 2007.- Nigerian 海角大神s vent frustration after another church attack海角大神 leaders in Nigeria's restive north say they may have to 'rise up' to protect themselves, and southern insurgents offer to cut off the north from food and other supplies.聽
FocusSudan's struggling government offers to go '100 percent Islamic'The government faces new pressures from the loss of territory and oil revenue to South Sudan, but the push for an Islamic constitution has much older roots.聽
FocusSudanese factory destroyed by US now a shrinePresident Bill Clinton ordered a cruise missile strike on the pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum in 1998; the Sudanese still haven't forgotten.- Kenya: Tribunal finds a top judge is not above the lawNancy Baraza, Kenya's deputy chief justice, was found guilty of 'gross misconduct.' Her case could set a precedent of reducing impunity for Kenyan government officials.