Africa News Headlines

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Seven al-Qaida-linked gunmen detonated a pick-up truck rigged with explosives at the gate of the U.N. compound in Somalia's capital Wednesday, launching a bombs-and-gunfire assault that saw militants pour into the complex, killing at least nine people, including three foreigners, officials sai …

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A spokeswoman for a South African defense company is confirming that two South Africans died in a militant attack on the U.N. compound in Mogadishu.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants detonated several bombs and breached the main U.N. compound in Somalia's capital Wednesday, sparking gun battles that killed at least 12 people. A U.N. official said at least three foreigners were believed to be among the dead.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe's highest court said Wednesday it has received an application from longtime President Robert Mugabe's party to delay crucial elections by at least two weeks following pressure from regional leaders.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants detonated multiple bomb blasts and breached the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu on Wednesday, sparking gun battles with security forces that killed at least 12 people. U.N. personnel who reached the compound's secure bunker all survived, though officials hinted not all …

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants detonated multiple bomb blasts and engaged in ongoing battles with security forces in an attempt to breach the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu, officials said Wednesday.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants detonated at least one bomb blast and engaged in ongoing battles with security forces in an attempt to breach the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu, officials said Wednesday.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Mali, which lost half its territory last year to a rebel invasion, signed an accord Tuesday with Tuareg separatists who still control the country's northernmost province, paving the way for the Malian military to return to the areas that remain under rebel control.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Islamic militants have opened fire on students taking exams at a school in the country's troubled northeast, killing at least nine pupils in the latest violence to wrack the volatile region, witnesses said Tuesday.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Islamic militants have driven 19,000 rice farmers from their land in northeast Nigeria while a military crackdown is preventing thousands more from working their fields, raising fears of imminent food shortages, officials warned Tuesday.

LONDON (AP) — British fighter aircraft escorted a plane from Cairo bound for New York to an emergency landing in the U.K. after a passenger discovered a letter onboard threatening to blow up the aircraft, officials said Saturday.

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — The nation of Mali, which lost half its territory last year to rebels, has agreed to sign an accord with Tuareg separatists who still control the country's northernmost province, officials said Tuesday.

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Mozambique's president on Tuesday condemned an attack by alleged fighters loyal to an opposition group that killed six government troops and injured three others.

MARONDERA, Zimbabwe (AP) — William Mukurazita's deposit at the bank has four legs and moos.

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Media in Mozambique say at least five government troops were killed and two others were wounded in fighting with alleged members of an opposition group.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In tweets, songs, telephone calls, cards and more, messages of love have come from across South Africa and the world for 94-year-old Nelson Mandela, giving the family comfort and hope as he remains hospitalized in serious condition with a lung infection, his wife said Monday.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Poet and traditional praise singer Zolani Mkiva spent 13 years traveling alongside Nelson Mandela and performing songs in honor of the now-hospitalized former South African president.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African President Nelson Mandela is engaging with his family and seeing improvement from the recurring lung infection that forced him to spend a ninth day in the hospital Sunday, the president said.

LONDON (AP) — Five passengers from an EgyptAir flight diverted to a Scottish airport over an apparent threat to destroy the aircraft are now seeking asylum in Britain, authorities said Sunday.

KABANGA, Tanzania (AP) — As an infant in rural Tanzania, Angel Salvatory was unusual. Snow white skin, blond hair, and blue eyes set her apart from others in her village. Those unique looks have also made her a target.

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Regional presidents meeting at a special summit on Zimbabwe asked President Robert Mugabe to delay crucial elections he has set for the end of July while asking the nation to guarantee conditions for free and fair elections, officials said Saturday.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela's health has improved, his grandson said Saturday as the 94-year-old spent his eighth day in the hospital recovering from a lung infection.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The green grass looks inviting, but few people have the courage to enter the only public square in Uganda's capital. Most sit or stand at the edges, respecting the barricades of scrap metal erected by police who stand poised to arrest those who attempt a forced entry.