Two detainees at Guantanamo Bay will be repatriated to Algeria, the White House says, as part of its effort to close the military prison.

Acrobatic bikers, religious rebels and accordion serenades

South Sudan's sacked Vice-President Riek Machar says he will challenge the president for the leadership of the ruling party so that he can run in the 2015 election.

South Africa's Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu says he would never worship a "homophobic God" and would rather go to hell.

Nigeria international Nnamdi Oduamadi joins Brescia on a season-long loan from fellow Italian side AC Milan.

Nigeria are fancied to fill one of seven places at next year's African Nations Championship after this weekend's qualifiers.

Tunisia opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi was killed with the same gun as another leftist, with a Salafist suspected of involvement, officials say.

Egypt's ousted leader Mohammed Morsi is being held for allegedly plotting with Palestinian group Hamas, prosecutors say as his supporters rally in Cairo.

A woman in South Africa, found by the local Sowetan newspaper, may be the world's oldest person with identity documents showing she is 119 years old.

Kenyan football chiefs are being investigated over allegations that several hundred thousand dollars have gone missing.

Tunisia's largest union has called for a general strike after the killing of opposition party leader Mohammed Brahmi in the capital, Tunis.

How I endured six months held hostage by Somali pirates

The Egyptian army warns of a crackdown on "black violence and terrorism" ahead of rival rallies planned for Friday.

Will Mali's poll bring unity after coup and Islamist rebellion?