Intercepted conversations between two senior al-Qaeda figures prompted the US to shut embassies around the world, US media reports say.

US diplomat William Burns visits prominent a Muslim Brotherhood leader in prison as efforts to end Egypt's political crisis continue.

Johannesburg officials apologise to Nelson Mandela after incorrectly sending him a notice warning that his water and electricity could be cut off over an unpaid bill.

Spanish police arrest a child rapist who was mistakenly freed from a Moroccan jail last week, sparking protests across Morocco.

At least 35 people were killed in attacks by militants on a police station and a military base in northern Nigeria on Sunday, the authorities say.

The Kenyan government revokes all prospecting and mining licences granted during the first five months of this year after complaints about the issuing process.

The US closes its embassies in several sub-Saharan countries, after similar moves in North Africa, due to fears of a possible militant threat.

QPR and Morocco's Adel Taarabt is set to have a medical at Fulham ahead of a proposed season-long loan move.

Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer makes Cameroon-born defender Yann Songo'o his 11th summer signing.

Has Tsvangirai let himself be outsmarted by Mugabe?

Supporters of Zimbabwe's opposition MDC say they have been attacked by followers of President Robert Mugabe in the wake of contested elections.

A South African commission of inquiry into a controversial 1999 arms deal surrounded by corruption allegations starts after a five-month delay.