Africa
Egypt: 4 killed when shells hit 2 houses in north Sinai
El-Arish, Oct 20 (AP/UNB) — Egyptian security officials and medics say shells hit two houses in the restive northern Sinai Peninsula, killing at least four civilians, including a child.
Somali forces kill 20 al-Shabab militants in central region
Mogadishu, Oct. 19 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Somali forces on Friday night killed 20 al-Shabab extremists in an operation in Jalalaqsi town in the country's central region of Hiran, an official confirmed on Saturday.
Rights lawyers: Egypt frees more than 100 held in crackdown
Cairo, Oct 19 (AP/UNB) — Egyptian rights lawyers say authorities have released over 100 people who were among hundreds more arrested in a sweeping crackdown following small but rare anti-government protests last month.
Sudan rebel faction, government hold 1st round of talks
Cairo, Oct 18 (AP/UNB)— Sudan's largest single rebel group Friday held its first round of direct peace talks with the country's transitional government, despite an earlier boycott following a military crackdown.
Mozambique's Frelimo appears headed for big election win
Bilene, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Unofficial results in Mozambique's elections point to sweeping victories for the ruling Frelimo party and President Filipe Nyusi, prompting some analysts to question the credibility of the polls and warn that the lopsided result may prolong the country's instability.
Protesters bar Haiti's president from visiting historic site
Port-Au-Prince, Oct 17 (AP/UNB) — Haiti's embattled president has been forced to hold a private ceremony amid heavy security for what is usually a public celebration of one of the country's founding fathers.
Sudan's sovereign council declares nationwide cease-fire
Khartoum, Oct. 16 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan on Wednesday issued a constitutional decree declaring cease-fire in all parts of the country.
Mozambique counts votes amid sporadic protests
Maputo, Oct 16 (AP/UNB) — Vote counting continues Wednesday in Mozambique's presidential and parliamentary elections, after isolated incidents of vandalism and violence tainted a generally peaceful night of tallying the ballots.
Ex-Mozambique finance minister fights extradition to US
Johannesburg, Oct 16 (AP/UNB) — Former Mozambican finance minister Manuel Chang is challenging attempts to extradite him to the United States for a corruption trial.
Tensions high as South Sudan faces unity government deadline
Juba, Oct 16 (AP/UNB) — South Sudan's fragile peace deal is faltering less than a month before the country's president and armed opposition leader are meant to form a coalition government and begin the long recovery from a five-year civil war.