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French Officials Detail "Big Coup" Bust of Key Al-Qaeda Enabler French counter-terror authorities tell TIME about a Tunisian arrested on suspicion of being a central figure in al-Qaeda's activity on the internet and in the terrorist network's recruitment, and fund-raising. Time World
Rumour sparks panic in Nigerian city Rumours of looming sectarian violence sparked panic in Nigeria's Kaduna on Thursday, a city still on edge after religious rioting last month killed dozens. Shops closed and parents raced to school to pick up their children, after an unexplained car explosion and reports that Muslim groups in the divided northern city were planning to protest, residents and officials said.
Sudan, South Sudan resume border security talks
Rivals Sudan and South Sudan resumed security talks Thursday aimed at easing tensions on the disputed border, after they failed to reach a deal at negotiations last week. The African Union-mediated talks in the Ethiopian capital first began after South Sudan's independence last July, but the latest rounds follow weeks of fighting in April that brought the two foes back to the brink of all-out war.
Sudan opposition pledges to step up protests
Sudan's opposition parties have pledged to step up anti-regime protests, their alliance said on Thursday, nearly three weeks after the start of unprecedented public demonstrations sparked by inflation. AFP
Fifty years after Algerian freedom, youths take fresh look at France
Younger Algerians have a more pragmatic approach to France, Algeria's former colonial master. They view engagement with the West as a necessity, especially for creating jobs through investment. Christian Science Monitor
U.N. stops short of endorsing intervention in Mali The U.N. Security Council on Thursday endorsed West African political efforts to end unrest in Mali but stopped short of backing military intervention in the West African state, where al Qaeda-linked militants control significant territory. Reuters
Family Planning Faces Hurdles in Uganda
As world leaders prepare for this month's Global Family Planning Summit in London, many developing countries are struggling to control their population growth. Local authorities say they are trying to bring down the birth rate for the sake of the country's future. Voice of America
On One Year Anniversary, Analyst says South Sudan Can Do Better
An American researcher on South Sudan says the country has faced countless difficulties during its first year as an independent country. Eric Reeves described the performance of the new government as "very disappointing," and called official corruption in South Sudan "alarming." Voice of America
US Puts Sanctions on 6 for al-Shabab Support
The United States has placed financial sanctions on two Eritrean officials and four other East Africans it accuses of supporting Somali militant group al-Shabab. The Treasury Department designated the six men on Thursday under a 2010 presidential order that allows the government to freeze property of individuals contributing to the conflict in Somalia. Voice of America
Ahmadinejad invites Egyptian president to attend Tehran summit Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Mursi on Wednesday to wish the Muslim Brotherhood politician success and to invite him to a summit in Tehran, the Egyptian state news agency reported. Al Arabiya
Kenyan Muslims help protect Christians after church attacks
Following lethal attacks on two Kenyan churches, community leaders are stepping up efforts to stop their country from falling victim to the internecine religious bloodshed that has plagued many other Africa countries with mixed populations. Times Live
Kenyan police arrest 2 terror suspects
Kenyan authorities said Thursday they are questioning two terror suspects in the coastal city of Mombasa as the East African nation stepped up war against global terrorism. Sources at the Anti-Terrorism Police confirmed that one of the suspects was arrested for being in possession of dangerous explosive materials which could be used to make a bomb while the other had attempted to spy military camp in the port city of Mombasa. Xinhua
Tunisia: Flaws in the Landmark Ben Ali Verdict The trial of Ben Ali and other top officials is an important step toward the rule of law for Tunisia, but the verdict will remain toothless unless Ben Ali is returned to Tunisia and can answer his accusers face to face. Human Rights Watch
Libya denies extradition of Qaddafi-era spy chief from Mauritania
Former Libyan spy chief Abdullah al-Senussi, the once feared right hand man of slain Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi, has not been extradited to Libya, a government source told Al Arabiya on Thursday. Al Arabiya
Sharia should be 'main' source of Libya legislation: NTC
Libya's outgoing National Transitional Council said on Thursday that Islamic law (sharia) should be the "main" source of legislation and that this should not be subject to a referendum. "The Libyan people are attached to Islam, as a religion and legislation," NTC spokesman Saleh Darhoub said, reading from a statement. AFP
Zimbabwe: As piped water dries up, city dwellers turn to carrying water
Samukeliso Tshuma, a 33-year old mother of four, lives in one of Bulawayo's teeming high density urban townships, but these days gets her water the same way rural dwellers do - from a borehole well. This is "something I never imagined I would be doing," said Tshuma, who formerly relied on city-provided piped water. Alert Net
Africa: Pascal Lamy, Director-General, World Trade Organisation History has cast a long shadow over Africa's trade performance, argues Pascal Lamy, director-general of the World Trade Organisation. Colonial patterns of trade prevented colonised countries benefiting from their comparative advantage in low cost labour. Africa's trade profile has not changed much over the last half century - it remains dominated by fuel and minerals, and mostly flows along North-South channels rather than regionally. All Africa
Tanzania probes Iran oil tankers re-flagging allegations Tanzania is seriously investigating allegations that it re-flagged Iranian oil tankers in defiance of sanctions. A US congressman alleged last week that up to 10 Iranian oil tankers had been re-registered in Tanzania. BBC
Photos of French soldiers torturing an Algerian expose war wounds that never healed Three grainy photos hanging in an official exhibition in Paris that show French soldiers torturing an Algerian are perhaps the closest France has come to a public acknowledgement of the darkest period of its history. The National
Gabon opposition angered by Hollande meeting Ali Bongo
Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba was due to meet France's new leader François Hollande on Wednesday afternoon on a one-day visit to Paris. Bongo's opponents claim that Hollande is already backing down on his promise to end Paris's cosy relationship with African dictators. RFI
Grace Mugabe launches Alpha Omega dairy range
She has long been accused of milking the country for all its worth. Now Grace Mugabe, wife of one of Africa's most notorious autocrats, appears to be giving something back by launching her own dairy range. The Guardian
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