Four Palestinian civilians are reported killed in Gaza as fears grow that Syrian civil war could spill across border
Barack and Mitt finally feel brotherly love … thanks to their Kenyan mother
Twins born in a hospital close to Obama’s ancestral home village named to mark the events in the US on their birthday
Julius Malema ‘unshaken’ after money laundering charge
Firebrand politician mocks South African president after reports that he would face more serious charges prove unfounded
Religious intolerance on the rise worldwide, says US report
Pew Research Centre report says the US and UK are among countries showing a worrying rise in religious discrimination
Pakistan explodes in fury as south Asia’s Muslims join anti-US protests
Violent demonstrations leave 15 dead as Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka witness Islamic anger at America
Kenyan troops close in on al-Shabaab’s Somali stronghold
African Union forces set to take rebel-held port of Kismayo, according to military, as rights groups fear civilian death toll
China-Japan row over disputed islands threatens to escalate
Anti-Japan protests spread amid reports that Chinese boats are heading for archipelago where Japanese activists landed briefly
Nigerian police kill Boko Haram spokesman
Abu Qaqa, one of few publicly known members of Islamist group, shot after trying to flee military checkpoint, sources say
Deadly clashes in Kenya fuel fears of election violence
Death of at least 116 people in coastal region raises suspicions of political motives and Somali involvement as elections near
France opens murder inquiry into Yasser Arafat’s death
Public prosecutor will try to establish if Arafat was poisoned with polonium-210
Syrian rebels fight on for Aleppo despite local wariness
Rebels say 70% of city is with regime, but exchanges with the few remaining residents who venture on to streets are civil
Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi’s death sparks fears of turmoil
Mourners throng outside airport and world leaders pay tribute, but human rights groups condemn 21-year authoritarian reign
Pakistani girl accused of Qur’an burning could face death penalty
Tensions rise between Muslim and Christian communities amid claims that 11-year-old desecrated text
Somalis planning on a better future
David Smith talks to some of the extraordinary characters who believe 2012 will be remembered as the year that Somalia, finally, turned the corner
Young Kenyans shun tribalism over fears of post-election violence
Many citizens are tiring of divisive rhetoric used by politicians on campaign trail and seek to avoid a repeat of 2007 ethnic unrest
Miners’ wives rage at South African police brutality after ‘massacre’
Women performing apartheid-era toyi-toyi dance condemn mine company as they wait for news of victims of police shootings
South African police shoot dead striking miners
Up to 18 people killed at Lonmin platinum mine where strike over pay has escalated into alleged turf war between unions
Democrats’ nerves start to show as Ryan fires up conservative voters
The Republican candidate was kept on the back foot for weeks but in choosing Paul Ryan, Romney is looking to his core vote
Israel appoints new home security minister amid fears over strike on Iran
Former intelligence chief Avi Dichter will take role, having previously spoken out against military action against Iran
Ex-Israeli soldier jailed over deaths of Palestinian women
Unnamed former soldier to serve 45 days in connection with deaths of Palestinian mother and daughter during Gaza war