Company warns investors shutdown of mine, where police shot 34 workers, will lead to debt covenants being breached
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
Number of older people living with cancer ‘to treble’ by 2040
Head of Macmillan Cancer Support warns of a ‘ticking timebomb’ for society if NHS and social-care systems are unprepared
South African miners’ families back Julius Malema’s call for nationalisation
Jacob Zuma is criticised as former ANC youth leader says the president sided with mine owner when 34 were killed
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
Pussy Riot verdict greeted with defiance
‘What Putin wants, he gets,’ say angry supporters of punk band jailed for ‘violating social order’
The Marikana action is a strike by the poor against the state and the haves
The shooting at Lonmin’s Marikana mine exposes weaknesses at the heart of South African society
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
Manchester United set to complete deal for Arsenal’s Robin van Persie
• Arsenal confirm terms agreed for striker’s sale
• Dutchman will travel to Manchester for medical
• Amy Lawrence: this is not bad business for Arsenal
• Paul Wilson: signing could be final piece in United jigsaw
British soldiers accused in Kenyan murder case
Body of 21-year-old prostitute was found in a septic tank after an alleged fight with British solider in hotel room
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
Usain Bolt seals his place in the pantheon with stunning fifth gold
Richard Williams at the Olympic Stadium watches the master beat the pupil – just – as Jamaica sweeps the board in the 200m
Problems pile up in Kenya’s election year
Despite being east Africa’s biggest economy, Kenya is accused of failing to deliver on promises at home
Mau Mau verdict: Britain must undo its imperial amnesia
The case brought by elderly Kikuyu tortured in the Kenyan emergency allows a more honest account of Britain’s identity
Kenya’s David Rudisha is favourite for 800m, thanks to an Irish Brother
Brother Colm O’Connell, known as ‘godfather of Kenyan running’, was left astounded when Rudisha ran his first 800m