David Smith talks to some of the extraordinary characters who believe 2012 will be remembered as the year that Somalia, finally, turned the corner
UN observers leave Syria as mandate expires
Departure of last 100 monitors under way as humanitarian situation worsens and regime denies Assad deputy has defected
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
Sudan reaches agreement on aid access to rebel-controlled areas
Deal between Sudan and South Sudan paves way for relief supplies into two border states for first time in more than a year
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
Syria conflict: rebels withdraw from Salahedin, Aleppo – Thursday 9 August 2012
• Rebels claim Assad’s chief of protocol has defected
• More clashes reported in Aleppo
• All 48 Iranian hostages are alive, Tehran claims