Somali pirates seize supertanker
Pirates seize a supertanker carrying oil from Saudi Arabia to the US - one of the largest ships captured off Somalia.

Experts change HIV 'drug advice'
The World Health Organization says HIV drugs should be given sooner and to breastfeeding mothers with the virus.

Spain fears kidnap was al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda's North African branch may have kidnapped three aid workers in Mauritania, a minister says.

Burundi ex-rebel to contest poll
Former rebel leader Agathon Rwasa is chosen by his party as its candidate for Burundi's 2010 presidential election.

Rwanda and France restore ties
Rwanda and France restore diplomatic ties years after they were broken in a row over the 1994 genocide.

E Guinea opposition rejects poll
Equatorial Guinea's main opposition candidate says he will not accept Sunday's election result because polls were not fair.

Rwanda admitted to Commonwealth
Rwanda is admitted as the 54th member of the Commonwealth group of nations.

Concert backs 'Gandhi of Sahara'
Spanish singers stage a concert in support of a Western Sahara activist on hunger strike in the Canary Islands.

Second day of polling in Namibia
The people of Namibia vote for a second day in presidential and parliamentary elections, with long queues reported in some areas.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Voting opens for BBC player award
The shortlist for the 2009 BBC African Footballer of the Year is announced - vote now for your choice.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Ethiopia thrash Djibouti
Five second half goals from Ethiopia give them a win over Djibouti and put them on top of their group at the Cecafa Senior Challenge.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Cricket: England crush South Africa
James Anderson takes 5-23 as England bowl out South Africa for 119, winning by seven wickets to lead the one-day series 2-1.

Literary treasures
Saving Timbuktu manuscripts from the ravages of time

To love, honour...
... and be beaten? Zambia singer lifts lid on marital abuse

Joining the club
Rwanda wrestles with cricket for Commonwealth bid

National outrage
How Egypt's World Cup exit exposed deeper frustrations

Green Big Brother
Sahara reality TV show to highlight climate change

Congo boat sinking kills 73
A boat accident on a lake in the Democratic Republic of Congo leaves at least 73 people dead, Red Cross officials say.

Kingdom rejects Uganda land law
The Buganda kingdom rejects the new land law passed after heated debate in Uganda's parliament.

Zimbabwe plane crashes in China
Three American crew members are killed as a cargo plane crashes on take-off at China's Shanghai airport.

Africans 'aiding Rwanda suspects'
Rwanda accuses Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia of being unwilling to co-operate in locating genocide suspects.

Eskom to get loan for power plant
South African energy firm Eskom gets a 1.86bn euro loan ($2.77bn) to finance the building of a new power plant.

New SA life for ID suicide family
The family of South Africa's Skhumbuzo Mhlongo who committed suicide after he was refused ID, are given a house.

Can Mozambique turn the tide?
What Mozambique is doing to tackle rising sea levels

Football business in South Africa
Football gets down to business in South Africa

South Africa DIY electricity
The electricians who connect South Africans - for free

Kenyan orphans on the streets
Kenya orphans face drug addiction and violence

Funds win on Liberia's 1978 debt
A High Court in London orders Liberia to pay two investment funds more than $20m (£12m) for a debt dating back to 1978.

South African economy grows again
South Africa exits a nine-month recession after its economy returned to growth between July and September.

Send us your pictures of Africa
Send in your shots of Africa from shadows to hats