The UN Security Council has backed France's intervention against Islamists in Mali, as thousands of African troops are expected to join the operation within days.

The Kenyan government has warned that an increase in poaching is edging the African elephant closer to extinction.

A 24-year-old South African woman is gored by a rhino, suffering injuries to her shoulder, lungs and ribs, moments after posing beside it for a photo.

AC Milan and Kevin-Prince Boateng escape punishment but are told they were wrong to abandon a friendly match.

South African president Jacob Zuma says he is confident the hosts can defy their critics and win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivorian defender Kolo Toure praises his side's belief as they complete their Nations Cup preparations with a 4-2 win over Egypt.

BBC News sets out to find the world's most gridlocked cities. Tomi Oladipo in Lagos and Christian Fraser in Paris see how far they can get in an hour's drive through crowded streets.

A British man killed in Kenya on Saturday was a special constable with the Metropolitan Police, the force says.

Troops from a West African force will be in Mali within days to help a French intervention against Islamist rebels, Nigeria says.

An Egyptian human rights lawyer is sentenced to five years in jail and 300 lashes by a court in Saudi Arabia for trafficking drugs.

At least 19 people are killed and more than 100 wounded after a train carrying army recruits derails near Egypt's capital Cairo, officials say.

Anglo American Platinum says it will cease production at four mine shafts in the Rustenberg region of South Africa, which could lead to the loss of almost 14,000 jobs.

President Francois Hollande says 750 French troops are now in Mali to counter an Islamist insurgency and more are to be deployed.

How far have things changed in Tunisia since the revolution?

Continuing ivory demand puts future of African elephants in doubt