Shi'ite volunteer from brigades loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, keeps guard as he mans a machine gun in Samarra
A Shi'ite volunteer from brigades loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, keeps guard as he mans a machine gun in front of a picture of Iraqi Shi'ite radical leader Muqtada al-Sadr (L) and the Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadiq al-Sadr, in Samarra, July 13, 2014. Followers of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who fought U.S. troops under the banner of the Mehdi Army during the 2003-2011 occupation, have returned as Sadr's new "Peace Brigades." The black-turbaned cleric was shown on television this week surrounded by aides in camouflage poring over maps of deployments around Samarra. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani (IRAQ - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS CONFLICT)
C.African Republic civilian leaders threaten to boycott peace talks
The African nation was plunged into violence after the takeover of the majority Christian country last year by Seleka, a mostly Muslim rebel force
EU names two South Sudan military officials it sanctioned
SOUTHSUDAN-UNREST/SANCTIONS:EU names two South Sudan military officials it sanctioned
UNHCR seeks massive boost in funding for South Sudan refugees
A total of $658 million is needed to help the 715,000 refugees expected to flee from South Sudan by the end of the year ? double the refugee total foreseen in March.
EU imposes sanctions on South Sudanese military leaders
The Council of the European Union did not name the two leaders in its brief statement or specify which sides they were on
South Sudan celebrates independence, urges end to war
During celebrations marking the third anniversary of South Sudan's independence President Salva Kiir urges rebel leader Riek Machar to resume peace talks.
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar attends an interview with Reuters in his office in Addis Ababa
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar attends an interview with Reuters in his office in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa July 9, 2014. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Wednesday called on rebels to resume peace talks as the country marked its third birthday with celebrations overshadowed by fighting that has killed thousands and brought it to the verge of famine. In a swift response, Machar told Reuters that he was ready to resume dialogue but warned his troops would target South Sudan's oil installations if fighting resumed and the government used oil revenues to buy arms. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST HEADSHOT PROFILE)
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in Addis Ababa
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar gestures as he speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa July 9, 2014. South Sudan's President Salva Kiir on Wednesday called on rebels to resume peace talks as the country marked its third birthday with celebrations overshadowed by fighting that has killed thousands and brought it to the verge of famine. In a swift response, Machar told Reuters that he was ready to resume dialogue but warned his troops would target South Sudan's oil installations if fighting resumed and the government used oil revenues to buy arms. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri (ETHIOPIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST ANNIVERSARY)