Iraq army and Shi'ite militias launch attacks north of Baghdad
Offensive is biggest operation in the province since Sunni Islamist radicals seized swaths of north Iraq last June
First test shows Kenya's huge underground water find too salty to drink
Test results are a blow to hopes that a recently discovered aquifer could ease problems in drought-hit Turkana
World Bank seeks $500 million for African weather services
More accurate and timely warnings of extreme weather would help protect lives and assets from disasters, experts say
States fail to protect civilians from militant violence - Amnesty - TRFN
Surge in refugee numbers, growing influence of non-state armed groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State are major concerns
Gunmen abduct 89 boys in war-torn South Sudan - U.N.
Boys were taken while doing their exams and the total number of kidnapped children could be "much higher" - UNICEF
Footballer Ibrahimovic raises funds for hungry with chest "tattoos"
Using a footballer to draw attention to the plight of the hungry is instant success - but will it raise money?
South Sudan calls off elections, aims to extend president's term-govt spokesman
President Kiir's term was due to end in July
FEATURE-Uprooted South Sudanese fear the call to return home
Thousands of people continue to arrive at UN sites in conflict areas