An air strike in Syria's Hama province on Sunday has killed dozens of people queueing for bread from a bakery, reports Reuters.

The Central African Republic’s third largest city has fallen to rebels who are fighting to overthrow President Francois Bozize.

The southern city of Bambari was taken by a coalition known as Seleka, a day after regional leaders called on the rebels to withdraw from cities recently taken and start talks with the government.

Amnesty International has condemned the execution of six Taiwanese prisoners as “cold-blooded killings”.

The six men had been convicted of murder and were executed in three prisons across the island.

The Russian government has called on South Sudan to punish those responsible for the downing of a UN helicopter, staffed by Russian crew.

"We call on the government of South Sudan to carry out the necessary investigation, punish the guilty and take every measure to guarantee that this never happens again," a statement by Russia's foreign ministry said.

Egypt’s Vice President, Mahmoud Mekki, announced his resignation today as the country completes its voting process on the controversial referendum on a draft constitution.

Mahmoud Mekki, appointed in August, said the Vice President role did not suit his background as a judge.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, made clear today that Moscow would not mediate on behalf of countries offering Bashar al-Assad asylum, in a push to make him quit Syria.

Speaking to journalists, Lavrov said:

Talks between Farc and Colombia have made progress said both sides prior to the Christmas break.

In a statement, the government's lead negotiator, Humberto de la Calle said,

Renewed clashes between rival communities in Kenya's Tana river region have killed at least 39 people.

While some say the latest attack by Pokomo farmers on the Orma village of Kipao was political, police have claimed that it was a retaliation for the killing of over 100 villagers earlier this year.

South Sudan’s armed forces have admitted to shooting down a United Nations helicopter killing all four crew members, earlier on Friday.

The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has released a statement warning of a risk of growing sectarian violence in Syria, as violence continues in the country.

In a statement expressing concern that religious or ethnic groups may be increasingly targeted, Adama Dieng said,

An Israeli-Arab MP, Haneen Zoabi, has been barred from re-election by Israel's electoral authority on Wednesday, citing her presence on the Gaza flotilla in May 2010.

The UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has jailed one of the key organisers of the Rwandan genocide to 35 years behind bars.

The last trial by the ICTR saw Augustin Ngirabatware convicted of genocide, incitement to commit genocide and rape as a crime against humanity.

US soldier Robert Bales could face the death penalty, if he is found guilty of the murder of 16 Afghan civilians, the US Army says.

Sgt Bales is accused of committing the killings In Kandahar province on March 11 this year.