World
Africa
Cannabis use given green light in South Africa
South Africa's highest court has allowed the private use of marijuana, upholding a lower court's ruling that found the criminalisation of cannabis was unconstitutional.
Latest
Extremism
Extremists slaughter civilians in Burkina Faso
Until now, extremists in the eastern part of the west African country have largely targeted security forces.
United Nations
UN condemns 'direct attack' on peacekeepers in South Sudan
The United Nations is condemning a "direct attack" on its peacekeeping mission in South Sudan after a government soldier shot and wounded a Nepalese peacekeeper.
Evolution
Oldest-known human drawing found in South African cave
The abstract design was drawn by hunter-gatherers who periodically dwelled in Blombos cave overlooking the Indian Ocean, about 300 kilometres east of Cape Town.
Health
Cholera emergency declared in Harare
Zimbabwe has declared a cholera outbreak in the capital Harare after 20 people died from the disease and more than 2000 were infected by contaminated water.
Australian Human Rights Commission
'The myth of the civilising mission': colonial past weighs on Germany
Germany has yet to come to terms with its violent colonial legacy in Africa, which laid the groundwork for and inspired Nazi atrocities, some say.
- by John Eligon
Health
HIV, malaria and tuberculosis vaccines unlikely: study
To make real progress against infectious diseases by 2030, the world must increase research spending to nearly $US9 billion ($12 billion) a year.
- by Donald McNeil jnr
Soft commodities
In an African island nation, a flavour worth killing for
The lush mountains in Madagascar's north-east produce about 80 per cent of the world's vanilla - and right now it is worth more per kilogram than silver.
- by Finbarr O'Reilly
Fire
Multiple fatalities after munitions depot blast in South Africa
South African authorities say at least eight people have been killed in an explosion at a munitions plant near Cape Town.
Libya
Libya declares state of emergency in Tripoli as death toll climbs
Libya's government has declared a state of emergency in the capital Tripoli as the death toll from fighting continues to climb.
Theresa May
Theresa 'RoboMay' takes stiff turn on South Africa dance floor
Some of Theresa May's critics already call her "RoboMay," claiming the British prime minister moves so awkwardly that she comes off as robotic.
- by Siobhán O'Grady