At least 12 civilians have been killed in a suicide attack targeting African Union troops in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, the first serious assault by suspected Islamic extremists after the killing of al-Shabab’s top leader in a US air strike last week.

Keenly-awaited Xbox One consoles launched in more than a dozen countries as day dawned in respective time zones.

More tents were being flown today to people left homeless by the South Asian earthquake as survivors joined relief workers in hailing an agreement between India and Pakistan to open their disputed frontier to ease the delivery of assistance.

PALESTINIANS feared on Thursday that their ailing leader Yasser Arafat was near death and they could face a chaotic and possibly bloody power struggle if he goes.