This antiquated practice is the worst form of gender inequality and it contravenes UN health, education, and economic targets, says Moha Ennaji.

Algeria’s economy is on its knees and the electorate is fed up of paying obeisance to an elderly demagogue, writes Zaki Laidi

US president Donald Trump has defended his call to the widow of an American soldier killed in Niger, saying he was "respectful" and that he did not forget the soldier's name.

White House chief of staff John Kelly delivered an extraordinary denunciation of a Democratic congresswoman today, accusing her of politicising what he called a "sacred" presidential effort to console the grieving loved ones of a slain soldier.

Much more needs to be done to help developing countries build education systems that will give girls the chance to realise their potential, writes Julia Gillard

Boko Haram extremists have killed more than 380 people in the Lake Chad region since April, a major resurgence of attacks that has doubled the casualties compared with the previous five months, Amnesty International said.

The humanitarian tragedy in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen is not new, but unless the world works for longterm change at a local level we’re doomed to see the cycle of suffering to continue, says Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré.

Irish photographer Richard Mosse has used military technology for his refugee-related exhibition at the Barbican in London, writes Shilpa Ganatra

Boko Haram has murdered 600 teachers and displaced 19,000 in an effort to stop children getting the education they need to break the cycle of poverty, writes AnneMarie McCarthy       

Extremist group Boko Haram killed seven military police and injured three others in an attack on a barracks in south east Niger, witnesses said on Saturday.

The author and filmmaker Miranda July asks the pop superstar what turns her on, how she handles the pressure of public scrutiny, and why she’s been Googling childbirth. (Then they become best friends) 

The number of child bombers used by the Islamic extremists of Boko Haram has increased 10-fold in a year - with devastating consequences in communities that now see children as threats, Unicef says.

Seventy celebrities, including Elton John and Jessie J, have urged world leaders to tackle poverty by addressing gender inequality.

Security is to be stepped up in Burkina Faso after al-Qaeda militants in a vehicle from neighbouring Niger killed at least 28 people from 18 different countries in an attack on a hotel and cafe popular with foreigners.

At least 30 people were killed when Boko Haram Islamic extremists struck the north-east Nigerian city of Maiduguri with rocket-propelled grenades and multiple suicide bombers, witnesses said.

A triple suicide bombing at a market on an island in Lake Chad has killed at least 27 people and injured 90 others, a Chad security official said.

Islamic State’s crude interpretation of the Quran has seen it try to justify the actions of followers who have raped young girls and sold them into sex. Ken Phelan looks at the mindset that allows it

Austria said 71 refugees including a baby girl were found dead in an abandoned freezer truck, while Libya recovered the bodies of 82 migrants washed ashore after their overcrowded boat sank on its way to Europe and scores more were feared dead.

The Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram has crossed into neighbouring Niger and attacked two villages, killing 40 people.

The bodies of 18 migrants who likely died of dehydration have been found in the Sahara desert in northern Niger, the International Organisation for Migration said.

The bodies of 18 migrants who likely died of dehydration have been found in the Sahara desert in northern Niger, the International Organisation for Migration said.

Europe correspondent, Ann Cahill, delivers her weekly briefing on Euro affairs from the European Parliament.

Your spoiler free guide to tonight's TV.

After carrying out a mass rescue of 200 girls and 93 women from the forest stronghold of an Islamic insurgent group, Nigeria’s military is evacuating the females and plans to check their physical and mental health, an army spokesman has said.

The Nigerian army said it could not confirm if any of the 300 women and girls freed from a Boko Haram stronghold are the schoolgirls kidnapped a year ago.

Michael Werz and Max Hoffman say the effects of climate change, such as drought, flooding and the undermining of agriculture, are among the drivers of migration and policymakers need to face up to that.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is under pressure to offer practical help at today’s emergency EU summit dealing with the tragedy of migrants dying in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe.

Rescue crews searched yesterday for survivors and bodies from what could be the Mediterranean’s deadliest migrant tragedy ever, as hundreds more migrants took to the sea undeterred and EU leaders said they would hold an emergency summit on Thursday to address the crisis.

A 10-point plan with emphasis on fighting human traffickers is expected to be approved by EU leaders at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.

The UN’s human rights chief has said his office has received reports that Boko Haram fighters retreating from advancing military forces in Nigeria murdered women and girls they had taken as “wives”, along with other captives.

Ireland is today dispatching thousands of blankets, tents, cooking kits, and other urgent supplies to assist thousands of Nigerian refugees in Northern Cameroon.

Almost 30 countries are highly vulnerable to an ebola-style epidemic which could jeopardise the future of millions of children, a charity has warned.

Nigeria’s military has defended an attack on the north-east Nigerian city of Gombe by Boko Haram Islamic extremists.

Boko Haram fighters attacked a village in Chad, the first known lethal attack in that country by the Nigerian militant group, which killed several people including a local chief, according to residents and security forces.

Boko Haram militants have attacked a village inside Chad, their first deadly attack in the country, according to an army spokesman.

Boko Haram extremists have abducted about 30 people including eight Cameroonian girls and killed seven hostages in two bus hijackings in Cameroon and Nigeria, Cameroon residents and a Nigerian intelligence officer said.

Nigeria’s Islamic extremists Boko Haram pushed their conflict further into neighbouring countries with attacks on Cameroon and Niger, abducting more than 30 people including those aboard a packed bus.

Cross-border attacks increasing as conflict spills across frontiers

Boko Haram staged an overnight assault on a border town in Niger and a suicide bomber detonated explosives near a market in the same town a few hours later, witnesses said.

Nigeria’s electoral commission is to postpone presidential and legislative elections for six weeks to give a new multinational force time to secure north-eastern areas under the sway of Boko Haram, an official has said.