NIGERIA

The world's biggest gay beauty pageant saw black Africans contesting for the first time, despite facing violent threats from their government.

Prayers and celebrations marked Easter across the world.

A bomb blast killed at least five people on Easter Sunday in the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria.

The Pope also denounced the terrorist attack in Nigeria and prayed for coup-hit Mali.

Asia and Africa to lead urban population growth posing a challenge to jobs and environment.

Islamic gummen target Igbo traders in marketplace killings in face of security clampdown.

British Youths from African communities could be radicalised as al-Qaida looks at Africa as a potential new front to build its strength

Dispute between oil giant and Nembe Island's poor community escalates to workers being held on board seized boats.

Crackdown on citizenship fiddle targets weddings Zimbabwe has suspended all weddings indefinitely, reportedly in an effort to curb corruption and fraud.

The government of Nigeria has given British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and all foreign airlines operating in the country a 30-day- ultimatum to replace what it described as discriminatory policies.

The Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram has stopped all talks with the Nigerian government, saying it could not trust a government of "unbelievers".

Nigeria's Islamist terrorist sect Boko Haram agrees to conditional ceasefire after wave of bombings and arson.

Foreign Secretary William Hague explained that there was only limited opportunity to free the hostages whose lives were in danger.

Italian anger over failed rescue bid of engineers Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara kidnapped in Nigeria 'disingenuous', says Whitehall.

While Italians are saying they were kept in the dark about the mission, Downing Street says they were kept in the loop.

British engineer Chris McManus and Italian national Franco Lamolinara killed during rescue operation by joint forces of Nigeria and Britain.

Nigerian government pledges to open talks with Islamist terror sect in return for end to violence.

South Africa has apologised to Nigeria for deporting 125 Nigerians from the country over their yellow fever vaccination cards.

Nigerian foreign minister Olugbenga Ashiru warns Johannesburg of 'appropriate reaction'.

Watchdog outraged by militant Islamist sect for seven arson attacks on Nigerian schools.

Twelve alleged victims of torture launch appeal for case against oil giant to be heard in US.