Motlanthe 'offers to help end Zimbabwe's political impasse' – report

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe - who headed the post election violence probe in Zimbabwe - has reportedly offered to mediate between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa in attempts to remedy a political impasse in that country.

According to New Zimbabwe.com, Motlanthe's strategy was to talk to warring sections of the two parties first, before sitting down with the two party leaders.  

"Motlanthe has offered to lead negotiations between the two parties but he has come up with a new format which will not involve principal to principal discussions up until a later stage," a source close to the developments was quoted as saying.

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'We aren't interested in coalition talks with opposition,' says Zim VP

Zimbabwe's vice president Kembo Mohadi has dismissed claims that President Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are in talks for a unity government.

Daily News reported recently that Mnangagwa was holding private talks with Chamisa.

Unnamed sources were quoted as saying that the talking between the two had already kicked off and Chamisa had already appointed a high powered team to talk with the ruling Zanu-PF party.

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Naked couple posing atop pyramid in Egypt: Authorities start investigation

Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation into images of a naked couple on top of the Great Pyramid that sparked uproar in the conservative Muslim country, an official said on Tuesday.

In a video titled "Climbing the Great Pyramid of Giza", Danish photographer Andreas Hvid appears to scale the 4 500-year-old tomb on the outskirts of Cairo at night with an unidentified woman who is later seen taking off her top.

Hvid says the video was taken in late November but it was published on YouTube on December 8.

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Nigeria's Buhari signs election 'peace deal' with opponents

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari and a number of opposition leaders on Tuesday signed a deal for peaceful elections but the main challenger for the country's top deal was not present.

The 75-year-old former military ruler was joined by representatives of dozens of other parties to commit to what he said should be "peaceful and credible" elections.

"We, the candidates pledge to uphold the highest standard of conduct and encourage our teeming supporters to do the same," he added at the event in the capital, Abuja.

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Kenyan police: Key suspect in Italian's kidnapping arrested

Kenyan police officials on Tuesday said they have detained the man they believe to be responsible for the kidnapping of an Italian volunteer.

The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Adan Omar, was arrested in Bangali town in Tana county on Sunday, said James Akoru, a senior police official based at the Kenyan coast.

Police had offered a $10 000 reward for Adan, who they described as armed and dangerous.

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