The secession of south Sudan is all but guaranteed, but securing the vote for that outcome is the least of the challenges facing the southern Sudanese, writes Asmaa El-Husseini in Juba

Ethnic tensions and the scramble for oil reserves forewarn of a looming confrontation in Abyei and adjacent borderline areas between northern and southern Sudan, cautions Gamal Nkrumah

Ismail Kushkush lends his ears to the testimonies of two women from southern and northern Sudan. Their words reflect the dilemma facing many Sudanese pondering how their lives will be altered by the likely outcome of the referendum deciding the future of the south and the whole country

The US is hoping for a peaceful birth for Africa's newest state. Is Khartoum, asks Graham Usher

Sherine Abdel-Razek considers the effect south Sudan's referendum outcome may have on local and neighbouring economies

Despite prior condemnations, Israel is pressing ahead with demolitions as it continues to colonise East Jerusalem and the West Bank, writes Khaled Amayreh

All signs are that Israel will attack Gaza again; only the timing is yet to be decided, writes Saleh Al-Naami

Saad Al-Hariri raised hopes that the crisis surrounding the international tribunal on his father's assassination would end, only for his New York visit to open more questions. Lucy Fielder reports from Beirut

Despite other disagreements, all Iraqi forces want the next Arab summit to take place in Baghdad, reports Dina Ezzat

Whatever his sugar-coated rhetoric might suggest, radical Iraqi cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr is not set on moderation, writes Salah Hemeid

A Tunisian soldier drives an armoured vehicle through Ettadhamoun, a western suburb of Tunis...