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Live Reporting

Hugo Williams and Damian Zane

All times stated are UK

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  1. Scroll down for Tuesday's stories

    We'll be back tomorrow

    That's all for today from the BBC Africa Live page. Listen to the Africa Today podcast and keep up-to-date with stories from across the continent on the BBC Africa News website.

    Today's African proverb: "Though the bat may hang its head downwards, it is fully aware of the way the birds fly." A Yoruba proverb sent by Aremo Chris, Abule Egba, Ogun, Nigeria.

    Click here to send us your African proverb and scroll to the end of the page.

    We leave you with this picture of the welcome for Kenya's victorious athletes as they returned from topping the medals table at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

    Traditional Masai dancers were among those celebrating.

    Traditional Maasai dancers welcome some of Kenya"s athletics medallists back at the airport in Nairobi
  2. BreakingBreaking News

    Former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami has told the BBC he plans to bid for the presidency of world football governing body Fifa.

    "Africa must play a big role in world football," he told BBC Africa's Oluwashina Okeleji.

    Segun Odegbami
  3. Fifty in Ebola quarantine in northern Sierra Leone

    Fifty people have been put in quarantine in Sierra Leone after a woman died of Ebola in the north of the country, the AFP news agency reports.

    The authorities are trying to trace the extent of the possible spread as the victim was sick for at least five days without telling the authorities, an official told a local radio station.

    There had been celebrations last week when the last known Ebola patient at that time was discharged from hospital.

    Adama Sankoh, 40, centre, who contracted Ebola after her son died from the disease late last month stands with health officials the moment after she was discharge from Mateneh Ebola treatment center outskirt of Freetown
    Image caption: Adama Sankoh (centre) was discharged last week after being found to be free of the virus

    Nearly 4,000 people have died of Ebola in Sierra Leone from the recent outbreak.

  4. Kidnapped clerics freed in DR Congo

    Kassim Kayira

    BBC Africa

    Six Tanzanian Muslim clerics taken hostage three weeks ago by a Congolese militia group in eastern DR Congo have been freed following a gun fight with government troops.

    The Mai Mai militia kidnapped the Muslim preachers from a road not far from the regional capital, Goma, and sought a ransom for their release.

    After a stalemate with negotiators, Congolese government troops decided to take action, and following an exchange of fire, all the hostages have been released.

  5. Potential breakthrough in battle against malaria

    A new method of applying insecticide to netting has proved 100% effective against some strains of mosquito, an international study reports.

    In experiments, the coating killed off many more mosquitoes than usual.

    Dutch researchers, writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, say this could help control diseases such as malaria. Click here to read the full BBC story

    A mosquito feeding on a human
    Image caption: The researchers say the new coating kills some of the most insecticide-resistant mosquitoes

    In 2013, an estimated 437,000 African children died before their fifth birthday due to malaria, according to the World Health Organization.

    malari graphic
    Image caption: Figures from the World Health Organization

    Bart Knol, senior author of the report, told the BBC's Newsday programme how 10km of the netting have already been shipped to Tanzania as part of the trial phase. Click here to listen to the interview

  6. Nigerian army reports 'success against Boko Haram'

    Nigeria's army says it has retaken a key town from Boko Haram in the north-east of the country:

    In a written statement, the army says it will provide more details but adds that  "the triumphant troops are now busy with clearing and mopping up patrols".

  7. Your views: Idris Elba for 007?

    idris elba

    There's been a huge African reaction on Twitter after a British author said Idris Elba was "too street" to play James Bond (see previous post). 007 has never been played by a black actor, but Elba is one of those who has been hotly tipped as a potential replacement for Daniel Craig. 

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
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    One user has even suggested a Nigerian Nollywood star might be a better fit for the role:

    View more on twitter
  8. Idris Elba 'too street' for Bond?

    Actor Idris Elba is trending on Twitter in Nigeria after the British author of a new James Bond novel said he was "too street" to play the iconic spy on screen.

    Anthony Horowitz told the UK's Mail on Sunday's Event magazine: "Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better." He suggests Adrian Lester.

    "For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It's not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too 'street' for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah."

    idris Elba
  9. Doping 'already illegal' in Kenya

    Mohammud Ali

    BBC Africa, Nairobi

    Kenya's Attorney General Githu Muigai has told the BBC that doping in sport is already illegal in the country.

    He was clarifying remarks made earlier in the day by Deputy President William Ruto that plans were in place to criminalise it.

    Mr Muigai said: "What we want to do is strengthen the implementation of this [already existing] law and deal firmly with the few who engage in doping.''

    William Ruto welcoming back athletes
    Image caption: Deputy President Ruto (left) welcomed back Kenya's victorious athletes from Beijing today
  10. AU 'withdrew but then retook Somalia base'

    The AU mission in Somalia (Amisom) has released a statement on this morning's al-Shabab attack on one of their bases in southern Somalia.

    There had been some reports that the base at Janale had been overrun by al-Shabab militants, which Amisom denied.

    In a new statement, it says that its troops "undertook a tactical withdrawal" following the initial attack, but "they have since consolidated and regained full control of the base".

    The statement also acknowledges that there some Ugandan Amisom soldiers were killed, but the exact number of casualties is not given.

    AU truck
    Image caption: Amisom troops in Somalia (file photo)
  11. Call to pay teachers trending in Kenya

    #PayTeachers has been trending on Twitter Kenya after the government has so far failed to abide by a court ruling and increase teachers' pay by at least 50%.

    The new academic year was supposed to start today but many teachers either failed to turn up, or didn't teach after arriving at school.

    The government says that it doesn't have the money.

    Some tweeters have appealed directly to the president:

    School children in Kenya
  12. Pope Francis relaxes forgiveness rules over abortion

    Pope Francis will allow all Catholic priests to forgive women who have had abortions, and doctors who carry out the procedure.

    In Catholicism, abortion is viewed as such a grave sin that it warrants automatic excommunication.

    Until now, permission for forgiveness had to be sought from a bishop, who would then delegate an expert priest.

    However, the measure is just a temporary one for the coming Jubilee Year, which begins in December.

    There are thought to be 177 million Catholics in Africa.

    Pope Francis in Vatican
  13. EPL transfer deadline closes in

    #DeadlineDay is trending across the continent as English Premier League teams scramble to complete deals before the transfer window closes (at 17:00 GMT) - so for the next few hours at least, you can still pretend your team might sign Messi. Follow all the latest on the BBC Transfer Deadline Day Live Page

    deadline day trends across africa

    Meanwhile in the real world, Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Senegal international Papy Djilobodji from Nantes in a £4m deal.

    Papy Djilobodji
  14. Migrant found hiding next to car engine

    A Guinean man has been found hiding inside the bonnet of a Mercedes, next to the engine, trying to enter the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco.

    Migrant hiding next to car engine, Guardia Civil photo

    The authorities discovered another man lodged in a compartment behind the back seat.

    Guinea migrant found behind back seat - Guardia Civil pic

    The two men from Guinea got first aid, having suffered from a lack of oxygen, Spain's Guardia Civil police said.

    Read the full BBC story here

  15. Africa's 'hot bed of medals'

    Kenya's champion athletes were driven into Nairobi in limousines emblazoned with the message "Hot bed of medals".

    Back of limousine

    The athletes had just returned from Beijing where they topped the medals table at the World Athletics Championships.

    The broadcaster CNN was criticised by many Kenyans in July for describing Kenya as a "hotbed of terror" ahead of the visit by US President Barack Obama.

  16. Analysis: Nigeria's ex-national security adviser in court

    Will Ross

    BBC News, Lagos

    This has been a swift change of fortune for Sambo Dasuki who was an extremely powerful figure in the immediate past administration.

    He pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally possessing weapons when he appeared in court in the capital, Abuja, today.

    As the National Security Advisor, he oversaw the fight against Boko Haram and as a sign of how influential Col Dasuki was, it was on his advice that this year's elections were postponed.

    Sambo Dasuki

    Apart from the accusation of possessing illegal weapons, Mr Dasuki may have bigger problems ahead.

    He may be asked to help explain where the $5bn (£3.3bn) annual security budget went, especially as it became clear that for some time the Nigerian military did not have the weapons it needed to fight the jihadists.

  17. Moves to criminalise doping in Kenya

    Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto has said the government wants to make doping in sport a criminal offence, the AFP news agency reports.

    He's been speaking following the homecoming of Kenya's athletes from the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, where they topped the medals table.

    Two Kenyan athletes, Koki Manunga and Joyce Zakary, were banned during the competition after failing drugs tests.

    Mr Ruto said the cabinet will be looking into the doping issue.

    "We want to put into place measures to elevate the anti-doping agency and give it a legal framework so that it is backed by law to make it an offence," he is quoted by AFP as saying.

    Javelin thrower Yego being driven through Nairobi
    Image caption: Kenya's athletes received a hero's welcome in the capital, Nairobi
  18. Row over Tanzania cyber-crime law

    Tulanana Bohela

    BBC Africa, Dar es Salaam

    Tanzania's controversial new cyber-crime bill comes into force today. Publishing information that is judged to be false, deceptive, misleading or inaccurate could lead to a heavy fine or jail.

    But there's been huge opposition from the media and bloggers who are worried about the powers it gives its enforcers.

    Police now have the authority to search and confiscate phones, computer equipment and data without a warrant.

    The government says the new law is necessary to protect misuse and abuse of the internet and to protect vulnerable groups like children.

    Mobile phones
  19. Priorities for the African Development Bank

    The new head of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Nigeria's Akinwumi Adesina, has been speaking about what the bank should be doing in the next five years:

  20. Cape Verde islands 'escape major hurricane damage'

    Authorities in Cape Verde say the first hurricane to pass over the West African islands caused flooding, uprooted trees and tore off some roofs but caused no major damage or injuries, the AP news agency reports, quoting Arlindo Lima, head of the country's Civil Protection Service.

    hurricane fred
    Image caption: Hurricane Fred, seen here over the Cape Verde islands, was later downgraded to a tropical storm
  21. Can Will Smith do a Nigerian accent?

    In the upcoming Hollywood Drama "Concussion", Will Smith stars in "the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma", which changed the way the US perceived the safety of its favourite sport. 

    But as soon as the trailer came out, debate began over the authenticity of his accent as Nigerian-born Dr Omalu. Nigerians on Twitter have been far from convinced. Watch the trailer below and decide for yourself. 

    View more on twitter
    View more on twitter
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    Have a listen to the real-life Dr. Bennet Omalu in this PBS interview from 2013.

  22. Al-Shabab attack 'marks anniversary'

    BBC Monitoring

    Pro-al-Shabab radio station Andalus is reporting that the attack on the African Union base in Janale, south of the capital, Mogadishu, was carried out to mark the first anniversary of the killing of former leader Sheikh Mukhtar Abu-Zubeyr in a US drone strike.

    This morning's attack took place in the same region, Lower Shabelle, that Zubeyr was hit.

    The unit which carried out the attack was re-named after the late leader in June this year and marked its arrival on the scene with an attack on AU forces in Leego, southern Somalia, which left more than 50 Burundian troops dead.

    AU vehicle in Somalia
  23. Getting jammed up in Nairobi

    The BBC's Angela Ngendo in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, took two hours to complete a journey which normally takes a few minutes. The problem? Bumper to bumper traffic:

    Heavy traffic in Nairobi

    This was the scene on the Ngara Road, one of the city's main highways - where the tailback went on for an estimated 7km, our correspondent says.

    Traffic in Nairobi

    She got so fed up with the traffic that she got out to walk and snapped these pictures from a pedestrian bridge.

    Apparently the problem was a broken-down bus further up the road - it has now been moved.

  24. UN body criticises Chad over Boko Haram executions

    A UN human rights body has criticised Chad for the execution of 10 people convicted of being Boko Haram members on Saturday, the AP news agency reports.

    The men were found guilty on Friday after a three-day trial of involvement in a series of recent attacks in the country.

    Cecile Pouilly - from the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - said that UN officials did not have access to last week's trial and called on Chad to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty.

    Mahamat Mustapha Bananaye, a man accused of being a high ranking member of insurgent group Boko Haram, attends his trial in N"Djamena
    Image caption: Mahamat Mustapha was among the 10 men to be executed in Chad on Saturday
  25. South African pop star gets unlikely LA comeback

    Have you ever wondered what happens to pop stars after their fame has faded?In 1994 Giyani Kulani was working as a cleaner in a South African recording studio when he persuaded the producer to let him sing on a track.The song they made became a huge hit, turning Kulani into a superstar known across Africa by his nickname, Penny Penny.A few years later, record sales dried up and Penny Penny swapped the studio for politics, becoming a local councillor.Recently things changed again when he received a phone call from Los Angeles.

    View more on youtube
  26. Call to boost Uganda's manufacturing sector

    Patience Atuhaire

    BBC Africa, Kampala

    East Africa imports 70% of all manufactured goods that it consumes according to the Uganda's trade minister Amelia Kyambadde, and she has called for the sector across the region to be strengthened.

    The minister was speaking at a two-day regional manufacturing summit in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

    Local cosmetics and beauty products makers as well as juice producers were showing off what they're making.

    Cosmetics on show
  27. Adesina to take up post as new AfDB president

    The African Development Bank is officially inaugurating its new president in the Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan today. 

    Nigeria's former Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina (pictured left) was elected in May to head the AfDB, taking over from Rwanda's Donald Kaberuka (right), who led the bank for 10 years from 2005.  

  28. Scaffolding deliveries in Addis Ababa

    There's large-scale construction going on in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, but some projects still rely on old-fashioned low-tech infrastructure.

    The BBC's Emmanuel Igunza snapped this horse and cart in the Lebu area of the city on its way to deliver scaffolding poles.

    Horse
    Horse
  29. Sudan's Bashir welcomed in Beijing

    omar al bashir

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has welcomed Sudan's leader Omar al-Bashir in Beijing as an "old friend of the Chinese people", Reuters news agency reports.

    President Bashir, who has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court (ICC), is in China to attend events to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two.

    sudanese presidential jet at beijing airport

    The US has expressed concern over the visit on the basis of the outstanding arrest warrant from the ICC.

  30. Moses' loan move to West Ham is confirmed

    West Ham has tweeted news of Nigeria's Victor Moses, who's gone there on loan from Chelsea:

  31. 'Re-enforcements sent to AU base' in Somalia

    Mohamed Moalimu

    BBC Africa, Mogadishu

    Residents have told the BBC that following the al-Shabab attack on an African Union base 90km south of the capital, Mogadishu, the AU has sent re-enforcements.

    They also said they saw al-Shabab militants leaving the base. A spokesperson for the militants told a local radio station that they have killed more than 50 soldiers.

    The AU has not commented on casualty figures but have denied that the base was taken.

  32. Europeans 'getting migration history wrong'

    European politicians are getting their history wrong according to Africa's top UN official, Carlos Lopes.

    The head of the Economic Commission for Africa says in his latest blog post that when they talk of the "worst migrant crisis since World War Two" they forget that Italians populated Argentina and Uruguay, and British people went to Australia and New Zealand.

    Other African countries meanwhile are the target for most Africans on the move, Mr Lopes says.

    He adds that migration is likely to continue as Africa's population grows, and speculates that this movement is "payback time" for the "plundering of [Africa's] natural resources and unfair international treatment".

    Migrants arriving in Italy
  33. Hurricane Fred weakens to tropical storm

    Hurricane Fred, which hit the Cape Verde islands on Monday, has been downgraded to a tropical storm, as it moves further away from the country, according to the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC). 

    View more on twitter

    A tropical storm warning is still in place for some islands in Cape Verde, but is expected to be lifted by Tuesday afternoon, the NHC adds. 

    Wind speeds reached up to 85mph (135km/h) when the rare hurricane made landfall on Monday. 

    View more on twitter
  34. Hero's welcome for Kenyan athletes

    Victorious Kenyan athletes have returned home to a hero's welcome after they topped the medal table at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing for the first time.

    Ezekiel Kemboi won the gold medal in the men's 3,000m steeplechase.

    Kenyan Ezekiel Kemboi (L), who won gold medal in men"s 3,000m Steeplechase final during the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championships greets people upon his arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta Internal Airport
    Traditional Chuka drummers celebrate as they welcome the national athletics team at the Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi, Kenya

    Julius Yego, who won the gold medal in the men's javelin, was welcomed by his son.

    Kenyan Julius Yego (C), who won gold medal in men"s Javelin Throw final during the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championships kisses his son upon his arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi
  35. Somali official says AU base was 'overrun'

    Al-Shabab fighters overran an African Union base south of Mogadishu, according to a Somali military official quoted by the AP news agency.

    Col Ahmed Hassan told AP that the militants first damaged a bridge near the base to prevent the AU troops leaving and then attacked the base.

    It is not clear how long the fighters were in the base and the African Union has denied that the base at Janale has been taken.

  36. Dasuki makes first court appearance

    Nasidi Adamu Yahya

    BBC Hausa, Abuja

    Nigeria's sacked national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has appeared in court this morning for the first time since he was charged with illegal possession of firearms.

    Mr Dasuki was in charge of coordinating the war against Boko Haram insurgents during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He is the first senior official of the former government to be charged under President Muhammadu Buhari's rule.

    sambo dasuki
    Image caption: Mr Dasuki appeared relaxed at this morning's court appearance

    Firearms were seized during a raid on his properties in July, officials say.

    Mr Dasuki denied any wrongdoing at the time and said the weapons belonged to his security guards.

  37. AU denies al-Shabab has captured a base

    Amisom, the AU mission in Somalia, has said that al-Shabab fighters have not managed to take their base at Janale, around 90km south of the capital, Mogadishu. 

    Al-Shabab has claimed that it inflicted heavy casualties during the attack, and residents have told the BBC that the base has been overrun by the militants. 

  38. Victorious Kenyan athletes return home

    Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto has been pictured at the airport in Nairobi running to welcome home Kenya's athletes after they topped the medals table at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. 

    President Kenyatta also joined in, teasing his deputy on Twitter: 

    "Great seeing my Deputy @WilliamsRuto running to welcome #TeamKenya to the country they have made a #HomeOfLegends"

  39. 'Don't turn away from Somalia'

    Emmanuel Igunza

    BBC Africa, Addis Ababa

    The UN's special representative to Somalia Nicholas Kay has told me the world cannot afford to turn attention away from Somalia due to the country's current humanitarian and security challenges.

    A food security report released Monday shows that at least 3.1 million people need humanitarian assistance and the situation could get worse due to predicted El Nino rains later in the year.

    He told me the annual humanitarian appeal was less than 40 percent fund.

    "To some people Somalia is a country that is now already on the road to recovery, attention has slightly turned away from the country but you cannot afford to turn the attention at this very critical juncture."

    Women waiting for aid
  40. Norwich sign DRC's Mbokani

    Norwich City have signed DR Congo international Dieumerci Mbokani on a season-long loan from Dynamo Kiev, with an option to buy the striker.

    The 29-year-old, who has played for Anderlecht, Monaco and Wolfsburg, scored 19 times in 46 matches for Kiev.

    "He's a big, strong number nine," said City manager Alex Neil. "He can take the ball in, he's mobile and he's a real threat in the box."

    Dieumerci Mbokani played for Kiev against Everton in the Europa League last season
    Image caption: Dieumerci Mbokani played for Kiev against Everton in the Europa League last season

    Click here to read the full story

  41. Al-Shabab attacks AU base

    Mohamed Moalimu

    BBC Africa, Mogadishu

    Witnesses have told the BBC that Islamist militant group al-Shabab has attacked an African Union base about 90km south of the Somali capital Mogadishu, inflicting heavy casualties.

    The militants rammed a car bomb into the Ugandan army base early Tuesday before engaging in deadly clashes with the peacekeepers, residents said.

    Residents told the BBC they have seen AU forces moving out of the base.

    African Union soldiers in Somalia - archive shot
    Image caption: The African Union has about 21,000 troops in the country helping the government fight al-Shabab

    The main bridge linking the town to the capital has been demolished by the militants making it difficult for reinforcement to reach the scene.

    The African Union denied that its soldiers have lost control of the base.

  42. Wise words

    Today's African proverb: "Though the bat may hang its head downwards, it is fully aware of the way the birds fly." A Yoruba proverb sent by Aremo Chris, Abule Egba, Ogun, Nigeria.

    Upside down bat

    Click here to send us your African proverb and scroll to the end of the page.

  43. Good morning

    Welcome to the BBC Africa Live page for today where we'll be keeping you up-to-date with the latest news developments on the continent.