Radical Islamists

French captured among extremist fighters in Mali, sent home

French authorities fear that homegrown radicals could travel to hotspots and return home with skills to stage terrorist attacks in Europe.

Mali: French forces take airport, bridge in Gao from Islamists

The move comes just two weeks after France launched its military offensive to rout the Islamists from power in northern Mali.

Pope urges Christians to be peacemakers in Middle East

Pope Benedict on Sunday urged Christians of the Middle East to work for peace to counter "the grim trail of death and destruction" in the world, in a sermon delivered in Lebanon as civil war raged in neighbouring Syria.