Local media said many of the victims were burnt alive. Rescue workers are trying to find people thought to be still trapped in the fire-affected buildings, but their work has been made difficult because of the narrow lanes of the densely populated area.
Heavy fighting has broken out in the Somali capital brother Mogadishu between government forces and Islamist militants from the al-Shabab group. At least 17 people have died and around 60 have been wounded. Richard Hamilton has more.
After years of humiliating setbacks at the hands of al-Shabab, the transitional government has begun a long-awaited offensive. This counter-attack involves Somali troops who've been trained in Ethiopia - although Somalia's neighbour officially withdrew from the conflict in early 2009. Reports suggest the operation has been successful in taking back key districts in the north of Mogadishu near the presidential palace. The government backed by troops from the African Union has been fighting Islamist insurgents who control much of southern Somalia and have imposed a strict form of Sharia, or Islamic law.
Police in Colombia have arrested a man they believe was responsible for the kidnapping and killing of a provincial governor in December. Luis Francisco Cuellar was found with his throat cut and explosives strapped to his body two days after he'd been abducted. Police say the man they’ve detained is also accused of leading a column of the FARC, Colombia's main left-wing rebel group.