It's a long-running conflict, and next year will be the 50th anniversary of the first uprising. The MNLA and another Tuareg rebels launched a fresh offensive last month, the largest since 2009 by the rebels, whose ranks have been boosted by the recent return of men who fought in Libya for Colonel Gaddafi. Although the Tuaregs are not unified, analysts say they are now much better-equipped, have better military commanders and a much more sophisticated grasp of PR, prompting them to be called the Saharan Facebook generation.
A US appeals court has ruled that a ban on gay marriage in California is unconstitutional. The case is now likely to be referred up to the Supreme Court. Six US states currently allow gay marriage. From Los Angeles, Alastair Leithead reports.
Gay marriage became legal in California in 2008 for just four months. After an aggressive campaign, a motion was passed by a ballot in the state banning same-sex couples from marrying. It was known as Proposition 8. The legal battle over whether it was a breach of rights has been going on for three years now. This latest ruling by a federal appeals court says the ban brought in by Proposition 8 is unconstitutional, supporting a previous court decision that it is a violation of gay and lesbian civil rights.
News from the BBC
There's been another delay in attempts by Greece to strike a deal on a new austerity package with a crucial meeting of coalition party leaders now postponed by a day. But the prime minister's office told the BBC a draft agreement on the reforms had now been finalised and would be formally signed off on Wednesday. Without the deal, international lenders say they won't grant a new bailout.