The violence in Darfur has intensified in recent months with attacks on humanitarian workers, peacekeepers and the growing number of displaced persons sheltering in makeshift camps, with inter-tribal clashes and fighting between the Government and armed militia adding to the mayhem, the head of United Nations peacekeeping told the Security Council today.

Sudan is hoping to use foreign cash to reinvigorate its under-performing agricultural sector, but there is growing disagreement over the extent to which outsiders, rather than local farmers, should be taking control of the industry.

Khartoum: Thousands of villagers have been forced to flee their homes after more than a week of heavy clashes between Sudanese forces and rebels in North Darfur, aid sources said on Monday.

Entire villages have been abandoned after residents took shelter in surrounding mountains and open land, cut off from food aid and clinics, humanitarian officers said.

Darfur: Darfur rebels claim government forces have launched more ground and air attacks on their positions and villages in North Darfur.

Two rebel groups say the attacks started on Saturday morning and that civilians are fleeing the area.

Sudan: A minister in South Sudan's government has said nationwide elections due by July 2009 could be delayed by at least six months.

Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong said torrential rain and a series of logistical problems could make it difficult to vote as scheduled.

Sudan: Sudanese government troops have launched attacks on two towns in Darfur, three rebel groups in the region have said.

The rebels said the troops, backed by militias, helicopters and planes, had attacked Disa and Birmaza in North Darfur state early on Saturday.

Nairobi: At least 10 people were killed and several others wounded in Kenya's northern district of Turkana by suspected cattle rustlers from Toposa, southern Sudan on Saturday.

According to local administrators, the raiders armed with AK-47 rifles have struck Mogila area in Lokichogio division and stole 732 animals.

Khartoum: Five Sudanese men accused of murdering a U.S. aid worker are religious extremists who plotted to attack foreigners at New Year's Eve gatherings, Sudanese prosecutors told a court on Sunday.

Khartoum: Sudanese forces accused of killing dozens of people in a raid on a displaced persons camp in Darfur were massing outside the camp again on Tuesday, rebels and residents said.

Residents of South Darfur's Kalma camp told Reuters they feared government forces were preparing to make a second attempt to enter the settlement after an assault on Monday.

Nairobi: Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odingahas dismissed local media reports that he supports attempts by the International Criminal Court to indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir over alleged war crimes in the troubled Darfur region.

In a statement received here Monday, Odinga termed the reports which appeared on Sunday as "false and misleading."

Monovia: Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Friday set up an anti-corruption commission in response to donor calls for tougher measures against graft in the West African country.

Khartom: More than 50 Arab tribesmen were killed on Wednesday in armed clashes over water and grazing land in South Darfur, a senior member of one of the groups said on Thursday.

Khartoum: Sudan sentenced eight Darfur rebels to death on Sunday for their involvement in an unprecedented attack on the capital, including a senior leader of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

Khartoum: Five Sudanese men, including a former army officer, made their first appearance in court on Sunday to face charges over the New Year's Day killing in Khartoum of a U.S. aid worker and his driver.