KINSHASA (Reuters) - At least 39 people died in flooding on Tuesday in Kinshasa, the sprawling capital of Democratic Republic of Congo, following torrential rains overnight, authorities said.

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Late last year, as President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's hold on power weakened, one of Sudan's most feared militia leaders lashed out against the government of his long-time ally and benefactor.

PARIS/BAMAKO (Reuters) - Thirteen French soldiers were killed in Mali when their helicopters collided at low altitude as they swooped in at nightfall to support ground forces engaged in combat with Islamist militants.

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has evacuated 49 non-essential staff among 120 working on the Ebola epidemic from the town of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the worsening security situation, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

PARIS (Reuters) - Thirteen French soldiers fighting jihadists in Mali were killed in an accident between two helicopters, the French presidency said on Tuesday, the single biggest loss of French troops in combat in the region since intervening there in 2013.

GABORONE (Reuters) - Botswana's main opposition party is challenging in court the results of 16 parliamentary constituencies won by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in last month's election, party spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa told Reuters.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials met on Sunday with eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar as Washington presses him to end his offensive on the capital, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has called back its ambassador to South Sudan for consultations relating to the African nation's failure to form a unity government, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Monday.

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Two people were killed in clashes with police in eastern Congo on Monday after protesters in the town of Beni set fire to the mayor's office and several U.N. buildings in anger at a new round of violence by suspected Islamist rebels.

RABAT (Reuters) - A Moroccan court on Monday sentenced a rap star to a year in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams ($103) for insulting the police in a case that has prompted rights groups to voice alarm over freedom of expression in the North African kingdom.