Mali arrests Qaeda suspects over military officer's murder (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Authorities in Mali have detained several suspects in connection with the murder of a military officer that was blamed on Al-Qaeda's north African branch, an army captain said Tuesday.

Oumou Sangare - (World Circuit/Nonesuch/Warner) (Hour.ca)

The woman who began singing at weddings and on the streets of Bamako over 25 years ago has been dubbed the Madonna of Mali for a reason: Oumou Sangare is unafraid to tackle local taboos and stand up for the rights of women in a society where young girls are still sold into marriage.

USAID, Western Union program aids African business (AP via Yahoo! News)

A U.S. aid agency and Western Union Co. are teaming up to offer a cash boost to sub-Saharan Africans who live in the U.S. but have business plans back home.

Spain's spy chief resigns under fire (AP via Yahoo! News)

Spain's intelligence chief resigned Thursday amid allegations he used government money to go on hunting and fishing trips and had staffers remodel his house.

Today from VOA: (Voice of America)

Seven Gambian journalists jailed last month will appear in a high court in the capital Banjul today, four days earlier than scheduled, to face charges of sedition and publishing with seditious intent.

Spain spy chief quits in cash row (BBC News)

Spain's spy chief, Alberto Saiz, resigns amid allegations he used government funds for hunting and fishing trips.

Films to make you think (The Christian Science Monitor)

These documentaries may change your dinner menu and your travel itinerary.

Commentary: Waiting for al-Qaida's Godot (UPI)

By ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE UPI Editor at Large WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- Homegrown terrorism and transnational terrorism are not birds of a feather. They don’t flock together and can’t be killed with one stone.

Bangkok Post : Thai rice gene patent 'sends wrong signal' (Bangkok Post - Thailand's English news)

The recent patenting of a Thai rice gene will pave the way for overseas firms to obtain copyrights of Thai biological and genetic resources, intellectual property rights experts and farmer advocates warn.

USAID, Western Union program aids African business (San Francisco Chronicle)

A U.S. aid agency and Western Union Co. are teaming up to offer a cash boost to sub-Saharan Africans who live in the U.S. but have business plans back home. The African Diaspora Marketplace program offers matching grants of $50,000 to $100,000 for small- to... Sponsored Topics: United States - Sub-Saharan Africa - United States Agency for International Development - Africa - Western Union