al-Shabab, from territory to terrorism When al-Shabab militants, dressed in casual clothes, turned up in a ritzy shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, last weekend and gunned down men, women and children, the group shifted from an insurgent movement to a terrorist organization.September 28, 2013
UN votes to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Friday night to secure and destroy Syria's chemical weapons stockpile, a landmark decision aimed at taking poison gas off the battlefield in the escalating 2 1/2-year conflict.September 27, 2013
Obama speaks to Rouhani, says Iran deal possible President Barack Obama spoke by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. It's the first conversation between American and Iranian presidents in more than 30 years.September 27, 2013
Background: The missing Somali men Since 2007, at least 23 young Twin Cities men have left for the Horn of Africa, allegedly to take up arms in Somalia's civil war. Authorities believe the men joined al-Shabab, a ruthless and radical Islamic militia group vying to topple Somalia's weak transitional government. Here is what we know about these men.September 25, 2013
Mall of America tightens security Officials at the Bloomington mall say some of the extra security precautions will be noticeable and some won't be. They're stepping up security following the deadly attack by the Somali militant group al-Shabab at a mall in Nairobi, Kenya.September 25, 2013
Why Kenya is an inviting target for terrorists Kenya has long been an African success story. It also explains why an upscale mall in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, was an ideal target for al-Shabab, the Somali militia with ties to al-Qaida.September 24, 2013
Several victims of Kenya attack have ties to Minnesota Authorities still don't know if the militants who attacked a shopping mall in Kenya hold Minnesota ties. But there's no doubt some of their victims have family connections here.September 24, 2013
Islamic militants: Kenya mall hostages alive Islamic militants who staged a deadly attack on a Kenya mall said Tuesday hostages are still alive and fighters are "still holding their ground," as Nairobi's city morgue braced for the arrival of a large number of bodies of people killed, an official said.September 24, 2013
Kenyan officials claim last push to end mall siege Three attackers had been killed in the fighting Monday, officials said, and more than 10 suspects arrested. Eleven Kenyan soldiers were wounded in the running gun battles. By evening, Kenyan security officials were claiming the upper hand.September 23, 2013