The Italian coastguard launched a bid to rescue more than 1,000 migrants who are stranded in the Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and North Africa.

More than 130 people have been rescued so far, but a spokesman for the coast guard in Rome told Reuters that they are certain that "more than 1,000 migrants" were at risk. The group had been travelling in dinghies off the coast of Libya in an attempt to reach Europe, before stormy weather hit them.

The rescue attempt comes after up to 300 people died on Wednesday, when boats carrying them across the Mediterranean capsized.

A ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists has come into effect from 12.01am on Sunday local time (10.01pm Saturday), though sporadic shell fire has been reported across parts of eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poreshenko spoke in a nationally televised broadcast, saying,
"I very much hope that the last chance to begin the long and difficult peaceful process for a political settlement will not be wasted."

Islamic State (IS) captured the town of al-Baghdadi on Saturday, approximately 5 miles from a military base where American troops are currently stationed, after clashes with the Iraqi army over the weekend.

This is “the first [time] in at least a couple of months, if not more, where [Islamic State] have had any success in taking any new ground,” said Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman.

The New York Times reported that Iraqi troops suddenly withdrew in the early hours of Saturday after recapturing many buildings from IS, handing control of the town back to the militants. Colonel Shaaban al-Obeidi, a commander in a police combat unit in Baghdadi said he had “no explanation” for the withdrawal.

Boko Haram militants attacked the northeast Nigerian city of Gombe on Saturday, the first time it has launched a direct assault on the city.

Witnesses said the militants overran a checkpoint on the city borders before Nigerian troops, backed by the air force, engaged the fighters, battling to keep them from entering the city.

On Friday Boko Haram launched their first assault on Chad, killing several villagers in Ngouboua.

The former president of Chad, Hissene Habre, will be put on trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture, announced a special tribunal in Senegal on Friday.

The Extraordinary African Chamber announced the decision in response to a 19 month investigation, with Mr Habre likely to face trial in May or June of this year. The 72 year old, who ruled Chad from 1982 to 1990, fled the country once he left office. Approximately 40,000 people are thought to have been killed under his government. He lived freely in Senegal until he was detained in June 2013.

Islamic militant group Boko Haram launched its first attack in Chad on Friday, killing several people in the village of Ngouboua.

Approximately 30 militants crossed Lake Chad, which borders Nigeria, setting houses ablaze and attacking a police station.

"They came on board three canoes and succeeded in killing about 10 people before being pushed back by the army," said one resident to Reuters.

They were eventually beaten back by Chadian security forces said Colonel Azem Bermandoua Agouna of the Chadian military, telling the BBC that one soldier was killed and four wounded. Reports of civilian casualties remain unconfirmed. However, he added two Boko Haram militants were killed and a further five injured.

The Chadian military also reportedly carried out airstrikes in response, destroying boats used by Boko Haram.

General Bayana Gossingar, the governor of Chad's Lake Region, labelled the attack a "publicity stunt”. “They wanted to show that they can strike on our territory," he said.

A memorial service was held in the German city of Dresden on Friday, marking the 70th anniversary of a bombing campaign that left around 25,000 people dead.

Speaking at the Church Our Lady, which was destroyed during the British and US bombing raids, German President Joachim Gauck said the attack had "burned itself into the memory" of survivors and that Germany needed to learn lessons from the past.