It's the first week of official business for the world's newest country. The Republic of South Sudan officially came into existence on Saturday, after gaining independence from the northern part of the country, still known as Sudan. It's the first new country in the world since 1993. The BBC's James Copnall joins us from Khartuom, in the north, tells us how this country came to be and what's in store for its future. 

It's a historic moment in African history. South Sudan will secede from the North, which is predominantly Muslim. Though Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir campaigned on a promise to maintain unity, he has told the South that he will now accept secession. But last Thursday, fighting broke out in a battalion of Southern Sudanese militiamen who refused to redeploy to the North. The apparent mutiny killed at least 50 people. Will the referendum results allow South Sudan independence through peace? 

The first multi-party elections held in Sudan in two decades began Sunday. In a complex three-day balloting process, Sudanese are choosing not only their president, but also their national and state assemblies, their governors and other local officials.

This morning the International Criminal court in the Hague is deciding whether to charge the current Sudanese president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, with genocide. The ICC had already issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir in March 2009 for war crimes in Darfur, so what would these more serious charges mean?

A Sudanese reporter has been charged with wearing indecent clothing. What was she wearing to land her in court? Trousers. If convicted of the crime, she could be punished with 40 lashes. She has invited the world's media to witness her case and likely punishment. BBC Correspondent James Copnall was in the courtroom.