At least 29 people were killed in two attacks in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, in a region prone to jihadist violence, the government said.
One vehicle transporting people and goods "rode over an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Barsalogho area" leaving at least 15 passengers dead, government spokesman Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said in a statement.
A security source said most were traders.
Meanwhile, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, 14 people were killed when food vans travelling in convoy were attacked, the spokesman added.
Local sources said many of the dead were the drivers of the three-wheeler vans, which were carrying provisions for people displaced by fighting.
"Military reinforcements have been deployed and a thorough search is under way," Dandjinou said.
A former French colony that ranks among the world's poorest countries, Burkina Faso has been struggling with an Islamist militant revolt since 2015.
The country's army has been increasingly targeted by ...

At least 29 killed in two attacks in Burkina Faso

PTI Automatic

The ruler of Kuwait, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, has been admitted to a hospital in the United States for "medical tests", a senior official said on Sunday.
As a result a meeting with US President Donald Trump set for September 12 was postponed, Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, the minister in charge of the Amiri Diwan (royal court) affairs said.
"Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah has been admitted to a hospital in the US for medical tests and thus rescheduled a meeting with President Donald Trump," he said, according to the official KUNA news agency.
A new date for the meeting was expected to be announced later, he added.
The White House confirmed that the meeting with Trump had been postponed, saying in a statement that "the president wishes his friend...a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming him back to Washington as soon as he is feeling better."
Sheikh Ali "prayed to Allah the Almighty to bestow His Highness the Emir with good health," KUNA said.
The minister .

Kuwait ruler in US hospital for 'tests', Trump meeting postponed

A powerful typhoon with potentially record winds and rain battered the Tokyo region early Monday, sparking evacuation warnings to tens of thousands, widespread blackouts and transport disruption.
Typhoon Faxai, packing winds of up to 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, made landfall in Chiba just east of the capital before dawn, after barrelling through Tokyo Bay.
About 5,000 people in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures were ordered to evacuate, public broadcaster NHK reported on its Twitter feed.
Authorities issued non-compulsory evacuation warnings to more than 3,90,000 people, as forecasters cautioned the rain and wind could reach "record" proportions.
Nearly 2,90,000 households lost power in the region, while at least 10 houses were damaged in Shizuoka with windows shattered and cars flipped onto their sides, according to local media.
"Please be on full alert against gusts and high waves and be vigilant about landslides, floods and swollen rivers," the Japan Metereological Agency ...

Powerful typhoon Faxai in direct hit on Tokyo

At least 20 people were killed in two attacks in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, in a region prone to jihadist violence, local and military sources said.
One vehicle, transporting  people and goods, "rode over an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Barsalogho area, leaving at least ten passengers dead, most of them tradesmen", a security source told AFP.
Meanwhile, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, ten drivers of three-wheeler food vans, travelling in convoy, were killed by armed attackers in a second attack, a local official said. The security spokeswoman confirmed that attack without giving a death toll.
A former French colony that ranks among the world's poorest countries, Burkina Faso has been struggling with an Islamist militant revolt since 2015.
The food vans were carrying provisions for people displaced by the fighting, according to the local source.
The country's army has been increasingly targeted by jihadists. Earlier this month, an attack on a military base in ...

At least 20 killed in two attacks in North Burkina Faso: Official sources

Joe Root said he was "bitterly disappointed" after England slipped to defeat in the fourth Test against Australia on Sunday despite a defiant effort to keep their Ashes dream alive.
England, set a huge target of 383 to win at Old Trafford, were bowled out for 197 following some spirited lower-order defiance.  Victory left Australia 2-1 up in the five-Test series ahead of next week's finale at the Oval.
"I'm bitterly disappointed," England captain Root told BBC Radio. "I thought the way we fought today, the character we showed, every single one of them can be proud of that today.
"To come so close to taking it to the Oval is hard to take. We've still got to look forward and make sure we level the series.
"I think it's been a good Test wicket, an important toss to win, and we were not quite at our best in the first innings. We fought hard and bravely throughout the game, but we're in the position we are now." Root hailed
Steve Smith, who has scored an astonishing 671 runs at 134.2 ...

Root says Test defeat 'hard to take' as Australia retain Ashes

Russians voted in local elections on Sunday that will test the popularity of President Vladimir Putin and his allies after a crackdown on opposition protests in Moscow.
Elections for municipal councils and regional governors took place across the country, but most attention was focused on Moscow, where tens of thousands took to the streets this summer after potential opposition candidates were barred from the vote.
Police detained hundreds of the protesters and while most were quickly released some faced serious charges. In the week before the election, five were sentenced to jail time ranging from two to four years.
On election day, police detained several protest figures including Maria Alyokhina of political punk group Pussy Riot and Ilya Azar, a journalist and city councillor.
The opposition has called for voters to punish the Kremlin and the ruling United Russia party at the ballot box.
"Today we are fighting to destroy United Russia's monopoly," Russia's main opposition leader, .

Russians go to polls in test for Putin allies

Iran on Sunday hinted that it could release "within days" a UK-flagged oil tanker it had seized in July in sensitive Gulf waters amid rising hostilities with Britain's ally the United States.
Foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told state television the "necessary steps" to set the Swedish-owned ship free were "underway".  "The final steps of the legal procedure are underway and, God willing, the boat will be released in the coming days," he said, without giving further details.
The seizure of the Stena Impero was seen as a tit-for-tat move after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar in July on suspicion it was shipping oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.
Gibraltar released the ship -- formerly called the Grace 1 but since renamed the Adrian Darya 1 -- on August 18 after receiving written assurances from Iran that it would not head to countries under EU sanctions.
Tehran denied it had made any promises about the destination of the ship laden with 2.1 ...

Iran says it could release UK-flagged tanker within days

Georgia's parliament on Sunday confirmed an ex-interior minister accused of cracking down on protesters as the country's new prime minister, fuelling political tensions in the ex-Soviet nation.
Lawmakers voted 98-0 to confirm Giorgi Gakharia as premier in a vote boycotted by the opposition.
Gakharia, 44, is deeply hated by Georgia's opposition for overseeing a security operation against anti-Russia protests in June.
Riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets against the demonstrations and dozens of protesters were hurt, including several people who lost eyes.
Opposition supporters have dubbed Gakharia "Moscow's man" in Tbilisi and accused him of taking orders from Russia, which supports two breakaway regions of Georgia and fought a war with the country in 2008.
He rejected those claims in a speech before his approval, saying Georgia remained on its path towards closer ties with the European Union and NATO.
"The most important component of our security is the country's pro-Western ...

Georgian MPs approve controversial new prime minister

Sudan's first cabinet since the ouster of president Omar al-Bashir was sworn in Sunday as the African country transitions to a civilian rule following nationwide protests that overthrew the autocrat.
The 18-member cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, which includes four women, took oath at the presidential palace in Khartoum, an AFP correspondent reported.
It is expected to steer the daily affairs of the country during a transition period of 39 months.
The line-up was formed after Sudan last month swore in a "sovereign council" -- a joint civilian-military ruling body that aims to oversee the transition.
The 18 ministers were seen greeting members of the sovereign council, including its chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in images broadcast by state television from the palace.
"We have to put in a lot of efforts to meet our people's demands," Information Minister Faisal Mohamed Saleh told reporters after the swearing in ceremony.
"The world is watching us. It is waiting to 

Sudan's first post-Bashir cabinet sworn in

Former vice president Joe Biden continues to hold a lead among Democratic presidential aspirants, a new poll showed Sunday, despite recent questions about his age and mental clarity.
Biden's lead among Democratic voters has remained relatively steady, as he and senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren increasingly emerge as a distinct top tier in the large field, according to the Washington Post/ABC News poll.
The poll showed Biden favoured by 29 per cent of registered Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, with Sanders at 19 per cent and Warren, who has been surging, at 18 per cent.
The survey of registered voters was conducted for four days through Thursday -- the day when Biden's age and energy levels came under their most direct attack yet from any of his Democratic rivals.
"I just think Biden is declining," Ohio congressman Tim Ryan told a Bloomberg News reporter in a phone call.
"I don't think he has the energy. You see it almost daily. And I love the guy."
Ryan later 

Even as a rival says he is 'declining,' Biden keeps poll lead

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government backed legislation Sunday to allow party representatives to bring cameras to polling stations in the upcoming election, an official said, despite opposition from the attorney general.
Israel's Arab population sees the move as an attempt at voter intimidation since many may be afraid to turn up at polling stations due to the cameras.
Netanyahu says the legislation is only intended to prevent voter fraud, but critics call it a purely political move ahead of the September 17 poll.
"The best way to prevent fraud in the elections is to station cameras in every polling place and allow poll watchers from the rival parties to supervise each other," Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday's cabinet meeting.
His cabinet approved the bill on Sunday, an Israeli official said, but it now must go to the parliament with little time remaining before the election.
The parliament, or Knesset, said in a statement that a special session was planned for 

Israeli ministers back controversial camera bill before vote

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday did not rule out reopening talks with the Taliban if they make a "significant commitment," after President Donald Trump cancelled a secret meeting with their leaders at his Camp David retreat.
Pompeo said Trump had not decided whether he would still withdraw US troops -- but warned the Taliban of renewed military pressure if they keep up attacks.  "I hope it's the case the Taliban will change their behavior and recommit to things we've talking about. In the end this will be resolved through a series of conversations," Pompeo told ABC television program "This Week." Trump, in a Saturday evening bombshell, said he had invited Taliban leaders and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to meet him Sunday at Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington.  Trump said he was canceling the talks because the Taliban, who have never halted their campaign of violence, had killed a US serviceman in a car bombing on Thursday in Kabul.  "We need a ...

Pompeo doesn't rule out new Taliban talks

Jos Buttler led a defiant rearguard action as England fought desperately to draw the fourth Test against Australia at Old Trafford on Sunday and keep the Ashes alive.
England were 166-6 at tea on the final day in a match in which a win for Australia would see the holders retain the Ashes at 2-1 up with one to play in a five-Test series.
Buttler, England's last recognised batsman, was 30 not out, with the usually free-flowing runscorer having faced 96 balls, while Craig Overton was unbeaten on 12 off 47 deliveries.
Any thoughts of England chasing down an imposing victory target of 383 had long since evaporated.
Instead, with a new ball available to Australia 11 overs after tea, the question was whether they could hold out for a draw, which would leave the series all square ahead of next week's finale at the Oval in London.
England, resuming on their overnight 18-2, got through the first hour without losing a wicket.
But when Ben Stokes, whose superb 135 not out had sealed a stunning ...

Buttler gives England hope of great escape against Australia

Former Republican governor Mark Sanford announced Sunday he is entering the race for his party's presidential nomination, in a long-shot challenge to President Donald Trump.
Sanford, who would be the third Republican to mount a primary bid against Trump, said he had decided to run because of the "astounding" debt and deficits piled up during his presidency.
"I think as a Republican party we have lost our way," he said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday."
"The president has called himself the king of debt, has a familiarity and comfort level with debt that I think ultimately is leading us in the wrong direction."
Sanford's decision comes amid reports that Republican officials in some states, including his home state of South Carolina as well as Nevada and Arizona, are considering canceling their 2020 primaries.
Asked whether he really thought he could defeat Trump, Sanford replied: "I'm saying, you never know."
"I'm listing my goals, my primary goals to say let's go out and force, ..

Trump has another Republican challenger, Mark Sanford

Two people died from heat exhaustion after attending a mass open air faith healing session in northeast Sri Lanka which left 13 others fighting for their lives, police said Sunday.
Around 10,000 people, some of whom were seriously ill, had gathered at a school to listen to a man who claimed he could use "powers of the gods and the Buddha" to cure the sick.
Police in the town of Horowupotana, 260 kilometres (162 miles) north-east of Colombo said 18 people were taken to hospital, with 13 in a critical condition.
Officials at the local hospital said the two who died suffered heat exhaustion while others were treated for dehydration.
Temperatures have soared to about 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the area this weekend.
The faith healer, Deegoda Kumara, used his YouTube channel to deny he had caused the deaths and accused local media of causing unrest by spreading mistrust about his work.
In one video, Kumara claimed to have revived a road accident victim who had been in .

Two die, 13 critical after Sri Lanka faith healing

Typhoon Faxai, upgraded to a "very strong" storm with potentially record winds and rain, battered the Tokyo region late Sunday, sparking evacuation warnings to tens of thousands and transport disruption.
Faxai, packing winds of up to 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, was bearing down on the Japanese capital and was expected to pass right over the megacity in the early hours of Monday.
Authorities issued non-compulsory evacuation warnings to more than 110,000 people, as forecasters cautioned the rain and wind could reach "record" proportions.
"Please be on full alert against gusts and high waves and be vigilant about landslides, floods and swollen rivers," the agency said in a statement.
Faxai was likely to cause havoc with the Monday morning commute in Tokyo with train operators forced to suspend major lines until at least 8 am.
"We need to inspect tracks and check if there is any damage as the typhoon is expected to pass through the region overnight," a train company spokesman ...

Powerful typhoon Faxai pummels Tokyo region

Former Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe is expected to be buried next weekend after his body is returned from Singapore where he died two days ago, a presidential spokesman said on Sunday.
Mugabe, a guerrilla leader who swept to power after Zimbabwe's independence from Britain and went on to rule for 37 years until he was ousted in 2017, died on Friday, aged 95.
Presidential spokesman George Charamba told AFP by text message that his body should arrive in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, with an official funeral on Saturday and the burial the following day.
But the location of the burial was unclear, with Mugabe's family and President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government apparently at odds over whether it would be at his homestead northwest of Harare or at a shrine for liberation heroes in the capital.
Mugabe's nephew said earlier Sunday that a delegation was expected to leave Zimbabwe on Monday to collect the hero-turned-despot's body from Singapore.
His health deteriorated after he was toppled by .

Mugabe expected to be buried next weekend

Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari's first victory at their home Italian Grand Prix since 2010 on Sunday when he resisted race-long pressure from both Mercedes rivals to claim his second successive Formula One triumph.
The 21-year-old Monegasque, who dedicated his maiden win last Sunday to the memory of his late friend Anthoine Hubert, who was killed in an F2 race a day earlier, was exultant as a vast army of 'tifosi' in an estimated crowd of more than 150,000 celebrated deliriously.
"What a race!" said an exhausted Leclerc.
"I have never felt so tired in a race. It was so difficult. For me, it is a dream to win here like this in front of the 'tifosi' - thanks to everyone!"
Lelcerc came home narrowly ahead of second-placed Valtteri Bottas and his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who pursued the victor for most of the race until his tyres let him down.
After a late pit stop, Hamilton then claimed the fastest lap of the race.  Leclerc's Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel endured a torrid 

Cool Leclerc delivers Ferrari Monza triumph

A Bangladesh university has suspended a student for being Rohingya, officials said Sunday, as impatience with the refugees grows following a second failed attempt to repatriate them to Myanmar.
Some 740,000 of the Muslim minority fled to southeast Bangladesh after a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017, joining 200,000 Rohingya already there.
Formal education in Bangladesh is forbidden for refugees. Cox's Bazar International University said it had suspended Rahima Akter Khushi, 20, and would investigate her case after local media said she hid her Rohingya identity to enrol.
"Rohingya can't be admitted to our university, because they are refugees," the institution's head Abul Kashem said.
"Foreigners can study here, but they must follow a procedure." He said the young woman had supplied documents showing she completed high-school studies in Bangladesh's port city of Chittagong.
Khushi, who was studying law, told AFP the private university's decision had ...

Bangladesh university suspends student for being Rohingya

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei ran the fastest half-marathon ever by a woman on Sunday, winning the Great North Run in a time of one hour, four minutes and 28 seconds.
Her time was 23 seconds quicker than the world record set in 2017 by fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei but the course in the northeast of England is not eligible for records.
Kosgei, who won this year's London Marathon, led a Kenyan sweep of the top four places, with Magdalyne Masai second (1:07.36) and Linet Masai third (1:07:44).
Mo Farah won the men's elite race for a record sixth successive year as he warms up to defend his Chicago Marathon title next month.
Four-time Olympic champion Farah, 36, was pushed hard by Tamirat Tola, but proved too strong in the final mile for the Ethiopian, finishing the 13.1-mile course in 59min 7sec and winning by six seconds.
Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands was third (59:55).
Farah, a two-time Olympic champion in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, is aiming to establish himself among the world's ...

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei runs fastest-ever women's half-marathon

The Taliban said the US "will be harmed more than anyone" but left the door open for future negotiations Sunday after President Donald Trump abruptly announced that he had called off year-long talks to end America's longest war.
"We still... believe that the American side will come back to this position... Our fight for the past 18 years should have proven to the Americans that we will not be satisfied until we witness the complete end of the occupation," the group said in a statement released on Twitter by spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
The statement said the insurgents had "finalised" a deal with the US that had been expected to allow Washington to begin withdrawing troops in exchange for security promises from the Taliban.
It added that both sides had been preparing for the deal to be announced and signed when Trump tweeted late Saturday that he had "called off peace negotiations".
Trump had cited a Taliban attack in Kabul on Thursday which killed 12 people including a US soldier as 

AFP

AFP

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