The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for killing more than 70 soldiers, wounding dozens and taking five hostage, in an ambush on a military convoy in northern Burkina Faso. The statement, posted Friday by Amaq, the group’s news agency said it attacked a convoy trying to advance to areas under its control near Deou, in the Sahel’s Oudalan province. It said it seized weapons and chased retreating soldiers for miles into the desert.
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Turkey-Syria earthquake death toll passes 29,000
The death toll from two massive earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria climbed above 29,000, as rescuers continued to dig through rubble for survivors and victims. The number of deaths in Turkey rose to 24,617 on Sunday while more than 4,500 were killed in Syria.
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South Sudan closes schools due to extreme heatwave
South Sudan is closing all schools from Monday in preparation for an extreme heatwave expected to last two weeks. The health and education ministries have advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to soar to 45C (113F).
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Emergency declared over Iceland volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns
Iceland has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes. Authorities have ordered thousands of people living in the southwestern town of Grindavík to leave as a precaution.
