BBC News, with David Austin.
President Obama has confirmed the death of an American aid worker whose killing appeared in a video posted by Islamic State militants. Mr. Obama offered his condolences to the family of Abdul Rahman Kassig also known as Peter. He said the murder was an act of pure evil. David Willis has more.
“26-year old Peter Kassig was abducted in eastern Syria just over a year ago while he was delivering relief supplies to refugees. Last month, he appeared in a video released by Islamic State which showed the beheading of a fellow aid worker, Britain’s Allen Henin. Islamic State vowed that Mr. Kassig would be the next. And today they released a video which the White House has said confirms his death. President Obama offered his prayers and condolences to Mr. Kassig’s family. In a video, Islamic State also warned the United States that it would go on to slaughter soldiers and then slaughter people on the streets.”
The parents of Abdul Rahman Kassig have said they would like their son to be remembered for his work and love he shared with his friends and family and not for the manipulative way he was used by his captors. The British Prime Minister David Cameron said Mr. Kassig had been a compassionate man trying to help the people of Syria.
A suicide bomb attack at a popular market in northeastern Nigeria has killed at least 10 people and injured dozens of others. The suicide bomber blew herself up in the town of Azaria in Bouche state. From Lagos, here is Will Rose.
“Witnesses say the female suicide bomber targeted a market in the town of Azaria, killing customers and traders, soon after with young men took to the streets and burned tires, as they accused politicians from all parties of not doing enough to protect the population. This was the third bomb attack on this town in Bouche state in less than a month. One killed customers queuing at a cash point. And the other targeted a bus station. No group has said carried out the bombings, but the authorities are in no doubt that the Islamic group Bokho Haram is behind them.”
Investigators have recovered parts of the wreckage of the Malaysian Airline’s plane that was shot down in eastern Ukraine 4 months ago. The middle sections of the aircraft, including the wheels and the fuel tanks, were loaded onto flat bed trucks. Thorpe has this report from Kiev.
The wreckage of fight MH17 has finally begun its long journey back to the Netherlands. Almost exactly 4 months after the Malaysian Airliner was shot down, fragments of the wreckage were loaded onto trucks under the watchful lines of Dutch and international investigators. They in turn was closely guarded by armed separatists. According to one Russian media report, more human remains were found under the wreckage. Investigators planned to reassemble parts of the plan and hope the debris would prove once for all who was responsible.
World News from the BBC.
Burkina Faso has taken another step towards return to civilian rule with a signing of a charter, mapping out a year long transition to elections. The man who seized power on behalf of the army at the end of last month, Lieutenant colonel Izzag Zida received glad applause when he signed the document. He was also approved by representatives of Burkina Faso’s political parties, civil society groups and religious leaders at a ceremony in Wagadugu.
A diplomatic row has broken out between Sri Lanka and Norway, the country that facilitated failed peace talks between the island’s government and Tamil Tiger rebels a decade ago. In his speech on Saturday, president Murhinda Rogerpaxa said that he had evidence that Eric Suhi, Norway’s former peace envoy to the country had given money to the Tigers. In response, the Norwegian diplomatic said Mr. Rogerpaxa was telling lies about him.
A French auction house says one of Napoleon’s distinctive hats has been sold for 2.2 million dollars at an auction near Paris. The buyer was a South Korean businessman. Husgo Fields reports.
It had been estimated at 400,000 euros. In the event it went nearly 5 times of that. A sign of a growing interest in Napoleon memory, especially in countries like Russia, China and in this case, South Korea. The businessman who bought it said for him, Napoleon was a pioneer and a symbol. The hat, a bicorne or cocked hat which Napoleon, unlike anyone else were cross the head is one of around 20 examples still in the existence. Most of the others are in the museums. It’s believed to be worn by him at the battle of Merangle in 1800. A man acquired shortly afterwards by the head of his veterinary service. Husgo Field reporting.
The Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has withdrawn from the end season World Tour Final because of injury. He forfeited to the final to the World No.1 Novac Chocovich. Federer is due to leave the Swiss team and the Davis Cup Final next week.