Head of IS in Greater Sahara killed by French forces

France said yesterday its troops deployed in the Sahel region of Africa had killed the head of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) extremist group who was wanted for deadly attacks on US soldiers and foreign aid workers. Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi formed ISGS in 2015 after splitting with Al-Qaeda linked jihadists and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group, which at that time controlled swathes of Iraq and Syria. Sahrawi was "neutralised by French forces," President Emmanuel Macron tweeted early yesterday. "This is another major success in our fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel," Macron said.

Indonesia court finds Widodo negligent in pollution lawsuit

In a landmark victory for Indonesian environment campaigners, a court yesterday ordered President Joko Widodo to clean up Jakarta's notorious air pollution, ruling that the leader and other top officials had been negligent in protecting citizens. The capital and its surroundings form a megacity of about 30 million people, which routinely ranks among the most polluted cities in the world. Experts have warned for years about the threat posed by Jakarta's smog to the health of residents, especially children. A group of 32 activists and citizens impacted by pollution had filed the lawsuit two years ago, accusing Widodo, as well as his ministers for health, home and environment, and the governor of Jakarta, of negligence over the state of the city's environment.

50 killed in Yemen clashes

At least 50 rebels and pro-government troops, including a high-ranking officer, have been killed in clashes in Yemen's central province of Al-Bayda, military sources told AFP yesterday. "A colonel and 19 other loyalists were killed in the past 24 hours in fighting with the Huthi insurgents in Al-Bayda district," a government military official said. "Thirty rebels also met their fate in battlefield clashes and air strikes." The Huthis rarely report casualty numbers but the figures were confirmed by other military sources. The Iran-backed rebels have made advances in Al-Bayda province in recent weeks as they also fight for control of the strategic city of Marib in the north. In February, the Huthis escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last toehold in the north, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.

Thai lawmakers vote on law against disappearances

Thai lawmakers yesterday gave initial approval to a law against torture and forced disappearances, after years of delay and criticism from rights groups. Activists have long accused authorities of state-sanctioned abductions and torture, and the UN says there have been more than 80 disappearances since 1980. The kingdom's criminal code does not currently recognise the offences, but rogue state officials convicted under the new legislation will face long prison terms.