18 dead in attack on convoy in Egypt

Militants killed 18 people in an attack yesterday on a security convoy in Egypt's North Sinai, where police and troops are battling a jihadist insurgency, security and medical sources said. The interior ministry confirmed an attack around the town of Bir al-Abed had caused deaths and injuries but did not provide a toll. A local Islamic State group affiliate based in North Sinai has killed hundreds of soldiers and police in attacks since the military in 2013 ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.