Two suspects emerged from a vehicle in south-east Avignon, opening fire on a group near the mosque. Eight people were wounded, including a child. At present the state prosecutor has ruled out terrorism as a motive, arguing that the mosque’s proximity to the shooting was coincidental, not deliberate.

FARC’s rebel leader Rodrigo Londono was hospitalised on Sunday for a stroke. Believed to be in a “satisfactory” condition, the leader, known as “Timochenko” is expected to leave hospital on Tuesday, with prospects high of a full recovery. With all of FARC’s guns handed into the United Nations, Timochenko’s ability to navigate Colombian politics without violence will continue unhindered, it appears.

Qatar has appeared defiant in the face of an extended deadline for it to meet a set of demands by Saudi Arabia. It is currently facing regional isolation and the 13 demands include the shut-down of Al Jazeera, the restriction of diplomatic ties with Iran, and the closure of a Turkish military base. Also included is a demand to sever ties with Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah. Qatar in return has flatly denied allegations that it funds extremism. Saudi pots calling the kettle black, then.

On Sunday China announced the failure of its new, heavy-lift rocket. Capable of taking 25 tonnes into orbit, the Long March-5 Y2 clearly was incapable of doing so at the weekend. An “abnormity” was detected, with Chinese officials providing no further details. “Great bloody expensive explosion” probably does not appear on the post-mission report.

Weather
BFN: min:4° max 19°, cloudy
CPT: min: 9° max: 17°,  cloudy
DBN: min: 19° max: 21°, rainy
EL: min: 15° max: 19°, rainy
JHB: min: 3° max: 18°, sunny
KIM: min: 11° max: 22°, sunny
NLP: min: 10° max: 19°, cloudy
PMB: min: 7° max: 25°, cloudy
PE: min: 16° max: 18°, rainy
PTA: min: 7° max: 21°, sunny

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