Mali

Gunmen abduct US aid worker in Niger

BAMAKO — Gunmen stormed the house of a longtime American aid worker in Niger, killing two people before fleeing with the man toward the border with Mali, authorities said Saturday. It is believed to be the first time an American citizen has been abducted in the vast Sahel region, where Al Qaeda and criminal gangs have targeted French nationals and other Europeans for more than a decade, demanding millions of dollars for their release. The US Embassy in Niger on Saturday warned citizens that ‘‘the threat of kidnapping and hostage taking continues to be very high’’ and encouraged people to take precautions. There was no claim of responsibility. (AP)

South Korea

New missile launch by North said to fail

SEOUL — South Korea’s military said Sunday that the latest missile launch by rival North Korea ended in a failure after the projectile exploded soon after liftoff Saturday. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the military believes the North unsuccessfully attempted to fire a midrange Musudan missile. It said the launch attempt was made near an airport in the North’s North Pyongang province. The United States military first reported the failed launch, which it said was made about noon Saturday, local time. South Korea strongly condemned the launch because it violated UN Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from firing ballistic missiles. (AP)

Iraq

Bomber kills 35 attending funeral

BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber struck a funeral gathering in Baghdad on Saturday, killing at least 35 people and wounding more than 60, Iraqi police and hospital officials said. The attack in the Shaab neighborhood occurred around lunchtime, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. The Islamic State claimed responsibility in a statement carried by its Aamaq news agency. Iraq has seen several bombings in recent months, though most have had lower death tolls than Saturday’s attack. The bombing came as Iraqi security forces prepare for an operation to retake the city of Mosul. (AP)