WORLD BRIEFS

MALI: Timbuktu attacks to continue

Islamist rebels said Sunday they will continue to destroy historic sites in the northern city of Timbuktu before they implement strict Shariah law, as the government compared the destruction to "war crimes." Ansar Dine spokesman Sanda Abu Mohamed said Islamists will continue the destruction they started Saturday. Resident Moussa Maiga said the Islamists have expressed disapproval of what they think is worship of the tombs of the Muslim saints. Resident Bouya Ould Sidi Mohamed said the historic city has long had Muslim roots. "Contrary to what the Islamists or the Wahabis of Ansar Dine say, here in Timbuktu, the people don't love the saints like God, but just seek the saints' blessings because they are our spiritual guides."

KENYA: 10 killed in raid on church

Gunmen killed two policemen guarding a church, snatched their rifles and opened fire on the congregation with bullets and grenades Sunday, killing 10 people and wounding 40, security officials said. Militants from Somalia were immediately suspected. Police commander Philip Ndolo said the bloodiest attack was on the African Inland Church in Garissa, 120 miles west of the Somali border. Attackers threw two grenades into the church, one of which exploded, Ndolo said. As the congregation stampeded out, gunmen opened fire, he said.

INDIA: Toll rises in northeast floods

The death toll from floods and landslides in monsoon rains in the northeast has risen to 62, with more than 2,000 villages inundated, an official said Sunday. More than a week of heavy rains in Assam state has caused the massive Brahmaputra river, one of Asia's largest, to exceed danger levels. Assam's agriculture minister, Nilomoni Sen Deka, said the disaster has affected about 2 million people. More than 480,000 people have sought shelter in government-run relief camps. The monsoon season continues into September.