California’s largest wildfire surges overnight
A fast-growing California wildfire that has already forced thousands to flee their homes and shut down a large national park surged overnight into Saturday, as fatigued firefighters battled gusting winds.
Zimbabwe opposition members in court over post-election violence, victims buried
Twenty-seven members of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) appeared in a Zimbabwe court facing public violence charges on Saturday after six people were killed in post-election protests that were met by a military crackdown.
Several die after small plane crashes in Swiss forest
Several people died after a small plane crashed in a Swiss forest on Saturday morning, causing a forest fire that completely destroyed the plane, police said.
Ethiopian army clashes with local government paramilitaries – witnesses
Ethiopian soldiers traded fire with members of local government security forces on Saturday in the country’s eastern Somali region after central authorities sought to arrest regional officials, witnesses said.
UK says deeply concerned by Zimbabwe election violence
Britain’s government said on Saturday that it was deeply concerned by violence following Zimbabwe’s elections and by the “disproportionate response from the security forces.”
Russia confirms proposed Syria cooperation with United States
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed on Saturday that it had proposed cooperating with the United States on Syrian refugees and de-mining in a letter sent to the top U.S. general in July.
Police detain around 25 gay rights activists in St Petersburg
Russian police detained around 25 gay rights activists who took part in an unsanctioned rally in St Petersburg on Saturday, according to Reuters witnesses.
France’s EDF halts four nuclear reactors due to heatwave
EDF has halted four nuclear reactors at three power plants in France because of the current heatwave affecting Europe, a spokesman for the utility said on Saturday.
SE Asia falls short on cybersecurity pact with Russia: Singapore
Singapore’s foreign minister said on Saturday that Southeast Asian nations “didn’t get down to settling” a cyber security agreement with Russia.
Eritrean Airlines starts regular flights to Addis, improving relations: minister
Eritrean Airlines has begun regular flights to Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, the Eritrean information minister said on Saturday, marking another step in improving relations between the Horn of African countries after a generation of hostility.
