US state sees biggest wildfires in its history

LOS ANGELES • A group of wildfires in the western US state of Washington has become the largest in its history, say officials, and this year has become its worst fire year on record.

The Okanogan complex of wildfires in the state had grown to more than 104,000ha on Monday, according to the National Interagency Fire Centre.

The active fires have ravaged more than 255,000ha, state officials say. That makes this year "the most severe in terms of timing of multiple large fires simultaneously", state governor spokesman Jaime Smith said on Monday.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

South Sudan leader to ink peace pact

JUBA • South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has agreed to sign a peace deal and power-sharing accord to end a 20-month civil war, his spokesman said.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny said yesterday the presidents of Kenya, Uganda and Sudan plus Ethiopia's prime minister would converge in Juba today for a one-day summit, and Mr Kiir will sign the agreement.

South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar signed the deal last Monday, in line with a deadline to do so.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Aussie police drop teen's terror charge

MELBOURNE • Australia has dropped a terror charge against a teenager over an alleged plot to attack Anzac Day commemorations.

The charge against Harun Causevic, 18, who was held during raids in Melbourne in April, was struck out yesterday and he was released on bail, said a court spokesman. The Australian Federal Police said yesterday they had been advised that "there was insufficient evidence to continue the prosecution".

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Zimbabwe tour guide killed by lion in park

HARARE • A Zimbabwean tour guide was killed by a lion in a pride he was tracking with tourists in Hwange National Park, the home of the nation's prized lion Cecil, which was killed last month, the park said.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said Mr Quinn Swales was on a walking safari with six foreign tourists yesterday when he was attacked by male lion Nxaha, which was wearing a GPS collar.Police are investigating the case but it was not immediately clear whether he was armed. None of the tourists was injured.

REUTERS