Burundi opposition boycotts poll
AFP, BUJUMBURA, Burundi: Burundi's opposition parties announced yesterday they will boycott upcoming elections, saying it was not possible to hold a fair vote following weeks of violence over President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid to cling to power. "All the opposition have unanimously decided to boycott the elections," said Charles Nditije, a key opposition leader, after a letter signed by representatives of all the political opposition was handed to the election commission.

‘The Avengers’ TV show star dies
AFP, LOS ANGELES: Patrick Macnee, the star of the popular 1960s television spy series "The Avengers," died Thursday at the age of 93 at his home in California, his son said on the actor's website.
The Briton -- who achieved international fame with his portrayal of eccentric but suave secret agent John Steed, usually armed with only his trusty umbrella -- died "a natural death... with his family at his bedside," his son Rupert said. The actor -- whose full name was Daniel Patrick Macnee -- also performed on stage, in both London's West End and New York's Broadway, and served in the Royal Navy during World War II.
Nine dead in Alaska plane crash
AFP, WASHINGTON: A sightseeing plane crashed into a granite rock face in southeast Alaska Thursday killing all nine people on board, US police said.
Emergency crews were able to reach the aircraft and confirm the deceased, but weather in the fjords prevented recovery efforts, Megan Peters from Alaska's Department of Public Safety said.