TURKEY: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s communications chief accused the Israeli government today of trying to “hide war crimes” by targeting Mr Erdogan after he seemingly threatened to invade Israel.

In televised remarks to ruling party officials on Sunday night, the president had commented on Israel’s military action in Gaza, saying: “Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them.”

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister said that Mr Erdogan “follows in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatens to attack Israel, saying: “Just let him remember what happened [in Iraq] and how it ended.”

UNITED STATES: Thousands of firefighters battling wildfires in the west have made progress, aided by improving weather, but further evacuations and resources have been necessary.

The so-called Park Fire, the largest wildfire in California this year, was one of more than 100 blazes burning in the US on Sunday, according to the National Interagency Fire Centre.

Some were sparked by the weather, with climate change increasing the frequency of lightning strikes as the western US endures blistering heat and bone-dry conditions.

PAKISTAN: Protests against skyrocketing electricity bills shut down a major road into the capital Islamabad today as some 3,000 supporters of a major Islamist party continued a sit-in despite heavy monsoon rains.

In the south-west, meanwhile, thousands protested at police violence, an internet shutdown and highway closures. At least one person was reportedly killed.

SOUTH AFRICA: Former president Jacob Zuma was expelled by the African National Congress (ANC) today after he formed a new party that contested recent elections.

Mr Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe Party received nearly 15 per cent of the  vote, making it the third-largest political force and contributing significantly to the ANC losing its parliamentary majority.