Briefs | South African ruling party faces challenge in elections

South Africa’s ruling party faces a robust challenge in municipal elections tomorrow from opposition groups seeking to capitalize on scandals linked to President Jacob Zuma. Early voting began yesterday for the elderly, disabled and others unable to vote at their polling stations on election day.

Romania: 4 to stand trial for 1985 death of dissident

Romanian military prosecutors say four former communist officials will stand trial for the death of a dissident in prison under the regime of former leader Nicolae Ceausescu. Dissident Gheorghe Ursu died two months after being arrested in 1985, after allegedly being beaten repeatedly by interrogators and inmates on the orders of the Securitate secret police. They claimed he had kept a diary in which he criticized the Ceausescu regime.

Poles observe 72nd anniversary of Warsaw Uprising

Polish officials, war veterans and regular citizens are marking the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Warsaw Uprising, a struggle against Nazi Germany in 1944 that lasted 63 days and ended tragically for the Poles. Commemorations took place yesterday, exactly 72 years after the revolt began on August 1, 1944.

Uganda police chief summoned to court over alleged torture

Uganda’s police chief has been summoned to court over torture charges related to alleged police brutality against supporters of an opposition leader who faces treason charges. The charges against Gen. Kale Kayihura were brought by rights lawyers acting independently of the public prosecutor, who has powers to take over the case at some point if he becomes interested, said Solomon Muyita, a spokesman for the judiciary.