*) Mass evacuations underway as wildfires gut US west coast

US firefighters are in a race against the clock to save lives and homes in the states of Washington, Oregon and California.

Half a million people have been evacuated in Oregon where wildfires are burning towns to the ground.

The death toll now stands at 15 and is expected to rise further.

*) China, India agree to disengage thousands of border troops

China and India have agreed to de-escalate tensions on their disputed Himalayan border.

The foreign ministers of both countries vowed to take steps to restore peace and maintain the status quo at a high-level diplomatic meeting in Moscow.

Border clashes which started in June, have seen dozens of soldiers killed on both sides.

*) EU countries take in refugees displaced from Lesvos

Thousands of refugees on the Greek island of Lesvos spent the third night in the open after the country's largest camp burned down. The Netherlands, Germany and France agreed to take in hundreds of refugees, while other EU states will take in around 400 minors.

The Moria camp was home to over 12,000 refugees from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

*) Lebanon launches investigation into Beirut port fire

Lebanon has launched an investigation into a huge warehouse fire at the port of Beirut.

The massive fire started in a building that stored cooking oil, and it took firefighters hours to get under control.

There are no casualties and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

And finally,

*) Serena Williams knocked out of US Open

Serena Williams is out of the US Open after being beaten in the semifinals by Victoria Azarenka.

Williams was hoping to win her 24th Grand Slam to equal the world record held by the greatest player of all time, Margaret Court.

Williams says her focus is now on achieving the milestone at Roland Garros later this month.