Nation, world briefs 09/20/2015

Homes destroyed by fires hits 1,000

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. -- The tally of homes destroyed by two massive Northern California wildfires topped 1,000 Saturday after authorities making damage assessments in the Sierra Nevada foothills counted another 250 houses destroyed by flames still threatening thousands of more structures. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said the count of 503 homes destroyed by the blaze burning for more than a week in Amador and Calaveras counties comes as firefighters make progress and damage inspection teams have accessed affected areas. Cal Fire had reported 252 homes destroyed as of Friday night by the fire that has charred 110 square miles. "Some of the homes are tucked back in rural areas, so it's taken time to reach them," Berlant said. The fire, which killed at least two people, was 65 percent contained but threatening another 6,400 structures. Another blaze in Lake County, about 170 miles northwest, destroyed at least 585 homes and burned hundreds of other structures. It has killed three people.

100,000 troops will be used during hajj

MECCA, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has deployed 100,000 security personnel to oversee the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage that begins Tuesday, the Interior Ministry spokesman said, underscoring the massive arrangements needed to secure one of the largest pilgrimages in the world and the threats the hajj faces. "We always concentrate on hajj considering that a threat might exist," Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said. "We've been targeted by terrorism for years now, and we know that we are a target for terrorist groups." Al-Turki spoke Saturday from the Interior Ministry's security headquarters for the hajj, in the tent city of Mina a few miles outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca that houses Islam's holiest site, the cube-shaped Kaaba. About 3 million people from around the world are expected to converge at the Kaaba, in Mina and nearby areas for the hajj, which lasts about five days. It is series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood. All able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the hajj once in their lives.

Female genitalia found in man's home

JOHANNESBURG -- A Danish man was arrested after pieces of female genitalia were found in his house, South African police said Saturday. Police arrested the man at his home Thursday, where they found 21 pieces of women's genitalia in plastic bags in a freezer, said police spokesman Brig. Hangwani Mulaudzi. Police also found anesthetic and surgical implements in the home. One of the 58-year-old man's victims alerted the police, Mulaudzi said. Police have asked other women who have been assaulted by the man to come forward. The man will appear in court Monday on charges of sexual assault, Mulaudzi said. Police have enlisted the help of forensics experts, the spokesman added. Mulaudzi said the man's motive is not known. It is not known whether the body parts are from 21 women. It is not known how the man committed the assaults or whether the women are dead or alive.

-- From wire reports