Briefly

MALAWI

Black box audio retrieved from plane wreckage

The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, or BFU, says it has managed to retrieve audio and other material from the black box of the plane that crashed and killed Malawi Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others. The BFU made the announcement on its website, saying this would help in the efforts to find the reasons for the crash of the aircraft on June 10.According to BFU, the interim report will be published after the lengthy analysis and upon concluding the investigation, and will include the facts gathered to that point.

FRANCE

Minister swims in Seine ahead of Olympics

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera swam in the Seine on Saturday, raising hopes the river will be clean enough for competitors at the Paris Olympics which start in less than two weeks. Weather permitting, the river will be the star of the opening ceremony of the Olympics on July 26 and will then host the triathlon and the open water swimming. The quality of the water met the required standard for "11 days or 10 days" of the past 12, city hall official Pierre Rabadan told broadcaster RFI.

Xinhua - Agencies