US casualties in Afghanistan soar to record highs
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
AP - In a summer of suffering, America's military death toll in Afghanistan is rising, with back-to-back record months for U.S. losses in the grinding conflict. All signs point to more bloodshed in the months ahead, straining the already shaky international support for the war.
Kingpin's death could mean more violence in Mexico
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 6:10pm
AP - One of the world's most powerful drug cartels took a major hit when soldiers killed a top kingpin in a gunbattle, and his death will likely will mean more violence as factions fight for the cocaine and methamphetamine empire that he left behind.
Sarkozy threatens immigrants who target police
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 5:24pm
AP - President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that he wants to revoke the French citizenship of immigrants who put the lives of police officers in danger as part of a "national war" on delinquency.
US investigates threats against Mexican consulate
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 4:49pm
AP - The U.S. State Department said Friday it is evaluating threats surrounding the consulate in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez as hundreds with appointments for visa applications and other services stood outside the shuttered office wondering what to do.
5.7 quake shakes Iran
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 4:27pm
AP - A 5.7-magnitude earthquake rattled the northeast Iranian city of Torbat-e Heydariyeh on Friday, injuring at least 110 people.
A Shady Resume Sparks Debate Over Honesty in China
(Time.com)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 3:55pm
Time.com - After the former head of Microsoft China's academic credentials have come under scrutiny, a nationwide debate is raging on the place of integrity in Chinese society
Dutch anti-Islam party to have strong voice in next govt
(AFP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 6:12pm
AFP - Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders will have to be consulted on every decision the next government makes if a provisional agreement on forming a new cabinet reached Friday is finalised, an expert said.
Syria, Saudi leaders travel together to Lebanon
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 3:28pm
AP - The leaders of Syria and Saudi Arabia, once bitter rivals, made an unprecedented show of cooperation Friday, traveling together to Lebanon in hopes of preventing any violence if members of a militant group are indicted in the 2005 assassination of a former Lebanese prime minister.
Chavez: Venezuela has deployed troops amid spat
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 10:01pm
AP - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has deployed infantry troops and aircraft in case of a conflict with neighboring Colombia.
U.N. tells Darfur peace force to focus on security
(Reuters)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 2:24pm
Reuters - The U.N. Security Council extended the stay of peacekeepers in Sudan's western Darfur region by another year on Friday, telling the force to focus primarily on protecting civilians and aid deliveries.
China coal mine blast leaves 15 dead: media
(AFP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:40pm
AFP - Fifteen people have been killed in a coal mine blast in northern China, state media reported Saturday, in the latest accident to hit the notoriously dangerous industry.
Economic growth ticks higher in May
(Reuters)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 10:58am
Reuters - Growth in Canada's economy edged up in May after stalling unexpectedly in April, helped by strength in the goods-producing sectors led by oil and gas extraction, while the service sector faltered for a second straight month.
Australian PM Gillard heading for defeat: new poll
(Reuters)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
Reuters - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is heading for a shock defeat at elections on August 21, a new opinion poll showed Saturday, as government infighting and damaging cabinet leaks threatened to derail her campaign.
U.S.-led coalition finds 'success' elusive in Kandahar
(McClatchy Newspapers)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 8:28pm
McClatchy Newspapers - ARGHANDAB, Afghanistan — As the U.S.-led coalition launches its most critical military operation of the nine-year war in Afghanistan, doubts are growing about whether the United States and its allies can contain the surging Taliban-led insurgency and prevent the country from reverting to an al Qaida sanctuary or erupting in civil war.
Wyclef Jean mulling Haiti presidential run against politician uncle
(The Christian Science M...
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 4:56pm
The Christian Science Monitor - Wyclef Jean is considering running for president against his politician uncle, although some observers are skeptical if the earthquake-ravaged country is even capable of holding elections this year.
Ore. district attorney says no Gore prosecution
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:22pm
AP - Former Vice President Al Gore was cleared Friday of allegations he groped and assaulted a masseuse in a luxury Portland hotel room in 2006, closing a case that could have tarnished the Nobel prize winner's reputation.
Ariz. governor considers changing immigration law
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
AP - The fight over Arizona's immigration law showed no signs of letting up Friday as the federal judge who blunted its force faced threats and the Republican governor who signed it considered changes to address any faults.
Calif. wildfire jumps aqueduct, approaches homes
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 10:02pm
AP - A huge wildfire in the high desert wilderness north of Los Angeles jumped an aqueduct Friday, rushing toward hundreds of houses as firefighters also tried to keep flames from damaging power lines that bring electricity to Southern California.
Wildlife rescue escalates at Mich. river oil spill
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:55pm
AP - Volunteers and government officials scrambled on Friday to save geese and other wildlife damaged by an oil spill in a southern Michigan river as the Canadian company that owns the ruptured pipeline said the crude had been contained.
12-year-old girl injured on Wis. 'free fall' ride
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:00pm
AP - A 12-year-old girl at an amusement park plunged more than 40 feet to the ground on Friday, seriously injuring herself when a safety net under a "free fall" attraction failed to catch her.
Signs of oil spill recovery entering new phase
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:30pm
AP - BP's new boss says it's time for a "scaleback" in cleaning up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Federal officials say there is no way the crude could reach the East Coast. And fishing areas are starting to reopen.
2 killed in plane crash pulled from Lake Michigan
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:57pm
AP - State police divers on Friday recovered the remains of two of four missing passengers who were on a medical plane that crashed into Lake Michigan last week.
Deadly gas explosion destroys building in Calif.
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 7:17pm
AP - A deadly gas explosion obliterated an industrial building with such violent force Friday that a worker was hurled into the street, car windows were shattered and a survivor had his hair singed in the inferno.
Grizzly bear euthanized after Mont. triple mauling
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 7:33pm
AP - Wildlife officials euthanized a grizzly bear Friday after DNA tests confirmed that the sow and her cubs were responsible for a triple mauling that killed a Michigan man and injured two other campers.
NM governor considers pardon for Billy the Kid
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 5:41pm
AP - The showdown between Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid has fascinated the American public for nearly 130 years with its classic, Old West storyline of the frontier lawman hunting down the notorious gunslinger.
Army: Chemical weapons off Hawaii should stay put
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 9:41pm
AP - Chemical weapons dumped in deep water five miles south of Pearl Harbor after World War II should remain at the site because moving them could pose more of a threat to people and the environment, the Army said Friday.
Moms work full-time for hikers' release from Iran
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 6:48pm
AP - Cindy Hickey was sitting in her home office last summer, preparing a receipt for a client of her animal physical therapy business when the phone rang. She picked up, then nearly hung up, thinking it was a sales call.
Time to scrap BP brand? Gas-station owners divided
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 4:55pm
AP - BP gas station owners across the country are divided over whether the oil giant stained by its handling of the Gulf spill should rebrand U.S. outlets as Amoco or another name as part of efforts to repair the company's badly damaged reputation.
Prosecutors: Smith part of conspiracy to get drugs
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 6:22pm
AP - In a surprise move, prosecutors in the case of Anna Nicole Smith's doctors and her lawyer-boyfriend say the former Playboy model conspired with the defendants to illegally obtain massive amounts of prescription drugs.
Feds arrest Polish immigrant in NM smuggling case
(AP)
Posted on 30 Jul 2010 at 4:53pm
AP - An Illinois man faces human smuggling charges after investigators say he placed an ad in a Chicago-area Polish language newspaper, offering to drive illegal immigrants to New Mexico to take advantage of the state's lax driver's license rules.
